Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Nissan RogueRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 153 owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Rogue. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (56) and electrical system (32). The EPA rates it 27–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Feb 2023
Owner complaints
153
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

153 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance56
  2. Electrical system32
  3. Service brakes32
  4. Seats10
  5. Engine8
  6. Structure8
  7. Air bags8
  8. Suspension7
  9. Vehicle speed control6

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2008429
2009320
2010282
2011363
2012319
2013610
2014440
2015554
2016543
2017601
2018609
2019340
2020153
2021295
2022270
2023766
2024227
2025199
202654
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

56 reports4 crashes
“My front and back auto collision breaking sensor keeps going off as if something is in front of me. It’s not in the back as well. Also will indicate on my dash that there is a vehicle following me too far fast or too close and there will be nothing behind me. This is very scary when I first started happening. I looked it up online and a lot of vehicles are having problems with this as well as the break, actually stopping and not being able to release as a mother that travels with three children daily and take care of patients in my vehicle. This is very concerning. on the form it only allows you to give one pacific date but this is an ongoing issue. I would say on average. I see this sensor go on my dashboard at least 10 to 12 times a month. It eventually goes off, but I’m very fearful that I will be driving in the brake system will activate due to the faulty system sensors for the front and back.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11762518

Electrical system

32 reports4 fires
“On Thursday, XXX at 14:44 pm while driving on route 202 in [XXX], the car made a loud popping sound from under the hood, followed by other metallic sounds, then all dashboard warning indicator lights flashed & the accelerator stoped working. As the car was being steered to the shoulder, a huge plume of black smoke rose from under the hood followed by a roaring fire from under the hood. As per our written correspondence to USAA, Our insurance company is conducting a forensic cause/analysis. We have no definitive causation determination as of this writing. The car is available for inspection at the police private towing facility. The police & fire department closed route 202 to battle the car fire. No dealer has examined the car remains, to our knowledge, as of yet. The warning lights appeared almost simultaneously as the loud popping sound and other under hood metallic sounds. The insurance company said they will conduct a forensic source /cause analysis investigation. We will report this car fire next to Nissan consumer safety and both organizations can coordinate investigations, as far as we anticipate. Not applicable regarding reproducing the massive car car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemFire reportedODI 11767754

Service brakes

32 reports1 crash
“Today when we attempted to back out of our driveway, the ABS came on unexpectedly and stopped the vehicle for no reason (spilling my hot coffee in my lap). I set the parking brake and got out of the car and walked around the back but there was no obstacle in the way or under the vehicle. I got back in, tried again and it locked up again. I then backed up the rest of the way, shifted to drive and drove it for a few minutes without incident. About 1/2 hour later, my wife experienced the exact same thing backing out of the driveway. Recently, the vehicle was struck in the rear corner (passenger side) and was repaired with no apparant issues by a professional body repair shop. I can see this is a common problem (many internet posts), and I want to report it since no recalls are in place. This is DANGEROUS and has also happed to drivers when driving at highway speeds. This MUST BE ADDRESSED or you guys (NTSB) have no purpose to exist anymore. Please make it happen.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2026Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11729612
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
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 3, 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 FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263329$2,200312
Rogue AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
253127$2,400324
  • Rogue FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    26 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Rogue AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    25 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 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
4/ 5
4 of 5
Nissan Rogue SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.4%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Rogue SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 14527Vehicle 14509
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

2020 Rogue questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Rogue have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 3, 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 2020 Nissan Rogue problems?

Owners filed 153 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (56), electrical system (32), service brakes (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Nissan Rogue get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Nissan Rogue at 27–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Nissan Rogue?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Nissan Rogue 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026