2021 Nissan Rogue Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving when the engine stalled(the car jerked and then stopped) and the car came to a stop and automatically switched to park and then it turned off, after a few hours it started back up and the it was working ok until I got a message for Update fuel system and then qhen I was doing again it jerkedOwner complaint, filed 2026

On July 29th 2024 (two weeks after regular oil change) i noticed the engine temperature rise to the halfway mark. I stopped at Sheetz and waited for it to cool down. I opened the coolant cap and only a few drops remained in the reservoir. I added coolant and called Timbrook Nissan to complain they didn't top off the coolant. I was…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 9,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was sitting in my car in the passenger seat. The car was in Park, engine was idling to warm up the car. No one was in the drivers seat. After about 5 mins, the car started moving forward without me touching or bumping anything. I didn’t notice if the dash display changed from P to D. The shifter light definitely changed out of P. As a…Owner complaint, filed 2026

All four door locks are now inoperable. Doors do not respond to normal locking and unlocking features. Doors lock and unlock randomly making this a safety concern for those in the vehicle. NIssan is well aware of this ongoing problem and have issued several Technical Services Bulletins as a result, but have refused to take responsibility…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles. Parts named most: Warnings (20), Automatic emergency braking (15).

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

I had purchased a brand new 2021 Nissan Rouge SV AWD in 2021. I am now at 46,000 miles and I have had all system lights on and off since purchase. The first started with back hatch around 20 miles, went to go get it taken care of and it disappeared. I have broke down with electrical issues twice now, with error code of 'Warning…Owner complaint, filed 2025

FCW randomly turns off while driving in daylight under clear conditions. Each time I stop and check the sensor on the front to make sure I haven’t hit a bug or something that covered the sensor and each time the sensor is clear.Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Constant strong fuel smell that last for day I'm a disabled veteran and I had really bad headaches after driving each time. I have taken vehicle in to dealership and told them about fuel smell problem and they reported they couldn't find issue but even after my vehicle still smells like fuel so much that I can taste it and get headaches…Owner complaint, filed 2026

I own a 2021 Nissan Rogue SV, 2.5L engine. I have repeatedly experienced a strong gasoline/fuel/exhaust-like odor inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The odor is extremely strong and has caused me and my passengers to experience dizziness, nausea, feeling sick, and discomfort. I regularly transport my children, including a…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

If Nissan knows that the 2021 nissan rogue has a transmission problems with Valve Body Replacement. THIS COULD BE A HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. Please recall!Owner complaint, filed 2026

The failure involves the AWD drivetrain system, specifically the rear differential assembly and previously the electromagnetic AWD coupler. The vehicle developed significant shuddering and vibration during acceleration from a stop and while turning at low speeds. A Nissan dealership has confirmed metal contamination within the AWD system…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Parts named most: Body (19).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

Driver side rear door lock electrical actuator will not lock or unlock the door. Door has to be manually unlocked. In the event of an emergency, it will delay the egress of a passenger in the rear seat. The issue would make it near impossible to unlock the door in an emergency especially if it were submerged in water. This is a safety…Owner complaint, filed 2025

There are leaks at the corner of the top windshield through to the inside of the vehicle. Problem is reoccurring with rain and when vehicle is washed leaving the interior of the roof and side panel lining the windshield wet potential causing internal water damage to electrical components and creating mold and mildew buildup that is not…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 28,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

The brake booster vacuum hose (OEM part 47474‑6RA0A) is unavailable nationwide. This part is essential for brake assist. Without it, the vehicle cannot be safely repaired. A failed hose causes hard brake pedal and reduced braking power. Nissan cannot supply the part, creating a safety hazard and preventing proper brake system repair.Owner complaint, filed 2026

I have been dealing with a loud grinding noise at low speeds when braking since 3 months after purchase. We have been to the dealership multiple times over the issue. The dealership can hear the noise but are unable to fix the problem. I fear it’s a safety issue and may cause brake failure as it’s super loud especially on steep hills.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 56,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

As I am driving on the freeway my drivers assistance is taking control of my steering and steering me either sharp to the left or right and then I can’t move the steering wheel for about 10 seconds at a timeOwner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while her husband was driving 75 MPH in the far-left lane, with the contact in the front passenger's seat, the vehicle completely lost power steering functionality in heavy traffic. Both the contact and her husband were significantly frightened. The contact's husband was able to…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 79,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The component that failed is the OC Module for the passenger side front seat. This module along with the sensors are responsible for sensing and dealing the airbags. We noticed the airbag light and took action as soon as possible. We took our Nissan Rouge to the local dealership (All Star Nissan of Denham Springs) where it was diagnosed.…Owner complaint, filed 2026

I was driving on I25 south towards Albuquerque. I was changing lanes and another vehicle slammed into me causing me to crash into the guard rail. I was going 75 miles per hour at the time and my air bags did not deploy and my vehicle is very likely totaled. Due to airbags not deploying my head hit the steering wheel and window many…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 7,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle's sunroof glass panel had suddenly shuddered outwards after a loud bang was heard. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent service center, where it remains for further repairs via the insurance…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 18,000 miles

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that after remote starting the vehicle in cold weather, after two to three minutes, the contact drove the vehicle with the defroster activated for a half mile. After parking and depressing the stop button, there was a loud popping sound, and the contact became aware that the rear…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 50,943 miles

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was driving and the accelerator pedal got stuck and it started to increase my speed. I kept pressing on the pedal and it still was not working. I had to step on the brake pedal several times, like 5-6 times before the accelerator finally became unstuck.Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal became stuck between the floor mat. After several minutes the vehicle operated as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,511.Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 28,511 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

There is play in the seat. Unnerving that the seat moves without any manual intervention or undue force. The movement occurs u see braking and/or acceleration. When reported to Nissan dealer, was informed that it was not covered under standard or extended warranty plans. 2021 year model with 27800 miles, noticed this movement in our…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The driver’s seat heating element appears to have failed and caused the seat material to burn. The damaged seat and its components are still in my possession and available for inspection upon request. The malfunction caused the seat to catch fire while the vehicle was in use, creating a risk of burns, smoke inhalation, and a potential…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was told at 58,000 miles that the front control arms where cracking and need to be replaced. I requested Goodwill assistance and was denied by NMAC. I searched this problem and found that Nissans have a history of recalls and complaints of control arms needing early replacement due to poor quality parts.Owner complaint, filed 2026

1. right front lower control arm broke yes available for inspection 2. caused my vehicle to pulled to the right and could not steer straight and caused collision into parked car. 3. no not yet 4. no not yet 5. noOwner complaint, filed 2024

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

2021 Nissan Rogue, VIN [XXX]. The electric power steering warning light illuminated while driving. The steering wheel became extremely stiff and difficult to turn, causing a significant increase in steering effort. This appears to be a sudden loss of power steering assist. I am concerned about loss of steering control and believe this…Owner complaint, filed 2026

The tires seemed to be faulty from the date of purchase of the vehicle. Within 3 weeks of ownership I had to replace one tire, at 6 weeks-repair a flat on another tire, and within 3 months replaced another tire (possibly two, can’t quite recall with all the issues this vehicle has had) and fixed another flat on the existing tires again.…Owner complaint, filed 2025