Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Rogue vs Nissan Pathfinder
How the Nissan Rogue and Nissan Pathfinder 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 Nissan Pathfinder: The Rogue averages 315.6 complaints per year with engine stalls and brake failures, while the Pathfinder averages 16.7 complaints per year, mainly premature brake wear and camera issues. The Rogue has 42 recalls; the Pathfinder has 3. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Nissan Rogue or Nissan Pathfinder more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Nissan Rogue
The Nissan Rogue, with 315.6 complaints per year over a decade, shows a pattern of serious and varied failures. Owners report engine stalls at highway speeds, brake system malfunctions including sudden acceleration when reversing, and erratic forward collision avoidance behavior. The high complaint volume suggests these issues are not rare, making the Rogue a high-risk used purchase.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Nissan Pathfinder, averaging 16.7 complaints per year, is far more reliable in comparison. The main issues are premature rear brake wear (often needing replacement before 20,000 miles) and a failing Around View Monitor (AVM) that disables the backup camera. While inconvenient, these problems are less safety-critical than the Rogue's engine and brake failures.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Rogue | Nissan Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,156 | 167 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 42 | 3 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 176 | 8 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 315.6 | 16.7 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 173 | 3 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 Rogue
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER730
- 02ENGINE614
- 03SERVICE BRAKES562
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE493
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM383
Owners report sudden loss of power and engine stall while driving at highway speeds, sometimes accompanied by smoke. This can leave you stranded or cause a crash.
The auto engine stop/start system can cause unpredictable braking behavior, and some owners experience sudden rapid acceleration when reversing while pressing the brake.
The ProPilot Assist system may not brake for stopped vehicles ahead, and lane keeping can swerve sharply, crossing lane lines unexpectedly.
Dashboard malfunction lights and check engine lights appear even at low mileage (27k miles). Sunroof explosions and loss of power to shift gears are also reported.
“I am reaching out because recently I have been getting messages display on my dashboard of malfunction lights along with a check engine light currently my car has 27k miles I bought it brand new zero miles at the dealership of universal city nissan who closed…”
“Sunroof exploded Would not go into drive or neutral Lost all power going 75mph going down highway Brake went all the way down to floor and shuts off wouldn’t start back up for about 5 min Was stuck in reverse world not go into drive until I shutdown vehicle a…”
Nissan Pathfinder
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER45
- 02SERVICE BRAKES32
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30
- 04ENGINE28
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM22
Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear is common, often requiring replacement before 20,000 miles. This is a recurring expense and may indicate a design issue.
The Around View Monitor (AVM) control unit fails, causing the rear backup camera to stop working. This reduces visibility and safety when reversing.
Some owners experience loss of power or stalling, often related to fuel pump or sensor failures. The intelligent cruise control may also disengage without warning.
The panoramic sunroof drain system can leak water into the cabin, causing interior damage and potential electrical issues.
“The Around View Monitor (AVM) system failed. The rear backup camera image no longer functions properly due to a failed AVM control unit. The vehicle is a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder Platinum equipped with Nissan’s camera-based surround view and backup camera syste…”
“Vehicle Year: 2023 Make: Nissan Model: Pathfinder Platinum 4WD VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 24,500 Date First Noticed: October 8, 2025 Problem: The panoramic sunroof drain system is defective, causing water to leak into the cabin during rain, dripping from the driver-…”
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 — 42 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 2023 Rogue, Pathfinder, and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The driver's powered seat may not be fully secured to the seat frame, causing the seat frame welds to detach from the rear inboard seat bracket.
The risk: An unsecured seat with broken welds may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the driver's seat rail clearance, and if necessary, replace the driver's seat cushion frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 10, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer serv…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Nissan Rogue vehicles. The fastener in the rear seat belt anchor attachment points may not have been tightened properly and can loosen over time.
The risk: A loose rear seat belt anchor fastener may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the rear seat belt anchor bolts. Additionally, dealers will apply warning labels to the seat belt attachment points to indicate the bolt size and torque value required for any future seat belt repair. Repai…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improper…
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD10…
Nissan Pathfinder — 3 recalls
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Murano, Pathfinder, and INFINITI QX60 vehicles. One or both front brake caliper assemblies may have reduced strength and could break. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard n…
The risk: A broken front brake caliper can cause a loss of front brake function, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front brake caliper assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or INFINITI's customer servi…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improper…
The risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD10…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The lap belt pretensioner in the left-side front seat belt assembly may be improperly secured, due to a missing rivet. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor V…
The risk: An unsecured lap belt pretensioner will not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the left-side front lap seat belt pretensioner assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 18, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. O…
Buyer analysis
Nissan Rogue or Nissan Pathfinder: which should you buy?
The Nissan Pathfinder has far fewer complaints per year (16.7 vs 315.6) and its issues are less severe, mainly premature brake wear and camera failures. The Rogue's high rate of engine stalls, brake malfunctions, and collision avoidance problems make it a much riskier choice for a used vehicle.
Key differences
- The Rogue has 19 times more complaints per year than the Pathfinder (315.6 vs 16.7).
- Rogue owners report engine stalls at highway speeds and brake surge when reversing; Pathfinder owners mainly report premature rear brake wear and camera failures.
- The Rogue has 42 recalls over 10 years, while the Pathfinder has only 3.
- The Rogue's forward collision avoidance system can fail to brake for stopped cars; the Pathfinder's main safety issue is a non-functional backup camera.
- Check for any dashboard warning lights or check engine light, even if intermittent, as they are common at low mileage.
- Test the ProPilot Assist system on a road with stop lights to ensure it brakes for stopped vehicles and does not swerve in lanes.
- Inspect rear brake pad thickness; if the vehicle has under 20,000 miles and pads are worn, expect early replacement.
- Test the Around View Monitor (backup camera) to ensure all views display correctly; failure is common.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report to check for open recalls on both models.
- For the Rogue, test drive at highway speeds to check for engine stalling or loss of power.
- For the Pathfinder, measure rear brake pad thickness and check for any water stains inside the cabin from sunroof leaks.
- Verify that the forward collision avoidance system (Rogue) and backup camera (Pathfinder) function properly.
- Ask for service records showing any previous repairs for engine, brakes, or electrical issues.
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 | Nissan Pathfinder |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 0 |
| 2025 | 158 | 0 |
| 2024 | 165 | 0 |
| 2023 | 632 | 94 |
| 2022 | 237 | 0 |
| 2021 | 266 | 0 |
| 2020 | 147 | 0 |
| 2019 | 328 | 73 |
| 2018 | 612 | 0 |
| 2017 | 586 | 0 |
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 Nissan Pathfinder in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Rogue vs Nissan Pathfinder
- Nissan Rogue total complaints
- 3,156
- Nissan Pathfinder total complaints
- 167
- Nissan Rogue total recalls
- 42
- Nissan Pathfinder total recalls
- 3
- Nissan Rogue avg complaints/year
- 315.6
- Nissan Pathfinder avg complaints/year
- 16.7
- More reliable overall
- Nissan Pathfinder
- Nissan Rogue top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Nissan Pathfinder top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER