P0171 on a 2013 Nissan Rogue

P0171 means the engine computer is adding more fuel than normal on bank 1 because it sees too much air or not enough fuel.

Not your vehicle? See general P0171 info.

Most common causes on the 2013 Nissan Rogue

Ranked from 606 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.

Sort by:

1
Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Failure / Dirty MAF
Medium severity
A failing or dirty MAF sensor misreports airflow, causing a lean condition (P0171). Confirmed by check engine light for MAF sensor and drivability issues like stalling or hesitation.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
2
Vacuum Leaks (Intake Manifold Gasket, Vacuum Hoses, PCV System)
Medium severity
Unmetered air entering the engine after the MAF sensor causes a lean mixture. Confirmed by visual inspection of hoses, smoke testing the intake, or listening for hissing noises.
Common cause
3
Weak Fuel Pump / Clogged Fuel Filter
Medium severity
Insufficient fuel pressure or volume prevents the engine from maintaining the proper air/fuel ratio, leading to a lean code. Confirmed by testing fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge.
Common cause
4
Faulty Upstream Oxygen (O2) Sensor or Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor
Low severity
A degraded O2 sensor can falsely report a lean condition or fail to properly monitor the exhaust gases. Confirmed by checking sensor voltage/switching data on a scan tool.
Common cause
5
Clogged or Dirty Fuel Injectors
Medium severity
Restricted injectors do not spray enough fuel into the cylinders, causing a lean condition. Confirmed by injector balance testing or observing fuel trims improve after cleaning.
Common cause
6
Exhaust Leak Before the O2 Sensor
Low severity
An exhaust leak allows outside air to enter the exhaust stream, tricking the O2 sensor into reading a lean condition. Confirmed by inspecting the exhaust manifold and pipes for soot or leaks.
Common cause

These causes are aggregated from NHTSA owner complaints and general repair knowledge — this is not a diagnosis. P0171 on your car still needs shop confirmation before any repair.

Common symptoms

Check engine light
Rough idle
Hesitation
Surging idle
Poor fuel economy

What to check before replacing parts

Review short- and long-term fuel trims on bank 1

Look for: High positive trims (commonly worse at idle, improving with RPM) mean the computer is adding fuel to compensate for excess air or insufficient fuel — that pattern is this code's fingerprint.

Smoke-test the intake

Look for: Smoke escaping (or a hiss you can hear) at intake boots, gaskets, or vacuum hose connections confirms unmetered air is entering after the MAF sensor, which is the most common cause of a lean code.

Inspect the PCV hoses and valve

Look for: A cracked, split, or disconnected PCV hose, or a PCV valve stuck open, draws in extra unmetered air the same way a vacuum leak does.

Clean and test the MAF sensor

Look for: Visible dirt or oil film on the sensor element, or a grams/second reading that doesn't track expected airflow for RPM, means the MAF is under-reporting air and causing the computer to under-fuel.

Verify fuel pressure

Look for: Pressure below spec (weak pump, clogged filter, failing regulator) starves the engine of fuel and produces the same lean trim pattern as a vacuum leak — rule it out before chasing leaks.

Rather have a pro handle it? Find a vetted local mechanic.

Matching symptoms

Car Runs Rough