2021 Ford Escape vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

On the public data alone the Rogue edges it 3–2.

2021 Ford Escape

The 2021 Ford Escape is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid, hybrid and gas compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Escape…

2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 8 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Rogue AWD, is EPA-rated at 33 mp…

	2021 Ford Escape	2021 Nissan Rogue
Segment	Compact SUV	Compact SUV
Powertrains	Plug-in hybrid, Hybrid, Gas	Gas
Best combined mpg	41	33
Safety Signal	35	35
NHTSA recalls	21	10
Critical recalls	11	2
Owner complaints	482	286
NHTSA overall stars	5	4

Green cells mark the better value on that row. Complaint counts scale with sales volume; treat them as a pattern signal, not a verdict. Sources: EPA, NHTSA.

Recalls at a glance

Source: NHTSA

Escape

▲high

Visibility

26S14

604,533 vehicles

ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.RiskWindshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

NHTSA campaign 26V117000reported Mar 3, 2026Ford Motor Company

○minor

Back Over Prevention

26C11

889,950 vehicles

ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, Lincoln Corsair, 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The image on the center display may flip or invert, resulting in an incorrectly displayed rearview image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."RiskAn incorrectly displayed rearview image can reduce the driverâ€™s view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will update the accessory protocol interface module (APIM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C11. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 5, 2026.

NHTSA campaign 26V123000reported Mar 3, 2026Ford Motor Company

▲high

Structure

25SD6

108,762 vehicles

ProblemFord Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2025 Escape vehicles. The liftgate hinge covers may not be properly secured and detach from the vehicle.RiskA detached liftgate hinge cover can create a distraction or a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will inspect and reinstall, or replace any missing liftgate hinge covers as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD6. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 3, 2025.

NHTSA campaign 25V829000reported Dec 1, 2025Ford Motor Company

Rogue

!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

R25A8/A9 R25B1/B2/D1

443,899 vehicles

ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles equipped with 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. The engine bearings may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine failure.RiskEngine failure increases the risk of a crash. A bearing failure may cause a breach in the engine block, allowing hot oil to be discharged, increasing the risk of an engine fire.FixDealers will reprogram the engine control module (ECM) software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261 or Infiniti's customer service at 1-800-662-6200. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R25A8/A9 and R25B1/B2.

NHTSA campaign 25V437000reported Jun 27, 2025Nissan North America, Inc.

▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PC933

2 vehicles

ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Rogue vehicles. The left and/or right rear brake caliper assemblies may be missing an internal bushing, allowing the O-ring seal to move and brake fluid to leak.RiskA loss of brake fluid may reduce braking performance, increasing the risk of crash.FixDealers will replace the left and right rear brake calipers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC933. The two vehicles that were previously inspected under recall 21V-286 and did not receive a brake caliper replacement will need to have the new remedy completed.

NHTSA campaign 23V791000reported Nov 22, 2023Nissan North America, Inc.

○minor

Back Over Prevention

R22B8 R22C1 PC923/25

27,388 vehicles

ProblemNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 Titan, Titan XD, Frontier, and 2021-2022 Rogue vehicles. The in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system may continuously reboot when the vehicle is restarted, which can result in an inoperative rearview display. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."RiskAn inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.FixThe IVI software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 18, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R22B8, R22C1, and PC923/25.

NHTSA campaign 22V772000reported Oct 13, 2022Nissan North America, Inc.