NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Nissan Rogue Safety Ratings
The 2021 Nissan Rogue scores 76 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 10 recalls, and 266 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
A defect record score of only 5/20 significantly diminishes the safety profile of the 2021 Nissan Rogue. While its crash-test scores are genuinely competitive, contributing to its placement in the Average band, a total of 10 recalls meaningfully pulls the overall NHTSA Safety Index down to 76/100. The vehicle presents as acceptable, but does not emerge as a standout safety pick for its model year.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue received a 4-out-of-5-star overall crash-test rating and a NHTSA Safety Index of 76/100, according to NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Nissan Rogue ranks 92 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 76 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 17.9% |
| Recalls on file | 10 |
| Owner complaints | 266 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 92 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Nissan Rogue?
The 2021 Nissan Rogue shows a significant regression in its Safety Index, landing at 76 out of 100 in the Average band. This 8-point drop from the 2020 model's 84 out of 100 Strong rating is not attributable to its crash protection or avoidance technology, which remain strong. The vehicle achieved a 5-star side impact result and 4-star ratings in both frontal crash and rollover resistance tests, contributing to a crash-protection sub-score of 61 out of 70. Its avoidance-tech sub-score is a perfect 10 out of 10, reflecting standard forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and electronic stability control. The decline in the overall Safety Index is directly linked to the defect record. The 2021 Rogue earned only 5 out of 20 points in this category, driven by 10 recall campaigns. These recalls address critical components such as rear brake calipers, rear seat belt buckles, engine hard parts, and multiple backup camera software issues. The volume of recalls on a freshly redesigned model year indicates a notable concern in its safety profile.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Nissan Rogue perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Nissan Rogue's strongest crash-test performance was in the side-crash scenario, where it achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA. Its overall rating is 4 out of 5 stars. Frontal impact protection was rated at 4 stars. The vehicle also earned 4 stars for rollover protection, with a calculated rollover risk of 18 percent and no tip observed during dynamic testing.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 16050
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Nissan Rogue have any recalls?
Yes, the 2021 Nissan Rogue carries 10 recall campaigns. Notable components include rear brake caliper assemblies, rear seat belt buckle assemblies, backup camera sensing systems, and infotainment display function tied to back-over prevention. A separate engine hard-parts recall also covers this model year. Two backup-camera campaigns were addressed via over-the-air software fixes. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is indicated in the available data, but buyers should verify remedy status by VIN.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL25V437000
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.
Reported 2025-06-27
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER23V791000
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may reduce braking performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC933. The two vehicles that were previously inspected under recall 21V-286 and did not receive a brake caliper replacement will need to have the new remedy completed.
Reported 2023-11-22
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION22V772000
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The IVI software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R22B8, R22C1, and PC923/25.
Reported 2022-10-13
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY22V666000
Risk: Seat belts that do not retract properly may be difficult to operate, preventing their usage, which can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear seat belts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 27, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC915.
Reported 2022-09-01
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA22V527000
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The Infotainment system software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 29, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A5 PC901 PC902.
Reported 2022-07-21
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP21V957000
Risk: Fuel pump failure may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21B8.
Reported 2021-12-09
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY21V474000
Risk: An insecurely anchored child seat can move during a sudden stop or crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the rear seatbacks as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC812.
Reported 2021-06-24
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER21V286000
Risk: A loss of brake fluid may reduce braking performance, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the left and/or right rear brake calipers, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 10, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC804.
Reported 2021-04-22
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS21V186000
Risk: The wheel vibration may break the wheel studs and cause the wheel assembly to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wheel nuts and replace any incorrect ones, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC799.
Reported 2021-03-17
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS21V068000
Risk: An improperly secured fuel hose may leak, increasing the risk of a fire. The fuel hose may also disconnect completely, causing the engine to stall and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, reposition and secure the fuel hose and lock ring, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC791.
Reported 2021-02-11
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Nissan Rogue?
NHTSA has received 266 unverified consumer complaints for the 2021 Rogue. Alleged problem areas include Unknown or Other issues (75 reports), Electrical System (59), Engine (43), Forward Collision Avoidance (29), Fuel and Propulsion System (26), and Power Train (24). These are unverified allegations, not established defects.
266 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Nissan Rogue?
Any shopper considering a used 2021 Rogue should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase. With 10 recall campaigns on record, including brake and seat belt campaigns, confirming that every remedy has been completed is a necessary step, not an optional one.
- The 2021 Rogue's Safety Index dropped 8 points from the 2020 model's 84/100 Strong rating to 76/100 Average, driven entirely by a defect-record sub-score of only 5 out of 20 across 10 recall campaigns.
- Rear brake caliper assemblies and rear seat belt buckle assemblies are among the recalled components specific to the 2021 model year, making VIN-level remedy verification especially important for used buyers.
- Two of the 10 recalls involved backup camera and infotainment display systems and were addressed through over-the-air software updates, meaning remedy status may depend on whether the vehicle received the update.
- Owner complaints to NHTSA include 29 unverified allegations specifically targeting the Forward Collision Avoidance system, a notable concern given that the avoidance-tech hardware itself earned a perfect 10 out of 10 in the index.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Nissan Rogue places
The 2021 Nissan Rogue qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Nissan Rogue safety questions
Was the 2021 Nissan Rogue crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Nissan Rogue, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 76 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Nissan Rogue crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Nissan Rogue earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 17.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Rogue have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 10 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Nissan Rogue?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 266 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Nissan Rogue. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Rogue years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 16050), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Nissan Rogue 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 92 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.