Home · 2021 Nissan Rogue Select · Complaints

What 270 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Nissan Rogue Select

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (270)Crash / fire / injury (22)Electrical system (60)Engine (46)Fuel system (31)Driver assistance (29)Transmission & drivetrain (25)Body & structure (18)Steering (18)Brakes (16)Visibility & wipers (14)Airbags (13)

46 of 270 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Jul 15, 2026Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

I was driving my 2021 Nissan Rogue on the highway, returning from the airport after picking up a friend, when the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle began jerking on acceleration. The vehicle lost power and would only move very slowly, leaving me traveling well below highway speed in active traffic. This created an extremely dangerous situation, as surrounding vehicles were approaching at full highway speed while my vehicle could not accelerate or maintain a safe speed. The vehicle also appeared to be running hot. I did not feel safe continuing to drive the vehicle, so I stopped driving it and had it taken to Crest Nissan of Frisco (Frisco, TX) for diagnosis. The dealership retrieved diagnostic trouble codes P1217 (engine overheat) and P0300 (random/multiple cylinder misfire). Upon inspection, they found low coolant, pressure-tested the cooling system, and confirmed that coolant is entering multiple cylinders, causing the misfire and overheating. The dealership states the engine cannot be repaired and the long block engine assembly must be replaced, at a quoted cost of $6,955.49. The vehicle is barely outside the manufacturer's warranty by time and mileage. There was no warning prior to this failure, and the vehicle has been properly maintained. This is an internal engine failure (coolant intrusion into the cylinders), not a maintenance-related issue. I am aware of other 2021 Nissan Rogue owners reporting the same failure — coolant entering the cylinders/mixing with oil, misfires, overheating, and dealers requiring full engine replacement shortly after warranty expiration. This defect presents a serious safety hazard: sudden loss of power and inability to accelerate in highway traffic creates a significant risk of a rear-end collision.

NHTSA ODI 11750688

Jul 14, 2026Electrical systemBody & structureEngine

I have two major safety concerns for my 2021 Nissan Rogue. 1) FAILED REAR DOOR ACTUATORS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE: I own a 2021 Nissan Rogue with approximately 68,000 miles. The rear driver AND passenger side door lock actuator failed, causing the rear doors to no longer lock or unlock electronically using either the key fob or the interior power door lock switch. The door must now be operated manually from the inside, no one can freely open the doors from the outside. I have to crawl in the backseat to open the doors. This creates a safety concern because, in an emergency, a rear passenger may not be able to quickly exit the vehicle if the door cannot be unlocked electronically. This failure affects a rear passenger door and could delay a child's or other passenger's ability to exit the vehicle quickly in an emergency if the electronic lock cannot be operated. It also creates a vehicle security concern because the door does not lock properly. I have found multiple reports from other 2021 Nissan Rogue owners describing the same rear door lock actuator failure at similar mileage. This appears to be more than an isolated incident. The vehicle has not been involved in an accident, and the failure occurred during normal use. 2) FAILED EGR VALVE: The EGR cooler has failed internally and is allowing engine coolant into the combustion chambers. The vehicle experienced a sudden engine malfunction related to an EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system failure. The diagnostic trouble code was P0401 –and was diagnosed with an EGR cooler failure causing coolant to leak into the combustion chambers. While driving, the vehicle displayed “Engine Malfunction-Power Reduced-Service Now.” The car went into reduced power mode, significantly limiting acceleration and normal vehicle operation, creating dangerous driving conditions. A sudden reduction in engine power on a highway or in traffic presents a significant safety hazard. Please investigate a recall.

NHTSA ODI 11750328

Jul 5, 2026Speed controlEngineFuel system

While driving car will not let me accelerate and it hesitates while driving kind of a jerking if trying to accelerate. The AC blows hot air the check engine light is on I only had the car for two months purchased from dealership

NHTSA ODI 11748324

Jun 13, 2026Engine

Had to replace engine around 136000 and pay for it out of pocket. I am finding other people with the same model and year having this same issue This is what they said "verified cel was on. vehicle was running really bad, there was no coolant in the reservoir, i pulled spark plugs and inspected all the cylinders, cylinders 3 & 4 spark plugs were covered in fluid and were black. i used combustion checker to test coolant in cooling system and found there was combustion gases in the coolant. i then filled up coolant pressure tested while using borescope to check the cylinders, and i found cylinders 3 & 4 are actively leaking coolant from head gasket. there looks to be a gap between both cylinders like the head and or block is warped from over heating. will need engine replacement and transfer of all necessary parts"

NHTSA ODI 11743924

May 10, 2026Electrical systemEngine

My Nissan Rogue Platinum 2021 not want to start I call a AAA they check the batery but the batery was new 3 months I have to call a tow truck and bring it to Nissan dealer on university dr in hunstville Alabama they keep the car for 3 days the call me and said that was the starter and also that the coolant get in to the motor that the car need a new motor that cost 9,000 dollars plus the starter 1442 I asking how is possible I bring the car for service all a time and not body touch the car just the dealership service department im sure this problem is a manufacturer problem because we pay 65000 thousands for this car we pay 781.11 at months we still owe 18600 and this motor is gone that is impossible we need help we are seniors retired and disability we don't have almost 11,000 thousands dollars for fix something that we don't do can someone help in this situation?

NHTSA ODI 11736904

May 6, 2026Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The vehicle was puttering and smoking from the exhaust. At first the mechanic thought it was a head gasket, but with further investigation it was the coolant/exhaust. The vehicle stalled out multiple times, twice while driving and once in a grocery store parking lot.

NHTSA ODI 11736077

May 1, 2026Engine

4/8/26 I took my car to a Nissan dealership for low coolant issues. I agreed to pay a 225 diagnostic fee. Nissan held my vehicle for 2 days eventually giving me the car back stating nothing was wrong. The car was returned to me in worse condition than before with white smoke and starting was rough. I called them to inform them as well as making a new appointment. They did a 2nd diagnosis allegedly. Now I need an entire engine and they have active recalls for the same year model for the exact same issues but won’t consider my car to be part of the recall. They allowed me to continue to drive my vehicle when it obviously needed repairs. Nissan is accepting zero responsibility! I need assistance.

NHTSA ODI 11735029

Mar 13, 2026Electrical systemEngineFuel system

I was driving my car and my car all of a sudden dropped speed and when I pressed the gas my car started shaking and jerking.

NHTSA ODI 11724013

Feb 2, 2026EngineFuel system

I am reporting a safety defect for my 2021 Nissan Rogue with approximately 140,000 miles. The vehicle has repeatedly overheated, emitted white smoke from the dipstick area and the exhaust, lost coolant, and produced no cabin heat. The engine rattles and shakes. I previously had a recall fixed at Nissan related to the ECU, but these issues persist. I’ve also had regular maintenance on the vehicle and replaced the starter as well. I believe this relates to the known engine defect in these models. I am concerned for my safety and need this addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11714910

Dec 9, 2025Engine

Head gaskets failed at 120,000 miles and had to replace engine. Now transmission failed at 180,000. This car is mostly used for airport taxi so mostly freeway miles.

NHTSA ODI 11703952

Nov 21, 2025Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started bucking while changing gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and determined that the coolant level was low, and the safety system had engaged. There was no coolant leak found. After taking possession of the vehicle, the heat became inoperable. The contact noticed that the coolant level was low. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was determined that the failure was possibly related to the EGR cooler. There was no indication of a leak. The part was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ODI 11700851

Nov 13, 2025Engine

Car was sputtering and didn’t idle right, engine light came on and took it to Nissan dealership-they replaced egr valve gasket, exhaust gas recirculating, air filter and did 2 recalls. Then 2 days later the car didn’t want to start and had clouds of white smoke coming out of exhaust. Took back to dealership today and was told I need a new motor-coolant was leaking into cylinder 4. My car only has 127,000 miles on it. Now I can’t drive it and have to come up with $6231.00 for a used motor with 30k miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11699172

Oct 21, 2025Engine

I have 2021 Nissan to and my suv is drinking a lot of coolant. I have a cracked head gasket where the car has never over heated. It’s coolant mixed with my oil and sometimes it has trouble cranking. When it does crank a bunch of white smoke comes from the exhaust pipe. I haven’t even had the car 2 years and it’s a blown head gasket in the engine. Dealer says I need a new engine

NHTSA ODI 11694873

Oct 1, 2025Engine

This is a follow up on my email originally sent to Nissan North America, Inc. & forwarded to The US NHTSA. I had purchased a used 2021 Nissan Rogue SV Car bearing the VIN as [XXX] from a local used car dealer in Garland TX USA. The car ran well in the last 2 years except for 1 time repair issue on the Radiator & now the Engine. On [XXX], my car started giving me trouble on the excessive consumption of the Coolant & it got exceptionally overheated while driving. Regular Timely Service has been done on the car. More recently, the car's engine got locked a few times & did not start upon my attempting to start the car. I took the car to Christian Brothers Automotive in Bedford, TX where they diagnosed that the vehicle struggles to start & runs rough. Vehicle smells like it is burning coolant badly, pulled out oil dipstick & found coolant mixed with oil, Blown head gasket and recommended a new engine. Driving at that time was not recommended due to the overheating issues. I took the car to Nissan of Lewisville/Lewisville Nissan & requested them to check the car thoroughly. Initially, I requested a basic 60K Service package which included a Radiator Coolant Flush & other necessary services provided by Nissan North America/Nissan Motor Corporation. Nissan of Lewisville/Lewisville Nissan refused to repair the car claiming expired warranty and demanded $10000.00 from me besides their repeated threats for charging storage fees & towing charges. I invoked 15 years Manufacturer's Implied Warrant retrospectively based on 4 USDC Court Orders ordering the Automobile Manufacturers to provide 15 years Implied Warrant on the cars manufactured by them. The Nissan North America, Inc./Nissan of Lewisville are in contempt of the said Court Orders. Close All Operations of Nissan Company. Order repair the car, provide 15 years Warranty Coverage. I will take 84 cars + $8950,000000.00 in out of court settlement against Nissan North America, Inc., et al. Arrest all involved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11690859

Jul 7, 2025Engine & coolingSpeed controlEngine

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to move before shutting down. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number 25V437000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with premature engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11671744

Jul 5, 2025Electrical systemEngine

We have had a problem where our battery had died on us out of nowhere. We took it to autozone to check out or battery and they said it was low and we just had to drive it around so we can charge it. We did that didn’t work so we changed the battery. Well two months later our car won’t start anymore and our battery drained again. Now our car won’t start we had to jump start it again and even with that the battery wont hold its charge. We had a good friend who is a mechanic come in and help us and he did what he could to inspect the car and he was at a lost couldn’t tell us why the car won’t start.

NHTSA ODI 11671344

Jul 5, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

I was driving on the freeway and my car started slowing down to the point of intermittently stalling. The MIL or check engine light came on. I could have been hit from the back if I did not successfully pull to over to the side of the freeway. I slowly drove it to a safe place and had my car towed to the Nissan dealership. It will now be looked at on Monday.

NHTSA ODI 11671368

Jun 5, 2025Electrical systemEngineFuel system

Our 2021 Nissan Rogue stalls in Traffic, Park Brake Alert pops up when not on, Radio doesn’t work sometimes, Gas Pump doesn’t click off when full so have to watch or it spills on car and ground, inside Pillars between fr-windshield and front driver and passenger windows leak when I run it through the car wash, there are constant glitches with it that we’ve taken in and they say it doesn’t replicate for them so they can’t do anything even though they have complaints on all with the NHTSA. The Vehicle just stalls out while driving?

NHTSA ODI 11664988

Mar 2, 2025Electrical systemSpeed controlEngine

Car was driving fine went into a store came out a couple hours later car wouldn’t start. After jump starting it check engine light is on and AWD system failure reads across the dashboard. The 2 back doors no longer lock/unlock unless you do it manually. Drove car home it is now shifting funny like a hesitation or slipping feeling while driving. There’s a little over 15k miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11645780

Jan 9, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngine

Lots of things of my car, I replaced battery after I bought this car just 2 years. I replaced mount engine when My car was 60k it is too early! Problem with airflow to engine that my mechanical found out the code recall and this was happening before my warranty is out! Transmission problem so fast and I also thought it was out of warranty that happened around 75k. It is terrible car that I have used!!! I never had any mail or email recall about those but how come my local mechanical found out but when I went to dealership they told me my car has not recall from dealership.

NHTSA ODI 11635104

Dec 23, 2024EngineFuel system

Car stall and shut off while driving on the highway. This is the second time this has happened in a year. They tried to blame it on the battery the fuel was reading wrong then. Fuel reading issue again in August supposed to have done a software update again to fix it. Now this time my child was driving and the car shuts down while driving on the highway with gas reading 42 miles left. The car gets to the dealership and they say it’s no gas and the fuel pump system failed. This car is a severe safety hazard.

NHTSA ODI 11632155

Nov 5, 2024Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine

my gear shifter in my 2021 Rogue was stuck in park. I was stuck in the middle of a 6 lane road. Car would not go into drive or reverse in heavy traffic or neutral. Had waited for police they arrived 15 minutes later car was able to engage drive . Then towed to Nissan of Rockville Center NY. I was informed that liquid was under gear shifer and the electronics were faulty. I had the same issue in 2022 and received 2,500 dollars from Nissan but they never replaced part... Today same issue but life threatening. Water is able to drip down the shifter mechanism and made the CVT light to turned on and the car was stuck in park, Nissan said water got under the shifter. I own the car and never spilled water or accidently spilled water into the gear shifter. I called Nissan consumer affairs case # [XXX] and complained and said " How is this not water proofed as if water can get in this area cause the car to be immobile. stuck in park. I awaited a tow truck from AAA at [XXX] [XXX]... This complaint or defect is serious! I was so scared. But the police surrounded my car from traffic within 3 minutes.. on [XXX], Long Island. This ability for water to go through the shifter and cause this issue is an absolute manufacturers defect and needs to be address to this shifter design. It is the newer style shifter with only forward neutral and park button. this should be a sealed area as the cup holders are 2 inches away from the shifter. I think the issue started 2 years ago and corroded the electronics as nothing has spilt in this area ever! I don't even remember spilling anything in 2022. I asked Nissan if it could of come from below the car.? they said NO. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11623725

Oct 26, 2024Engine

The engine revs a s will not accelerate. I have to stop put car in park and turn it off and on. This has happened many times. Dealership says they can’t do anything unless an engine light or code is present. I even showed them videos.

NHTSA ODI 11622038

Oct 6, 2024Engine

The engine frequently will not change gears (has happened several times). I have to pull over; turn the engine off, then restart the car in order for the gears to properly change.

NHTSA ODI 11618302

Sep 20, 2024Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 65 MPH, there were several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that his daughter depressed the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle continued to lose motive power. The contact stated that his daughter pulled over to the side of the highway and turned off and restarted the vehicle several times and was able to regain normal vehicle functionality. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and retrieved DTC code: C1210-97 (AWD systems failure); however, when the dealer rescanned the vehicle, the code was not showing on the test results. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 11615551

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Working with the data? Download all 270 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 28, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2021 Nissan Rogue Select verdict →