Engine Air Filter Replacement: 2014–2020 Nissan Rogue 2.5L

Engine air filter replacement helps maintain the intake on the 2014–2020 Nissan Rogue T32 with the 2.5L QR25DE gasoline engine. Heavy dirt loading, torn media or an incorrectly seated element can call for service; reduced power may prompt an inspection but is not proof of a bad filter. There is no dedicated engine-air-filter replacement trouble code. This guide excludes Rogue Select, Rogue Hybrid and Rogue Sport service procedures.

2015 Nissan Rogue SV AWD, reference vehicle for the T32 engine air filter guide
Reference vehicle: 2015 Nissan Rogue SV AWD. Photo by Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0. Reproduced without intentional edits and scaled for display; this is not a repair-step photograph. Photo source and permission.

Application overview

The featured part is a rectangular, rigid-panel engine filter. It belongs in the engine air-cleaner assembly, not the passenger-compartment ventilation system. The air box must hold the element squarely and seal around it; replacing media alone cannot correct broken retaining clips or a damaged cover.

Nissan changed the illustrated access arrangement during this model span. The 2014 manual shows a lift-out sequence; the 2020 manual details an inlet duct with inward-release clips followed by a separate cover release. Use the diagram for your exact year and installed housing. The branches below explain that distinction without assigning an unsupported changeover year.

DIY skill
Beginner
Estimated time
15–25 minutes
Estimated parts budget
$15–$30 for one filter

US-dollar planning allowances only. Current retail price, shipping and taxes may differ. Allow additional time for unfamiliar clips, debris removal or inspection of a damaged housing.

Safety first

Shut the engine and ignition off, set the parking brake and let the engine bay cool. Keep the hood supported and stay clear of fans. Do not start or drive with the air cleaner removed: the assembly also provides protection if an intake backfire occurs. Never pour fuel or cleaning solvent into the intake. Do not bend plastic release clips away from their intended travel.

Featured product

A-Premium engine air filter — ASIN B0BLGW1M55. The selected listing is the one-filter rigid-panel package for the Rogue/Rogue Sport/Qashqai application family. Its reference numbers include 16546-4BA01, 16546-4BA1A and 16546-4BC2A. A-Premium catalogs the corresponding one-element family as APEAF270.

Confirm the selected package and vehicle match before ordering. The similarly named two-filter package is a different purchasing choice. Neither package changes the number of elements installed in this Rogue’s single engine-air-cleaner housing. Retain a spare in its clean packaging rather than stacking elements.

Check the Rogue engine air filter

Vehicle compatibility

Make / model Model years Engine / configuration Restrictions
Nissan Rogue, T32 generation 2014–2020 2.5L QR25DE gasoline four-cylinder, non-hybrid Original rigid-panel housing; match vehicle selector and existing element
Nissan Rogue Select 2014–2015 Earlier body generation Excluded: do not use the Rogue name alone to order
Rogue Sport / Qashqai Separate catalog applications Different vehicle and service information Named in the product family, but their installation procedure is outside this guide

The 2021-and-newer Rogue is also outside this guide. Model name, body generation and engine matter more than a similar-looking filter. If vehicle information and the installed element disagree, resolve that discrepancy before installation.

Symptoms, codes and diagnostic checks

Check the maintenance record first and follow the exact year’s Nissan schedule. Dusty use can require more frequent inspection or replacement. An overdue filter may need service even when the vehicle still drives normally; a recently changed element can need attention if it is wet, damaged or poorly seated.

Inspect the pleats and perimeter for tears, distortion, packed debris or signs of rodents. Look for dirt beyond the filter toward the engine. That finding should lead to an inspection of the seal and housing, not simply another routine filter change. Keep loose material away from the open intake while you investigate.

A warning lamp, poor acceleration or an idle complaint has several possible causes. Check any connections disturbed during prior service and obtain the actual diagnostic information. Do not replace sensors, clear codes or promise fuel-economy gains based only on a dirty-looking element. A persistent symptom after reassembly needs further diagnosis.

Tools, parts and supplies

Tool or Supply Exact Product Product Link Purpose and Selection Check
Replacement engine filter A-Premium one-element rigid-panel listing, B0BLGW1M55 Check filter fitment Match the reference family, outline and original housing.
Eye protection DEWALT DPG82-11 Concealer clear anti-fog goggles, one pair View safety goggles Protect eyes while handling dirty media and housing retainers; select a comfortable fit.
Cleaning cloth Amazon Basics microfiber cloths, 24-pack, 16 × 12 inches View cleaning cloths Use a clean cloth on accessible housing surfaces; keep fibers and the cloth itself out of the clean intake.

The cited factory clip-release procedures do not require a socket size or powered tool. Use your hands to release the intended locks; a screwdriver is not a substitute for understanding the latch. A work light can help identify the clips. If previous repairs added screws or hardware, identify them and obtain the correct procedure before proceeding.

DIY versus professional cost

Cost item DIY planning estimate Shop planning estimate
One filter $15–$30 $20–$45
Routine replacement labor Your time $20–$60
Supplies / additional tools $0–$15 if needed Ask whether included
Filter plus routine labor $15–$30 before supplies $40–$105 before tax

These are planning estimates, not a current seller price or guaranteed shop rate. Duct, cover or clip replacement and diagnostic labor are separate. Confirm that a shop quote covers the engine filter rather than the cabin microfilter.

Step-by-step replacement overview

Open your model year’s air-cleaner diagram before releasing anything. Nissan’s 2014 instructions are on page 8-17; the 2020 instructions are on pages 8-18–8-19. Use the matching arrangement below. If neither illustration matches your vehicle, stop and identify the installed assembly.

  1. Prepare. Park securely with the engine off and cool. Locate the air box, clear loose exterior debris and keep a clean surface available for the cover.
  2. For the 2014 illustrated arrangement: unlatch the retainers marked A, lift at the indicated B locations, then lift out the housing section marked C. Follow the manual’s picture for those reference points; the letters refer to the illustration, not markings molded onto your car.
  3. For the 2020 illustrated arrangement: squeeze the duct clips inward, move its tab forward and lift the duct. Release the separate cover clips and move the cover forward. Do not bend the duct clips outward.
  4. Remove and compare. Lift out the old element, retaining its orientation for comparison. Check that the new outline, depth and seating edge agree. Do not trim a filter to make it fit.
  5. Clean carefully. The 2014 manual specifies wiping the housing and cover with a damp cloth. Use only enough moisture to collect dirt; leave no standing water, cloth or debris in the intake. Do not wash or blow out the disposable element.
  6. Install and close. Seat the new element evenly. Reassemble the matching housing arrangement in reverse order, locating the cover and any removed duct before latching every retainer. A correctly aligned assembly should close without force.

Walk around the assembly visually: no open seam, trapped seal, disconnected duct or loose clip should remain. Account for cleaning materials and tools. Start only after closing the intake completely. If a new noise, warning or rough idle appears, switch off and inspect the work. Record the replacement date and mileage, along with the installed part reference, to simplify the next service.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the T32 Rogue with the older Rogue Select or smaller Rogue Sport.
  • Pulling the later duct’s retaining clips outward instead of releasing them inward.
  • Ignoring the difference between the 2014 and 2020 housing illustrations.
  • Leaving a broken clip unaddressed because the cover appears to sit in place.
  • Cleaning and reinstalling a disposable filter, or leaving a damp cloth inside the housing.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the cabin air filter?

No. The engine filter protects the engine intake. Nissan’s cabin microfilter is a separate component with a separate service operation.

Do I need two filters because a two-pack is available?

No. A two-pack provides a spare for a later service. The one-element listing featured here supplies the filter needed for one standard housing.

Can I clean the old element?

Nissan specifies replacement rather than cleaning and reusing this type of engine filter. Avoid applying oil to an ordinary replacement element.

Must I reset anything afterward?

The cited air-cleaner procedures do not call for a filter reset. Update your service record; diagnose any engine warning rather than assuming a reset is the repair.

What if the cover will not latch?

Recheck the filter part, orientation and perimeter seating. Locate the cover correctly before operating its clips. Stop if a clip is cracked or if force is needed to close it.

Sources and further reading