Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Altima vs Nissan Rogue
How the Nissan Altima and Nissan Rogue compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Nissan Altima vs Nissan Rogue: Over 10 years, the Altima averaged 119.5 complaints per year with 23 recalls, while the Rogue averaged 333.6 complaints per year with 43 recalls. The Rogue also had 188 crash-related complaints versus 98 for the Altima. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Altima or Nissan Rogue more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan that, over the past decade, has generated about 120 complaints per year, with 23 recalls and 1 death reported. Owners frequently describe electrical glitches that can cause stalling or multiple warning lights, and some report sudden steering loss or gear shifters detaching. The most common complaint areas are unknown or other, electrical system, and power train, suggesting a mix of minor and potentially serious issues. For a used-car buyer, this means the Altima can be a practical choice but demands a thorough inspection of electronics and steering.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV that has averaged about 334 complaints per year over 10 years, with 43 recalls and no deaths reported. Owner complaints often center on engine problems like sudden acceleration, brake issues, and forward collision avoidance system malfunctions. The high volume of complaints and recalls indicates that many owners have experienced significant safety-related defects. A used Rogue can be a good family vehicle, but buyers should be aware of these recurring problems and check for open recalls.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Altima | Nissan Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,195 Better | 3,336 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 23 Better | 43 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 98 Better | 188 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 119.5 Better | 333.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 74 Better | 181 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 1 | 0 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Nissan Altima
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER238
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM208
- 03POWER TRAIN193
- 04ENGINE158
- 05SERVICE BRAKES151
Owners report stalling while driving, with all dashboard lights flashing, and near-catastrophic failures of multiple systems like anti-lock brakes and windows. These electrical faults can leave you stranded or unable to control the car, so a pre-purchase electrical check is wise.
Complaints include sudden loss of steering control leading to collisions, and gear shifters detaching so the car gets stuck in Drive. These are serious safety risks that could result in crashes or leave you unable to shift gears.
Some owners experienced engine stalling at highway speeds in cold weather, with all warning lights coming on. This can be dangerous in traffic and may indicate a sensor or fuel delivery issue that needs diagnosis.
While fewer details are given, brake-related complaints appear among the top areas, suggesting owners have reported braking problems. Any brake issue is critical for safety, so have the brakes inspected by a mechanic.
“Recently purchased a NISSAN Altima 2024. Found the backup/camera safety component as well as front and side cameras extremely cloudy whether its in the day or night. Not to mention during inclement weather it gets worse. It is to the point I cannot see clearl…”
“Recently purchased a new 2024 Nissan Altima SL in December 2023. Found the backup camera safety component display to have a poor-quality, low resolution, distorted image. Guidelines are not sharp and objects in the backup path are obscured and practically inv…”
Nissan Rogue
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER758
- 02ENGINE678
- 03SERVICE BRAKES569
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE503
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM410
Owners report sudden and violent acceleration while parking, with ineffective brakes, leading to crashes. This unintended acceleration is a severe safety hazard that could cause injuries or property damage.
Complaints often pair with the acceleration issue, where the brake pedal becomes ineffective during unintended acceleration events. This makes stopping impossible in an emergency, so brake function should be tested thoroughly.
Owners describe the ProPilot assist and lane keeping system as flawed, with the vehicle drifting over lane lines and sharply correcting, or failing to stop for stopped cars. These driver-assist glitches can surprise you and reduce trust in the system.
Electrical complaints are common, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Electrical gremlins can affect many systems, so check that all electronics work properly.
“My car was sitting in a parking lot facing the south. It was over 100 degrees that day. I had a front window shade in the front window, and both front windows were down about 2 inches. I went to my car to grab something around 1:30pm and all was fine. When I…”
“Vehicle Information: 2020 Nissan Rogue Component: Structure/Doors Latch/Lock/Linkage Description of Incident: I am writing to report a serious safety defect regarding the front door lock actuators on my 2020 Nissan Rogue. Without warning, the front door lock…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Nissan Altima — 23 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Mot…
The risk: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the door strikers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD185 and PMA61. Vehicle Iden…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima vehicles. The front passenger air bag and front passenger knee air bag may have been installed with incorrect mounting fasteners, which can cause the air bags not to deploy as intended.
