The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Rogue. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and then turning off the vehicle and entering the residence, the contact then attempted to restart the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to restart. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was unable to roll down the windows. The contact was assisted with jumpstarting the vehicle. The…
2021 Nissan Rogue electrical problems
severe 51 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
1fire
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 51 electrical complaints filed for the 2021 Nissan Rogue, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 51 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 19% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2021 Rogue shows a troubling pattern of electrical and safety-critical system failures starting at very low mileage. Owners report sudden power loss while driving, battery drain problems, false emergency braking activation, door locks failing randomly, and camera/display blackouts—with dealerships often unable or unwilling to fix issues under warranty. One vehicle caught fire under the hood with no prior warning.
Owners of 2021 Rogues describe an epidemic of electrical gremlins that dealerships struggle to fix. The most serious complaints involve sudden power loss on highways—multiple owners report the engine shutting down completely while driving, with some vehicles shifting involuntarily into Park in live traffic. One owner's vehicle caught fire under the hood at highway speed, causing a collision and severe burns.
Battery drain is widespread and baffling. Owners jump-start their cars repeatedly, only to have drains recur days or weeks later. Some dealerships claim the battery is fine when independent diagnostics show it's dead; others refuse warranty coverage, charging owners $250–$500 for replacement and diagnostics.
Doors lock and unlock randomly or fail entirely, with some vehicles trapping occupants inside or allowing keys to lock in the car. Backup cameras go black or freeze regularly. Dashboard screens freeze in heavy traffic, and infotainment systems cut out with no warning. Shift mechanisms stick or become delayed, causing vehicles to stall at stop signs—dangerous on busy highways. Automatic emergency braking fires without reason, nearly causing collisions.
Dealerships repeatedly tell owners the problems can't be replicated, refuse to diagnose without the failure happening on the lot, or offer software updates that don't work. Water leaks into the cabin through windshield and door seals, potentially damaging electrical systems. One owner's extended electronics warranty covered only parts, not the water infiltration causing the damage. Nissan has issued service bulletins for some issues but refuses to recall or proactively repair vehicles, leaving owners liable for costs on what appear to be manufacturing defects.
Same Nissan Rogue electrical reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023
Failure modes owners describe
Complete electrical shutdown and power loss while driving
Vehicle loses all power while in motion on highways, with simultaneous failure of steering assist, braking, and propulsion. Multiple narratives report the vehicle becoming immobilized in live traffic, sometimes shifting into PARK involuntarily.
When: Variable mileage; incidents reported at 1,600 mi, 15k mi, 33k mi, 70 mph highway conditions, and on interstate during heavy rain
Symptoms owners cite: Engine malfunction and power reduced warning lights; Loss of engine response to throttle input ("gas pedal had no communication with drive train"); Sudden deceleration without braking input; Hard to turn steering wheel; Automatic emergency braking activating without external cause; Vehicle shifting into PARK on its own; Complete dashboard shutdown
Codes mentioned: ECM (Electronic Control Module) failure/arcing, TCM (Transmission Control Module) corrosion, P0914 (Shift position circuit faulty)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics inconclusive on first visits; ECM replacement after arcing confirmed (narrative #5); TCM cleaning attempted but failure recurred (narrative #4); one owner reports vehicle given back to dealer after third occurrence
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan HQ contacted but no proactive remedy offered; some owners received recall/campaign notifications (NHTSA Campaign 23V093000 noted); NHTSA investigation requested by owners due to repeated failures despite repairs
Battery drain and starting failure
Battery drains suddenly and completely even with all accessories off and vehicle parked. Dealership diagnostics show conflicting results; some identify battery as bad while others claim battery is fine despite confirmed drain.
