2012 Nissan Rogue Problems — Is It Worth Buying?

By Max Anthony •  Updated: 04/16/21 •  6 min read

Nissan Rogue was first introduced in 2008 and was settled to compete against other similar vehicles like Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV 4. Right after introducing this vehicle, users started reporting various problems emerging from different parts. The issues continued to appear during drives from 2009 till now.

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Some problems are consistent and common among all the models, which we will discuss in this article. Keep in mind there are two different variations of the Rogue as the model was upgraded in 2014. Let’s take a look at some 2012 Nissan Rogue problems that you need to know before you make a purchase.

Most Common 2012 Nissan Rogue Problems

2012 Nissan Rogue Problems
Nissan Rogue | via wikimedia

Nissan Rogue has many problems in different parts in its 2012 models. We will discuss all the issues either that have occurred rarely or often, neglecting the numbers and only focusing on the problems that ever emerged.

Some most common 2012 Nissan Rogue problems include fuel gauge readings, canister purge valve, transmission issues, sunroof issues, and noisy engine. Let’s discuss each problem in detail, so you have an idea about how to deal with these issues.

1. Engine Noise While Starting

During winters, some users hear rattling noise every time they first turn on the engine. These issues can arise due to the loosening of the timing chain that needs to function properly.

So, if it is not as tight as it should be, the engine will start making noise upon startup. Another possible reason can be the engine’s design. The pistons can contract during cold weather and will expand while starting the engine.

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As a result, you can hear noise during startup, which is common in these models.

2. Sunroof Not Properly Closing

A wind deflector is a leading cause for not properly closing the sunroof. It is located right on the front part of the sunroof, which prevents proper closing. The issue is common from the first generation of Nissan Rogue to 2013’s models.

Some drivers also report the slow and reluctant operation of the sunroof moving. This issue can mainly arise due to debris in the track of the sunroof moving, causing troubles in proper closing.

3. 2012 Nissan Rogue Transmission Issues

Another problem comes from employing a continuously variable transmission. Some users have also reported issues where the CVT fails to let the vehicle exceed 3000 rpm.

Under these circumstances. There’s a loss of power specialty when you need to climb the car up to a hill. It can usually occur due to overheating or when the transmission is overfilled with fluid or filled with the wrong type of fluid.

4. Canister Purge Valve

It occurs in older versions of the Nissan Rogue, where the engine light comes on because of a broken wire in the canister purge volume control.

Nissan Rogue can also show poor gas mileage as this problem continues to occur. The main reason behind these issues is as this unit is part of the emission system. It traps field vapors that need to happen in the fuel tank. It releases them into the engine for them to be burned like fuel. This all leads to these issues that are repeatedly happening.

5. Fuel Gauge Problems

In some cases, the drivers have reported issues about Nissan Rogue showing incorrect fuel gauge issues.

The vehicle shows the wrong amount of fuel than stored in the gas tank. A sending unit that is located inside the tanks can be the main reason that gets broken. You can run out of fuel at an inconvenient time as this issue causes an incorrect field reading.

2012 Nissan Rogue Reliability

Overall, Nissan is not that reliable when compared with Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai. You need to take proper care of this model. Otherwise, you may face any of the problems mentioned earlier or all at once.

In the end, it will cost you more money adding to the amount you spent. Still, these issues are not that common among the users who take good care of their vehicles, especially the 2012 Nissan Rogue.

Overall, it is ranked 23rd in the reliability out of 26 eligible Nissan models, according to nissanproblems.

How Long Do 2012 Nissan Rogues Last?

Usually, these cars last upwards of 200,000 miles, just like other modern cars. Once the vehicle reaches this limit, you need to be more careful with your vehicle and take good care.

Afterward, its long-lasting will entirely depend on how you treat it while driving and the paths used on which it is driven.

Is the 2012 Nissan Rogue Worth Buying?

There are two different aspects to this question. If you focus, its average cost is around $467. The repair cost is significantly lower than the compact SUV that costs $521 and $652 for all other vehicle models, as the stats shown by repairpal.

On the other hand, you need to deal with all the problems we have discussed above that occur in many cases as reported by various drivers. In the term of lower cost, we can conclude the 2012 Nissan Rogue is worth the money.

Final Thoughts

As you have gone through some common 2012 Nissan Rogue problems, you can make a final decision if you should buy this vehicle or not.

Once you know how to deal with the issues you are going to face, there’s no problem buying this vehicle. Otherwise, you may end up continuously spending a lot of money if the issues continue emerging.

Moreover, not all of these mentioned issues will appear in the 2012 Nissan Rogue. In some cases, only one of these occurred, and there are cases where multiple issues at the same time emerged.

We also have cases based on the data provided by many repair websites where all the problems arose altogether, which is quite frightening. In the end, it’s all your decision; if you can deal with these issues, you can buy a 2012 Nissan Rogue without any worry. Buying a car is a one-time investment that needs to be done wisely.

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Max Anthony

Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.