A serious Rogue horror story.

[CJD91]

Hello all,

I just wanted to get my story of my Rogue out there to prospective buyers.

On December 26, 2009 I bought a brand new 2010 Rogue S AWD off the showroom floor. I really liked the car, and had been thinking about buying one for months. When my beloved Passat was totaled after I slipped on blackice, I made my move. I got the Rogue for nearly $1,000 under invoice and went home happy with a new car. I previously had a 2001 Pathfinder, and with nearly 125k miles on it, I had exactly zero problems with it. My experience with the Pathfinder, along with my girlfriend's flawless experience with her 2009 Maxima, buying a new Nissan with the intention of having a problem-free experience was truly a no-brainer to me.

After about a week of driving my Rogue, rattles began to develop around numerous spots of the interior. They seem to come from the rear and front door panels, along with the center console. I wrote that off as normal, even though my neither my Pathfinder nor Maxima developed such rattles.

After filling the fuel tank up for the second or third time, I got the dreaded mis-reading from the gauge. At any time it reads one to two bars off. The dealer has replaced the fuel sender units. This didn't rectify the problem, and the interior now smells strong of gas. They are informing me they want to replace the instrument cluster, which I know from research on this site, will not fix the issue. And the last thing I want to do is have my brand new car ripped apart to develop more rattles and issues.

Ever since I brought the car home, I would smell burning clutch smell when I got out of the car after driving on the highway or driving it hard or even driving it at all. I wrote this off to a normal smell of everything breaking in, as the Maxima sorta did the same thing. Just not as much. A week ago the car developed a whining/whirring noise around 2900-3200RPM that wasn't there before. I brought it into the dealer and took their head tech for a ride. He noticed it too, and the service manger informed me they tried to put the software update on it for CVT noises but it wasn't taking it, as it already had it from the factory. I was informed the only thing to do was replace the CVT, which will be done tomorrow.

Personally, I find this to be completely unacceptable and filed a complaint with NOA for a vehicle buyback or replacement as it's quite obvious this is a lemon. They have been completely unhelpful, saying they're only obligated to fixed the car under warranty. Which is true. I just cannot fathom the issues this car may have down the road, when it already needs thousands of dollars in repairs at 4 weeks old.

I just wanted to get this out there, and ask for help. I don't know what else to do besides hire an attorney to represent my interests. Under NJ lemon law, they have three times to fix the issues or only one if it's life threatening. Gas fumes in the cabin aren't exactly healthy.

[kerrton]

Very sorry to hear about your troubles.

A few objective, unbiased points (just my humble opinions):

- I haven't seen one report on here regarding the "burning clutch smell", for prospective Rogue buyers I would say this is not common in this vehicle and CJD91 has some bad luck

- Although unfortunate, I don't think your experiences are out line with reality. ALL vehicles have the potential to have inherant defects from the factory, no matter the manufacturer or model. Most buyers experience no problems, but there is always someone with factory defect problems. This is little consolation for those who get the defects, but that is what the warranty is for, and all you can do is get it repaired free of charge and you should be good to go for the long haul

- I personally don't consider your gas gauge problem a significant issue. I had the problem too, in addition to a "bad" 08 CVT which was replaced, and they replaced my fuel sender unit no problem. But there was never an issue with the important function of the gauge, which is to indicate when you're close to running out of fuel (i.e. the low end of the scale). Now I realize your problem is a bit different because they want to replace your instrument cluster, but these are skilled technicians and I think if given the chance they'll be able to fix this without any side effects, ex. new rattles.

I'm not trying to make light of your issues, but I would definately not agree that this is a "horror" story. We have to be careful how we describe these things, because prospective buyers do read these posts and so we need to be accurate and realistic. I don't think it's fair to call the Rogue a horror story for prospective buyers.

You should read the reports from the new Chevy Equinox, MAJOR problems are too numerous to list, but highlights include the U-joint failing allowing the drive shaft to drop during operation, engine's are failing, transmission's are failing, electrical systems fail,, the doors leak, and the list really goes on and on (reference Truedelta.com vehicle reliablity detail report) and drivers are being stranded by all of these problems. And these problems seem to be occurring at a high rate, whereas the Rogue is still rated as above average REAL WORLD reliability as reported by real owners. I don't believe your Rogue has left you stranded which is a criteria for defining a major problem.

Again I know this doesn't help your situation, but I don't think it's fair to call this a horror story when your service department hasn't been given a fair chance to resolve all the issues. Also, your vehicle hasn't even left you stranded, and all parts including transmissions have a failure rate, even Toyota and Honda replace transmissions in brand new vehicles, it happens every day. So had you bought another vehicle, you'd have equal chance of things going wrong, it sucks but is a fact of life. My friend bought an '07 Toyota RAV4 and had the transmission replaced 3 times in the first couple years, yet the RAV4 is still considered good quality - his vehicle was an anomoly like yours, and eventually the warranty corrected the problems.!

I sincerely wish you good luck, and my advice is to keep this in perspective, it's realtively common and lawyers aren't needed, just give your service dept. a chance to fix this on warranty, that's why you've got a warranty!! I'd be willing to bet you'll be a happy Rogue owner very soon!

[Pescakl1]

After filling the fuel tank up for the second or third time, I got the dreaded mis-reading from the gauge. At any time it reads one to two bars off. The dealer has replaced the fuel sender units. This didn't rectify the problem, and the interior now smells strong of gas. They are informing me they want to replace the instrument cluster, which I know from research on this site, will not fix the issue. And the last thing I want to do is have my brand new car ripped apart to develop more rattles and issues.

