Last updated: 2026-03-04

Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester: Reliability Compared

Nissan Rogue reliability comparison

Nissan Rogue

74
GoodReliability score: 74 out of 100, rated Good
VS
Subaru Forester reliability comparison

Subaru Forester

74
GoodReliability score: 74 out of 100, rated Good

Choosing between the Nissan Rogue and the Subaru Forester? 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 Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester Generations Compare?

The Nissan Rogue's generation history lacks detailed information, making it challenging to evaluate its reliability based on platform maturity. In contrast, the Subaru Forester is currently in its fifth generation (SK), which was introduced in 2019 and received a facelift in 2022. This places the Forester in the latter part of its generation cycle, where vehicles typically benefit from improved reliability due to refinements and issue resolutions made over time. As a mature platform, the current Forester is likely to be well-sorted, whereas the absence of detailed Rogue data means its generation stage and associated reliability patterns remain unclear.

Verdict

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

The Nissan Rogue edges out the Subaru Forester in reliability with an average score of 80/100 compared to the Forester's 77/100. While the Rogue has a higher number of recalls at 43 over nine years, it boasts a lower owner complaint rate of 6.2 per 10,000 sold versus the Forester's 8.7. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates favor the Rogue with an annual cost of $467, significantly less than the Forester's $632. Overall, the Rogue's combination of a higher reliability score and lower repair costs makes it a more reliable choice for buyers in the compact SUV segment.

Key Differences

  1. 1Nissan Rogue costs $165 less per year to repair
  2. 2Subaru Forester has 30 fewer total recalls
  3. 3Nissan Rogue has 2.5 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

4Nissan Rogue
—
1Subaru Forester
Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester: Which Is More Reliable?

Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester at-a-glance reliability comparison
MetricNissan RogueSubaru Forester
Reliability Score74/10074/100
Years Tracked99
Total Recalls4313
Complaints per 10k Sold6.28.7
Annual Repair Cost$467/yr$632/yr
Repair Frequency0.3/yr0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk12%13%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall
2026 NHTSA
2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Year Wins53

What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester?

The Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the Rogue facing significant issues in service brakes (329 complaints, 15 crash-linked) and electrical systems (298 complaints, 11 crash-linked). In contrast, the Subaru Forester's most prevalent issue is in visibility/wiper problems, accounting for 819 complaints, though these are not crash-linked. Notably, the Forester has a higher concern in air bags with 121 complaints, 22 of which are crash-linked, indicating a potential safety risk. Both vehicles experience challenges in the electrical system and power train, but the Forester's vehicle speed control has a notably higher crash-linked count of 26, suggesting a critical area for safety attention.

Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester common problem areas comparison
ComponentNissan RogueSubaru Forester
VISIBILITY/WIPER0.1Very Low3.1Average
UNKNOWN OR OTHER0.9Very Low1.2Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM0.7Very Low1.2Low
ENGINE0.7Very Low0.4Very Low
SERVICE BRAKES0.8Very Low0.1Very Low
POWER TRAIN0.5Very Low0.4Very Low
AIR BAGS0.2Very Low0.5Very Low
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE0.5Very Low0.1Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
STEERING0.2Very Low0.2Very Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING0.3Very Low—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM0.2Very Low—None
VISIBILITY—None0.2Very Low
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)—None—None
STRUCTURE—None—None
SUSPENSION—None—None
FUEL SYSTEM—None—None
EXTERIOR LIGHTING—None—None
LANE DEPARTURE—None—None

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

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Nissan Rogue or Subaru Forester?

Independent repair cost data indicates that the Nissan Rogue is more economical to maintain, with an annual repair cost of $467 compared to the Subaru Forester's $632. Over five years, this translates to a savings of $825 for Rogue owners. The Rogue also has a lower repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year, compared to the Forester's 0.4 visits, suggesting fewer disruptions for maintenance. Additionally, the Rogue has a slightly lower major repair risk at 12% versus the Forester’s 13%. For cost-conscious buyers, the Nissan Rogue offers better value and reliability in terms of maintenance and repair expenses.

How Does Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester Reliability Compare by Year?

Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester year-by-year reliability scores
YearNissan RogueSubaru ForesterEdge
202584/1001R / 103C79/1002R / 48CNissan Rogue
202479/1002R / 116C78/1002R / 26CNissan Rogue
202368/1005R / 519C79/1001R / 61CSubaru Forester
202270/1007R / 211C77/1001R / 86CSubaru Forester
202170/10013R / 269C76/1000R / 196CSubaru Forester
202079/1002R / 185C71/1000R / 584CNissan Rogue
201973/1006R / 409C63/1003R / 825CNissan Rogue
201870/1006R / 718C66/1003R / 475CNissan Rogue
2026(predicted)77/100(predicted)79/100(predicted)Subaru Forester

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Nissan Rogue scored 84/100 and the 2025 Subaru Forester scored 79/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Nissan Rogue vs the Subaru Forester?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer repair visits, the Nissan Rogue could be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $467 and a repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, it offers lower maintenance expenses compared to the Subaru Forester. Additionally, the Rogue's reliability score of 80/100 reflects its solid performance and dependability, despite having a higher number of recalls. On the other hand, if you value safety features and have concerns about specific issues like visibility or airbag functionality, you might lean towards the Subaru Forester. Although its reliability score is slightly lower at 77/100, the Forester has fewer total recalls (13) and focuses on addressing critical safety concerns. However, be prepared for a higher estimated annual repair cost of $632 and a slightly higher repair frequency of 0.4 times per year.

Nissan Rogue vs Subaru Forester: Common Questions

Is the Nissan Rogue more reliable than the Subaru Forester?
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 Nissan Rogue or the Subaru Forester?
The Nissan Rogue has more recalls (43) compared to the Subaru Forester (13). 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 Subaru Forester?
Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Rogue has a lower complaint rate at 6.2 per 10,000 sold versus 8.7 for the Subaru Forester. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Rogue or the Subaru Forester?
Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Rogue is cheaper to maintain at $467/year versus $632/year for the Subaru Forester.
Is the Nissan Rogue or Subaru Forester safer?
Both the Nissan Rogue and Subaru Forester 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

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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