2021 Nissan Rogue Sport Safety Report
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (35) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 8 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Forward Collision Avoidance | Compare forward collision avoidance issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Nissan Rogue Sport with 10 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Rogue Sport Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Rogue Sport years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Nissan Rogue Sport | 10 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport | 49 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport | 94 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport | 83 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport | 72 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Forward Collision Avoidance
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Nissan onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyService Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
Reliability Score
The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport receives a reliability score of 7 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System Issues with the electrical system, including anti-theft and ignition systems, have been reported, leading to recalls. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance System The system has been known to activate without reason, causing unexpected deceleration and partial braking. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Door Lock Actuators Driver side door lock actuators have failed, leading to unlocked doors during driving. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Engine Fan Engine fan failures have been reported, leading to overheating and air conditioning issues. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport:
Issues with the forward collision avoidance system have been reported, causing unexpected deceleration and partial braking.
Recalls have been issued for issues with the electrical system, including anti-theft and ignition systems.
Driver side door lock actuators have failed, leading to unlocked doors during driving.
Engine fan failures have been reported, leading to overheating and air conditioning issues.
Recall Details for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: Driver contact with a key in the collapsed position could inadvertently shut off the vehicle while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the vehicle shuts off while driving, the air bags may not deploy in a crash as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will insert a spacer into the key slot of the jackknife key, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed March 29, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.
Summary: 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."
Consequence: A seat belt retractor that does not function as intended can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front passenger seat belt and as necessary both outer rear seat belts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 14, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is RT049 & RT050.
Summary: 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."
Consequence: Separated hinges compromise the protection offered by the liftgate, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right liftgate hinges, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 7, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R21A7.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 7 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 4 reported injuries or fatalities.
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 ...
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...
Door lock actuators on driver side doors failed after less than 4 years. Both were “burnt” out according to Nissan tech. Unable to lock, unlock doors. Safety concerns.
I purchased my vehicle in October 2025 for over $20,000, and It just started having issues on December 8, 2025. I have taken it to the dealership and made the head office aware of the issue I am having. The vehicle experiences delayed or absent braking response when brake pedal is applied. Dealership claims no issue found, but the vehicle fails to decelerate as expected, creating an imminent ri...
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....
I was driving on a four lane road, no car in front in my lane, only a car in the lane to the left and a car behind, when the forward collision warning came up and immediately activated the automatic emergency braking. There were no cars or objects in the road ahead that would have triggered the forward collision warning. Fortunately the car behind did not hit me despite the abrupt and unexpected ...
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while the driver’s side low beam light was no longer illuminated due to its expected life span. The vehicle was taken for the bulb replacement, and the contact was informed that the wiring harness for the driver’s side light bulb was burned. The dealer was unable to determine why the wire had overheated and burned while the low beam hea...
The radiator fan has failed, causing the air conditioning to not work unless the car is at high speeds, and at low speeds, the engine is at risk of overheating. The issue seems to be a bad bearing in the fan.
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. While driving, the Forward Collision Warning/Automatic Emergency Braking system will sometimes activate without reason. The vehicle applies the brakes suddenly, even when there are no obstacles, vehicles, or hazards in front of me. This false activation occurs intermittently and poses a safety concern, as it can cause unexpected braking in traffic. The issue has happened ...
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated briefly and applied the automatic emergency braking system, and the vehicle quickly decelerated. The contact stated that system activated without any other vehicles or objects nearby. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failur...
The engine fan fails causing the fan to move and coolant levels to diminish which causes the engine to over heat.
I am having a problem with my Front Driver Side Door Lock Actuator, because of the faulty actuator, the car door remain unlocked while driving and this is a big safety risk
I believe my cars computer is being hacked. Some things I’ve noticed are stereo issues the volume goes up and down or the music skips intermittently. Some times the music turns off. The collision symbol prompts on the dash. Acceleration issues. Antilock breaks don’t work, sometimes. Safety features are being turned off. My maps goes offline. My update for maps in Nebraska isn’t listed but all the ...
While in drive mode my car just shut off. The dash cluster, screen, etc remained on. I was able to put the car in park and start it again, however this could have caused me a horrible accident losing power while in drive like this. I just purchased this vehicle in June of 2024. It has 81k on it. I called the dealership which I bought it at Mccarthy Auto in Sedalia MO. They said I should call Nissa...
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. The contact stated while opening the trunk, the windshield wiper detached. The front windshield wipers failed to spray or wipe the screen properly, creating a distorted screen while driving. The contact also stated that the door trims on all 4 doors were detaching. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that th...
The FCW system would come on for no reason. I've had the car 3 months this had been a problem as well as other crash warnings of the vehicle during this time period. then on May 31st I was in an accident that I should have gotten a warning as to to close but didn't. I had reported to the dealership I purchased car from but no information to help. I'm upset. I have read that this is an ongoing pro...
Leasing 2021 Nissan rogue and approximately September 2023 engine making terrible noises. Brought to dealership and was told engine failure and they were not covering it since they found some sludge. After fighting with them they asked for maintenance records which I gave them all up to date. They still refuse to replace engine. Car was held hostage unless I paid for engine which I did. Lookin...
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle was difficult to start and there was dust coming out of the vents. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, there was an oil leak coming from the timing chain cover. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated; ho...
I was driving alone on city streets approx 35 mph when the car suddenly braked for no apparent reason. There was no one close ahead or (luckily) close behind me, but there could easily have been. There was no heads up warning, just sudden braking. I have not taken it to repair shop because I just don't have the time or capacity.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that an unknown alert was displayed. The contact was almost rear-ended due to the failure. The oncoming vehicle had to swerve to avoid rear-ending the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact stated that the Forward Collision ...
Showing 20 of 35 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
Has the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT have?
The 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT has 35 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 7 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
The 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT involve forward collision avoidance (5 complaints), engine (4 complaints), service brakes,forward collision avoidance (4 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, electrical system, service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT have?
There are 7 crash reports associated with the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT out of 35 total complaints (20.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT out of 35 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT is generally recommended. It has 35 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT are: 1. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (5 complaints), 2. ENGINE (4 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (4 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3 complaints). FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
Be cautious of electrical system and forward collision avoidance system issues, as they can lead to unexpected deceleration and partial braking. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent door lock actuator failures and engine overheating. The 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT has 35 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
The 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT receives a reliability score of 7/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 35 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 8 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Electrical System and Forward Collision Avoidance System.
What are the known issues with the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT?
Known issues with the 2021 NISSAN ROGUE SPORT include: Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance System, Door Lock Actuators, Engine Fan. These are based on patterns found across 35 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport?
The most common issues include electrical system problems, forward collision avoidance system malfunctions, and door lock actuator failures.
Can the forward collision avoidance system malfunction without any warning?
Yes, the system has been known to activate without reason, causing unexpected deceleration and partial braking.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport?
Yes, recalls have been issued for issues with the electrical system, including anti-theft and ignition systems.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of electrical system and forward collision avoidance system issues, as they can lead to unexpected deceleration and partial braking. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent door lock actuator failures and engine overheating.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. The data includes 35 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 7 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16