CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 Nissan Rogue powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 Nissan Rogue have filed 189 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 86,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
189
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Rogue | 145 |
| 2009 Rogue | 92 |
| 2010 Rogue | 119 |
| 2011 Rogue (this page) | 189 |
| 2012 Rogue | 134 |
| 2013 Rogue | 312 |
| 2014 Rogue | 113 |
| 2015 Rogue | 132 |
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 189 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 Nissan Rogue, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 52% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 189 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR BINDING FEELING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN AWD MODELS; ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR JUDDER FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN AWD MODELS; ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR JUDDER FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2011 Rogue's CVT transmission is the central complaint across all narratives. Most owners describe the same sequence: smooth operation until 50k–60k miles, then sudden loss of acceleration on highways or at traffic lights, often without warning lights. During extended highway driving or uphill grades, drivers report the transmission entering "limp mode"—RPMs spike to 3000–6000 but the car will not accelerate past 40 mph, creating life-threatening situations with semi-trucks and fast-moving traffic.
Owners document jerking, grinding, and whistling noises preceding failures. Some cars stall entirely at red lights; others lose power for 30 minutes, then recover after the owner turns off the engine and lets it cool. Rebuilding or replacing the transmission costs $3600–$5800. The recurring complaint is that Nissan extended the warranty on 2008–2010 Rogues to 120k miles and 10 years for the same CVT problem, but refuses the same coverage for 2011 models despite identical failure patterns. Nissan's own service bulletin (NTB16-090) documents CVT overheating in warm weather and hilly terrain, yet directs owners to buy an aftermarket transmission cooler ($1000+) at their own cost. Multiple owners report near-accidents, blocked intersections, and fear of driving on highways.
Same Nissan Rogue powertrain reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of acceleration / limp mode on highway
CVT transmission enters fail-safe mode, limiting vehicle speed to 40 mph or below regardless of pedal input. Typically occurs during extended highway driving, especially on inclines or in hot weather (80°F+). RPMs spike (3000-6000) but car will not accelerate. Vehicle recovers after pulling over, turning off, and allowing cool-down.
When: 50k–115k miles; commonly after 60k-mile warranty expiration; triggered by prolonged highway driving, uphill grades, ambient heat
Symptoms owners cite: sudden loss of acceleration on highway at speed; inability to maintain highway speed despite pedal to floor; RPM spike (2500–6000) with no acceleration; reduced speed to 20–40 mph on inclines; transmission enters limp/fail-safe mode; recovery after vehicle sits and cools 10–30 minutes; intermittent: may not happen on short trips
Codes mentioned: P0744 (Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent), transmission code (generic, dealers report without specifics), sometimes no code stored or check engine light does not appear
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite transmission cooler installation ($1000–$1300), transmission fluid service, or full transmission replacement ($3600–$5800). Some dealers quote cooler + new transmission bundle. Third-party warranty often denies cooler cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denies coverage citing warranty expiration (5yr/60k miles); refuses to extend 2011 coverage despite extended warranty (120k/10yr) for 2008–2010 models. TSB NTB16-090 addresses CVT fluid temperature protection logic but recommends owners install aftermarket cooler at own cost.
Transmission jerking / harsh engagement
CVT exhibits rough shifts, jerking, bucking, or severe vibration when accelerating, downshifting, or shifting gears. Shaking occurs at low and highway speeds; stuttering tachometer movement. Noise may sound like rumble strip or grinding.
When: 33k–92k miles; some owners report from purchase onwards
Symptoms owners cite: harsh jerking when accelerating from stop; vibration/shaking when transmission shifts; stuttering tachometer around 1.5k RPM; loud grinding, whining, or whistling noise during shifts; shaking worsens with heat and extended driving; car rocks and hesitates on downshift/braking
Codes mentioned: no codes; transmission fluid fine, no leaks in initial diagnostics
Repairs/costs cited: Pep Boys replaced front axles; all tires and brakes checked; wheel bearings verified. Nissan recommended full transmission replacement. Owners report $2600–$4000 transmission cost.
Complete transmission failure / loss of drive
Transmission fails without warning, car will not move or shift into gear. Occurs after backing up bump, during stop-light acceleration, or on exit ramp. Diagnosed as internal transmission failure, low pump pressure, or defective bearing in rebuilt unit.
When: 59k–115k miles
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle will not go into gear or move at all; sudden bucking/lurching and loss of power; car will not accelerate from stop despite RPM increase; no advance warning; no check engine light; rebuilt transmission fails within 1–6000 miles of replacement
Codes mentioned: CVT transmission failure (internal)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission shops recommend replacement (not rebuild) costing $4000–$5791. One owner paid $4589 for rebuild; failed within 1 hour with defective bearing, then charged again for second rebuild.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer (Nissan Consumer Affairs) initially promised assistance after diagnostics but final decision (Rep Quincy) denied claim citing lack of 'customer loyalty' / service history. Other owners report blanket warranty denial post-expiration.
