YearToAvoid

2021 Nissan Rogue Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 67 engine complaints for the 2021 Nissan Rogue, 23% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 58,000. A related recall (25V437000) covers engine control module software on the 3-cylinder 1.5L and 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo engines.

Engine complaints
67
23% of 288
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
58,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of motive power while driving at highway and city speeds, with warning lights on the instrument cluster.
  • Some describe unexpected RPM surges or the engine revving on its own shortly after startup.
  • Several vehicles would not start after being parked, sometimes with the check engine light on and no clear diagnosis from the dealer.
  • A number of complaints describe stalling or lunging forward tied to a suspected fuel system leak or fuel odor.
  • One owner tied a loss-of-power event directly to NHTSA Campaign 25V437000, the engine control module software recall.
  • A few owners report the transmission failing to shift properly, requiring the engine to be turned off and restarted to regain normal gear changes.

When 2021 Nissan Rogue engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 28, 2021, latest Aug 25, 2026.

2021 Nissan Rogue engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Feb 2021Aug 2021Feb 2022May 2023Sep 2024Mar 2025Sep 2025Mar 2026
67 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2021 to Aug 2026; peak Aug 2026 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2021 Nissan Rogue

  1. NHTSA 25V437000Jun 27, 2025Engine443,899 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.

    Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

Engine complaints by Rogue model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201098 (35%)
  2. 201194 (26%)
  3. 201276 (24%)
  4. 2013167 (27%)
  5. 201481 (18%)
  6. 201572 (13%)
  7. 201686 (16%)
  8. 2017103 (17%)
  9. 201891 (14%)
  10. 201936 (11%)
  11. 202013 (9%)
  12. 202167 (23%)
  13. 2022174 (73%)
  14. 2023410 (57%)
  15. 202478 (39%)
  16. 202511 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2021 Nissan Rogue have?
NHTSA lists 67 engine complaints for the 2021 Rogue, which is 23% of the 288 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2021 Nissan Rogue?
Yes. Recall 25V437000 covers the engine control module software on 2021-2024 Rogue models with the 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo engine. Dealers reprogram the ECM software free of charge.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2021 Rogue?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints is 58,000 miles.
Have engine problems on the 2021 Rogue led to crashes or fires?
NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint area shows 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.