Is the GMC Terrain 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 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Nissan Rogue?

The Nissan Rogue has more recalls (43) compared to the GMC Terrain (19). 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 GMC Terrain or the Nissan Rogue?

Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus 6.2 for the Nissan Rogue. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Terrain or the Nissan Rogue?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Rogue is cheaper to maintain at $467/year versus $558/year for the GMC Terrain.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

GMC Terrain vs Nissan Rogue: Reliability Compared

GMC Terrain

Good

More Reliable

Nissan Rogue

Good

Choosing between the GMC Terrain 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 72/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the GMC Terrain and Nissan Rogue Generations Compare?

The GMC Terrain is currently in its second generation, which began in 2018 and received a significant facelift in 2022. This places it in the mature phase of its generation cycle, where many initial issues have likely been addressed, offering a more refined and reliable experience. In contrast, the Nissan Rogue does not have detailed generation history available, making it difficult to directly compare its evolution. Generally, vehicles in the later stages of their generation, like the Terrain, tend to be better sorted and more dependable, as manufacturers have had time to refine the design and address any early production issues.

Verdict

The Nissan Rogue is more reliable than the GMC Terrain, scoring 74/100 vs 72/100.

The Nissan Rogue and GMC Terrain both present strengths and weaknesses in reliability, but the Rogue edges out with a slightly higher average reliability score of 80/100 compared to the Terrain's 76/100. Despite having more recalls, the Rogue's owner complaints are only moderately higher at 6.2 per 10,000 sold versus the Terrain's 4.8. The Rogue benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $467 compared to the Terrain's $558, making it potentially more economical over time. Overall, while both vehicles have common issues with brakes, power trains, and electrical systems, the Nissan Rogue offers a marginally better reliability profile.

Key Differences

1Nissan Rogue costs $91 less per year to repair
2GMC Terrain has 24 fewer total recalls
3Nissan Rogue has 5% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

2GMC Terrain

—

3Nissan Rogue

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair Risk

GMC Terrain vs Nissan Rogue: Which Is More Reliable?

GMC Terrain vs Nissan Rogue at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	GMC Terrain	Nissan Rogue
Reliability Score	72/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	19	43
Complaints per 10k Sold	4.8	6.2
Annual Repair Cost	$558/yr	$467/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	17%	12%
Year Wins	3	5

What Are the Common Problems With the GMC Terrain and Nissan Rogue?

The Nissan Rogue exhibits a higher total number of complaints, with significant issues in the categories of unknown or other, service brakes, and electrical system, each with over 298 complaints. Notably, the Rogue's service brakes and electrical system have a relatively high number of crash-linked complaints, with 15 and 11 incidents respectively. In contrast, the GMC Terrain has fewer total complaints, with the most significant issues appearing in the service brakes and power train categories. Although the Terrain's service brakes also have a notable number of crash-linked complaints, it does not face the same level of electrical system issues as the Rogue.

GMC Terrain vs Nissan Rogue common problem areas comparison
Component	GMC Terrain	Nissan Rogue
SERVICE BRAKES	1Very Low	0.8Very Low
POWER TRAIN	1Very Low	0.5Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.5Very Low	0.9Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	0.7Very Low
ENGINE	0.4Very Low	0.7Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	—None	0.5Very Low
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	0.3Very Low
FUEL SYSTEM	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
SEATS	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
STRUCTURE	—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: GMC Terrain or Nissan Rogue?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Nissan Rogue appears to be a more cost-effective option for budget-conscious buyers. With an annual repair cost of $467, it's $91 cheaper per year than the GMC Terrain, translating to a $455 savings over a five-year period. Both vehicles exhibit the same repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year, but the Rogue has a significantly lower major repair risk at 12%, compared to the Terrain's 17%. This lower risk and cost make the Rogue a more appealing choice for those prioritizing long-term affordability in vehicle ownership.

How Does GMC Terrain vs Nissan Rogue Reliability Compare by Year?

GMC Terrain vs Nissan Rogue year-by-year reliability scores
Year	GMC Terrain	Nissan Rogue	Edge
2025	78/1000R / 8C	84/1001R / 103C	Nissan Rogue
2024	77/1001R / 29C	79/1002R / 116C	Nissan Rogue
2023	75/1002R / 21C	68/1005R / 519C	GMC Terrain
2022	72/1004R / 65C	70/1007R / 211C	GMC Terrain
2021	74/1002R / 28C	70/10013R / 269C	GMC Terrain
2020	68/1002R / 160C	79/1002R / 185C	Nissan Rogue
2019	68/1003R / 163C	73/1006R / 409C	Nissan Rogue
2018	66/1005R / 201C	70/1006R / 718C	Nissan Rogue
2026(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	Tie

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 GMC Terrain scored 78/100 and the 2025 Nissan Rogue scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the GMC Terrain vs the Nissan Rogue?

If you prioritize low running costs and a slightly more reliable option, the Nissan Rogue might be the better choice for you. With a reliability score of 80/100, it edges out the GMC Terrain's 76/100. The Rogue also offers a lower estimated annual repair cost at $467 compared to the Terrain's $558. Although it has a higher number of recalls (43 versus 19), it maintains a lower major repair risk at 12%, making it a more dependable option in the long run. On the other hand, if you value fewer owner complaints and prioritize a vehicle with fewer recalls, consider the GMC Terrain. It has only 4.8 owner complaints per 10,000 sold, compared to the Rogue's 6.2. While it carries a slightly higher major repair risk at 17%, the Terrain might appeal to you if recall frequency is a significant concern. Ultimately, your choice should align with what you value most in a vehicle.

GMC Terrain vs Nissan Rogue: Common Questions

Is the GMC Terrain 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 72/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the GMC Terrain or the Nissan Rogue?: The Nissan Rogue has more recalls (43) compared to the GMC Terrain (19). 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 GMC Terrain or the Nissan Rogue?: Adjusted for sales volume, the GMC Terrain has a lower complaint rate at 4.8 per 10,000 sold versus 6.2 for the Nissan Rogue. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the GMC Terrain or the Nissan Rogue?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Rogue is cheaper to maintain at $467/year versus $558/year for the GMC Terrain.

More GMC Terrain comparisons

GMC Terrain vs Chevrolet Equinox reliability GMC Terrain vs Honda CR-V reliability GMC Terrain vs Toyota RAV4 reliability GMC Terrain vs Kia Sportage reliability GMC Terrain reliability by year GMC Terrain years to avoid

More Nissan Rogue comparisons

Nissan Rogue vs Kia Sportage reliability Nissan Rogue vs Honda CR-V reliability Nissan Rogue vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Nissan Rogue vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Nissan Rogue reliability by year Nissan Rogue years to avoid

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