Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Rogue vs FORD F 150
How the Nissan Rogue and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Nissan Rogue vs FORD F 150: The Rogue averages 342.7 complaints per year with 43 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints and 151 recalls. The F-150 also has more crash-related reports (330 vs. 193) and one death. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Rogue or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV that averages about 343 complaints per year over the past decade, with 43 recalls. Owner reports highlight engine stalls, sudden acceleration, brake problems, and forward collision avoidance glitches. While it has fewer complaints than the F-150, the types of issues—especially those involving unintended acceleration and braking—can be alarming for a first-time buyer.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that generates far more complaints—about 1,162 per year—and 151 recalls over the same period. The most common trouble spots are the power train (transmission and lead frame issues) and electrical system, with many owners reporting limp mode, harsh shifting, and rear window defroster fires. These problems can leave you stranded or create safety hazards, so a thorough pre-purchase inspection is critical.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Rogue | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,427 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 43 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 193 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 342.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 185 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 Rogue
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER769
- 02ENGINE713
- 03SERVICE BRAKES575
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE506
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM420
Owners report sudden engine stalls and unexpected acceleration, such as a 2026 Rogue that stalled on the highway and another that violently accelerated while parking. These failures can happen without warning, making the vehicle hard to control.
Complaints include unusual brake noises when starting and ineffective brake pedal application during unintended acceleration events. This suggests potential brake system faults that could reduce stopping ability in an emergency.
The ProPilot assist system has been reported to fail to stop for stopped vehicles at traffic lights and to steer erratically during curves, exceeding lane limits. Such glitches undermine driver confidence in the safety technology.
Electrical issues appear in 420 complaints, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. Recalls for ignition and anti-theft immobilizer suggest potential no-start or security problems.
“I am reporting a serious safety incident involving the powered rear liftgate of my 2026 Nissan Rogue Platinum. On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at approximately 9 AM, I was helping my daughter unload her cosmetology case at the Sherman Oaks Galleria. The rear l…”
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
The most frequent complaint area, with reports of transmissions stuck in limp mode or 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues often recur even after repairs, leading to costly downtime.
Owners describe lead frame problems that affect transmission operation and a rear window defroster short that caused the back window to shatter. Electrical faults can disable safety features and create fire risks.
With 1,224 complaints, exterior lighting issues are common, though specific symptoms are not provided. Faulty lights can reduce visibility and increase accident risk, especially at night.
Engine-related complaints number 880, often tied to the same lead frame or transmission problems that trigger limp mode. These can leave the truck underpowered or immobile on the road.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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 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…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Nissan Rogue or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Nissan Rogue has far fewer complaints per year (about 343) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,162), and fewer recalls (43 vs. 151). In practice, this means you are statistically less likely to encounter frequent repair visits with the Rogue, but the F-150's issues tend to be more severe and recurring, such as transmission limp mode.
Key differences
- The Ford F-150 has over three times as many complaints per year as the Nissan Rogue, with power train issues being the most common.
- Nissan Rogue owners report sudden acceleration and brake problems, while F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The F-150 has 151 recalls versus 43 for the Rogue, indicating more widespread safety-related fixes over the decade.
- Both vehicles have electrical complaints, but the F-150's include a rear window defroster short that can shatter the glass.
- During a test drive, check for any hesitation or sudden surge in acceleration, and listen for unusual brake noises when starting the car.
- Test the forward collision avoidance system if equipped, especially at low speeds and in curves, to ensure it does not steer erratically or fail to stop.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes (like P0722) and test drive at highway speeds to see if the truck enters limp mode or gets stuck in a gear.
- Inspect the rear window defroster for signs of shorting or overheating, and check for any cracked or shattered glass.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models using the NHTSA VIN lookup tool.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the Rogue's brakes and engine, and the F-150's transmission and electrical system.
- During the test drive, deliberately test the brakes, acceleration, and any advanced driver-assist features in a safe environment.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for transmission fluid changes and software updates on the F-150.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been completed, and request proof of repair for any recall work.
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 Rogue | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 61 | 35 |
| 2025 | 186 | 345 |
| 2024 | 204 | 638 |
| 2023 | 728 | 1527 |
| 2022 | 264 | 3493 |
| 2021 | 289 | 5349 |
| 2020 | 152 | 44 |
| 2019 | 336 | 52 |
| 2018 | 609 | 79 |
| 2017 | 598 | 59 |
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 Rogue or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Rogue vs FORD F 150
- Nissan Rogue total complaints
- 3,427
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Nissan Rogue total recalls
- 43
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Nissan Rogue avg complaints/year
- 342.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Rogue
- Nissan Rogue top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN