During the winter months, when the temperature is below 30 degrees and the car has been sitting all night, the vehicle has to be run about 5 minutes or one can't go over 15 mph. The RPM's will run at a steady 2000 until the car is warmed up and then can be driven without difficulty. I cannot give a particular date on this occurance. I bought used and happens every winter. Took into Nissan…
2016 Nissan Rogue engine problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2016 Rogue has widespread reports of CVT transmission failure and engine stalling starting in the 40,000–60,000 mile range, sometimes earlier. Dealership repairs and software updates have not resolved the issues for many owners, and inspect pre-purchase vehicle history carefully for any transmission or stalling symptoms.
The 2016 Rogue's engine and transmission issues cluster around CVT transmission failure and engine performance problems starting around 60,000 miles, though problems appear as early as 2,450 miles in one case. Owners report severe transmission shuddering, jerking, and stalling during acceleration and normal driving, with RPM swinging wildly before the engine stalls outright. Some owners describe the vehicle refusing to accelerate above 15 mph even with the accelerator floored, requiring an engine restart to regain power. In one case, the vehicle lost the ability to move in reverse and would not accelerate beyond 2 rpm.
Engine stalling without warning occurs at various speeds and mileages, sometimes followed by failure to restart. Shaking and vibration felt throughout the cabin is common, with one owner reporting intake manifold diagnosis (dealer quoted $1,200+ for repair). An intake manifold issue was confirmed as common by both an independent shop and a Nissan dealership parts department.
One owner reports engine overheating and seizure after an oil change. During winter below 30°F, one owner experiences extended warm-up requirements and speed limiting to 15 mph until the engine warms. Check engine lights illuminate frequently, but dealership and independent mechanics often cannot replicate or diagnose the underlying cause. One owner claims Nissan has known about CVT transmission issues since 2013 with lawsuits filed but no recall action.
Same Nissan Rogue engine reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission slipping and shuddering with jerking/stalling
CVT transmission exhibits bucking, jerking, shaking, and stalling during acceleration or normal driving. Owners report difficulty reaching desired speed, RPM jumping erratically, and transmission slipping between gears. One owner reports transmission failure diagnosis at high mileage.
When: 58,000–95,000 miles; one case at 158,687 miles; one at 86,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Slow acceleration response and sluggish power delivery; RPM jumping up and down, especially on initial acceleration; Jerking, shaking, and stalling while driving; Transmission slipping between lower gears; Vehicle unable to go above 15 mph, requiring engine restart; Vehicle does not accelerate above 2 RPM in one case; Vehicle does not move in reverse
Codes mentioned: P0841, P0776
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported transmission oil, filter, and gasket replacement did not resolve jerking. Dealer performed transmission software update with no success. One mechanic diagnosed transmission failure. One owner reports diagnostic testing showed transmission failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan aware since 2013 per owner allegation; lawsuits filed; updated replacement parts available but not covered under recall; transmission software update attempted by dealership
Engine stalling and loss of motive power
Engine stalls abruptly while driving at various speeds without warning. Vehicle loses ability to accelerate and move, sometimes followed by failure to restart. Multiple incidents involve need to pull over or tow vehicle.
When: 40,000–95,000 miles; one case at 2,450 miles; one at 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine stall while driving; Loss of motive power while accelerating; Vehicle will not restart after stalling; Vehicle shakes and vibrates before stalling; Check engine light illuminated; Multiple stalling episodes over time
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports engine was diagnosed as needing replacement but failure reoccurred; radiator replacement performed but failure persisted. One case required towing.
Engine shaking, vibration, and misfire
Engine shakes and vibrates throughout the cabin, felt at idle and while driving. Owners report engine shuddering and feeling of misfire. Vibration severe enough to be felt in entire vehicle.
When: 22,810–68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shaking and vibration felt throughout cabin; Engine shuddering at idle or during acceleration; Misfire sensation; Bucking while sitting still at traffic light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports intake manifold diagnosed as problem; parts cost $400+ from dealership, labor cost $1,200+ from independent shop. Replacement intake manifold is updated model. One mechanic suspected sensor problem and reset sensors.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Intake manifold identified as common problem by both independent shop and Nissan dealership parts department; updated replacement part available
Engine overheating and seizure
Engine overheats and seizes during operation. Check engine light illuminates with 'Engine Overheated' message displayed. Occurred after recent oil change.
When: 158,687 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails to accelerate as intended; Engine seizes; Check engine light illuminates; 'Engine Overheated' message displayed
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; owner received checklist of possible issues but checklist unavailable in complaint
Cold-start performance issues
During winter months below 30°F, vehicle requires extended warm-up period before normal operation. Vehicle cannot exceed 15 mph until warmed, with RPM stuck at 2,000 rpm.
When: Winter months, every winter per one owner report
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle must run 5 minutes before driving normally; Speed limited to 15 mph until warm; RPM runs steady at 2,000 until warm
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealership unable to find cause
Check engine light with unresolved causes
Check engine light illuminates in multiple cases; in some cases code erasure clears light temporarily but drivability issues persist. In other cases, dealer and mechanic unable to determine root cause.
When: 40,000–68,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on; Multiple warning lights illuminated; Light returns after reset in some cases
Repairs/costs cited: Code erasure performed in one case but jerking persisted. Dealer unable to duplicate failure in at least one case.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Nissan Rogue?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 50,000 and 86,000 miles, with the median around 68,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 86,000. 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/2016/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.