Last updated: 2026-05-15
Ford Escape vs Nissan Rogue: Reliability Compared
Ford Escape
Nissan Rogue
Choosing between the Ford Escape and the Nissan Rogue? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Rogue currently leads with an average score of 74/100 compared to 66/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Rogue is more reliable than the Ford Escape, scoring 74/100 vs 66/100.
The Nissan Rogue demonstrates a stronger reliability profile compared to the Ford Escape, with an average reliability score of 74/100 versus 66/100 for the Escape. Additionally, the Rogue has a lower owner complaint rate of 6.2 per 10,000 units sold and fewer recalls, totaling 43 over nine years, compared to the Escape's 86 over eight years. Independent repair cost estimates favor the Rogue as well, with an annual cost of $467 compared to the Escape's $600. These factors collectively make the Rogue a more reliable choice in the compact SUV segment.
Key Differences
- 1Nissan Rogue costs $133 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Rogue has 43 fewer total recalls
- 3Nissan Rogue scores 8 points higher in reliability
Category Scoreboard
Ford Escape vs Nissan Rogue: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Ford Escape | Nissan Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 66/100 | 74/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 86 | 43 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 9.6 | 6.2 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $600/yr | $467/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.3/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 11% | 12% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | Not rated | |
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 1 | 6 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue?
The Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape present distinct problem profiles despite both experiencing significant complaint volumes. The Ford Escape has a notably higher number of complaints related to the engine, with 1,152 reports, though only three are crash-linked. In contrast, the Nissan Rogue shows a more balanced distribution of complaints across categories, with service brakes and electrical systems being significant concerns, each with a notable count of crash-linked incidents (15 and 11, respectively). Both models exhibit issues in power train systems, but the Ford Escape's higher total complaints in this area, including 14 crash-linked, suggest a particular vulnerability compared to the Rogue.
| Component | Ford Escape | Nissan Rogue |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | 2.6Low | 0.7Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 1.4Low | 0.5Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.8Very Low | 0.9Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | 1.5Low | —None |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.7Very Low | 0.7Very Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.9Very Low | 0.3Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.8Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | —None |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Ford Escape or Nissan Rogue?
How Does Ford Escape vs Nissan Rogue Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Ford Escape | Nissan Rogue | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 74/10010R / 16C | 84/1001R / 103C | Nissan Rogue |
| 2024 | 75/10010R / 76C | 79/1002R / 116C | Nissan Rogue |
| 2023 | 72/10013R / 107C | 68/1005R / 519C | Ford Escape |
| 2022 | 62/10020R / 325C | 70/1007R / 211C | Nissan Rogue |
| 2020 | 52/10025R / 1667C | 79/1002R / 185C | Nissan Rogue |
| 2019 | 69/1003R / 506C | 73/1006R / 409C | Nissan Rogue |
| 2018 | 60/1004R / 1597C | 70/1006R / 718C | Nissan Rogue |
| 2026(predicted) | 67/100(predicted) | 77/100(predicted) | Nissan Rogue |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Ford Escape scored 75/100 and the 2025 Nissan Rogue scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Ford Escape vs the Nissan Rogue?
Ford Escape vs Nissan Rogue: Common Questions
- Is the Ford Escape more reliable than the Nissan Rogue?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Rogue is more reliable with an average score of 74/100 compared to 66/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Rogue?
- The Ford Escape has more recalls (86) compared to the Nissan Rogue (43). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Rogue?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Rogue has a lower complaint rate at 6.2 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 9.6 for the Ford Escape. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Ford Escape or the Nissan Rogue?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Rogue is cheaper to maintain at $467/year versus $600/year for the Ford Escape.
- Is the Ford Escape or Nissan Rogue safer?
- Both the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Ford Escape comparisons
Decided between Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
See incorrect data? Report an issue