Head-to-head reliability
Nissan Rogue vs Toyota RAV4
How the Nissan Rogue and Toyota RAV4 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Toyota RAV4 averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Nissan Rogue has 3,236 complaints and 43 recalls on record; Toyota RAV4 has 3,034 complaints and 27 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Nissan Rogue | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 3,236 | 3,034 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 43 | 27 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 180 Better | 214 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 323.6 | 303.4 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 176 Better | 179 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 4 |
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 OTHER743
- 02ENGINE643
- 03SERVICE BRAKES561
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE495
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM395
“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…”
“I own a 2025 Nissan Rogue, and the rear windshield shattered suddenly without any impact, collision, or contact with an object. This was not caused by an accident or misuse on my part. My insurance company is only offering coverage if I meet the deductible, b…”
Toyota RAV4
- 01UNKNOWN OR OTHER633
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM618
- 03ENGINE577
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM414
- 05AIR BAGS292
“The multimedia screen which shows the map and direction guidance became to blank occasionally, just white grey since February 2026. I immediately lost the direction. It could be back by restarting the engine at the beginning. The problem got worse, happened m…”
“On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], in Greenwich CT, while I was very slowly driving into a parking space, the engine suddenly and unexpectedly surged,. The vehicle overcame the brakes and raced forward and collided with a stone wall, about 3 ft away. This was…”
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 are expected to be mailed August 19, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Niss…
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…
The defect: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Rogue vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The gears in the electronic throttle body assembly may break.
The risk: Broken throttle body gears can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software and inspect and replace the electronic throttle body assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's c…
Toyota RAV4 — 27 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner…
The risk: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the software, free of charg…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview camera to freeze or d…
The risk: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the parking assist software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed January 2, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB13 and 25LB06. Subaru's nu…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 RAV 4 vehicles. The front seat brackets for the seat rails may be welded improperly.
The risk: Improperly welded seat brackets can prevent the seat from adequately restraining an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the seat bracket welds as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 19, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Rav4, Rav4 Hybrid, and Rav4 Prime vehicles. The front passenger seat may have been assembled with interference between internal parts that may cause the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor to incorrectly detect the…
The risk: Incorrect detection of an occupant may result in improper air bag deployment during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the front passenger seat, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 2, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this reca…
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 | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 | 15 |
| 2025 | 170 | 72 |
| 2024 | 176 | 164 |
| 2023 | 665 | 144 |
| 2022 | 246 | 135 |
| 2021 | 271 | 378 |
| 2020 | 147 | 627 |
| 2019 | 331 | 870 |
| 2018 | 609 | 328 |
| 2017 | 592 | 301 |
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 Toyota RAV4 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Nissan Rogue vs Toyota RAV4
- Nissan Rogue total complaints
- 3,236
- Toyota RAV4 total complaints
- 3,034
- Nissan Rogue total recalls
- 43
- Toyota RAV4 total recalls
- 27
- Nissan Rogue avg complaints/year
- 323.6
- Toyota RAV4 avg complaints/year
- 303.4
- More reliable overall
- Toyota RAV4
- Nissan Rogue top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Toyota RAV4 top complaint area
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER