Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Nissan Rogue owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The transmission shudders, jerks, whines, roars loudly. Yes it's available for inspection. I was driving up a hill with my grand children in the car, and it started shuddering. Didn't seem to be getting gas at all. The tank was full. Then it started rolling backwards down the hill. Needless to say my grand children were scared to death as I was also. No I haven't spoken to anyone about the problem, as I don't know who to talk to? Nobody has looked at it yet. I figured the transmission went, so I haven't bothere$ with reaching out, until a friend told me hers did the exact same thing. So we looked it up. Yes it seemed to be shuddering before but never lost power and rolled backwards. There were no warning lights, or signs of it quitting. There was no acceleration at all. Just slowly lost power. It was still running but when you push the gas pedal you got nothing. …
On February 6, 2025, while driving at highway speed, the lower radiator hose ruptured, causing complete coolant loss. The CVT transmission overheated, seized, and the engine was destroyed. Vehicle lost motive power at speed without warning. Repair estimate: $20,356.16. Vehicle declared total loss and sold for salvage at $400. Nissan Technical Service Bulletin NTB14-002b acknowledges this identical failure chain in 2008-2012 Rogues and prescribes a supplemental cooler kit (cost under $85) as the fix. Nissan has not included this VIN in any recall despite the identical mechanism. Loss of power at highway speed constitutes a safety-related defect under 49 U.S.C. 30118.
Important: if you have a complaint about your transmission, acceleration problems or loss of power you need to also a complaint with the federal trade commission (ftc [phone]) regarding your dealings with Nissan. I just spoke with the ftc and they told me that while they don't respond to individual complaints if they see patterns they do. The only way we will get Nissan to respond to us is by complaining about their business practices as well as their safety issues. These dealerships and corporate consumer affairs know that until enough of us complain to the right people and stop just paying for Nissan's known problems with the CVT and other issues, they will keep giving us the run around. I have to put my 2nd transmission in my 2008 Rogue in 12 months. Nissan tells me my last new transmission (April 2014) was out of the 12 month/12,000 mile warranty. …
On a road trip from los angeles to las vegas, encountering normally hot temperatures, and after several hours of driving, the car lost power could only attain speeds of 50 MPH or less up hills. This is a clear and present danger to the occupants when other cars are easily going 70 - 75 MPH. If you pull off the road, the cars have a tendency to lurch forward and with dangerously poor acceleration. From reading the car forums, this is a known problem with this particular model, where the CVT transmission apparently over-heats and puts the car into "limp" mode. …
While driving 2008 Nissan Rogue on highway 70 in new Mexico at posted speed limit of 75 MPH, the vehicle experienced rapid loss of speed and power in which pressing down on accelerator had no effect on vehicle. Pulled over to the side of the road and shut vehicle off. Inspected vehicle for any obvious signs of source of malfunction. Restarted vehicle after 20 minutes and resumed travel with no additional problems on this trip. This malfunction has repeated on several occasions since, with more regularity to date. Seems to occur most often when driving to a higher elevation after an hour or more of continuous operation. When malfunction occurs, engine will not exceed 2500-3000 rpms even with gas pedal fully depressed. This happened first in January 2014 and I took it to Nissan dealer in albuquerque who said nothing was wrong with transmission. …
I had a Nissan Rogue CVT transmission issue last year. Our car had multiple acceleration issues that we got lucky we didn't have any accidents. One of many issue was on labor day weekend we decided to go on a vacation to relax after days and weeks of hard work at the office. Again our vacation was cut short. It took us 6 hours to drive a 2.5 hour drive. I had to stop, let the transmission cool down and drive again with a speed of less than 50mph sometimes taking the streets to keep the speed down. I took the car to the dealer, under warranty, they wanted to do a few minor services. They told me that they had fixed the problem and that there wouldn't be any more issues. It happened again and again. Finally, I opened a case through Nissan and got my car a new transmission. The transmission has starting problems again and I am really tired of this. …
The 2008 Nissan Rogue we purchased in March 2009 has experienced continual CVT transmission failures. The first failure was May 2009 and the CVT was replaced. The part was found to be malfunctioning after determining the vehicle was not shifting properly and was experiencing high rpms while driving. The CVT was replaced again in April 2014 after losing functionality in a potentially dangerous situation. The failure of the transmission occurred while traveling at high speeds on the expressway at which point the vehicle suddenly experienced heightened rpms, began decelerating and would not accelerate greater than 20mph. We safely exited the expressway at an approaching exit and coasted to a Nissan dealership less than three blocks from the expressway exit. …
I was driving in highway conditions (55mph in 55mph zone) when the car suddenly decelerated and would not get above 30mph. Cars behind me had to swerve around me in order to get around me with the sudden deceleration. I was able to make it off the highway & onto local roads. Every time I had to accelerate after a stop light or stop sign, the car would not initially accelerate despite me pushing full down on the accelerator. This repeatedly almost resulted in my being hit by cars behind me. I was able to slowly make it home. I took the car to the dealer I bought it from, and was told that the CVT transmission had failed. I was also told that I am beyond the warranty extension (about 9,000 miles past the 120,000 extension), so I will be responsible for the cost of replacing the transmission. …
Takata recall, the Nissan I purchased from fuccillo Nissan in latham, new york, was defective with every issue, however Nissan refuse to honor any recalls. Their most recent extended warranty, indicates a replacement of the EVAP canister and tubing, however upon arriving at the Nissan dealer he told e my car was old and it only covers the tube. The Nissan manufacturer is a joke, I dealt with a woman who literally failed to inform me that Nissan never reported that I was the new owner of the car. Hence last year my car literally rolled backwards while I attempted to drive up hill, right into traffic , potential to be a deadly accident , noting the variety of complaints I believe that their waiting for someone to die. Fucillo Nissan refused to replace the transmission, instead the sealed it . …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that the vehicle randomly failed to accelerate. While driving at a high rate of speed, the vehicle slowed down without warning. The dealer (faulkner Nissan, 3925 paxton street, harrisburg, pa 17111, [phone]) performed several diagnostic tests and repairs per TSB: 0918a, such as replaced the valve body assembly per a consumer affairs case, replaced the continuously variable transmission (CVT) control valve assembly, one coolant ring, one gasket, the oil pan seal lip, reset the fluid level, and other repairs; however, they failed to provide a permanent remedy. In addition, it was stated that the TSB: 14002a repair of the oil cooler kit and the accelerator pedal assembly needed to be replaced. …
Transmission complaints in other Rogue years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Nissan Rogue?
NHTSA has 156 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Nissan Rogue, 36% of the model year's 429 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (28 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Rogue transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2008 Nissan Rogue, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Rogue transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.