2007-2015 Nissan Rogue 2.5L Engine (QR25DE): Longevity, Problems, and Specs

The Nissan Rogue produced between 2007 to 2015 comes with mixed reviews from owners and reports. Over the years, it has been linked with transmission issues. On the other hand, it was also praised for its fuel economy.

In this article, we will focus on the 2.5L engine powering the Rogue to attempt to somehow redeem it amid the criticism.

Key features and my opinion about the engine

• Production years:2000-now
• Average lifespan of QR25DE:190,000-220,000 miles
• Fuel supply type:port injection
• Power range:150-185 hp
• Fuel efficiency:average
• Engine block material:aluminum
• Engine reliability score:medium
• The most common problems:bad oil consumption, cylinder walls warping, timing chain stretching, engine head gasket failing, lots of minor problems.

Key Specs of the 2007-2015 Nissan Rogue 2.5L Engine

The Nissan Rogue produced between 2007 and 2015 housed a 2.5L engine also known as the QR25DE. The power unit is a lot like the QR20DE but with several improvements to squeeze out better performance and address several problems that plagued its predecessor.

The engine features an inline-four layout with aluminum block and head. It uses a dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) configuration as well as four valves per cylinder to generate better air circulation. Then, its integration of variable valve timing (VVT) in its system ensures less air-fuel mixture to optimize output while keeping the emissions down. Moreover, it utilizes a multi-port electronic fuel injection to further keep its fuel consumption in check while ensuring that enough power is milled.

The QR25DE has a 2,488-cc displacement with a bore measuring 89 mm and a stroke of 100 mm. The design of the engine allows for a compression of 9.6:1 for the Rouge, but it should be noted that it can be tuned to deliver as much as 10.5:1 in the Sentra SE-R Spec V.

The output of the unit varies depending on its application, too. In the Nissan Rogue, it is capable of dishing out up to 170 hp at 6,000 rpm and 175 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. Many find these figures sluggish for a small crossover SUV, and they have a good reason to be frustrated as the vehicle takes around 9 to 9.5 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph.

The fuel economy rating of the Rogue for the 2.5L engine is where it truly stands out though. Based on EPA estimates, its range can go 25 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. The combined score stands at 28 mpg. The figures are definitely great for a small crossover SUV.

Longevity of the 2007-2015 Nissan Rogue 2.5L Engine

The longevity of the 2007 to 2015 Nissan Rogue varies depending on who will ask. Some say that it can only last 100,000 miles before requiring major and expensive parts replacement while others claim that the numbers can be stretched to 250,000 miles. Taking the middle ground would yield 160,000 miles.

Taking into consideration the average annual mileage of US drivers, the best numbers are good for 12 to 16 years of use. However, this surely entails regular maintenance as well as making sure that the level and quality of its fluids are always at their best. Early symptoms of issues should not be ignored, too, and must be addressed early to get close to that number.

Common Problems Found in the 2007-2015 Nissan Rogue 2.5L Engine

According to public consensus, including the feedback of 2007 to 2015 Nissan Rouge owners and various reports, these are the issues that are very common to the 2.5L engine it carries:

1. Overheating Engine Due to Transmission Issues

One thing that you should watch out for in the 2007 to 2015 models of the Nissan Rogue is its infamous continuously variable transmission (CVT). We are technically starting with a problem outside of the engine, but do know that a failure in this part can potentially affect its performance and integrity.

Bad transmissions are known to cause a lot of performance-related problems like sudden unexpected acceleration, hesitation when accelerating, and your engine struggling to stay on. The stress it can cause to your engine can eventually result in overheating, which risks damaging the vital parts of your power unit. Based on the consensus, transmission failure in the Rogue can happen even before the 100,000-mile mark.

There are a few things you can do to check if your Rogue's CVT is starting to fail. For one, see if there's an abnormal noise coming from the transmission area. You should also watch out for a delay in acceleration. If the car seems to be lagging behind when you step on the gas, it might be a sign that the CVT is struggling. Another thing you can do is inspect the color of the transmission fluid. If it looks like it's been burning, then that could also spell trouble for the CVT.

If you noticed any of these symptoms, take your Rogue to your trusted mechanic right away. They will most likely run some tests on the transmission and see if it needs to be rebuilt or replaced. In some cases, they might just need to do a simple flush and fill. However, depending on the severity of the damage, you might need to fork out a significant amount of money for a new transmission.

A Rogue transmission rebuild costs around $3,500 on average. Depending on the year of your vehicle and whether or not it is still under warranty, replacing the transmission could cost up to $5,000.

You can avoid all these hassles by regularly maintaining your Rogue and making sure that the transmission fluid and coolant are always at the ideal levels. You should also have the car checked by a professional every now and then so they can catch any problem early on. Taking good care of your Rogue will definitely help prolong its life and avoid costly repairs in the future.

2. Engine Control Module Software Issues

An engine control module (ECM) is a computer that manages the engine's ignition, fuel mixture, and emissions controls. ECM failure can cause a variety of problems with an engine, including misfires, poor fuel economy, and stalling.

There are several symptoms that can indicate an ECM is failing or has failed. These include the engine stalling or running rough particularly at idle, the check engine light coming on, and decreased fuel economy. Various false warnings may also trigger in your dashboard.

If you suspect your ECM may be failing, the first step is to have the code read by a scanner. This will tell you if there are any trouble codes associated with the different parts of your auto. If there's any, have the faulty part fixed or replaced. If there's none, try diagnosing your ECM for possible software issues.

The ECM-related problems on the Nissan Rogue, however, mostly have something to do with its software. If this is the case, your ECM may just need to be updated to calibrate the various settings of the different controls in your vehicle.

If the ECM is failing or showing signs of physical damage though, such as signs of shorting or any other type of damage, it will often need to be replaced. This is a relatively expensive repair, so it is important to be sure that the ECM hardware is the root cause of the problem before replacing it. A qualified technician can help you with this diagnosis.

3. Intake Manifold Premature Wear

The plastic material used in the intake manifold of the 2007-2015 Nissan Rogue is prone to premature wear. Over time, the manifold can develop cracks and other damage that can affect the engine's performance.

There are several symptoms of intake manifold wear in the 2.5L engine. One is a decrease in engine power. Another is a loss of fuel economy. The engine may also run rough or misfire.

If you suspect that your intake manifold is worn, it's important to have it checked out by a qualified mechanic. They will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of action. In some cases, the manifold will need to be replaced.

When replacing the intake manifold, it's important to use a high-quality replacement part. This will help ensure that the problem doesn't reoccur in the future.

The intake manifold of your engine is important because it evenly distributes air and fuel to the cylinders. Therefore, make sure that it is always of good quality to keep your engine running at its best.

Should You Buy the 2007-2015 Nissan Rogue with the 2.5L Engine?

The ace up the sleeve of the 2007-2015 Nissan Rogue 2.5L QR25DE engine is its good fuel economy rating. As mentioned, it can deliver up to 25 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. This places the Rogue ahead of its competition in the small crossover segment of the market.

Aside from that, it promises a lifespan of over 200,000 miles. The only part of the engine that is prone to premature wear based on reports and complaints is the intake manifold because of its use of plastic materials.

The other major problems with the Rogue can be traced to its CVT and ECM. Although technically, these are no longer parts of the engine, they still have an influence on its inner workings. Therefore, these are things that you should constantly monitor to ensure the integrity of your power unit.

Transmission and ECM replacement can be very expensive. So, if you are keen on keeping a 2007-2015 Nissan Rogue, these are things that you have to prepare yourself.