Nissan Rogue Cabin Air Filter Guide (All Model Year)
Your Nissan Rogue is equipped with a cabin air filter to maintain the air quality inside the cabin. This filter cleans the outside air that enters the car cabin through the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system.
Unfortunately, most Nissan Rogue users overlook this crucial filter, even though it plays an important role in keeping the air you and your passengers breathe fresh.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about your Nissan Rogue’s cabin air filter, including its essential function, step-by-step replacement, the different filter types available, replacement costs, and much more.
Understanding Your Nissan Rogue’s Cabin Air Filter
The cabin air filter is a component of the air conditioning system that helps keep the air inside your vehicle clean, assuming all doors and windows are closed.
It works by trapping particles like dust, pollen, smoke, and even odors before they can enter the cabin. But if the filter isn’t properly maintained, its effectiveness decreases, leading to poor air quality inside the car.
That’s why it’s important to check and replace the cabin air filter regularly. The good news? It’s easy to access, it’s located right behind the glove compartment on the passenger side.
Keep in mind that the cabin air filter is completely different from the engine air filter.
The engine air filter is located under the hood and is responsible for filtering the air that goes into the engine for combustion.
In contrast, the cabin air filter cleans the air that enters the vehicle’s interior, making it safer and more comfortable to breathe.
Why a Clean Cabin Air Filter Matters
Keeping the cabin air filter clean in your Nissan Rogue isn’t just about keeping the air inside smelling fresh—it’s essential for your comfort, health, and even the performance of your vehicle’s air conditioning system.
Neglecting this small but important component can lead to a range of issues. Here are a few good reasons to regularly check and replace your Rogue’s cabin air filter.
Improves Interior Air Quality
This is the primary role of the cabin air filter: to trap a wide range of airborne contaminants such as dust, exhaust fumes, road debris, industrial pollutants, and even insects.
When the filter becomes dirty, its ability to filter out these particles is reduced. As a result, they can make their way into the cabin, lowering the quality of the air you and your passengers breathe.
Ensures Proper AC Performance
Imagine wearing a face mask that’s too thick—you’d probably struggle to breathe properly, right? That’s exactly what happens when your cabin air filter is dirty.
Over time, dust and debris build up on the filter. If left for too long, this buildup can clog the filter and restrict airflow. When that happens, you’ll notice that your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be working as well as it used to.
A clogged cabin air filter can cause the AC to take longer to cool the cabin—or, in some cases, it might not cool the air at all.
Here’s a quick story: a few weeks ago, my father-in-law bought a used minivan. Not long after, he started complaining that the air conditioner wasn’t cooling properly and the air smelled a bit funky.
When I took a look, I found the cabin air filter in terrible shape—it was completely filthy, filled with leaves and even mouse droppings. After replacing it with a new filter, the difference was night and day. The AC worked like a charm, the air felt much cooler, and the smell disappeared entirely.
Reduces Odors and Allergens
Besides trapping dust and particles, cabin air filters also help block unpleasant odors from entering your vehicle.
Some filters are specifically designed for this purpose (such as activated carbon filters) which do an excellent job of neutralizing odors. But even standard filters can still be effective at reducing smells like factory emissions, agricultural odors, roadkill, exhaust fumes, and more.
Cabin air filters are also useful during seasons when trees release a lot of pollen. These filters help prevent pollen from entering the cabin, which is especially important for allergy sufferers, as pollen is one of the most common airborne allergens.
When Should You Replace the Cabin Air Filter?
A clean cabin air filter keeps everything running smoothly, which is why it’s important to swap it out according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
According to the Nissan Rogue owner’s manual, the cabin air filter (officially called the in-cabin microfilter) should be replaced every 18 months or 11,250 miles, whichever comes first.
That said, you might need to replace it sooner if you live in an area with heavy air pollution, like near factories or where there’s a lot of diesel traffic. Dust, soot, and other airborne particles can clog the filter more quickly in those conditions.
It’s also a good idea to watch for signs that your Nissan Rogue’s cabin air filter might need replacing, even if you haven’t hit the recommended time or mileage yet.
Here are some common symptoms to look out for:
- The AC takes longer than usual to cool down
- The air coming from the vents smells musty
- Airflow from the vents feels weak
- You notice dust particles floating around the cabin
- You experience allergy symptoms while driving
If you notice one or more of these signs, it’s time to check the cabin air filter. The good news? It’s super easy to do yourself—no need to visit the dealership. We’ll walk you through it step by step in the next section.
DIY Cabin Air Filter Replacement
Like I mentioned earlier, replacing the cabin air filter is super easy—even if you’re not a car expert or mechanically inclined.
The cabin air filter in the Nissan Rogue is located right behind the glove compartment. Once you open the glove box (which is also easy), you’ll be able to see the filter housing right away. However, on older Nissan Rogue models, the cabin air filter is located slightly closer to the center of the dashboard.
For more details, check out the video below that matches the model year of your Rogue.
2021 – 2025 Nissan Rogue Cabin Air Filter Change
2014 – 2020 Nissan Rogue Cabin Air Filter Change
Choosing the Right Cabin Air Filter for Your Nissan Rogue
When shopping for a cabin air filter, you’ll come across a few different types—each with its own features and benefits. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common options:
Standard Air Filter
This is the most commonly used type and is usually the one that comes with the vehicle when it’s new. It’s effective at filtering out dust, pollen, and other basic airborne particles. Standard filters are affordable, easy to find, and suitable for most everyday driving conditions.
Activated Carbon Filter
Similar to the standard filter, this version includes a layer of activated carbon, which helps trap unpleasant odors and harmful gases, like exhaust fumes and other pollutants. It’s a great option if you’re sensitive to smells or drive in urban or industrial areas.
HEPA Filter
High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters (HEPA ) offer the highest level of air purification. In addition to capturing dust, pollen, and smoke, they can trap ultra-fine particles that standard and carbon filters might miss. They’re more expensive but are ideal if you want the cleanest possible cabin air—especially helpful for people with allergies or respiratory conditions.
(autozone)
So, Which Cabin Air Filter Should You Choose?
It really depends on a few factors, especially where you drive and what kind of budget you have.
If you often drive through areas with heavy traffic, smoke, or strong odors, an activated carbon filter is probably the best choice. It works well at removing unpleasant smells and harmful gases. And if clean air is a top priority for you, especially if you suffer from allergies or have respiratory sensitivities, a HEPA filter is worth considering, although it tends to be more expensive.
On the other hand, if you live in an area with relatively clean air, a standard filter should be more than enough for your daily driving needs.
In the end, what matters most is not just the type of filter, but how often you replace it. A basic filter that gets changed regularly will perform much better than a premium one that sits in place for too long.
Cost To Replace
According to RepairPal, replacing the cabin air filter on a Nissan Rogue typically costs between $78 and $117. Labor makes up a big portion of that, ranging from $52 to $76, while the part itself usually costs around $25 to $40.
As you can see, labor costs are significantly higher than the cost of the part. That’s why doing the replacement yourself is a much more cost-effective option.
The good news is that replacing the cabin air filter is not difficult at all. You can easily save money by buying a new filter online, with prices starting as low as $10.
Another budget-friendly option is to visit a local garage in your neighborhood. Many of them offer free installation if you purchase the cabin air filter from them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thoughts
By regularly changing the cabin air filter, you can keep the air inside your vehicle clean and fresh.
Replacing the filter is simple and affordable. For just a few dollars, you can buy a new one online and install it yourself at home without any special tools.
If you have any more questions about the cabin air filter on your Nissan Rogue, feel free to ask in the comments!