When: Starting shortly after purchase (8,600 mi, 3k mi), recurring over months; one incident at 2 months ownership with 33k mi; June 2025 complete drain requiring jump
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start or requires multiple push-start attempts (2–3 pushes); Complete battery drain with no known cause; Headlight error displayed after recharge; ABS system error displayed after battery recharge; All warning lights flashing intermittently after battery issues
Codes mentioned: B20C8-14 (IPDM E/R; noted in narrative #21)
Repairs/costs cited: Towing service diagnostic indicated battery at 4% health and marked for replacement (narrative #3); dealership replaced battery in some cases; one owner charged $250 out-of-pocket when dealership refused warranty replacement; USM Configuration for EEM recall completed in one case (narrative #7)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign related to Body Control Module (BCM) mentioned (narrative #6); EEM recall noted (narrative #7); some owners told issue is not a recall but a service bulletin only (narrative #21)
Engine fire under hood while driving
Vehicle caught fire under the hood while traveling on interstate at highway speed. No warning lights or messages preceded the failure. Smoke entered cabin and driver lost consciousness from smoke inhalation; vehicle collided with parked tractor-trailer and exploded.
When: May 1, 2023; vehicle purchased March 12, 2021, only 79 days in owner's possession; no prior warning or notification
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke entering vehicle from under hood; No warning lights or messages before failure; Vehicle caught fire and exploded
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; no repair data available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or warning issued before failure; owner purchased from Hertz Car Sales; no manufacturer response documented in narrative
Automatic emergency braking (AEB) false activation
AEB system activates without any external stimulus or collision hazard, occurring in reverse and drive on busy highways and interstate. Dealership unable to diagnose or fix; suggestion to disable feature offered instead.
When: Multiple occasions; heavy rain conditions noted in narrative #4 (December 2025, January 2026)
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic emergency braking engages with no warning or external cause; Occurs in both reverse and drive; Almost caused collision on interstate and busy highways; Lane Departure warning malfunction (narrative #27 with open circuit in lane camera)
Codes mentioned: AEB malfunction code, Lane Departure warning symbol displayed, Front collision sensor unavailable warning
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealership unable to fix; suggestion to disable AEB feature (narrative #18); lane camera replacement quote ~$2,000 when windshield replaced (narrative #27)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No resolution offered; recalled Sentra update applied to Rogue but did not resolve issue (narrative #18)
Infotainment system freezing and loss of display
Dashboard touchscreen, navigation, and radio freeze or go completely black, with some instances requiring vehicle shutdown to reset. Freezing occurs in heavy traffic and rain; some narratives report system blackout affecting critical displays.
When: Ongoing from early ownership through high mileage (reported at various speeds, heavy traffic, rain conditions, up to 69k mi)
Symptoms owners cite: Navigation/entertainment system freezes or screen goes blank; Radio goes off without warning and stays off; System requires hard restart (turning off vehicle) to recover; Entire dashboard/center console turns off or shuts down; Display not responding to touch or button inputs randomly
Repairs/costs cited: Hard reset by powering vehicle off sometimes works; Nissan update from Sentra recall applied but did not fix (narrative #18); software updates offered at dealer (5+ hours download, 1 hour installation) but some dealer reported it can be done via home WiFi (narrative #8)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Corporate notified; initial response was to require failure occur at dealership before considering fix; case opened at Franklin, TN corporate with dispute resolution (narrative #11); system updates provided via recall campaign (Sentra recall code applied)
Door lock system malfunction—random locking/unlocking and inoperability
Door locks fail to function normally, locking and unlocking randomly or becoming completely inoperable. Owners unable to lock or unlock doors using normal buttons or fob; manual operation required. Multiple door lock actuators failing across vehicles.
