Is the Kia Sportage 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 Kia Sportage or the Nissan Rogue?

The Nissan Rogue has more recalls (43) compared to the Kia Sportage (28). 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 Kia Sportage or the Nissan Rogue?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Kia Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 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 Kia Sportage or the Nissan Rogue?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Kia Sportage is cheaper to maintain at $462/year versus $467/year for the Nissan Rogue.

Is the Kia Sportage or Nissan Rogue safer?

Both the Kia Sportage 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.

Last updated: 2026-03-04

Kia Sportage vs Nissan Rogue: Reliability Compared

Kia Sportage

Good

Nissan Rogue

Good

Choosing between the Kia Sportage 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 Kia Sportage and Nissan Rogue Generations Compare?

The Nissan Rogue is currently in its third generation, which began in 2021. As a relatively new platform, it may still be working through initial teething issues that are common in early production years. In contrast, the Kia Sportage has just entered its fifth generation in 2023. Historically, first-year models can experience some reliability challenges as manufacturers work out new design and technology kinks. The Sportage's previous fourth generation, which ended in 2022, benefited from a 2020 facelift that likely improved its reliability. Buyers evaluating these models should consider that mature platforms like the outgoing Sportage tend to be more refined and reliable over time.

Verdict

The Kia Sportage and Nissan Rogue are evenly matched with a reliability score of 74/100.

The Kia Sportage and Nissan Rogue are both compact SUVs, but the Sportage edges out in reliability with an average score of 84/100 compared to the Rogue's 80/100. The Sportage also has fewer recalls, 28 over nine years, versus the Rogue's 43. Additionally, owner complaints per 10,000 sold are lower for the Sportage at 5.3 compared to the Rogue's 6.2. Both models have similar estimated annual repair costs, but the Sportage's overall lower complaint rate and recall history make it a slightly more reliable choice.

Key Differences

1Kia Sportage has 15 fewer total recalls
2Kia Sportage costs $5 less per year to repair
3Kia Sportage has 1% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

5Kia Sportage

—

0Nissan Rogue

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Kia Sportage vs Nissan Rogue: Which Is More Reliable?

Kia Sportage vs Nissan Rogue at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Kia Sportage	Nissan Rogue
Reliability Score	74/100	74/100
Years Tracked	9	9
Total Recalls	28	43
Complaints per 10k Sold	5.3	6.2
Annual Repair Cost	$462/yr	$467/yr
Repair Frequency	0.2/yr	0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk	11%	12%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side		Not rated
Rollover
Year Wins	3	5

What Are the Common Problems With the Kia Sportage and Nissan Rogue?

The Nissan Rogue shows a higher volume of complaints overall, especially in categories such as "UNKNOWN OR OTHER" and "SERVICE BRAKES," with 360 and 329 complaints respectively, indicating potential issues in these areas. Notably, the Rogue has 15 crash-linked complaints regarding its service brakes, suggesting a significant safety concern. In contrast, the Kia Sportage, with fewer total complaints, has its highest issues in the "ENGINE" and "ELECTRICAL SYSTEM" categories, though it maintains a lower crash-linked figure in these areas. Both models share concerns in the "POWER TRAIN" and "VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL" categories, yet the Sportage's vehicle speed control complaints are notably more crash-linked, signaling a potential area for improvement in safety measures.

Kia Sportage vs Nissan Rogue common problem areas comparison
Component	Kia Sportage	Nissan Rogue
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.8Very Low	0.9Very Low
ENGINE	1Very Low	0.7Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.9Very Low	0.7Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES	0.3Very Low	0.8Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	0.5Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.3Very Low	0.2Very Low
STEERING	0.2Very Low	0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	0.1Very Low	0.3Very Low
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.2Very Low
STRUCTURE	0.2Very Low	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	0.2Very Low
TRAILER HITCHES	0.1Very Low	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	0.1Very Low
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—None	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	—None	—None
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	—None	—None
SUSPENSION	—None	—None
FUEL SYSTEM	—None	—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Kia Sportage or Nissan Rogue?

According to industry estimates, the Nissan Rogue and Kia Sportage have similar annual repair costs, with the Rogue at $467 and the Sportage slightly lower at $462. Over five years, this difference totals just $25, making annual costs nearly identical. However, the Sportage stands out with a lower repair frequency of 0.2 visits per year compared to the Rogue's 0.3 visits. Additionally, the Sportage has a marginally lower major repair risk at 11% versus the Rogue's 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Kia Sportage offers a slight edge in terms of reliability and reduced inconvenience, making it a better value in the long run.

How Does Kia Sportage vs Nissan Rogue Reliability Compare by Year?

Kia Sportage vs Nissan Rogue year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Kia Sportage	Nissan Rogue	Edge
2025	82/1002R / 44C	84/1001R / 103C	Nissan Rogue
2024	78/1004R / 83C	79/1002R / 116C	Nissan Rogue
2023	67/1009R / 257C	68/1005R / 519C	Nissan Rogue
2022	79/1001R / 39C	70/1007R / 211C	Kia Sportage
2021	76/1002R / 34C	70/10013R / 269C	Kia Sportage
2020	69/1002R / 139C	79/1002R / 185C	Nissan Rogue
2019	74/1002R / 63C	73/1006R / 409C	Kia Sportage
2018	68/1003R / 147C	70/1006R / 718C	Nissan Rogue
2026(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	77/100(predicted)	Nissan Rogue

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Kia Sportage scored 82/100 and the 2025 Nissan Rogue scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Kia Sportage vs the Nissan Rogue?

If you prioritize reliability and peace of mind, the Kia Sportage might be the better option for you. With a slightly higher reliability score of 84/100, fewer total recalls at 28, and a lower owner complaint rate of 5.3 per 10,000 sold, it presents itself as a more dependable choice. Additionally, it has a slightly lower repair frequency of 0.2 times per year and a marginally lower major repair risk of 11%. These factors contribute to a vehicle that could potentially offer a more worry-free ownership experience. On the other hand, if you're looking for a vehicle with low running costs, the Nissan Rogue is a strong contender. While its reliability score is slightly lower at 80/100, it boasts an estimated annual repair cost of $467, which is competitively close to the Sportage. Despite having more recalls and a slightly higher complaint rate, the Rogue's repair frequency of 0.3 per year is still relatively low. This makes it a practical choice if cost-effectiveness is your primary concern.

Kia Sportage vs Nissan Rogue: Common Questions

Is the Kia Sportage 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 Kia Sportage or the Nissan Rogue?: The Nissan Rogue has more recalls (43) compared to the Kia Sportage (28). 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 Kia Sportage or the Nissan Rogue?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Kia Sportage has a lower complaint rate at 5.3 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 Kia Sportage or the Nissan Rogue?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Kia Sportage is cheaper to maintain at $462/year versus $467/year for the Nissan Rogue.
Is the Kia Sportage or Nissan Rogue safer?: Both the Kia Sportage 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.

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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.

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