VinCanary

Reliability report · 2023 Nissan Rogue · Updated July 2026

The loudest year in our entire Rogue set — driven by the VC-Turbo engine-bearing failure — so only buy one with the engine recall completed and no knock.

The 2023 is the noisiest year in our whole Rogue dataset, and it isn't close — 647 federal complaints, driven overwhelmingly by the 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine. Owners report knocking under load, stalling, overheating with total power loss, and engines replaced as early as 59,000 miles. Nissan addressed it with recall 25V437 and, for 2023–2025 cars specifically, the expanded recall 26V080.

The catch is what the complaint file shows about the fix: many owners say the ECM-reprogram remedy did not stop a knock that had already begun. The expanded 26V080 does add an oil-pan debris inspection and engine replacement where needed — so a 2023 with that fuller remedy completed and no engine noise is buyable, but an un-remedied VC-Turbo, or one that knocks after a reprogram, is walk-away territory.

Evidence: 647 NHTSA complaints · 6 recall campaigns · 7 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Squawking

What that means: 647 federal complaints — the most of any Rogue year we cover — dominated by the 1.5-liter VC-Turbo (a variable-compression turbo engine) bearing failure. Two overlapping recalls address it, but many owners report the software-reprogram remedy did not save an already-damaged engine.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

This status assumes the riskiest common powertrain — see the Rogue engine guide.

647

Federal complaints

6

Recalls

$0

Recall remedy (ECM reprogram, oil-pan inspection, engine replaced if damaged)

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

1.5L VC-Turbo engine-bearing failure — the year's headline (25V437, 26V080)

major
  • 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-cyl

The 2023 complaint file is dominated by the 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo (a variable-compression turbo engine, code KR15DDT): knocking and rattling under load, stalling, overheating with complete loss of power, and engines replaced as early as 59,000 miles. Two recalls apply. 25V437 (Nissan R25A8/A9, R25B1/B2) covers 2021–2024 Rogues for a bearing manufacturing defect. 26V080 (Nissan R25E2/E3) is the 2023–2025-specific expansion: heat breaks down the engine oil, the bearings seize, and the engine can fail or catch fire. The 26V080 remedy is fuller — reprogram the ECM, inspect for trouble codes, test drive, inspect the oil pan for metal debris, and replace the engine if necessary. Crucially, the complaint file shows owners reporting a knock that appeared or persisted after the reprogram-only fix, and denied or delayed repairs. On a 2023, verify by VIN that the engine recalls are closed, insist on the debris inspection where applicable, and treat any knock as disqualifying.

What to check

Pink and cleanServiced. Proceed.

Dark brownDamage underway.

This is a 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-cyl problem. The 2.5L QR25DE + Jatco CVT doesn’t share it.

Which engine is in the one you found? →

Recall remedy (ECM reprogram, oil-pan inspection, engine replaced if damaged)

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (engine-bearing recalls 25V437/26V080, restraint recalls, coolant service bulletins)

Driver seat and seat-belt recalls (23V268, 23V374, 24V156)moderate

The 2023 carries a set of restraint recalls: 23V268 (Nissan PC966/967), the driver's power seat may not be fully secured and the frame welds can detach; 23V374 (PC978/979), rear seat-belt anchor fasteners that may not have been tightened and can loosen over time; and 24V156 (PD105), front seat-belt pretensioners that may be incorrectly manufactured. All are free inspect-or-replace fixes. On a used 2023, confirm each shows completed — a loose seat or belt anchor is a crash-protection issue.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (engine-bearing recalls 25V437/26V080, restraint recalls, coolant service bulletins)

$0

Recall remedies

Driver airbag inflator moisture (recall 24V154)moderate

Recall 24V154 (Nissan PD103/104) covers a wide range of 2023–2024 Nissans, including the 2023 Rogue: the driver's airbag inflator may absorb moisture and deploy improperly, which could reduce its protection in a crash. The remedy is a free driver airbag assembly replacement. It's a straightforward free fix — just verify by VIN that it was done.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (engine-bearing recalls 25V437/26V080, restraint recalls, coolant service bulletins)

$0

Recall remedy

Phantom pre-collision braking and warning cascadesmoderate

The 2023 file includes forward-collision-avoidance complaints: the system displaying multiple warnings at once ('collision assist / sensor malfunction'), braking or warning with nothing ahead, and warning cascades in the rain. These overlap with the engine complaints in some filings (multiple systems flagging together), which can make diagnosis confusing. Test the driver-assist suite on the drive and pull codes if the dash shows any malfunction history.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Rogue

Plastic oil pan and coolant concernsminor

  • 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-cyl

A smaller gen-3 note that intersects with the engine story: owners report being told the plastic oil pan must be replaced when it cracks (rather than just re-sealed), and a few describe a coolant leak preceding an engine replacement. Nissan issued service procedures for the charge-air-cooler coolant system on the 1.5-liter engine. Watch coolant level and any oil-pan seepage, and keep them in mind alongside the engine recall.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2023 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (engine-bearing recalls 25V437/26V080, restraint recalls, coolant service bulletins)

After taking my 2023 Rogue in for the recall repair (replace sensor and update ECM) I noticed soon after that a knock has started to appear.
7 mechanic & owner sources

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Open recalls

Free fixes at any Nissan dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

  1. 26V0802023–2025 Rogue 1.5L VC-Turbo: heat breaks down engine oil, bearings seize, engine can fail or catch fire. Free ECM reprogram, oil-pan debris inspection, and engine replacement if needed (expands 25V437; Nissan R25E2/E3).open
  2. 25V4371.5L/2.0L VC-Turbo engine bearings may have a manufacturing defect leading to engine failure/fire (2021–2024 Rogue and related models). Free ECM reprogram; engine replaced if damaged (Nissan R25A8/A9, R25B1/B2).open
  3. 24V154Driver airbag inflator may absorb moisture and deploy improperly (2023 Rogue among many models). Free driver airbag assembly replacement (Nissan PD103/104).open
  4. 23V268Driver's power seat may not be fully secured; frame welds can detach. Free inspect/replace seat cushion frame (2023 Rogue/Pathfinder/QX60; Nissan PC966/967).open
  5. 23V374Rear seat-belt anchor fasteners may not be tightened and can loosen over time. Free inspect/tighten and label (2023 Rogue; Nissan PC978/979).open
  6. 24V156Front seat-belt pretensioners may be incorrectly manufactured. Free front seat-belt assembly replacement (2023 Rogue; Nissan PD105).open

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