NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The jackknife-style ignition key may fold into a closed position while you are driving, potentially disabling the engine.
What the fix does
This page covers 9 recalls, 535 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Nissan Rogue.
27–28 mpg combined
8.4–8.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The 2016 Nissan Rogue draws its heaviest complaint volume around the powertrain, with owners frequently describing sudden loss of power while driving, the vehicle decelerates unexpectedly, cruise control drops out, and acceleration becomes sluggish or unresponsive. Restarting the engine often clears the problem temporarily. Electrical complaints are the second most common, covering erratic door lock cycling, trunk latch warnings triggering on their own, and power liftgate actuators failing repeatedly even after replacement. The airbag system accounts for a notable share of complaints as well, with owners reporting the warning light staying on and expressing concern that the system might not deploy correctly. A smaller thread of complaints involves front passenger seatbelts jamming in the retracted position, rendering the seat unusable without any prior collision or obvious cause.
535
Total Complaints
35
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
25
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Nissan Rogue has 9 recalls, the most serious involving a jackknife-style ignition key that can fold closed while driving and cut engine power, raising the risk of a crash.
Several recalls involve seat welds that may not hold up in a crash. The front passenger seat back frame and the rear seat recliner joints both have welds that can fail under crash loads, potentially allowing seats to shift or collapse and leaving occupants without proper support or seatbelt anchorage. Two separate recalls also flag the passenger seat sensor, which can misclassify the front passenger and cause the airbag to deploy incorrectly or not at all in a crash. On the electrical side, the under-dash wiring harness connector can corrode from water and salt entering through the driver's footwell, leading to power window and seat failures, all-wheel-drive warning lights, and battery drain. There is also a liftgate concern: the two support struts that hold the rear hatch open can corrode and release suddenly, with the struts potentially breaking free and striking someone nearby.
At a glance
What can fail
The jackknife-style ignition key may fold into a closed position while you are driving, potentially disabling the engine.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
A dealer will insert a spacer into your key's slot to prevent it from collapsing. This service is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water and salt from the driver's side foot well can corrode the electrical connector on the under-dash wiring harness, potentially causing electrical failures.
What the fix does
Dealers will remove the harness covering, replace both connectors, and apply protective grease to prevent future corrosion.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat back frame has a weld that may be too weak, which could fail in a crash and increase injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the entire front passenger seat back assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat frame may have improper welds, which could cause the seat to not perform safely in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger seat back assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The recliner joint on second and third row seat frames may have weak welds, causing the seat frame to not properly secure occupants during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the seat frame barcode and replace the lower seat frame assembly if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear seat recliner joints on the lower seat frame may have improper welds, affecting seat and seat belt anchor safety.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect rear seat frames and replace any defective ones at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat may have an incorrect computer control unit installed that causes the system to misclassify whether someone is sitting in that seat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the control unit and update the seat's software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear lift gate support stays may corrode due to insufficient anti-corrosion treatment, potentially causing the lift gate to fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear tailgate stays at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
