Vehicle failed to accelerate properly on an uphill incline. It felt as though it was stuck in a lower gear and unable accelerate due to gear change causing engine revving and shuddering. Very frightening experience which has now occurred twice.
2018 Nissan Rogue engine problems
moderate 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 Rogue has a documented pattern of stalling during acceleration, engine seizures at relatively low mileage, and in-snow air intake clogging that can disable the vehicle on highways—many without warning lights and several unresolved after dealer visits. Structural defects like engine block cracks have also been reported, with some owners' vehicles excluded from manufacturer recalls despite verification.
Owners of 2018 Nissan Rogues describe engine failures across multiple distinct patterns. The most common complaint is stalling during acceleration from stops or at traffic lights—sometimes with high RPM (3,000-4,000) but minimal forward motion, other times with complete power loss. Dealers have struggled to diagnose these events; in several cases, they found no diagnostic trouble codes even after multiple service visits and video documentation.
A smaller but serious subset of failures involves complete engine seizure. One owner reported an engine that seized at 29,574 miles after repeated failed oil-service attempts to resolve startup noise and black smoke. Another reports needing engine replacement at 45,000 miles due to engine failure.
Engine block cracking has also been reported—one owner documented a crack verified by two independent mechanics as related to Nissan recall NTB20-25A, yet their vehicle was excluded from the recall campaign.
Winter driving reveals a design issue: the air intake draws directly from the grille, allowing snow to clog the filter and kill engine power. One owner had to pull over three times on I-70 in snowy conditions to manually clear the filter.
Owners also report hesitation and weak acceleration (sometimes with jerking and shuddering on hills), delayed throttle response with malfunction warnings, and engine knock after idle periods. A few mention CVT transmission failure alongside engine complaints, and one points to excessive rear-axle torque engagement in the 4WD system affecting fuel economy and engine braking."
Same Nissan Rogue engine reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling during acceleration or traffic maneuvers
Vehicle stalls when accelerating from stop at lights/signs, or while driving at low speeds (15-40 MPH). Some owners report high RPM (3-4K) with low speed, check engine lights, and malfunction messages. Intermittent initially, becomes recurring.
When: Across various mileages from 1,200 to 96,000 miles; recurring incidents from 2020-2021 in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Stalling when accelerating from complete stop; Stalling at traffic lights and stop signs; RPM fluctuation without responsive acceleration; Check engine light and malfunction messages; Hesitation when depressing accelerator pedal; Vehicle shudders during driving
Codes mentioned: AEB Malfunction / ADAS control module fault, Check engine light (no specific codes found by dealers in some cases)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to replicate or diagnose in several cases; one instance involved ADAS control module and AEB system replacement (not completed); sensor repairs attempted at Garden City Nissan
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 21V839000 referenced by one owner (Engine and Engine Cooling); manufacturer not notified in most cases or vehicle not included in recall
Engine seizure and failure requiring replacement
Engine seized during operation, with preceding symptoms of abnormal startup sounds, black smoke, and check engine warnings. Oil change and filter replacements attempted but failure persisted until complete engine seizure.
When: 29,574 miles (January 19, 2023); also reported at 45,000 miles in another case
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal sound at startup; Black smoke from rear of vehicle; Check engine warning light; Continued failure after oil service; Complete engine seizure / loss of engine function
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Oil change and filter replacement performed twice without resolving issue; engine replacement needed but not completed in one case; another owner reports engine replacement diagnosis at official dealership
Engine block crack with overheating
Engine block cracked, causing dangerous overheating. Condition verified by two independent mechanics who identified it as related to Nissan recall NTB20-25A, but the specific vehicle was not included in the recall.
When: First appeared around January 5th (year not specified in narrative)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating; Dangerous temperature levels; Engine temperature display warning
Repairs/costs cited: Identified by two independent mechanics; engine block available for inspection
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan recall NTB20-25A exists for engine block cracks but vehicle not included despite mechanic verification
Air intake clogging in snowy conditions
Air intake filter clogs with snow during winter driving, causing immobilizing loss of engine power. Owner reports design flaw in 2018 Rogue Sport where intake draws directly from grille without protection, unlike other vehicles. Required stopping on highway three times to clear filter.
When: March 2019, snowy conditions, Colorado Springs to Lawrence KS
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of engine power in snow; Unable to climb gentle hills; Engine power loss requiring immediate stops; Clogged air intake filter
Repairs/costs cited: Owner manually cleared snow from air intake filter; no dealer service reported
Engine hesitation and weak acceleration
Engine hesitation during acceleration, weak power delivery, and inability to safely pass on highway. Vehicle jerks during acceleration and braking. Some instances involve shuddering on inclines with high engine revving.
When: Various mileages; reported at 70,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Engine hesitation when accelerating; Weak power / gutless acceleration; Jerking during acceleration and braking; Shuddering on uphill inclines; High engine revving while stuck in lower gear; Check engine light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs attempted or completed in reported cases; dealer was not contacted in one instance
Engine knock / knocking sound at idle
Loud knocking sound from engine during idle after vehicle has sat for a few hours. Sound fades after a few minutes. Dealership unable to diagnose.
When: After vehicle idle period of several hours
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking sound from engine while idling; Sound diminishes after a few minutes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose problem
CVT transmission issues with loss of acceleration
CVT transmission abruptly became faulty with internal issues, resulting in loss of ability to accelerate and maintain speed. No warning signs present before failure.
When: 6-year-old vehicle (approximately 2016-2017 model year based on context, though narrative states 2018 Rogue)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of acceleration ability; Loss of cruise control speed maintenance; CVT internal failure
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by Polo S Mechanic shop as internal CVT transmission issues
Delayed acceleration response and malfunction warnings
Vehicle takes a minute or more to respond when accelerator is depressed at traffic lights. Malfunction error appears on dashboard and vehicle begins to slow down with engine cutting off. Requires pulling over, shutting down, and restarting.
When: Recurring condition
Symptoms owners cite: Delayed acceleration response; Malfunction error on dashboard; Vehicle slowdown and engine cutting off; Need to restart vehicle to resolve
Codes mentioned: Malfunction error message
Synthesized from 18 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 2018 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 2018 Nissan Rogue?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 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 7,400 and 59,363 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,400; a quarter make it past 59,363. 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/2018/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.