Research · Small Station Wagons

2021 Nissan Rogue SportRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 35 owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (11) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 27–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2023
Owner complaints
35
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: immobilizer

Remedy pending

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Rogue and 2017-2022 Rogue Sport vehicles equipped with a jackknife style ignition key. The jackknife key may collapse into a folded position while driving.

Electrical systemReported Feb 16, 2023NHTSA 23V093000

Seat belts: retractor

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Rogue Sport vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractor (ALR) may deactivate early, reducing the protection offered to an installed child seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Seat beltsReported Jul 21, 2021NHTSA 21V555000

Structure: hinge and attachments

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Rogue Sport vehicles. The liftgate hinges can separate from the vehicle during a rear end crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."

StructureReported Jul 9, 2021NHTSA 21V525000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

35 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2021 – Mar 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance11
  2. Electrical system7
  3. Engine6
  4. Service brakes6
  5. Steering5
  6. Vehicle speed control3
  7. Structure2
  8. Power train2
  9. Lane departure2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Rogue Sport model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201774
201895
2019100
202059
202135
202213
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

11 reports3 crashes
“I was on the freeway, going 65mph. Suddenly, i felt my car partially brake. Thank God I was close to an exit and got off safely. My car partially braked again while i was going 35mph down the street. As i cautiously drove home, the FCW kept blinking, even though there was ample distance between me and other cars, and at times, no car in front of me. It's winter time and there's snow on the ground. This could cause an accident!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11708167

Electrical system

7 reports2 crashes1 fire
“I am reporting a serious safety incident involving my 2021 Nissan Rogue, which caught on fire unexpectedly on Feb. 6, 2026 approximately 4:30 am. The fire originated from the vehicle without warning and posed an immediate danger to life and property.The vehicle was parked at the time of incident. There were no actions taken that would reasonably explain a fire of this nature. This incident could have resulted in severe injury or death. I believe this may be related to a manufacturer defect involving fire risk, and I am submitting this report so NHTSA can investigate and take appropriate safety action to protect other drivers and passengers.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2026Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11716460

Engine

6 reports1 crash
“When driving home on the evening of 3/24, I was on the interstate (70mph) when my 2021 Nissan Rogue started to decelerate and would not gain speed. I got off at the next frontage road exit and when at the stop sign my check engine light came on and shortly after my car started sputtering when stopped and would barely gain speed. There was no prior warning lights or signs to indicate an issue. The car dealership was already closed so it was taken the morning of 3/25 where a diagnostic was performed. They said that they would need to replace the Engine Assembly - Long Block and that it wasn't covered since my vin wasn't affected. I called consumer affairs and I am outside of the extended warranty by 2000 miles so they will not assist. This has been a known issue wth Nissans enginea failing, and their extended warranty isn't long enough. My engine should not have juat failed with no warning.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2026EngineODI 11727133
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 12, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Rogue Sport
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263128$2,150318
Rogue Sport AWD
Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
263027$2,200330
  • Rogue Sport
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 31 hwy · $2,150/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Rogue Sport AWD
    Auto (AV-S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 30 hwy · $2,200/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 12, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Nissan Rogue Sport SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.3%
Overall
5 / 5
Nissan Rogue Sport SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 12, 2026Vehicle 15552Vehicle 15540
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Rogue Sport questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 12, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport problems?

Owners filed 35 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (11), electrical system (7), engine (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport at 27–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 12, 2026