The risk: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the air bag mounting fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 25, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan’s customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall i…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Altima vehicles. The bolts connecting the electronic power steering unit to the steering rack may loosen, resulting in a loss of steering control or steering lock-up.
The risk: A loss of steering control or steering lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC997.
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand…
The risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge.…
Nissan Rogue — 43 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Rogue vehicles. The incorrect-size spare tire may have been installed, which does not match the tire size and inflation pressure information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Mot…
The risk: Incorrect spare tire pressure information on the placard may lead to incorrect inflation of the spare tire, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the spare tire assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 25, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 Rogue vehicles. The instrument panel may not display the transmission gear selection indicator. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 102, "Transmission Shift Lever S…
The risk: A missing gear selection indicator may lead to unintended vehicle movement or a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the transmission control valve assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number fo…
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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 int…
The fix: 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 3…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Rogue vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. Increased temperatures can break down the engine oil, which may cause the engine bearings to seize and become damaged, leading to engine fai…
The risk: Engine failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing 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.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, inspect for diagnostic trouble codes, and test drive the vehicle, free of charge. The dealer may also inspect the oil pan for metal debris, and replace the engine if necessar…
Buyer analysis
Nissan Altima or Nissan Rogue: which should you buy?
The Nissan Altima has far fewer complaints per year (about 120) compared to the Nissan Rogue (about 334), and fewer recalls (23 vs 43). In practice, this means you are less likely to encounter frequent problems with an Altima, but both models have reported serious safety issues. The Rogue's higher complaint volume suggests a greater chance of experiencing a defect, especially with engine and brake systems.
Key differences
- The Rogue has nearly three times as many complaints per year as the Altima, with engine and brake problems frequently cited.
- Altima owners report electrical stalling and steering loss, while Rogue owners report unintended acceleration and brake failure.
- The Rogue has more recalls (43) than the Altima (23), including issues with fuel injection and anti-theft systems.
- Both have camera-related complaints, but the Altima's are about poor image quality, while the Rogue's forward collision avoidance system is described as flawed.
- Check for any signs of electrical issues: test all lights, windows, and infotainment, and ask if the car has ever stalled or had multiple warning lights come on.
- Inspect the steering and gear shifter: test drive at various speeds and ensure the shifter engages properly and steering feels responsive without play.
- Test the brakes and acceleration: during a test drive, ensure the car does not surge forward unexpectedly and that the brakes stop firmly without pedal fade.
- Verify the forward collision avoidance and lane keeping systems: if equipped, test on a safe road to see if it drifts or fails to detect stopped vehicles.
Before you buy
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall website to check for open recalls on the specific vehicle.
- Ask for a complete maintenance history, focusing on electrical, brake, and engine repairs.
- Take a long test drive that includes highway speeds, stop-and-go traffic, and parking maneuvers to replicate complaint conditions.
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the car, including a computer scan for stored error codes.
- For the Rogue, specifically test the ProPilot assist features if equipped, and for the Altima, check backup camera clarity.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Nissan Altima | Nissan Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 41 |
| 2025 | 7 | 176 |
| 2024 | 41 | 193 |
| 2023 | 29 | 699 |
| 2022 | 20 | 256 |
| 2021 | 70 | 285 |
| 2020 | 179 | 149 |
| 2019 | 232 | 332 |
| 2018 | 225 | 609 |
| 2017 | 391 | 596 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Nissan Altima or Nissan Rogue in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Altima vs Nissan Rogue
- Nissan Altima total complaints
- 1,195
- Nissan Rogue total complaints
- 3,336
- Nissan Altima total recalls
- 23
- Nissan Rogue total recalls
- 43
- Nissan Altima avg complaints/year
- 119.5
- Nissan Rogue avg complaints/year
- 333.6
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Altima top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Nissan Rogue top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER