Since its debut late in 2007, for the 2008 model year, the Nissan Rogue has been a fan-favorite crossover. Over the years, the Japanese automaker has made improvements, and the SUV continues to be a top contender in its class.

But there were a few model years for the Rogue that proved to be problematic. Before you consider a pre-owned purchase of a Rogue of your own, it may help to know which years to avoid. As with most vehicles, there are reported headaches and money-pit type issues from actual owners. 

The Nissan Rogue model year with the most complaints overall

Before you buy your next Nissan Rogue, you may want to make sure it’s not a 2013 model. According to the folks at CarComplaints.com, who compile actual data and reports from vehicle owners, it’s the worst model year for the Rogue.

Citing a series of concerns with a lack of acceleration, and usually, well before the 75,000-mile mark, costs to remedy these problems are astronomical. What starts a slow response to pedal pressure, for many, soon became a complete transmission replacement project.

The average repairs were nearly $3,000 for the 56 documented complaints via the site. Other 2013 Nissan Rogue owners also had to replace the external coolers and valve bodies.

Think twice before you buy this Nissan Rogue model year

You might be thinking you’re in the clear from the problematic 2013 model year because the Rogue you’re considering is a 2015. But the sources suggest you beware of those too. Several vehicle owners reported problems with the air conditioner units of their Nissan Rogues that year.

Some of the remedies came with the help of the manufacturer’s warranty. However, the unit failures presented for most before the SUV rolled over 20,000 miles and still cost an average of $1,600 to fix. Part and mechanism replacements may be in order. So if you’re looking at a used 2015 Nissan Rogue, you may want to inquire about past A/C unit repairs.

Frustrating fuel gauges and pumps

According to the data collected from RepairPal.com, one of the most common Nissan Rogue problems involves a temperamental fuel gauge. More than 180 Rogue owners submitted their experiences, and faulty tank sender units seemed to be the culprits.

Unfortunately, many of these past owners had to resort to replacing the fuel pump altogether, costing them anywhere from $1,000 to $1,398 in out-of-pocket expenses. These glitchy fuel gauge complaints seem to span more than a few model years, including 2008 through 2018. And most failures presented around the 62,000-mile mark.

Avoid the pre-owned hassle and buy new

The 2021 Nissan Rogue is getting a comprehensive redesign and will be available at dealerships this fall, according to Car and Driver. There’s plenty to get excited about with an entirely new look, both inside and out.

Under the hood, the all-new Nissan Rogue will have a 2.5L inline four-cylinder engine capable of 181 hp. This new design is putting the compact-crossover segment on notice, including past rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.

The expert reviews are already buzzing about the more upscale cabin feel, the more attractive exterior design, and an even smoother driving dynamic. Before you move forward with buying a pre-owned Nissan Rogue this year, you may want to at least take a look at the 2021 model.

Don’t be deterred by some of these common complaints about used model Nissan Rogue crossovers. Any vehicle with more than 10 years of production is bound to encounter a few rough production years.

If you have a 2013 or 2015 in mind, at least be sure to inquire about transmission and air conditioning unit problems. And any model over the last years may eventually need a fuel pump replaced. But knowing what problems to look out for can help you make the best buying decision.