CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Nissan Rogue engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2012 Nissan Rogue have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 98,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Rogue | 10 |
| 2009 Rogue | 15 |
| 2010 Rogue | 15 |
| 2011 Rogue | 12 |
| 2012 Rogue (this page) | 19 |
| 2013 Rogue | 35 |
| 2014 Rogue | 21 |
| 2015 Rogue | 17 |
| 2016 Rogue | 16 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗These SKUs are Exhaust Manifolds with Catalytic Converters. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory due to a loss of CARB certification. These SKUs can no longer be sold as they do not meet CARB standards, but parts on vehicles are not effected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 Nissan Rogue shows a consistent pattern of transmission and engine power delivery failures across 19 complaints, with mileage ranging from 6,449 to 210,000 miles. Owners report sudden loss of acceleration at highway speeds, where RPMs spike but the vehicle either crawls or won't move. Some describe the car stalling completely—on highways at 75 MPH, at traffic lights, or during merges—creating serious safety risks. A few narratives mention black smoke, loud rattling, and engine seizure. Power loss often happens without warning lights or diagnostic codes showing, making it hard for dealers to pinpoint causes. When mechanics do pull codes, they find P0101, P0102, P0420, and P0113 (MAF, intake air temperature, catalyst system issues). Owners cite $4,000–$5,000 costs for CVT transmission replacement. One complaint mentions a torque converter clutch solenoid as the culprit. No recalls exist for 2012 models despite prior 2010 transmission recalls. Dealers either cannot diagnose the problem or refuse to repair it, and Nissan has offered no assistance in the cases documented here. The complaints suggest a systemic defect rather than isolated failures.
Same Nissan Rogue engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slipping / loss of power and acceleration
Vehicle loses power under acceleration, RPMs rise without corresponding speed increase, or vehicle crawls and won't accelerate past certain RPM thresholds. Owners report sudden loss of acceleration at highway speeds, inability to merge, and repeated power loss without warning lights.
When: Various mileages from 6,449 to 206,669; issues reported after long road trips, intermittently, or consistently during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration at highway speeds; RPMs increase while vehicle slows or crawls; Vehicle won't accelerate past 30 MPH or 3,000 RPM; Intermittent power loss during acceleration or merging; Whining noise from engine/transmission area; Vehicle stalls in middle of highway at 75 MPH
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite $4,000–$5,000 repair costs for CVT transmission replacement; dealers have not diagnosed or repaired despite complaints; torque converter clutch solenoid implicated in one narrative
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refused assistance per one complaint; prior 2010 transmissions recalled but 2012 units not recalled despite similar failures; no recall, reprogramming, or TSB mentioned by owners
Engine stalling
Vehicle stalls without warning while driving or at idle. Stalling occurs at stop signs, low speeds, or while sitting at traffic lights with air conditioner on, creating safety hazard by removing power steering and brakes.
When: Mileages 54,000–162,000; one instance at 6,449 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Stalls at stop light or stop sign without warning; Stalls while idling with air conditioner on; Stalls while driving at 45 MPH; Complete loss of engine power
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in reported cases; dealers unable to diagnose
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in these narratives
Engine seizure and abnormal engine sounds
Engine seizes during highway driving or fails to respond to throttle input. Accompanied by black smoke, loud abnormal rattling, shaking, and clunking noises from engine bay. Abnormal sounds persist after repair attempts.
When: 210,000 miles; early in ownership; after 206,669 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to accelerate, then seizes; Black smoke from under hood; Loud rattling or shaking from engine; Clunking noise from engine (present when new); Engine shaking and vibration during acceleration; Loud running noise from engine
Codes mentioned: P0420, P0113
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs and boots replaced; intake air temperature sensor and MAF sensors replaced by independent mechanic—failure recurred; no permanent repair achieved
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case opened with manufacturer; no recall or TSB mentioned
Excessive fuel consumption
Vehicle consumes abnormally high amount of gasoline without clear diagnostic explanation.
When: 210,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive gasoline consumption
Smoke and electrical malfunction
Smoke visible from hood at low speed. Windows and key fob malfunction the following day, suggesting possible electrical or cooling system issue.
When: 165,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke coming from front driver-side hood; Windows malfunction; Key fob malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired despite dealer and independent mechanic notification
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no action reported
Lack of warning indicators / hidden failures
Multiple failures occur without check engine light, diagnostic codes, or other warning signs visible to driver until catastrophic loss of power. OBD scanner shows no codes even when problem exists.
When: Throughout multiple complaints from 54,000 to 210,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No warning lights illuminate before failure; OBD scanner shows no codes or alarms despite active problem; Failure with no prior symptoms
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2012 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 engine problem on the 2012 Nissan Rogue?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 19 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 8,000 and 165,000 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,000; a quarter make it past 165,000. 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 $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.
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/2012/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.