Reliability report · 2021 Nissan Rogue · Updated July 2026 · ~$2,100/yr fuel · what it costs to keep →

A far better-built Rogue that launched with a heavy recall stack — including an engine-bearing recall — so buy one with every campaign confirmed complete.

The redesigned 2021 Rogue is a genuinely better vehicle than the car it replaced — roomier, nicer, better packaged — but it launched with the messy first-year track record to match: ten recalls covering the fuel pump, fuel hose, brake calipers, wheel nuts, child-seat tethers, seat belts, and the rearview camera. Nearly every one is a free inspect-or-replace fix.

The one with teeth is 25V437, the 1.5-liter VC-Turbo (a variable-compression turbo engine) bearing recall added later, covering 2021–2024 Rogues for a manufacturing defect that can lead to engine failure. The 2021 is a value play precisely because it's early-generation — but only if you can confirm, by VIN, that the whole recall stack (especially the engine recall) is closed.

Evidence: 268 NHTSA complaints · 10 recall campaigns · 7 mechanic & forum sources

Canary status

Squawking

What that means: The first year of the third generation: 268 federal complaints but ten recalls, the most of any Rogue year in our set — fuel system, brakes, wheels, seats, cameras — plus the later 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine-bearing recall. Almost all are free fixes, but only if the previous owner had them done.

CalmChirpingSquawkingFainted

268

Federal complaints

10

Recalls

Federal crash tests

5-star scale

Overall
Frontal crash
Side crash
Rollover

Tested variant: 2021 Nissan Rogue SUV FWD Later Release (NHTSA VehicleId 16050)

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) →

Known issues

Ranked by the cost of ignoring them. Every claim carries its source.

1.5L VC-Turbo engine-bearing recall (25V437)

major

1.5L VC-Turbo 3-cyl

The gen-3 Rogue introduced a 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo (a variable-compression turbo engine, code KR15DDT) in place of the old 2.5-liter four. Recall 25V437 (Nissan codes R25A8/A9, R25B1/B2) covers 2021–2024 Rogues (and related Altima/Infiniti models) for engine bearings that may have a manufacturing defect leading to engine failure — and, if the block is breached, an oil-fed fire risk. The remedy is a free engine-control-module reprogram, with engine replacement if damage is found. On a 2021, this is the must-verify recall: confirm by VIN that 25V437 is closed, and treat any knocking or rattling under load as a reason to walk.

This is a 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-cyl problem. The 2.5L QR25DE + Jatco CVT doesn’t share it.

Which engine is in the one you found? →

Recall remedy (ECM reprogram; engine replaced if damaged)

$0

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, P2A07 emission campaign)

Fuel-system recalls: pump, hose, and lock ring (21V957, 21V068)major

Two fuel-system safety recalls hit the 2021: 21V957 (Nissan R21B8) for a fuel pump whose abnormal internal wear can make it overheat and fail, stalling the engine; and 21V068 (Nissan PC791) for a fuel hose that may not be secured and a fuel-tank lock ring that may not be fully seated — a leak-and-fire or stall risk. Both are free dealer repairs. A stalling engine at speed is a genuine crash hazard, so verify both show completed.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, P2A07 emission campaign)

$0

Recall remedies

Rear brake caliper missing a bushing (21V286, re-issued as 23V791)moderate

Recall 21V286 (Nissan PC804) covers 2021 Rogues whose rear brake caliper assemblies may be missing an internal bushing, letting the O-ring seal shift and brake fluid leak — reducing braking. Nissan later re-issued a fuller remedy as 23V791 (PC933) that simply replaces both rear calipers. Free repair. Confirm the caliper work is closed and note whether the later PC933 remedy was applied.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, P2A07 emission campaign)

$0

Recall remedies

Wheel nuts, child tethers, seat belts, and camera rebootsmoderate

The rest of the 2021 stack: 21V186 (PC799) incorrect wheel nuts that can loosen and, in the worst case, let a wheel separate; 21V474 (PC812) second-row child-seat tether wires improperly welded; 22V666 (PC915) rear seat belts that may not retract; and two rearview-camera recalls — 22V527 and 22V772 — where an infotainment reboot can leave the backup camera blank. All are free inspect-or-update fixes. The camera reboots and infotainment freezes also show up in the complaint file as an ongoing annoyance.

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, P2A07 emission campaign)

$0

Recall remedies

Phantom automatic braking and CVT jerkmoderate

The 2021 complaint file has a notable forward-collision-avoidance cluster: the automatic emergency braking system warning 'refer to owner's manual,' telling the driver to pull over, then shutting the vehicle off, plus false activations and abrupt cruise-control disengagement. Separately, the gen-3 keeps a CVT (a continuously variable transmission), and some owners report a jerk or delayed engagement when accelerating; a small emission service campaign (P2A07) reprogrammed the transmission and engine control modules on a subset of 2021s for a CVT-malfunction light and shift delay. Test the driver-assist systems and the low-speed shifts on the drive.

