2018 Nissan Rogue Safety Report

2018 Nissan Rogue: Good crash ratings, but significant owner complaints about unexpected braking and transmission issues.

612Complaints
3Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
32Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
45Injuries
Most reported components: Service Brakes (122)Forward Collision Avoidance (81)Unknown Or Other (61)Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (47)Electrical System (23)Air Bags (20)Power Train (18)Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes (16)Engine (14)Seats (12)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Nissan Rogue

The 2018 Nissan Rogue presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a notable volume of owner complaints, particularly concerning critical safety systems. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash, and 4 stars for rollover resistance. This indicates a generally good level of occupant protection in tested crash scenarios. However, the vehicle has accumulated 612 total complaints, including 32 crashes, 1 fire, and 45 injuries, suggesting real-world safety concerns beyond controlled testing. A significant pattern in owner complaints revolves around the 'SERVICE BRAKES' (122 complaints) and 'FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' (81 complaints), often intertwined as 'SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' (47 complaints). Many reports describe the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system engaging unexpectedly, causing sudden and dangerous deceleration at various speeds, including highway speeds, which significantly increases the risk of a rear-end collision. Other common issues include 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' (61 complaints), 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' (23 complaints), and 'AIR BAGS' (20 complaints), with some complaints detailing airbags failing to deploy in crashes. The vehicle has been subject to 3 recalls. One recall addresses a 'jackknife style ignition key' that could inadvertently shut off the vehicle while driving, increasing crash risk. Another recall impacts 2018-2019 models for a 'BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA' issue, where the back-up camera display may not show an image, increasing the risk of a crash. A third recall for 2017-2019 Rogue Hybrid vehicles concerns an 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING' issue that could lead to an engine stall. While these recalls address specific safety defects, the high volume of complaints, especially regarding braking and AEB, suggests ongoing issues not fully mitigated by existing recalls or requiring further investigation.

Reliability Score

The 2018 Nissan Rogue receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2018 Nissan Rogue

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Nissan Rogue:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Unexpected Automatic Emergency Braking (Aeb) Engagement
The forward collision avoidance system frequently engages without warning, causing sudden and dangerous deceleration, often at highway speeds, increasing crash risk.		 High Common all miles
Cvt Transmission Failure/Malfunction
Owners report the CVT transmission exhibiting jerking, stalling, loss of power, and catastrophic failure, sometimes at relatively low mileage, posing safety risks.		 High Common 30000-90000 miles
Backup Camera Failure
The backup camera display frequently goes black or fails to show an image, increasing the risk of a crash while reversing. This was subject to a recall.		 Medium Occasional all miles
Driver'S Seat Movement/Failure
The driver's seat may move back and forth while driving or experience structural failure, compromising driver control and comfort.		 Medium Occasional all miles
Power Liftgate Unexpected Closing
The rear power liftgate may unexpectedly close after being opened, posing a risk of injury to users.		 Medium Occasional all miles
Ignition Key Folding/Vehicle Shut-Off
The jackknife style ignition key may collapse while driving, inadvertently shutting off the vehicle. This issue was subject to a recall.		 High Rare all miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Nissan Rogue:

Service Brakes 19% of complaints

Frequent complaints about unexpected braking, often linked to the Automatic Emergency Braking system, and general brake performance issues.

Forward Collision Avoidance 13% of complaints

Numerous reports of the AEB system activating without a clear obstruction, leading to sudden deceleration and potential rear-end collisions.

Unknown Or Other 9% of complaints

A broad category indicating various unclassified or miscellaneous issues, some of which may relate to underlying system malfunctions.

Electrical System 3% of complaints

Issues ranging from general electrical malfunctions to specific problems like infotainment system failures and door lock issues.

Air Bags 3% of complaints

Concerns about airbag deployment in crashes and seatbelt indicator malfunctions.

Power Train 2% of complaints

Primarily related to CVT transmission issues, including jerking, stalling, and complete failure.

Engine 2% of complaints

Reports of engine weakness, stalling, burning oil, and general performance issues.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 1% of complaints

Backup camera display failing to show an image, increasing crash risk (subject to recall).

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Nissan Rogue

Is the 2018 Nissan Rogue safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 Nissan Rogue received a 4-star overall safety rating, performing well in crash tests. However, it has 612 owner complaints, including 32 crashes and 45 injuries, with significant concerns about unexpected Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) engagement and transmission issues, which could compromise real-world safety.

What are common problems with the 2018 Nissan Rogue?

The most reported issues for the 2018 Nissan Rogue are related to 'SERVICE BRAKES' (122 complaints) and 'FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' (81 complaints), often describing unexpected AEB activation. Other common problems include CVT transmission failures, electrical system malfunctions, and backup camera issues.

Has the 2018 Nissan Rogue had any recalls?

Yes, the 2018 Nissan Rogue has had 3 recalls. These include issues with the jackknife ignition key potentially shutting off the vehicle, a damaged engine harness in hybrid models leading to engine stall, and a malfunctioning back-up camera display.

How does the 2018 Nissan Rogue perform in crash tests?

The 2018 Nissan Rogue received a 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It scored 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash, and 4 stars for rollover resistance, indicating generally good performance in controlled crash scenarios.

Are there issues with the 2018 Nissan Rogue's transmission?

Yes, there are numerous complaints regarding the 2018 Nissan Rogue's CVT transmission, falling under 'POWER TRAIN' and general complaints. Owners report issues such as jerking, stalling, lack of power, and catastrophic failure, often at mileages well below expected lifespan.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2018 Nissan Rogue has good crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of the significant volume of complaints regarding unexpected AEB activation and CVT transmission issues; a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas is highly recommended.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Nissan Rogue

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Nissan Rogue. The data includes 612 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 32 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 45 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Nissan Rogue an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.