The 2011 Rogue with the QR25DE 2.5L four-cylinder is known for catastrophic CVT transmission failures and severe engine oil consumption leading to premature internal damage. These are platform-defining issues that overshadow otherwise decent utility and comfort.
CVT Transmission Failure (RE0F10A)
Common · high severity
Typical 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 stop, CVT overheating warning light, Complete loss of forward movement
Fix: Nissan's CVTs from this era fail prematurely due to inadequate cooling and valve body defects. Transmission replacement or rebuild required, 8-12 labor hours. Used units often fail quickly. Cooler upgrade essential if rebuilding.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Excessive Oil Consumption / Engine Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning more than 1 quart per 1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Check engine light with P0011, P0021 (cam timing codes), Rattling or knocking from engine due to oil starvation, Seized engine if oil level not monitored
Fix: QR25DE engines wear piston rings and cylinder walls excessively. Minor cases need frequent top-offs; severe cases require short block or complete engine replacement, 18-24 labor hours. Many owners don't monitor oil until catastrophic failure.
Estimated cost: $4,000-7,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Pink or red fluid pooling under vehicle, CVT overheating warnings, Transmission slipping or shuddering after fluid loss, Visible corrosion or leaks at radiator-mounted cooler connections
Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through at bends near subframe, especially in salt-belt states. Replace both lines preventively when one fails. 2-3 labor hours plus CVT fluid flush. Aftermarket aluminum lines available and recommended.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Front Engine Mount / Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive engine movement visible under hood during acceleration, Vibration at idle that worsens over time, Thud when letting off throttle
Fix: Hydraulic engine mounts deteriorate and leak fluid, especially driver-side mount. Causes harsh shifts and driveline vibration. Replace both front and transmission mounts as a set, 2-3 labor hours.
Estimated cost: $350-650
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Failure
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Complete loss of power steering assist without warning, EPS warning light illuminated, Steering becomes extremely heavy, especially at low speeds, May occur intermittently then become permanent
Fix: EPS control module or steering column motor fails. NHTSA recall covered some VINs but not all. If not covered, requires steering column assembly or module replacement, 3-4 labor hours. Safety critical—tow if it fails.
Estimated cost: $800-1,800
Timing Chain Tensioner / Guide Wear
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling from front of engine on cold start for first 2-3 seconds, Check engine light with cam/crank correlation codes, Noise disappears after oil pressure builds, Metallic whirring under acceleration if guides breaking apart
Fix: Primary timing chain tensioner and plastic guides wear, especially if oil changes neglected. Requires front engine disassembly including valve covers and timing cover, 8-10 labor hours. Replace all guides, tensioners, and chains as a set.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles religiously—these engines consume oil by design but will grenade if run low
Service CVT fluid every 30,000 miles with Nissan NS-2 or NS-3 spec fluid—may extend transmission life slightly
Install aftermarket CVT cooler if you haven't already—$300 investment may prevent $4,000 transmission failure
Avoid buying any Rogue without complete oil consumption and CVT service records
Hard pass unless you're getting it dirt cheap with proof of recent engine/CVT replacement and accept ongoing risk—both powertrain components are fundamentally flawed.
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.
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Every control module on the 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Mileage and VIN programming required. Odometer fraud prevention measures in place.
Nissan Anti-Theft System / Intelligent Key Control Module (NATS)dealer / factory tool +1.0 hr▸ programming details
📍 Integrated within BCM and IPDM-E
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus
⚠️ Not a separate module. Key registration requires PIN code from Nissan. All keys must be present during programming.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured March 7, 2007, to November 26, 2013, and 2014 Nissan Rogue Select vehicles manufactured September 23, 2013, to July 2, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience an electrical short in the harness connector due to a mixture of snow/water and salt seeping through the carpet on the driver side floor near the harness connector.
Consequence: An electrical short can cause a vehicle fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the kick panel wiring harness connector and will if necessary install a new harness connector and waterproof seal, free of charge. The recall began on February 26, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM · 11V565000
2011-11-23
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ROGUE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM AUGUST 17, 2010, THROUGH OCTOBER 30, 2010. THE CIRCUIT BOARD MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THE CORRECT POSITION ON CERTAIN ELECTRIC POWER STEERING (EPS) ASSIST CONTROL UNITS. THIS MAY CAUSE ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE SOLDER OF THE TERMINAL TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD RESULTING IN THE SOLDER CRACKING AND SEPARATING COMPLETELY FROM THE CIRCUIT BOARD.
Consequence: AS THE CIRCUIT BOARD FAILS, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FEATURE WILL STOP FUNCTIONING, INCREASING THE FORCE NEEDED TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EPS CONTROL UNIT IF NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel economy (EPA)
City
22mpg
Highway
28mpg
Combined
24mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
Capability & size
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Wiper blades
First generation Rogue (2008-2013). Crossover SUV with rear wiper.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2011 Nissan Rogue 2.5L I4 QR25DE and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.