Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 429 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Rogue, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 106 | 25% |
| Air bags | 81 | 19% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 19 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 17 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 3% |
| Power train | 12 | 3% |
| Structure | 11 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 2% |
| Air bags | 8 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 8 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I have a 2008 Nissan Rogue. The air bag light came on, blinking red around 3 weeks ago. It has been red blinking continuously whenever the vehicle is on since then. I brought the car to my local auto repair shop to check
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 sp
NHTSA complaint: Power train
A light on my car's dashboard started flashing, indicating a problem with the airbag. This started after two days of not driving.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving on Highway I-10 at 65 MPH, there was an extremely loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact immediately pulled over, assuming ther
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the driver's side air bag warning light continued to blink on and off. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE RPM WILL SKYROCKET AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. WE HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW HOURS BEFORE IT DRIVES NORMALLY AGAIN. LATELY THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BUCKING
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light was flashing off and on. Also, while turning the steering wheel in either direction, there was a creaki
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact's mother owns a 2008 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that the front passenger's side air bag sensor warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the message "Passenger Air Bag Off" wa
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 Nissan Rogue. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured March 7, 2007, to November 26, 2013, and 2014 Nissan Rogue Select vehicles manufactured September 23, 2013, to July 2, 2014. The affected vehicles may experience an electrical short in t
Risk: An electrical short can cause a vehicle fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the kick panel wiring harness connector and will if necessary install a new harness connector and waterproof seal, free of charge. The recall began
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND,
Risk: IF THE TPMS LAMP IS DISREGARDED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE TIRE WILL QUICKLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AT A CONSISTENT RATE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE INCREASING THE RISK OF A
Fix: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TPMS NUT WITH A NEW, MORE ROBUST NUT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NI
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 ROGUE VEHICLES. A SCREW IN THE STEERING GEAR HOUSING COVER MAY LOOSEN OVER TIME AND COULD FALL OUT. AS IT LOOSENS, THE STEERING RESPONSE OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE COMPROMISED BUT THE DRIVER WILL RETAIN STEERING CONTROL.
Risk: THE SCREW MAY EVENTUALLY COME OUT OF THE STEERING GEAR COVER. IF LARGE STEERING INPUTS ARE MADE WITH THE COVER SCREW MISSING THE PINION SHAFT MAY COME OUT OF THE STEERING GEAR RESULTING IN A COMPLETE
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT WHETHER THE STEERING GEAR COVER SCREW IS LOOSE AND WILL BE RETIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSTALL A COVER PLATE TO PREVENT THE SCREW FROM POSSIBLY COM
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEP
| Reliability | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 83 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 76 | good |
| Performance | 60 | average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 429 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 106 of them (25%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.