CarBrief

Owners filed 542 complaints with NHTSA for the 2016 Nissan Rogue, and the power train is the component group named most often[1][2]. The car also has 7 recalls on file, including one for the passenger air bag sensor[3][4].

542owner complaints[1]
7recalls[3]
27–28MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 542 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 35 mention a crash and 3 mention a fire[1]. The complaints report 36 injuries and 3 deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Power train[2] 176 75,000
Electrical system[7] 125 54,000
Unknown or other[8] 86 37,500
Engine[9] 65 71,000
Air bags[10] 62 33,000

Power train. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe transmission trouble. That includes slow or hard shifting, a whining or dragging noise, hesitation and loss of power. Some say the transmission failed or needed replacing[2].

Electrical system. In the sample we read, some owners describe heating and air conditioning problems, such as the AC stopping or cold air when heat is selected[7]. The group also has 2 complaints that mention a fire[7].

Engine. Owners in the sample describe the engine stalling, cutting off while driving or losing power[9].

Air bags. This group has fewer complaints than the others above, but it has the most crashes (19) and injuries (25) of any group[10]. In the sample we read, some owners describe the passenger air bag off light staying on or acting up, including after a recall repair, and some describe crashes where the air bags did not deploy[10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2016 Rogue[3]. Each one lists a free dealer remedy. Newest first:

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2.5L 4-cylinder Rogue with an Automatic (variable gear ratios) transmission on regular fuel[5][17].

Drive City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[5] 26 MPG 32 MPG 28 MPG $2,400
All-wheel drive[17] 25 MPG 31 MPG 27 MPG $2,500

All-wheel drive costs 1 MPG in each rating[5][17].

Safety ratings

NHTSA rates both versions 4 stars overall, 4 stars in the frontal test, 5 stars in the side test and 4 stars for rollover[6][18]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 16.4% for the AWD version[6] and 16.9% for the FWD version[18].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine at 170 hp[19]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications, so they can differ slightly from US models[20][21].

Measure AWD FWD
Length[20][21] 182 in 182 in
Width[20][21] 72 in 72 in
Height[20][21] 68 in 68 in
Wheelbase[20][21] 106 in 106 in
Curb weight[20][21] 3,549 lb 3,417 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2008: 429 complaints, 5 recalls20082009: 320 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 282 complaints, 2 recalls20102011: 363 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 318 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 610 complaints, 1 recalls2014: 440 complaints, 10 recalls20142015: 553 complaints, 9 recalls2016: 542 complaints, 7 recalls54220162017: 600 complaints, 6 recalls2018: 669 complaints, 4 recalls20182019: 339 complaints, 4 recalls2020: 152 complaints, 1 recalls20202021: 291 complaints, 10 recalls2022: 242 complaints, 1 recalls20222023: 744 complaints, 6 recalls2024: 216 complaints, 4 recalls20242025: 196 complaints, 3 recalls2026: 53 complaints, 2 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Rogue model year. The 2016 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20084295
20093203
20102822
20113632
20123182
20136101
201444010
20155539
20165427
20176006
20186694
20193394
20201521
202129110
20222421
20237446
20242164
20251963
2026532

NHTSA data for the Rogue covers model years 2008 to 2026. The 2016 model year has 542 complaints and 7 recalls[3]. Five years have more complaints: 2023 (744), 2018 (669), 2013 (610), 2017 (600) and 2015 (553)[3]. For recalls, only 2014 and 2021 (10 each) and 2015 (9) have more[3].

The years next to it look a little different. The 2015 model year has 553 complaints and 9 recalls, and 2017 has 600 complaints and 6 recalls[3]. These counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 Rogue?

The 2016 Rogue has the sixth most complaints of the 19 model years on file and the fourth most recalls[3]. Check the recall list first and ask for proof that the key, connector, seat, air bag sensor and lift gate recalls were done[11][12][13][14][15][4][16]. In the sample we read, owners mention the transmission, the engine cutting out and the passenger air bag light, so test for those on a drive[2][9][10]. Complaints are unverified and a small sample cannot tell you how likely any one problem is. The EPA rates the FWD version at 28 MPG combined and NHTSA gives 4 stars overall[5][6][18].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Rogue?
The power train group has the most NHTSA complaints at 176, followed by the electrical system at 125[2][7]. In a sample we read, some owners describe transmission trouble and heating or air conditioning problems[2][7].
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Rogue have?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls for this model year[3]. They cover the key, an under-dash connector, two seat welds, two passenger air bag sensor issues and the lift gate stays[11][12][13][14][15][4][16].
What gas mileage does the 2016 Nissan Rogue get?
EPA rates the front-wheel-drive version at 28 MPG combined and the all-wheel-drive version at 27 MPG combined[5][17].
What is the safety rating of the 2016 Nissan Rogue?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall for both the AWD and FWD versions[6][18].
Is the 2016 Rogue better or worse than other years?
It has 542 complaints and 7 recalls[3]. Five model years have more complaints and three have more recalls[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 542 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Nissan Rogue (35 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 36 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 176 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Rogue model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 16V244, filed April 26, 2016: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Rogue FWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 125 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 54,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 86 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 65 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 62 complaints name the air bags component group (19 crashes, 0 fires, 25 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 23V093, filed February 16, 2023: Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Immobilizer / Proximity › Key / Sender. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 22V024, filed January 21, 2022: Electrical System › Wiring › Interior / Under Dash. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 17V716, filed November 14, 2017: Seats. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 17V663, filed October 18, 2017: Seats. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 16V911, filed December 19, 2016: Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 16V219, filed April 15, 2016: Structure › Body › Hatchback / Liftgate › Support Device / Strut. NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for Rogue AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Nissan Rogue with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ROGUE 4DR SUV AWD: length 182 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,549 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, ROGUE 4DR SUV FWD: length 182 in, width 72 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,417 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.