2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

On the public data alone the Highlander edges it 5–1.

2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Rogue AWD, is EPA-rated at 33 mp…

2021 Toyota Highlander

The 2021 Toyota Highlander is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Highlander Hybri…

	2021 Nissan Rogue	2021 Toyota Highlander
Segment	Compact SUV	Compact SUV
Powertrains	Gas	Hybrid, Gas
Best combined mpg	33	36
Safety Signal	35	65
NHTSA recalls	10	5
Critical recalls	2	0
Owner complaints	286	520
NHTSA overall stars	4	5

Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.

Recalls at a glance

Source: NHTSA

Rogue

!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

R25A8/A9 R25B1/B2/D1

443,899 vehicles

ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.RiskEngine failure increases 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.FixDealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

NHTSA campaign 25V437000reported Jun 27, 2025Nissan North America, Inc.

▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PC933

2 vehicles

ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Rogue vehicles. The left and/or right rear brake caliper assemblies may be missing an internal bushing, allowing the O-ring seal to move and brake fluid to leak.RiskA loss of brake fluid may reduce braking performance, increasing the risk of crash.FixDealers will replace the left and right rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC933. The two vehicles that were previously inspected under recall 21V-286 and did not receive a brake caliper replacement will need to have the new remedy completed.

NHTSA campaign 23V791000reported Nov 22, 2023Nissan North America, Inc.

○minor

Back Over Prevention

R22B8 R22C1 PC923/25

27,388 vehicles

ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 Titan, Titan XD, Frontier, and 2021-2022 Rogue vehicles. The in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system may continuously reboot when the vehicle is restarted, which can result in an inoperative rearview display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."RiskAn inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.FixThe IVI software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R22B8, R22C1, and PC923/25.

NHTSA campaign 22V772000reported Oct 13, 2022Nissan North America, Inc.

Highlander

▲high

Seats

26TB06 / 26TA06

550,007 vehicles

ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The second-row seat backs may fail to lock into position during seat back adjustment.RiskA seat back that fails to lock may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.FixDealers will replace the return springs in the seat back recliner assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated August 27, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Toyotaâ€™s customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 26TB06 and 26TA06.

NHTSA campaign 26V128000reported Mar 5, 2026Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

▲high

Tires

SET24A

4,763 vehicles

ProblemSoutheast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Highlander vehicles. The 20-inch accessory tires with an insufficient load rating for the vehicle's Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) were installed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."RiskTires with an insufficient load rating can be overloaded and fail, increasing the risk of a crash.FixSET will inspect and replace the tires and information placard, as necessary free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2024. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET24A.

NHTSA campaign 24V452000reported Jun 18, 2024Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

▲high

Air Bags

23TA15, 23LA03

999,901 vehicles

ProblemToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short circuit may develop in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor, preventing the front passenger air bag from deploying.RiskAn air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.FixDealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue to be mailed in phases through January 2026. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TB15/23TA15 Lexus 23LB03/23LA03.

NHTSA campaign 23V865000reported Dec 20, 2023Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing