Last updated: 2026-03-04

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Rogue: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Honda CR-V 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. Both models currently share an average reliability score of 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue Generations Compare?

The Honda CR-V is currently in its sixth generation, launched in 2023, indicating it is early in its generation cycle. This can sometimes mean potential first-year issues as manufacturers work out initial kinks. However, Honda's track record suggests improvements over time, with significant facelifts like the 2020 update in the previous fifth generation that typically enhance reliability. On the other hand, the Nissan Rogue lacks detailed generation history, making it harder to evaluate its progression and reliability trends. Generally, mature platforms, like those of the CR-V in their later stages, tend to be well-sorted, offering more reliability to car buyers.

Verdict

The Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue are evenly matched with a reliability score of 74/100.

The Honda CR-V outshines the Nissan Rogue in terms of reliability with an average reliability score of 89/100 compared to the Rogue's 80/100. While both vehicles have similar recall numbers over nine years, the CR-V has a slightly higher complaint rate at 8 per 10,000 sold versus the Rogue's 6.2. However, the Honda CR-V offers a lower estimated annual repair cost at $407, compared to the Rogue's $467. Overall, the CR-V's higher reliability score and lower maintenance costs make it the more reliable choice.

Key Differences

  1. 1Honda CR-V costs $60 less per year to repair
  2. 2Nissan Rogue has 3 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Honda CR-V has 3% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

2Honda CR-V
2Nissan Rogue
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Rogue: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Rogue at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricHonda CR-VNissan Rogue
Reliability Score74/10074/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls4643
Complaints per 10k Sold86.2
Annual Repair Cost$407/yr$467/yr
Repair Frequency0.3/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk9%12%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Year Wins35

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue?

The Honda CR-V has a notably high number of complaints related to steering with 1159 issues, 24 of which are crash-linked, indicating a potential area of concern for safety. In contrast, the Nissan Rogue shows a higher incidence of complaints in the "Unknown or Other" category with 360 complaints, but fewer of these are crash-linked. Both models have a significant number of issues with their electrical systems and engines, but the CR-V has a slightly higher count in electrical complaints, while the Rogue has more issues associated with the power train. Notably, the CR-V's service brakes have resulted in the highest number of crash-linked incidents at 33, highlighting a critical area where it diverges from the Rogue's profile.

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Rogue common problem areas comparison
ComponentHonda CR-VNissan Rogue
STEERING1.8Low0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.9Very Low0.7Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1Very Low0.5Very Low
ENGINE0.8Very Low0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.4Very Low0.8Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.3Very Low0.9Very Low
POWER TRAIN0.2Very Low0.5Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM0.6Very LowNone
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.3Very Low0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGNone0.3Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very Low0.1Very Low
LANE DEPARTURENoneNone
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)NoneNone
STRUCTURENoneNone
SUSPENSIONNoneNone
VISIBILITYNoneNone

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Honda CR-V and Nissan Rogue have similar repair frequencies, with both requiring approximately 0.3 visits per year. However, the Honda CR-V is more cost-effective, with an annual repair cost of $407 compared to the Nissan Rogue's $467. This translates to a $60 savings each year or $300 over five years for CR-V owners. Additionally, the CR-V has a lower major repair risk at 9%, compared to the Rogue's 12%. For buyers focused on minimizing maintenance expenses and reducing the likelihood of costly repairs, the Honda CR-V offers better value.

How Does Honda CR-V vs Nissan Rogue Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Rogue year-by-year reliability scores
YearHonda CR-VNissan RogueEdge
202580/1006R / 201C84/1001R / 103CNissan Rogue
202477/1004R / 406C79/1002R / 116CNissan Rogue
202372/1007R / 578C68/1005R / 519CHonda CR-V
202276/1005R / 242C70/1007R / 211CHonda CR-V
202177/1003R / 241C70/10013R / 269CHonda CR-V
202074/10010R / 358C79/1002R / 185CNissan Rogue
201969/1007R / 996C73/1006R / 409CNissan Rogue
201865/1004R / 1960C70/1006R / 718CNissan Rogue
2026(predicted)76/100(predicted)77/100(predicted)Nissan Rogue

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda CR-V scored 80/100 and the 2025 Nissan Rogue scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda CR-V vs the Nissan Rogue?

If you prioritize reliability and lower running costs, the Honda CR-V is your best choice. With a reliability score of 89 out of 100, it outshines the Nissan Rogue, which scores 80. The CR-V comes with an estimated annual repair cost of $407 and a lower major repair risk of 9%, making it a solid option for those who want peace of mind and lower expenses over time. On the other hand, if you are more concerned with fewer owner complaints, the Nissan Rogue might catch your interest. It has fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold at 6.2 compared to the CR-V's 8. However, keep in mind that the Rogue comes with a slightly higher estimated annual repair cost of $467 and a greater major repair risk of 12%. Choose the Rogue if your priority is minimizing immediate issues rather than long-term reliability.

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Rogue: Common Questions

Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Nissan Rogue?
They're very close — both average 74/100 in our reliability scoring. Other factors like repair costs and specific year models may tip the decision.
Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Nissan Rogue?
The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) 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 Honda CR-V or the Nissan Rogue?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Rogue has a lower complaint rate at 6.2 per 10,000 sold versus 8 for the Honda CR-V. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda CR-V or the Nissan Rogue?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $467/year for the Nissan Rogue.
Is the Honda CR-V or Nissan Rogue safer?
Both the Honda CR-V 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.

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

1

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.

2

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

3

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.

4

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.

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