2011 Nissan Rogue Transmission Problems & Preventative Maintenance

The 2011 Nissan Rogue transmissions have been a source of complaint about quite some time. 

The 2011 Nissan Rogue’s CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) is one of the biggest liabilities/issues with this particular model, https://reman-transmission.com/transmissions/nissan/rogue. To clarify, a CVT transmission typically doesn’t contain gears, using pulleys and a belt system as an alternative way to function. The upside of this process is that it makes the car feel much more smooth, as gear changes tend to be essentially non-existent as the belt system drives transitions in place of the gears.

On the flip side, these types of transmissions tend to need to function at much higher RPMs in order for the engine to deliver the natural power it offers, which means that it can feel somewhat strange to operate if you’re not prepared for this dynamic, especially at lower RPM’s. 

Even though the CVT transmissions on the 2011 Nissan Rogue are smooth, there have been plenty of documented cases in which the Rogue’s transmission simply hasn’t worked as designed. Many customers have reported issues like climbing hills; for example, in one case, even though a customer was pushing down on the accelerator the RPM actually went backward as the transmission was failing, and then the car jolted violently and the check engine light came on. Obviously, this isn’t normal, and when this customer took the vehicle to the shop, they discovered it needed an entire rebuild.

Nissan discovered a design error with the transmission system and lengthened their transmission warranty from 60,000 to 120,000 miles. Nonetheless, if you drive the 2011 Nissan Rogue beyond 120,000, you might have to do a transmission rebuild without any warranty discount, which might set you back about $4,000 to $5,000. 

Ways to help extend the transmission life on your 2011 Nissan Rogue

Here are a few things you can do to counteract the transmission issues you might encounter on your Rogue and give it a fighting chance.

First, check your transmission fluid periodically. If it’s murky, dark, or smells bad, take it to a transmission specialist right away. Bad fluid means a bad transmission.

Second, make sure you’re using the right transmission fluid. This seems obvious but it’s very easy to mix up a number here or a letter there. Transmission fluid is meant to be specific.

Third, make sure to keep an eye on the cooling system (water pump, etc.). A good cooling system doesn’t just keep the engine at optimal.

temperature; it keeps the transmission fluid cool as well as moves through the gearbox. The engine and transmission are a package deal, and making sure your transmission fluid stays cool is important, as it will help extend the life of the transmission. 

Fourth, don’t neglect your transmission flushes. It might seem like unnecessary labor, but it’s absolutely worth it especially if you drive more regularly. Unless you’re a pro, get it done at a shop. 

Fifth, never change gears while you’re in motion. This isn’t “Fast and Furious.” Every time you go from D to R while moving forward or the reverse of this, you’re putting a heavy strain on your transmission. And that’s the last thing you’d want to do on your Nissan Rogue.

Sixth, give your car time to warm up before you start on your way, especially in the winter. Your transmission needs time for the engine to get warm. 

Seventh, don’t use your Nissan Rogue for towing. Towing a big haul on a hot day is terrible for your transmission because the fluid can over-oxidize or burn up and wreak havoc on the gears over time.

Eighth, simply get your 2011 Nissan Rogue transmission serviced by a transmission specialist at least once every few months or so. Tune-ups and an expert touch will help detect little problems and resolve them before they become big ones.