When: Recurring throughout ownership; one case at 41k mi; door locks randomly engage/disengage or become stuck
Symptoms owners cite: Doors lock and unlock randomly; Doors fail to lock or unlock via fob or button controls; Manual lock/unlock required; Inability to open doors from inside or outside on rare occasions; Liftgate fails to lock securely; Keys locked in vehicle when vehicle locked unexpectedly
Repairs/costs cited: Three out of four door lock actuators failed in one vehicle; manual operation is workaround
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan has issued several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) acknowledging the issue but refused to take responsibility (narrative #36); TSB 21-069A referenced for corrupted Shifter Assembly causing multiple electrical warnings (narrative #16)
Rearview and auxiliary camera malfunction
Backup camera and other vehicle cameras fail to display or display distorted/black image, with intermittent recovery after restart. Root cause traced to water ingress through rear wiper grommet corroding camera connectors; repair requires full tailgate replacement with no actual repair option.
When: Starting early in ownership (400 mi noted in one case); up to 69k mi; failures intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Rearview camera displays black screen or distorted image; Camera fails intermittently and reboots after vehicle restart; Camera stays on while driving at highway speeds; Front and rear cameras fail intermittently; Loss of rear visibility obstructs safe vehicle operation
Repairs/costs cited: Camera unit replacement attempted but ineffective; A/V control unit replacement also ineffective; root cause identified as water ingress through rear wiper grommet corroding connector (narrative #20); full tailgate replacement required with no actual repair option; extended electronics warranty covers replacement but not the underlying water infiltration defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 21-097B issued for windshield and roof water leaks into vehicle (narrative #26); no proactive fix or recall issued; dealer knowledge of issue confirmed but played down by service departments
Shift/transmission control issues and delayed shifter response
Shifter becomes stuck or delayed in transitioning between gears (PARK, NEUTRAL, REVERSE, DRIVE). Vehicle stalls unexpectedly while in PARK or during low-speed maneuvers. Shifter assembly indicator lights fail. Shift position circuit faults recorded.
When: Low mileage (1,300 mi, 37k mi, 2 months ownership); occurring during basic parking maneuvers
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter delayed when transitioning between gears; Shifter assembly indicator lights out; Vehicle stalls at stop signs and during traffic stops (30 mph or less); Vehicle unable to shift out of PARK or stuck between gears; CVT warnings displayed alongside shifter warnings; Vehicle rolling backward unintentionally because it won't stay in PARK; Multiple electrical warnings (front/rear crash sensors unavailable, CVT warnings)
Codes mentioned: P0914 (Shift position circuit faulty), CVT warnings, Shifter position warnings
Repairs/costs cited: Gear shift replacement required (narrative #1); sensors replaced (narrative #1); one vehicle taken to dealership twice to replace/check sensors (narrative #17); corrupted Shifter Assembly identified as root cause (narrative #16)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan instructed sensor, gear shift, and battery replacement (narrative #1); TSB 21-069A issued for corrupted Shifter Assembly but vehicle out of warranty not covered (narrative #16); repair costs charged to customer despite evidence of manufacturing defect
Uncontrolled acceleration event
Vehicle suddenly accelerates without driver input on throttle. One owner physically forced pedal back to stop acceleration. Full system recalibration performed; event has not recurred but owner reports lingering throttle response concerns.
When: Within 2 months of purchase; while increasing speed to enter high-speed highway
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled acceleration with no driver input; Pedal required physical force to return to normal
Repairs/costs cited: Full system recalibration performed at dealership; issue resolved for this owner but car still exhibits slow or unresponsive acceleration response at times
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership performed "full system recalibration" as remedy; no manufacturer communication documented
Windshield and water intrusion damage to interior
Water leaks through windshield or roof seams into vehicle interior during rain, soaking headliner, running down interior panels, and potentially damaging electrical components. Known issue with Technical Service Bulletin issued; no proactive recalls or fixes performed.
When: During heavy rain; TSB 21-097B issued, affecting 2021–2023 model years
Symptoms owners cite: Water entering interior from upper left driver side corner; Water soaking headliner; Water running down interior side panels; Water entering through rear wiper grommet (affects camera connectors); Water entering through inside door pillars (observed after car wash)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair proactively offered; TSB 21-097B available but no recall issued; customers bear cost of repair; rear wiper grommet water entry requires full tailgate replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 21-097B issued; Nissan aware for several years but took no proactive action per owner reports; repair charged to customer despite known manufacturing defect
IPDM (Intelligent Power Distribution Module) failure
IPDM control module fails, rendering A/C inoperative. Issue is documented in service bulletins but not issued as a recall; manufacturer denies responsibility.
