2018 Nissan Rogue Sport Safety Report

The 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a notable number of owner complaints, particularly concerning the powertrain and electrical systems. NHTSA crash test ratings are generally good, with an overall 4-star rating, including 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for frontal and rollover. However, the vehicle has accumulated 83 total complaints, with 7 crashes and 13 injuries reported. A significant pattern of complaints revolves around the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and engine overheating issues, often linked to cooling fan failures. Several complaints describe sudden loss of power, hesitation, and complete transmission failure, sometimes at low mileage (e.g., 'Transmission Failed and needed to be replaced with less than 60,000 Miles'). Recall history includes two significant campaigns. One addresses a potential issue with the jackknife style ignition key, where it could inadvertently shut off the vehicle while driving, increasing crash risk. The second recall pertains to the back-up camera display, which may fail to show an image, increasing the risk of a crash during reversing maneuvers. While these recalls address specific safety concerns, the ongoing complaints about powertrain and engine cooling suggest underlying reliability issues not fully covered by current recalls. Beyond the powertrain, there are recurring reports of the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system engaging without cause, with one complaint stating, 'The emergency braking engaged the brakes for no reason. Was driving down the road with no other vehicles near me and my vehicle beeped at me and engaged the brakes hard causing a skid.' This indicates a potential flaw in a critical active safety system. The high number of 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' complaints (13) also suggests a range of less categorized but still concerning issues. Overall, while the vehicle performs well in controlled crash tests, its real-world reliability and the prevalence of certain component failures, particularly the CVT and engine cooling, raise significant safety and operational concerns.

Our recommendation: While the 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport has good crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of widespread complaints regarding CVT transmission failures, engine overheating, and unexpected AEB activation; a pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas and verifying recall completion is highly recommended.