2011 Nissan Rogue engine problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Rogue has been reported to lose power suddenly at highway speeds or fail to accelerate normally, with stalling at idle in some cases. Before buying one, get a thorough pre-purchase inspection and test drive to confirm the engine runs smoothly under acceleration and load.
Owners of 2011 Rogues report sudden, complete loss of engine power while driving at highway speeds (65–70 mph) without warning. The engine simply shuts down, forcing the driver to pull over. Restart is possible after a wait, sometimes as brief as 10 minutes or as long as 20–39 minutes. One owner at 61,011 miles had a faulty mass airflow sensor replaced; most other cases remained undiagnosed despite multiple dealer visits.
A separate failure pattern involves loss of throttle response: gas pedal input produces no acceleration, or the vehicle decelerates unexpectedly even with cruise control set. RPMs climb but the car will not exceed 30–40 mph. One owner reported over 10 such incidents, requiring 20–39 minute rest periods between attempts. Owners suspect the CVT transmission and cooler; Nissan extended warranty coverage for this exact issue on 2010 models but not 2011s.
Additional failures include stalling at idle with check engine light illumination (unable to diagnose at two dealerships), engine shaking and vibration, and one report of engine fire. Early stalls occurred as low as 61,000 miles; later incidents surfaced at 80,000+ miles. No repair solutions were confirmed in most narratives.
Same Nissan Rogue engine reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Complete loss of engine power while driving
Engine shuts down without warning at highway speeds (65-70 mph) or during normal acceleration. Vehicle loses all power, stalls, and may require 10-20+ minutes before restarting. No warning lights precede the failure in most cases.
When: 61,011–80,785 miles; incidents reported between January–February 2012 and ongoing; recurring across multiple instances
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown at highway speeds; Loss of power without warning lights; Vehicle restarts after sitting 10-20+ minutes; No warning indicators illuminated in most cases; Check engine light in some instances
Repairs/costs cited: Faulty mass airflow (MAF) sensor replaced in one case (narrative #7, 61,011 miles); dealerships unable to diagnose in other cases despite multiple visits
Loss of throttle response and acceleration stumble
Vehicle fails to accelerate when gas pedal is pressed, or loses power mid-drive even when cruise control is set. Engine revs high but car decelerates to 30-40 mph and will not exceed that speed. Occurs frequently (over 10 times reported in one case) and requires extended rest stops of 20-39 minutes.
When: Recurring at 65-70 mph; repeated instances over months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: No engine response when accelerator pedal pressed; Vehicle decelerates unexpectedly during highway driving; RPMs rise to 8 but car remains at 30-40 mph maximum; Happens with both manual acceleration and cruise control; Requires 20-39 minute stops to reset
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite CVT transmission and cooler as suspect; one narrative mentions extended warranty covered this issue on 2010 models but not 2011
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty provided only for 2010 models, not 2011 despite identical fault
Engine stall at idle with check engine light
Vehicle stalls while stopped at red lights or during idle, with check engine light illuminating. Vehicle can be restarted after shifting to Park.
When: 80,785 miles and earlier instances
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while idling at traffic lights; Check engine warning light illuminates; Vehicle restarts after shifting to Park; Intermittent recurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Two dealerships unable to diagnose cause; problem unresolved
Engine fire
Engine caught fire while driving.
When: Mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fire while driving
Engine shaking and vibration with check engine light
While driving, engine illuminates check engine light and vehicle shakes and vibrates noticeably.
When: February 2012, early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Engine shakes and vibrates; Occurs during highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to dealer for repair (details of repair not specified)
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2011 Nissan Rogue?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 60,000 and 101,453 miles, with the median around 70,228. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 101,453. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.