When: After winter/seasonal use
Symptoms owners cite: A/C stops working despite being switched on; No fluid leaks or other known issues detected
Codes mentioned: B20C8-14 (A/C INOPERATIVE, stored in IPDM E/R)
Repairs/costs cited: IPDM replacement required; owner reported cost not documented; issue affects multiple owners online
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan states issue is covered under service bulletin only, not a recall; denies responsibility for repair; owner requests formal investigation due to commonality
Wiper and turn signal cross-activation
Windshield wipers and washers activate unintentionally when turn signal is engaged, and wipers activate when switching headlight mode from Auto to Off. Issues are repeatable and cause unexpected visibility changes while turning.
When: Ongoing; repeatable issue
Symptoms owners cite: Right turn signal activation causes washers and wipers to turn on; Switching headlights from Auto to Off position activates wipers; All three systems (wipers, washers, turn signal) deactivate together when turn signal is turned off; Unexpected visibility issues while turning
Repairs/costs cited: Multifunction switch replacement anticipated; cost unknown; owner plans to contact dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Excessive chime speaker volume
Chime speaker (instrument panel speaker) produces unexpectedly loud alarm/chime sounds at startup and during driving. Issue is intermittent, appearing for days then resolving, then recurring. Pattern correlates with cold weather.
When: Intermittent; first month or two of ownership, then recurred after 1 year; occurs in cold weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Seat belt chime and dash chimes louder than normal; Chime volume increases progressively from normal to very loud during single event
Repairs/costs cited: Specific part identified: inst panel speaker 24832-6ra0a; no repair action documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Vehicle stalling and unresponsive start after parking
Vehicle refuses to start or respond to ignition inputs after being parked for short periods. Related electrical/display malfunctions occur. One case involved fuel pump on backorder as potential cause.
When: Early in ownership (less than 3k mi); after refueling or leaving vehicle parked for hours
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not move after refueling; Electrical display malfunctioning (requesting brake pedal input while engine running); Bluetooth connected via phone call but car won't respond to start button; Assistance button unresponsive; Vehicle will not start despite key fob or app remote start attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump on backorder; dealership investigating electrical issues; vehicle towed at less than 3k mi
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented in narrative
Intermittent warning light illumination without reproducible fault
Dashboard warning lights illuminate sporadically (daily in some cases) with no consistent pattern and multiple different warning messages. Dealership unable to reproduce failures or identify root cause. Owners report safety concerns given the randomness.
When: Variable throughout ownership; daily occurrences noted; from 8k mi through higher mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple warning lights come on simultaneously without clear cause; All warning lights illuminated at once (dashboard lit up with all red warnings); Different warning message displayed each time; System malfunction and not available warnings; Lane Departure warning symbol with AEB malfunction; Lights appear regardless of weather or driving conditions
Codes mentioned: Multiple simultaneous codes reported but dealership unable to diagnose root cause
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to replicate failures; software updates offered in some cases; computer reset attempted with no permanent resolution; owners report lights return after dealer 'clears' them
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No systematic response; some owners offered software updates; manufacturer unable to diagnose when failures don't occur at dealership
Collision warning false activation causing sudden vehicle shutdown
Vehicle suddenly engages collision warning, displays warning message, and shuts off completely while in motion. Vehicle restarts after ~10 seconds and resumes normal operation. Occurs without external collision or hazard. Extremely dangerous if other traffic unable to react.