Do you fill up the car completely?So you know you can fill almost 18 gallons in the Rogue tank.

Some others have a fuel gauge problem but like Kerrton said, the important part is the last one.

Ever since I brought the car home, I would smell burning clutch smell when I got out of the car after driving on the highway or driving it hard or even driving it at all. I wrote this off to a normal smell of everything breaking in, as the Maxima sorta did the same thing. Just not as much. A week ago the car developed a whining/whirring noise around 2900-3200RPM that wasn't there before. I brought it into the dealer and took their head tech for a ride. He noticed it too, and the service manger informed me they tried to put the software update on it for CVT noises but it wasn't taking it, as it already had it from the factory. I was informed the only thing to do was replace the CVT, which will be done tomorrow.

Did you read the owner's manual on how to break in the engine and the car?

Driving it hard is not in the manual, you have to do everything EXCEPT that: Not babies it, not stay at the same RPM too long, and not driving it hard.

Driving it hard can only brings problems: oil consumption, wrapped brake rotors, higher fuel consumption.

I hope you won't come later on saying you cannot match EPA numbers.

[koolyce]

About the smell, All the AWD car have a "awd smell" how seems too look (or smell) what you describe.

If this append during snow, ice, etc...any condition where the AWD can be turn on and work a lot, is smell that.

In my case, everything I go up north, I need to climb a little hill and I like it doing it slowly, but at the top, I can smell my "awd smell"

[casperfun]

The point is, that it's this particular customer's story. It's THEIR story and I have no problem with that. I feel bad for the guy and sorry to hear his negative experience. For a person who likes to research things like myself, I really appreciate every side of a purchaser's experience be it good or bad. I don't care if people have a bad experience buying a laptop or a vehicle. I take it with a grain of salt and try to see all reviews from the person's perspective and take all information to make my personal best situation.

It's my opinion that this guy had a bad experience. He bought a new car and way too many issues for his taste were occurring. In his mind it was his horror story and hopefully this won't happen to anybody else.

Just today, I was trying to return a new 2010 Toyota camry bought less then 30 days ago because of the recall about the gas pedal accelerating. My dad didn't want it anymore because he worried about it. He is the stubborn type. It's understandable because people actually died because of this type of problem with the Lexus brand. But we were going to lose $4000 on the deal even though it only has 100 miles on it.

So we sucked it up and hoping there is a solution soon. As we know toyota stopped selling their cars today. Isn't a deadly car with no solution a lemon? Our own personal HORROR story. The point is, what is peace of mind worth? Does it equate to one's own horror story. Who knows?????, to each their own. My god a new CVT for a 2010 vehicle with the latest software update in the original car? Isn't that a horror?

Ok enough yapping, I'm glad people tell their experiences in here. They spend their hard yearn money and last thing on their mind is having all these issues. I'm happy they don't sugar coat. Shout from the mountaintops because there are people like me who want to know.

As for myself, I had a good experience with my Nissan Rogue. I wasn't even in a rush to fix the re-calls scared somebody might mess it up while touching it. Anyways, I went with my first oil change and all the recall fixes because some A-hole bump my front bumper and broke my license plate cover and knicked my paint.

Since I finally had the first hit or nick by another vehicle. My perfect , pristine car. I finally feel better I got that over with, now I was able to let people mess with my car and service it. Yah, that's me. The person who parks far away to prevent door dents and paranoid somebody uncaring will smash my door with their crappy door.

Isn't it so true that driving a new car attracts all those people who like hitting you at stop lights or parking lots, or hit your car and run away? New cars are like magnets for accidents. But your old clunker never gets hit or in accidents in the latter years. It sucks. Sometimes I don't even want to wax my car because I remember when my mom's new red toyota was scratch near the headlight and paint area for the hell of it. Somebody must saw how shiny it was and said to themselves, lets mess with this beautiful paintjob. People are jealous out there. Hence new car attracts issues.

Modified by casperfun at 7:53 PM 1/27/2010
Modified by casperfun at 7:55 PM 1/27/2010

[kerrton]

Agreed, we want to hear everyone's story here, unfiltered and honest. We also want to hear the other side of the coin, counter points, disagreements, etc. which forms a discussion.

I think we've got that rolling nicely in this thread....anybody else?

[philipa_240sx]

Isn't it so true that driving a new car attracts all those people who like hitting you at stop lights or parking lots, or hit your car and run away? New cars are like magnets for accidents. But your old clunker never gets hit or in accidents in the latter years.

Yup, 100% true. My Rogue has a nice scrape on the rear bumper (my fault). No one has touched me since!

[zakmartin]

If you're getting a fuel smell after you replaced the fuel gauge senders, then there's a strong probability that the shop failed to properly install the fuel pump assembly gasket and it's now leaking. You need to get that fixed ASAP, since it creates something of a hazard.

Apparently, it takes a LOT of pressure on the fuel pump assembly to properly seat it to the gasket, which is something a lot of shops fail to fully understand, especially if they haven't worked on a lot of Rogues. During assembly, you don't want any fuel getting on to the gasket material or it will fail (sounds counter-intuitive, I know).

We went through the same thing with ours. After the second gasket, the problem went away.

As for the squeaks and rattles, good luck with that. I've finally given up on trying to eradicate them.

[2009 Indigo Blue]

Anyone can buy any new car of any make & it could unfortunately be a lemon & it sounds like you're the unlucky person who has one.

Sorry you've already had such trouble.