2021 Nissan Rogue Problems & Defect Complaints

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to assess allegations of tie rod bending, deformation, or related steering linkage damage in certain 2021 Nissan Rogue vehicles. A bent tie rod can affect wheel alignment and steering geometry, and in some circumstances may result in steering pull, abnormal tire wear, reduced steering precision, difficulty maintaining directional control, or loss of vehicle steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. ODI reviewed Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), Early Warning Reporting data, manufacturer field reports, warranty claims, consumer complaints submitted to the manufacturer, and other information provided by Nissan in response to ODI’s information request. ODI also evaluated the reported failure circumstances, vehicle age and mileage, incident severity, and whether the available evidence indicated a defect trend occurring in the absence of external impact or other non-defect causes. Based on the information reviewed, ODI identified a low number of tie rod bending or deformation allegations relative to the subject vehicle population and exposure. The available reports did not indicate a consistent failure pattern, common production period, common mileage, or repeatable failure mode suggestive of a safety-related defect. Many of the reviewed incidents involved circumstances consistent with external loading or impact-related damage, including pothole strikes, curb contact, road debris impacts, prior collision damage, or other abnormal steering/suspension loads. ODI’s analysis did not identify a trend of tie rod bending occurring during normal vehicle operation without evidence of external influence. The complaint and warranty rates were low, and ODI did not identify a pattern of crashes, injuries, or loss-of-control events attributable to a tie rod defect in the subject vehicles. Accordingly, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by new circumstances or additional information. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

On December 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-023 to investigate allegations of engine failures leading to loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue; MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; and MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50 vehicles. At that time, ODI had received 6 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and multiple early warning reports, with consumers reporting engine knocking noises accompanied by a loss of engine power while driving. The investigation identified bearing failures in certain vehicles equipped with the subject 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines. ODI also identified early warning reports describing thermal incidents that occurred immediately after the vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure.  The failures were the result of a manufacturing defect in specific engine bearings (main, A-, C-, and L-link) or other engine components that may cause engine damage and potentially lead to engine failure. Engine failure can result in a loss of motive power event that can increase the risk of a crash.  Engine failure might also result in a fire if internal components detach and impact the engine block creating a hole that allows engine oil to reach hot surfaces. In its April 2024, May 2024, and June 2025 responses to ODI’s information requests, Nissan provided 998 customer reports (including complaints, field reports, and legal claims) and 1,107 warranty claims related to the alleged defect.  When combining ODI and manufacturer report data, there are 1,878 unique VINs that have experienced failures across all subject vehicles.  In one of the early warning reports, ODI identified an incident involving a 2022 Infiniti QX55 that resulted in an engine fire following an alleged engine failure. The 2022 Infiniti QX55 was not included in the scope of this investigation but the vehicle model shares the same 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo engine.  Based on the information included with the early warning report, the fire can be directly related to the alleged defect.   A further review of ODI and manufacturer data, identified 12 allegations of engine compartment fires in subject vehicles; three were confirmed as directly related to the engine failure, and nine reports described an under-hood fire that occurred following a loss of power event. Additionally, ODI identified multiple reports describing an engine block crack or hole surrounded by oil residue following an engine failure. On June 27, 2025, Nissan submitted recall 25V-437 involving 443,899 MY 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue, MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50; and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles. The recall remedy provides the dealer instructions to inspect the engine oil pan for the presence of specific metal debris. For customers with the 3-cylinder 1.5L VC-Turbo engine, if no debris is detected during the inspection, dealers will replace the oil pan gasket, engine oil, and reprogram the vehicle’s Engine Control Module (ECM). For customers with the 4-cylinder 2.0L VC-Turbo engine, if no debris is detected, dealers will replace the engine oil. In the case where specific debris is detected and confirmed by Nissan Powertrain Call Center, dealers will be instructed to replace the engine. In addition, Nissan will extend the vehicle warranty to 10 years and 120,000 miles for the recall subject vehicle population after the dealer performs the inspection. Nissan has implemented multiple corrective actions to address the identified manufacturing defects of certain engine block internal components.  In view of the recall action (25V437) taken by Nissan, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.