When: Occurring repeatedly; one case at low highway speed with child passenger
Symptoms owners cite: Collision warning displayed without cause; Vehicle instructed to pull over and shut off; Complete power loss and restart cycle; No check engine light present
Repairs/costs cited: No repair action documented; owner researched and found multiple online reports of identical issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; owner reports no recall issued despite known issue
Blind spot and distance sensor malfunctions
Blind spot warning system malfunction; front distance sensor requiring replacement early in ownership; sensors disabled or unavailable warnings displayed.
When: Early in ownership (around 3k mi for one case); recurring throughout warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spot warning malfunctioning; Distance sensor failure; Front crash sensor unavailable warning; Rear crash sensor unavailable warning
Repairs/costs cited: Distance sensor replaced under warranty; blind spot issues unresolved; seatbelt retractors also replaced but still do not retract; owner suspects recall work not actually performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No action on blind spot issue despite warranty coverage; owner suspects dealership fraud regarding recall work completion
Hatchback/trunk latch and seal failures
Rear hatchback/trunk leaks water during rain and fails to stay open when manually opened. Latch mechanism appears faulty, allowing door to auto-close unless button is held. Interior water damage results.
When: Multiple complaints; water sealing issues linked to TSB 21-097B (2021–2023 Rogues)
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking into rear cargo area during rain; Hatchback automatically closes unless button held down; Hatchback won't stay open when manually raised; Rear wiper grommet leaking water into vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: No repair action documented; TSB 21-097B addresses similar water intrusion but not hatchback latch mechanism
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB 21-097B issued but no proactive fix; customer must pay for repair if out of warranty
Seatbelt retractor malfunction
Seatbelt retractors fail to retract properly after extension, leaving seatbelts extended. Replacement attempted but problem persists. Safety concern for occupant restraint.
When: Present from early ownership through warranty period
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelts do not retract after being extended
Repairs/costs cited: Seatbelt retractors replaced under warranty but continued to malfunction; owner suspects work not actually performed by dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; owner believes dealership committed fraud by claiming work was done
HVAC system temperature inconsistency
A/C system blows two different temperatures simultaneously despite being set to sync on same temperature setting. Inadequate climate control for vehicle occupants.
When: From early ownership (3k mi noted)
Symptoms owners cite: HVAC blows different temperatures on left vs. right despite synced setting
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; issue ongoing
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
AWD system malfunction
All-Wheel Drive system failure warning displayed after vehicle failed to start, with accompanying electrical issues and transmission hesitation/slipping symptoms.
When: After vehicle sat for couple hours; approximately 15k mi
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; AWD system failure message on dashboard; Back door locks inoperable (require manual operation); Transmission hesitation or slipping feeling during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: No repair action documented; vehicle still in early ownership with shifting concerns
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Vehicle stalling and electrical malfunction during basic operation
Vehicle stalls unexpectedly at stop signs or low-speed traffic maneuvers. Dashboard displays multiple errors (headlight system failure, oil life, engine warning). Vehicle refuses to turn off when shutdown is requested; engine restarts repeatedly.
When: At 2 months ownership, 37k mi; occurring during low-speed driving (30 mph or less)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls at stop signs and during traffic stops; Dashboard displays headlight system error/failure; Oil life and engine light come on; Vehicle refuses to shut off (restarts when power button pressed); Cannot shift into Drive; Stuck in Neutral or Park only
Repairs/costs cited: Jump starting attempted with no improvement to starting issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented
Infotainment system forward collision avoidance system disengagement
Forward collision avoidance system disengages independently during rainy weather driving without warning. Disengagement occurs repeatedly and unpredictably. System safety compromised during adverse conditions.
When: Multiple occasions; specifically noted in heavy rain
Symptoms owners cite: Forward collision avoidance system disengages without driver action; No warning light illuminated; Occurs during rainy weather conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired; diagnosis information unavailable
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; case opened but no resolution documented
Synthesized from 51 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had electrical trouble with your 2021 Nissan Rogue?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2021 Nissan Rogue?
It's a meaningful issue. 51 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 51 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 25,441 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Nissan/Rogue.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.