Buy Nissan Rogue Hood

The hood on every Nissan Rogue-sometimes called the front bonnet or engine cover-does three main jobs: it shields the engine bay from weather, helps direct airflow over the SUV, and adds crash protection for both passengers and pedestrians. Beginning with the 2021 redesign, Nissan switched the Rogue's hood from stamped steel to lightweight aluminum to cut weight and improve fuel economy. That material choice, plus stronger support beams underneath, also helps the panel resist dents and flutter at highway speed. Owners still report minor vibration on windy days, but simple bumper-stop and latch adjustments usually solve it.

• 2008-2020 (first & second gen): conventional steel outer skin over a stamped inner frame.
• 2021-present (third gen): aluminum outer skin bonded to an advanced-high-strength-steel inner frame, trimming roughly 10 lb from the front of the vehicle.
• Inner reinforcements funnel crash energy away from occupants and raise the hood slightly during a pedestrian impact, a Nissan safety technology called the "pop-up hood." (Nissan Global)

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Always match your VIN with Nissan's TechInfo database or the free NHTSA recall lookup before ordering parts. Links: Nissan TechInfo | NHTSA VIN search. (I-CAR)

• Secondary-latch inspections. Nissan issued service campaigns reminding owners to clean and lubricate the secondary latch on several models after field reports of hoods that could pop up if the primary latch wasn't fully engaged. While most Rogue years were not part of the Altima-focused latch recall, 2015-2016 Rogues did receive campaign PC526 for related hardware checks. (NHTSA)
• Occupant-classification ECU recall (PC526). Affects some 2015-16 Rogues but does not involve the hood panel itself; it's included here because the repair requires under-hood work and battery disconnect.

1. Support the hood with a prop or helper.
2. Mark hinge outlines with masking tape to preserve alignment.
3. Remove four 12 mm hinge bolts (two per side).
4. Swap over the insulator, latch striker, and rubber bumpers from the old hood.
5. Latch alignment: The latch plate slides on three 12 mm bolts; loosen, nudge downward in 1 mm steps, retighten, and pull test.
6. Confirm gaps: target 3-4 mm even clearance to fenders and grille.

• Gas struts. Bolt-on kits replace the factory prop rod so the bonnet lifts itself. DIY install averages 15 minutes; one bracket bolts to the fender, the other to the hood frame.
• Acrylic bug/stone deflectors. Wrap-around shields mount with 3M tape along the hood edge to deflect rocks and bugs away from paint. They're UV-stable and car-wash-safe.
• Sound-deadening pads. Third-party mats stick to the inner frame, trimming engine noise by ~2 dB.

Nissan prints the exterior "COLOR" code on the VIN sticker inside the driver-side door jamb-three characters like K23 (Brilliant Silver) or QAB (Pearl White). (Seat Cover Solutions) For a flawless match:

1. Prime the bare metal or aluminum with epoxy.
2. Apply base coat in light, even passes.
3. Finish with two-stage clear for UV protection.

• Monthly wash clears road salt that can corrode the panel edge.
• Lubricate latches every oil change with white lithium grease to prevent sticking.
• Check the rubber bump stops twice a year; turning them out a quarter-turn firms up the seal and cuts hood flutter at 65 mph.
• Follow OEM repair procedures whenever the hood is repainted or replaced-Nissan's position statements stress that non-approved methods can weaken crash performance. (Repairer Driven News)

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A: No. The mounting points changed with the 2021 redesign. Use a 2014-2020 steel hood for your 2019 model.

Q: Is the Rogue hood made of aluminum or steel?

A: Steel through 2020; aluminum from 2021 forward.

Q: How heavy is the hood?

A: Around 30 lb for the steel version and roughly 20 lb for the aluminum panel-light enough for one person to handle safely.

Q: Where can I get official torque specs?

A: They're listed in Nissan's Electronic Service Manual inside the Nissan TechInfo portal. (I-CAR)

Q: My hood vibrates at 70 mph-dangerous?

A: Usually it's harmless panel flex. Raise the rubber stops and lower the latch; most owners report the shake disappears.

Q: Do I need to clear-coat over touch-up paint?

A: Yes. The clear layer seals in color and provides UV protection, preventing fade and chalking.

Q: Can I reuse the old hood insulation pad?

A: If it's intact and dry, yes. Damaged pads should be replaced to keep engine heat and noise in check.

Q: What prep is needed before painting an aluminum hood?

A: Scuff-sand, wipe with wax-and-grease remover, prime with epoxy, then follow normal base-coat/clear-coat steps.

Q: Are there any active hood recalls on late-model Rogues?

A: As of May 2025, no open hood-latch recalls exist for the 2021-2025 Rogue, but always verify with the NHTSA VIN tool before service.

Q: Does installing gas struts void warranty?

A: Aftermarket struts won't void the factory warranty unless they cause damage-e.g., stressing hinge metal-so use a kit made for the Rogue and follow torque specs.

• OEM1Stop Nissan repair library - quick access to position statements and structural repair manuals.
• Repairer Driven News article on Rogue body materials - deep dive into the 2021 model's high-strength-steel and aluminum mix.
• I-CAR collision repair info - step-by-step guidance for technicians.

This guide should give you-and your website visitors-everything needed to understand, maintain, and replace a Nissan Rogue hood while naturally weaving in search-friendly terms like bonnet, engine cover, and front lid.