The 2019 Rogue with the QR25DE engine represents the tail end of the third-generation platform before a major redesign. While the engine itself is generally solid, this generation suffers from a notorious CVT transmission weakness and an alarming fuel dilution issue that can lead to catastrophic engine damage if unaddressed.
CVT Transmission Failure (RE0F11A/JF015E)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially 15-40 mph, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Hesitation when accelerating from a stop, Check engine light with CVT-related codes (P17F0, P0746)
Fix: Nissan extended the CVT warranty to 84k miles/7 years on many models, but 2019s often fall outside coverage. Requires complete CVT replacement or rebuild. Independent shops quote 8-12 hours labor. Fluid changes every 30k miles can extend life but won't save a failing unit.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Fuel Dilution Leading to Engine Damage
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 30,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil level rising on dipstick between changes, Strong gasoline smell in oil, Excessive oil consumption after dilution phase, Knocking/rattling from engine, especially cold starts, Check engine light with misfire or fuel trim codes
Fix: Unburned fuel washes past rings into crankcase, thinning oil and causing bearing/cylinder wear. Nissan issued TSB NTB19-042 for short-trip driving patterns. If caught early, ECM reprogramming and frequent oil changes may help. Advanced cases need engine rebuild or replacement: 20-30 hours labor for short block, more for complete rebuild.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant in CVT fluid (strawberry milkshake appearance), CVT fluid in coolant reservoir, Transmission overheating warnings, Loss of coolant with no visible external leaks
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator develops leaks, cross-contaminating coolant and CVT fluid. Requires radiator replacement, complete CVT fluid flush (multiple fills), and often CVT replacement if contamination ran long. Radiator swap alone is 3-4 hours, but total job with flushing is 6-8 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-4,500
Rear Hatch Camera Failure
Common · low severitySymptoms: Backup camera shows black screen or "no signal", Intermittent camera operation, especially in cold weather, Water intrusion visible in camera lens
Fix: Design flaw allows moisture into camera housing. NHTSA recall 19V-697 covers some units, but many failures happen outside recall scope. Camera replacement is straightforward: remove hatch trim, disconnect harness, install new unit. 0.5-1.0 hour labor.
Estimated cost: $200-400
Engine Mount Failure (Transmission Mount Most Common)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting into Drive or Reverse, Excessive engine movement visible when accelerating, Vibration through cabin at idle, Banging noise over bumps from engine compartment
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails, allowing excessive powertrain movement. This is especially harsh on the already-fragile CVT. Replacement requires supporting engine/transmission, removing old mount, installing new. Front mount: 1.5-2 hours. Transmission mount: 2-3 hours. Replace in pairs for best results.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Immobilizer/Key Fob Issues
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: No-start with "Key System Error" on dash, Intermittent failure to recognize key fob, Push-button start not responding despite brake pedal depressed, Steering lock motor noise but engine won't crank
Fix: NHTSA recall 20V-012 addresses steering lock motor, but BCM and key fob communication failures also occur outside recall. Diagnosis requires Nissan Consult scan tool. Solutions range from key fob reprogramming (0.5 hour) to BCM replacement (2-3 hours) to steering lock assembly (2 hours).
Estimated cost: $150-1,200
Hard pass unless CVT has been replaced under warranty and you can verify fuel dilution monitoring—these two issues turn an otherwise decent platform into a financial time bomb.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.