Stalling at traffic lights and intersections
Engine cuts off or car refuses to accelerate at red lights or stop signs. Dashboard lights illuminate during stall. Car must be turned off and back on to regain power. Dangerous in busy intersections as car blocks traffic or creates near-miss accident scenarios.
When: 100k–138k miles
Symptoms owners cite: engine shuts off at red light; all dashboard lights come on during stall; car will not accelerate from stopped position; requires key cycle to reset; hazardous in multi-lane intersection; car blocks traffic, creating emergency situations
Codes mentioned: no codes stored on many instances
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No documented assistance
Transmission noise (whining, grinding, whistling)
High-pitched whine, grinding, or whistling coming from transmission during acceleration, uphill driving, or passing. Noise changes pitch with gear changes. Often precedes power loss.
When: 33k–115k miles
Symptoms owners cite: high-pitched whine when accelerating uphill; grinding or whistling noise during shifts; noise changes pitch as transmission engages; loud frightening noise as if engine about to fail; tachometer revs to red zone (5–6) with loud noise; noise persists or disappears intermittently
Codes mentioned: sometimes accompanied by transmission code; often no code
Transmission overheating / heat-related deceleration
On warm days (80°F+) or during extended driving, transmission fluid overheats and car enters limp mode. Problem exacerbated by hilly terrain. Owner notes this is by design: Nissan's temperature protection logic limits RPMs to ~3000 and prevents acceleration to protect the transmission.
When: constant in summer months or during prolonged highway trips; occurs regardless of mileage
Symptoms owners cite: power loss when ambient temperature exceeds 80°F; reduced acceleration capability (max 3000 RPM) on warm days; loss of power on uphill grades, especially in summer; hills exacerbate problem; no warning light; owner must pull over and cool vehicle; after cooling 10–30 minutes, normal function resumes
Codes mentioned: no code or generic transmission code
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan recommends external transmission cooler installation ($1000–$1300) at owner expense. One owner reported cooler installation did not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledges issue in TSB NTB16-090 but positions it as 'normal' protection logic. Denies covering cooler cost; describes it as corrective measure, not warranty repair.
Synthesized from 189 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
This happens every time I drive more than 50 miles at a time . If I am driving for a long time and slow down my car does not accelerate anymore. I ha e to shut my car off for at least 5 min. Before I can start driving again. Something is wrong with the power train. It struggles to keep up and almost sounds like the car is going to die. I have taken it to Nissan dealerships 3 times before my…
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact noticed that the vehicle was jerking prior to the failure. The driver depressed the brake pedal but was concerned about the vehicle moving. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the…
The CVT transmission started to fail. 1 day it started jerking some. 2 or 3 times. The next time was more jerking and harder. The last day the jerking was longer in length of time. Then the transmission became a little louder. The jerking was constant with acceleration. We made it home and parked the car. I did not see a code, the engine light only came on after three condition became…
Automatic CVT transmission has been slipping and unable to shift to 3rd and 4th gear. I have to place it into "n" when moving then shift to "d" then it would move but still slips when driving only in 20 to 30 miles per hour.
With no prior warning as I was coming up my driveway and turned to go into the garage, suddenly, without warning, my car would not move forward when the accelerator was pushed.
I have a 2011 Nissan rogue that had 1000mi. On it & I was pulling out of a parking lot, I got into the middle of the lane but the rogue would not accelerate & a vehicle was on my bumper before I knew it! It did get up to 3,000rpm's, no loud noise. It was quite scary. About a wk. Later it did a similar thing but less noticeable & I took it to the dealership & the svc. Person did a diagnostic on…
Car started stutter at acceleration and gear changes. At low speed as I was accelerating through an intersection, suddenly there was no power at all after a burning smell. Diagnostics show the transmission has failed at 89000 miles. Reminiscent of the CVT transmission failures in other years that have been recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan rogue. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle decelerated after the RPM gauge fluctuated. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 76,000.
Car started making slight whirring noise when accelerating. Took it in to be looked at and they couldn't find an issue. Went another week and the noise got worse and starting skipping and losing power when I tried to accelerate after it's been sitting for a few hours, mostly just in first gear. Almost got in an accident pulling into traffic and lost complete power for a few seconds, was lucky…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 Nissan Rogue?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 Nissan Rogue?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 189 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 156 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 65,000 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 103,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Nissan/Rogue.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.