CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Nissan Rogue Sport powertrain problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 11 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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.
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.
FLUID LEAK CAUSED BY TRANSFER ASSEMBLY RIGHT SIDE DRIVE SHAFT OIL SEAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TRANSFER ASSEMBLY SEAL REPLACEMENT FOR AWD FRONT DRIVE SHAFT REMOVAL 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 ↗DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on an APPLIED VEHICLE is found to be leaking grease, AND There is no abnormal noise or obvious CV Joint risk due to water intrusion and/or complete grease loss, check for REPAIR KIT-DUST BOOT (CV Joint Boot Kit) availability. ï· If there is a REPAIR KIT-DUST BOOT (CV Joint Boot Kit) available for the vehicle being repaired, do NOT replace the axle. Install a new boot kit following the procedure in the ESM. o Refer to the ESM: TRANSMISSION & DRIVELINE > FRONT AXLE > REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION > FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BOOT o If the complete axle (drive shaft) is replaced when only a new boot is required, the
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport report widespread CVT transmission failures typically occurring between 58,000 and 143,000 miles, with the majority of failures under 80,000 miles. The dominant failure mode is sudden, complete loss of acceleration and power while driving, with the engine running but unable to transmit power to the wheels. Multiple owners describe the sensation as the vehicle slipping into neutral, coasting to a stop, or maxing out at extremely low speeds (18 mph reported). Failures often happen without warning—no check-engine lights, no stuttering, just immediate power loss at highway speeds in some cases. One owner experienced this on a curve with heavy traffic; police had to block traffic for safety. Another reported the transmission simply quit while accelerating, forcing the vehicle to a complete standstill on the expressway.
A few owners also report delayed Reverse engagement (up to 20-minute waits) traced to shift lock solenoid failure, and one case of unintended acceleration. Nissan dealers confirm CVT transmission failure but refuse repair under warranty, citing mileage or claiming the Rogue Sport model is excluded from an extended CVT warranty program. Replacement costs run $5,500–$7,000 per dealer estimates. Critical parts like the shift lock solenoid are on backorder from Nissan with no known availability date. Nissan settled a 2022 class action suit for CVT defects in 2018 Rogue models, but affected owners report receiving no compensation or support.
Same Nissan Rogue Sport powertrain reports on nearby years: 2017
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission failure — loss of power and acceleration
The CVT transmission suddenly loses the ability to transmit engine power to the wheels, resulting in severe loss of acceleration or complete power loss while driving. Owners report the engine continues to run but the vehicle cannot accelerate, coasts like it is in neutral, or comes to a complete stop. This failure often occurs without warning and can happen at highway speeds.
When: 58,000 to 143,000 miles; most failures reported under 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of acceleration; Vehicle coasts as if in neutral; Engine revving without transmission shifting; Stuttering or struggling acceleration before total failure; Vehicle unable to pick up speed, maxing out at 18 mph or less; Jerky acceleration when power returns
Codes mentioned: CVT transmission failure (diagnosed by dealer)
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealer replacement quoted at $5,500 to $7,000. Vehicle often diagnosed as not repairable, requiring complete transmission replacement. Parts such as shift lock solenoid reported on backorder with no release date from Nissan.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denies warranty coverage citing mileage and time out of warranty; denies extended CVT warranty coverage for Rogue Sport specifically; denies Goodwill Assistance despite safety risk. Nissan settled a class action lawsuit in 2022 for CVT transmission defects in 2018 Rogue models but reports indicate affected owners not receiving compensation.
Delayed or no engagement in Reverse
The transmission fails to engage Reverse immediately after being placed in that gear. Vehicle remains stationary until after a significant wait period (up to 20 minutes reported), at which point Reverse suddenly engages.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not go into Reverse initially; Long delay before Reverse engages (up to 20 minutes wait time)
Codes mentioned: Shift lock solenoid failure
Repairs/costs cited: Shift lock solenoid identified as faulty component; part reported on backorder from Nissan with no known release date for replacement.
Unintended acceleration
Vehicle accelerates on its own without driver input while driving at normal speeds. Owner applies brakes and attempts to control speed but vehicle continues to accelerate independently.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without driver pressing gas pedal; Uncontrolled acceleration while driving
Initial failure to advance properly from Park to Drive
Vehicle hesitates or fails to advance correctly when shifted into Drive immediately after startup. Vehicle may jerk forward suddenly into Drive after a delay, or shift engagement is rough.
When: At startup, at 78,000 miles on first incident report
Symptoms owners cite: Failure to correctly advance when placed in Drive after startup; Sudden jerking forward into Drive after hesitation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially inspected vehicle and reported no mechanical problems found; no recall exists per corporate recall number.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Initial incident vehicle had failure to correctly advance when placed in drive after startup. Vehicle then suddenly jerked forward into drive and was able to proceed. Took the vehicle into the dealer that I purchased from and they told me that nothing was wrong and the vehicle was in perfect condition with no mechanical problems. About a month later (yesterday) while I was out shopping the…
The CVT transmission in my 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport is malfunctioning and poses a serious safety hazard. The vehicle hesitates, loses power during acceleration, and displays warning lights while driving. This failure creates extremely dangerous situations, especially when merging into traffic, accelerating from a stop, or crossing intersections. Despite the widespread CVT issues in Nissan vehicles…
Transmission Failed and needed to be replaced with less than 60,000 Miles. There is a known issue with other Transmissions in the same year for this vehicle and mine should not be included.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power with the coolant temperature warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport?
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 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 83,667 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2018/Nissan/Rogue Sport.
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.