Last updated: 2026-03-04

Nissan Rogue vs Toyota Corolla: Reliability Compared

Choosing between the Nissan Rogue and the Toyota Corolla? 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 Toyota Corolla currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Nissan Rogue and Toyota Corolla Generations Compare?

The Toyota Corolla is currently in its twelfth generation (E210), introduced in 2020, which places it relatively early in its generation cycle. This suggests that while newer platforms can sometimes have initial teething issues, they often benefit from the latest engineering advancements. The previous eleventh generation (E170, E180) had a mid-cycle refresh in 2017, which typically improves reliability as manufacturers address earlier issues. In contrast, the Nissan Rogue lacks detailed generational history, making it challenging to assess its reliability progression. Generally, mature platforms like the later Corolla generations tend to be well-sorted, offering buyers confidence in their reliability.

Verdict

The Toyota Corolla is more reliable than the Nissan Rogue, scoring 79/100 vs 74/100.

The Toyota Corolla demonstrates superior reliability with an average score of 94/100 compared to the Nissan Rogue's 80/100. Despite having a similar number of recalls over nine years, the Corolla has a lower owner complaint rate of 5.6 per 10,000 sold versus the Rogue's 6.2. Additionally, the Corolla benefits from lower estimated annual repair costs at $362 compared to the Rogue's $467. Overall, the Corolla's higher reliability score and lower maintenance expenses make it the more dependable choice.

Key Differences

  1. 1Toyota Corolla costs $105 less per year to repair
  2. 2Toyota Corolla scores 5 points higher in reliability
  3. 3Toyota Corolla has 5% lower major repair risk

Category Scoreboard

1Nissan Rogue
4Toyota Corolla
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Nissan Rogue vs Toyota Corolla: Which Is More Reliable?

Nissan Rogue vs Toyota Corolla at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricNissan RogueToyota Corolla
Reliability Score74/10079/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls4344
Complaints per 10k Sold6.25.6
Annual Repair Cost$467/yr$362/yr
Repair Frequency0.3/yr0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk12%7%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Year Wins1 (1 tied)6 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Rogue and Toyota Corolla?

The Toyota Corolla and Nissan Rogue exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Rogue having nearly double the total complaints of the Corolla. The Corolla's most significant safety concern lies with its air bags, which have 62 crash-linked complaints, a notably high figure compared to the Rogue's air bag issues. Conversely, the Rogue struggles more with service brakes, accumulating 329 complaints, including 15 crash-linked incidents, indicating a critical area of concern. While both models report issues with the electrical system and power train, the Rogue's higher volume of complaints, particularly in service brakes and forward collision avoidance, suggests a greater emphasis on these safety-related systems.

Nissan Rogue vs Toyota Corolla common problem areas comparison
ComponentNissan RogueToyota Corolla
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.9Very Low0.8Very Low
ENGINE0.7Very Low0.8Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.7Very Low0.6Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.8Very Low0.3Very Low
POWER TRAIN0.5Very Low0.6Very Low
AIR BAGS0.2Very Low0.6Very Low
STEERING0.2Very Low0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.5Very Low0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.2Very Low0.1Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.3Very LowNone
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.2Very LowNone
EXTERIOR LIGHTINGNone0.2Very Low
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very LowNone
FUEL SYSTEMNone0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTSNone0.1Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)NoneNone
STRUCTURENoneNone
SUSPENSIONNoneNone
VISIBILITYNoneNone
WHEELSNoneNone

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Nissan Rogue or Toyota Corolla?

The Toyota Corolla and Nissan Rogue exhibit different maintenance and repair cost profiles based on industry estimates. Annually, owning a Corolla costs about $362 in repairs, while the Rogue requires $467. This $105 annual difference translates to a $525 saving over five years for the Corolla. Both vehicles have a similar repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year, indicating comparable reliability in terms of service visits. However, the Corolla has a lower major repair risk at 7% compared to the Rogue’s 12%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Corolla offers a better value, balancing lower annual repair costs and reduced risk of significant repairs.

How Does Nissan Rogue vs Toyota Corolla Reliability Compare by Year?

Nissan Rogue vs Toyota Corolla year-by-year reliability scores
YearNissan RogueToyota CorollaEdge
202584/1001R / 103C84/1002R / 37CTie
202479/1002R / 116C81/1008R / 97CToyota Corolla
202368/1005R / 519C73/10015R / 243CToyota Corolla
202270/1007R / 211C82/1002R / 120CToyota Corolla
202170/10013R / 269C83/1001R / 160CToyota Corolla
202079/1002R / 185C74/1007R / 290CNissan Rogue
201973/1006R / 409C77/1006R / 190CToyota Corolla
201870/1006R / 718C80/1003R / 137CToyota Corolla
2026(predicted)77/100(predicted)79/100(predicted)Toyota Corolla

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

Who Should Buy the Nissan Rogue vs the Toyota Corolla?

If you prioritize low running costs and reliability, the Toyota Corolla is an excellent choice. With a reliability score of 94/100 and an estimated annual repair cost of $362, it offers peace of mind for budget-conscious drivers. The Corolla has a lower major repair risk of 7% and fewer owner complaints at 5.6 per 10,000 sold, making it a dependable option for those who value longevity and minimal hassle. On the other hand, if you are drawn to the Nissan Rogue for its features or style, be prepared for slightly higher maintenance costs and risks. With a reliability score of 80/100, the Rogue has an annual repair cost of $467 and a major repair risk of 12%. While it has slightly fewer recalls, the higher complaint rate at 6.2 per 10,000 sold may indicate more frequent issues. Consider the Rogue if you are comfortable with these trade-offs and prioritize other attributes over reliability.

Nissan Rogue vs Toyota Corolla: Common Questions

Is the Nissan Rogue more reliable than the Toyota Corolla?
Based on our data, the Toyota Corolla is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Nissan Rogue or the Toyota Corolla?
The Toyota Corolla has more recalls (44) 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 Nissan Rogue or the Toyota Corolla?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Toyota Corolla has a lower complaint rate at 5.6 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 Nissan Rogue or the Toyota Corolla?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota Corolla is cheaper to maintain at $362/year versus $467/year for the Nissan Rogue.
Is the Nissan Rogue or Toyota Corolla safer?
Both the Nissan Rogue and Toyota Corolla 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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