About this problem
Automatic emergency braking uses a camera, a radar sensor or both to watch the road ahead and brake hard if a crash looks likely. The problem owners report is "phantom braking": the system slams on the brakes for a shadow, an overpass, a parked car or nothing at all. That can startle the driver and risk a rear-end crash from the car behind. Software updates have reduced it on some models but not all.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Nissan Rogue since 2012, 365 (6.3%) describe automatic emergency braking problems, the second most reported problem we track on the Rogue. The reports cluster on the 2017, 2018 and 2019 model years, and the 2018 drew the most, with 158. It tends to show up early in the car's life: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 4,000 and 32,000 miles. 28 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. No recall covers it, but Nissan has sent dealers service bulletins about it, listed below.
What owners report
Owners describe the Rogue braking hard on its own, often at highway speed with nothing in the way: under bridges, past parked cars, in shadows or around curves. Some report the warning chime and a jolt; others report the car slowing sharply enough to risk being rear-ended. The complaints cluster in the 2017 to 2019 model years, the first years this system became standard on most trims. NHTSA opened an investigation into this problem on the Rogue.
How it gets fixed
Carmakers have released software updates for many of these systems, and some owners report the problem eased after a dealer update or a camera and radar recalibration. A dirty or misaligned windshield camera, or a replaced windshield that was not recalibrated, can also cause false alarms.
Typical cost: A software update is usually free under warranty. A camera or radar recalibration after windshield work typically costs $150 to $400 at a shop.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"In early 2018 the emergency braking system has twice fully engaged bringing the vehicle to a stop when no apparent obstruction or vehicle was observed. Fortunately both times nobody was behind me. The 1st incident occurred on a city surface street at night."
2017 Nissan Rogue, 15,000 miles
"Automatic emergency braking system on my vehicle initiates when not needed intermittently. No vehicles, objects, items, curbs, etc in vicinity or in front of vehicle."
2018 Nissan Rogue, 6,500 miles
"On 5 separate occasions prior to the date listed, the automatic emergency braking system activated for no apparent reason. At approximately 30 mph on a relatively straight sections of road with no obstructions and clear road ahead."
2019 Nissan Rogue, 7,000 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Service bulletins
Nissan has sent dealers 20 bulletins that mention this problem on the Rogue. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING This bulletin has been amended.
SERVICE INFORMATION FOR AEB WARNING WITHOUT DTC STORED SERVICE INFORMATION If the "Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system OFF warning light" is either ON or flashes and no DTCs are stored, inspect the Lower Front Facia for im...
CRUISE CONTROL/PROPILOT STOPS WORKING IF YOU CONFIRM The customer states that while driving on an unobstructed road, and on a clear day without any rain, snow, or direct sunlight, the Cruise Control/ProPilot stopped working, AN...
FALSE ACTIVATION OF REAR AEB IF YOU CONFIRM If the customer states that the Rear Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is activating when there does not appear to be anything behind the vehicle, AND/OR Rear AEB activation occurs wh...
LANE CAMERA OVER TEMPERATURE DTC STORED SERVICE INFORMATION The Lane Camera can become overheated if the interior room temperature or temperature around the camera becomes excessively high, and does not initially indicate a sus...
ADAS SYSTEM DTC C1A03, C1A04, AND/OR C1B01 SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin applies only to vehicles equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) or Forward Emergency Braking (FEB).
Government investigations
Defect petition DP19001 · 2017, 2018 · opened Apr 2019, closed Sep 2019
Preliminary evaluation PE19010 · 2017–2019 · opened Sep 2019
Before you buy a Rogue
- Drive the car on a busy road with parked cars, overpasses and shadows, where false braking tends to happen.
- Ask whether the braking software has been updated, and check for open recalls by VIN.
- If the windshield was replaced, ask for proof the camera was recalibrated.
Questions
Which Nissan Rogue years have automatic emergency braking problems?
Complaints are highest for the 2017, 2018, 2019 model years. The 2018 drew the most, with 158 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 12,000 miles, and half reported it between 4,000 and 32,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A software update is usually free under warranty. A camera or radar recalibration after windshield work typically costs $150 to $400 at a shop.