This problem spans 2016–2022 — the full Jatco Xtronic CVT story →

Sources: NHTSA complaint database, 2021 Nissan Rogue · NHTSA recalls and manufacturer communications (recall documents, P2A07 emission campaign)

Some 2021 models have been recalled due to a defective in-tank fuel pump, rear brake calipers, incorrect lug nuts, and a fuel-tank lock ring.

7 mechanic & owner sources

Open recalls

Free fixes at any Nissan dealer. Run the VIN — “completed” isn’t always completed.

25V4371.5L/2.0L VC-Turbo engine bearings may have a manufacturing defect leading to engine failure/fire (2021–2024 Rogue and related models). Free ECM reprogram; engine replaced if damaged (Nissan R25A8/A9, R25B1/B2).open
21V957Fuel pump abnormal wear can overheat and fail, stalling the engine. Free fuel pump replacement (2021 Rogue; Nissan R21B8).open
21V068Fuel hose may not be secured and fuel-tank lock ring may not be seated — leak/fire or stall. Free inspect/repair (2021 Rogue; Nissan PC791).open
21V286Rear brake calipers may be missing an internal bushing, allowing a fluid leak. Free inspect/replace (2021 Rogue; Nissan PC804).open
23V791Expanded rear brake caliper remedy — both rear calipers replaced free (2021 Rogue; Nissan PC933).open
21V186Incorrect wheel nuts may loosen and, in the worst case, allow a wheel to separate. Free inspect/replace (2021 Rogue; Nissan PC799).open
21V474Second-row child-seat upper tether wires improperly welded. Free inspect/replace seatback (2021 Rogue; Nissan PC812).open
22V666Rear seat belts may not retract properly. Free inspect/replace (2021–2022 Rogue; Nissan PC915).open
22V527SiriusXM 'not subscribed' setting can reboot the head unit and blank the rearview camera. Free software update (2021–2022 Rogue rental units; Nissan R22A5).open
22V772Infotainment system can continuously reboot, blanking the rearview display. Free software update (2021–2022 Rogue; Nissan R22B8/R22C1).open

What it costs to keep

The purchase price is what you negotiate. These are the numbers you live with afterward — each one sourced, none of them blended into a fake total.

The ownership picture — 2021 Rogue

Four sourced numbers. No fake total.

Fuel

30 MPG combined (27 city / 34 highway) for the FWD, 2.5L on the EPA federal fuel-economy test.

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (EPA) — EPA’s federal fuel-economy test, recomputed with current gas prices. EPA record 43370 (Rogue FWD).
Other builds EPA lists: AWD, 2.5L 28 MPG · FWD, 1.5L turbo 32 MPG · AWD, 1.5L turbo 32 MPG.

$2,100/yr

at $4.15/gal · 15,000 mi/yr · 55/45 city/hwy · pulled Jul 12, 2026

Crash losses

Collision losses run about average here. Neither a red flag nor a discount at the insurer.

Source: HLDI — the insurance industry’s loss-data institute — HLDI collision losses, 2020–22 models, published April 2023 (report R-23). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Nissan Rogue 4dr 4WD.
Other series: Nissan Rogue 4dr 95, where 100 = average.

91 vs 100

9% below average

Theft

Stolen about 66% less often than the average vehicle. One less thing to price into coverage.

Source: HLDI — HLDI whole vehicle theft losses, 2020–22 models, published April 2023 (report WT-22). 100 = the all-vehicle average. Series read: Nissan Rogue 4dr 4WD.
Other series: Nissan Rogue 4dr 62, where 100 = average.

34 vs 100

66% below average

Repair risk

What this specific year is known to need. Pulled from the issues above — the repairs owners actually report, at the costs they report them. Averages from other sites blend every year together; these are this year’s own numbers.

Source: this report — 01 Known issues.

Recall remedy (ECM reprogram; engine replaced if damaged)$0

Recall remedies$0

Recall remedies$0

Recall remedies$0

Why there’s no single “cost to own” number: sites that promise one are guessing at your insurance quote, your annual miles, and your luck. These are the numbers we can actually source — and each one carries its receipt.

Shopping this year?

Get the printable pre-purchase checklist and an alert if this year’s recall sheet changes.

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Have a specific one in your sights?

The VIN is on the listing. We’ll check this exact car — build, open recalls, and whether the “completed” repairs stayed fixed.

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Before you buy

Print this

01Run the VIN against all ten recalls — the non-negotiable one is 25V437 (VC-Turbo engine bearings); confirm it is closed and listen for any knock or rattle under load.
02Confirm the fuel-system recalls (21V957 pump, 21V068 hose/lock ring) and the brake-caliper recalls (21V286 / 23V791) show completed.
03Verify wheel-nut (21V186), child-tether (21V474), and seat-belt (22V666) recalls, plus the two camera-reboot updates (22V527, 22V772).
04Test the automatic emergency braking and cruise control on the drive — note any 'refer to owner's manual' or phantom-braking history.
05Drive low-speed stop-and-go for CVT jerk or delayed engagement; a 2021 may have had the P2A07 module reprogram.

Own one already?

The canary watches your VIN — new recalls and the mileage where known issues start.

Watch my VIN — free

vincanary.com/nissan/rogue/2021