The Nissan Rogue Select Years To Avoid
The Nissan Rogue is one of the best-selling models of the Japanese automaker, and for good reason. The Nissan Rogue is a smart choice that ticks all the right boxes for modern families and urban adventurers. With its roomy cabin and clever cargo solutions, like the hands-free liftgate, loading up for a weekend getaway or tackling the weekly Costco run is a breeze. But the Rogue doesn’t sacrifice efficiency for space as it boasts impressive fuel economy numbers.
For buyers seeking even better value, the Nissan Rogue Select is a special trim level that offers an impressive array of features and amenities typically found on higher-end models, all at an accessible price point.
If you’re interested in a Rogue Select model, know that not all years are equal. Below, we rounded up the worst Nissan Rogue Select years to avoid and the ones you can safely buy as used.
What Exactly is the Nissan Rogue Select?
The Nissan Rogue Select is a value-oriented trim level that enhances the well-equipped SV model with additional premium features typically found on pricier Rogue trims. It starts with the SV’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, capable all-wheel-drive system, and tech like a 7-inch touchscreen display.
However, the Select kicks things up a notch by adding heated leather seats, a heated steering wheel, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and Nissan’s handy Around View Monitor for easier parking. It even has practical features like a motion-activated liftgate and roof rails. Essentially, the Rogue Select bundles many of Nissan’s most desirable amenities into an attractively priced package designed to deliver maximum bang for your crossover buck.
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Which Nissan Rogue Select Years to Avoid?
The Nissan Rogue Select had a brief yet enticing run in the market, lasting just two model years: 2014 and 2015. So, if you’re looking to buy a used model, your choices pretty much boil down to these two. With that said, if you want to know the worst Nissan Rogue Select years to avoid, it has to be the..
2014 Nissan Rogue Select
The Nissan Rogue Select was essentially a rebadged first-generation Rogue with fewer features to hit a lower price point. Unfortunately, it also inherited the problematic CVT transmission that plagued the original Rogue. While more affordable, the Select couldn’t escape the first-gen’s many reliability woes.
CVT Transmission Woes
The biggest issue plaguing the Rogue Select was the carried-over CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) from the previous-generation Rogue. This transmission drew widespread criticism for shuddering, slipping between gear ratios, and failing to shift smoothly under acceleration.
Due to these chronic drivability problems, many automotive critics, such as Consumer Reports, identified it as one of the worst CVT designs on the market at the time. The unreliable CVT was a glaring shortcoming for a vehicle marketed as an affordable family hauler.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE NISSAN ROGUE SELECT
We explore the most reliable Nissan Rogue Select year models to help you decide when searching for your next vehicle.
Anemic Acceleration
Despite its compact crossover footprint, the Rogue Select’s 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine felt overmatched when tasked with merging onto highways or passing at speed. Major critics and consumers alike have lambasted the “sluggish from-a-stop acceleration” that made extracting power from this powertrain a lethargic exercise. The engine’s modest output, coupled with the problematic CVT, made for a joyless driving experience.
Poor Gas Mileage
Compounding the performance woes were real-world fuel economy figures that fell well short of the EPA’s 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway estimates. Many owners reported struggling to achieve these numbers, negating one of the key benefits of choosing an economical compact crossover.
Fuel Pump Failure
Another central problem for the 2014 Rogue Select was premature fuel pump failures. Many owners reported having to replace the fuel pump well before reaching 100,000 miles, which is supposed to be the expected lifetime for this crucial component.
A failing fuel pump can cause stalling, loss of power, and an inability to start the vehicle. Depending on labor rates, repair costs for this issue ranged from $500-$1,000. Fuel pump failures seemed to afflict a significant number of 2014 Rogue Select models, compounding the vehicle’s overall reliability woes.
Stuck Brake Caliper
Another primary reason why the 2014 iteration is one of the worst Nissan Rogue Select years to avoid is related to its brake system. Several owners experienced stuck brake calipers, which can cause the brakes to drag and overheat. This leads to premature wear on the brake pads and rotors.
Some reported having to replace calipers altogether to fix the issue after experiencing a stuck caliper. Sticking brake calipers pose a potential safety hazard and are an expensive repair. This was likely another case of cost-cutting measures resulting in subpar components for the budget-focused Rogue Select trim.
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Which Nissan Rogue Select Year is Safe to Buy as Used?
At this point, used car buyers are left with the 2015 Nissan Rogue Select. While the 2014 Nissan Rogue Select was plagued by a litany of reliability complaints, the 2015 model year seems to have fared somewhat better. However, it wasn’t a complete overhaul.
2015 Nissan Rogue Select
For the 2015 Rogue Select, reports of problematic issues like failure-prone fuel pumps and stuck brake calipers appeared to diminish compared to the previous year. This could suggest that Nissan made some improvements to address these glaring quality lapses in the 2014 models.
That said, the 2015 Rogue Select still shared some of its predecessor’s drawbacks and limitations. The much-maligned CVT transmission remained unchanged, so owners likely continued to experience shuddering, droning, and unpredictable gear behavior from this problematic component.
In addition, the anemic 2.5L four-cylinder engine’s performance remained lackluster, and fuel economy was still nothing to write home about for a compact crossover.
While the severe reliability issues may have been curtailed to an extent, the 2015 Rogue Select’s powertrain faults and lack of upscale cabin appointments remained sources of frustration for many consumers.
Ultimately, if avoiding costly repair headaches is the priority, the 2015 Rogue Select is the more sensible pick between the two model years. Just don’t expect a radically upgraded experience overall compared to 2014.
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