Almost Half A Million Nissans Could Have Defective Engines
Nissan just announced a major recall affecting 443,899 vehicles across both Nissan and Infiniti brands due to a risk of catastrophic engine failure.
Key Points
- Nissan and Infiniti models equipped with 1.5- and 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engines are being recalled due to a defect that may lead to catastrophic engine failure.
- Technicians will inspect oil pans for debris, and if contamination is found, owners may receive full engine replacements at no cost.
- The recall comes shortly after Nissan narrowly avoided a separate 2-million-car suspension recall, highlighting the brand’s increased focus on early intervention.
The recall targets Nissan's 1.5- and 2.0-liter variable compression turbocharged engines, which may contain defective bearings capable of causing internal damage. If severe enough, the issue could require full engine replacement. The recall targets the 2021–2024 Nissan Rogue, 2019–2020 Nissan Altima, 2019–2022 Infiniti QX50, and 2022 Infiniti QX55.
The VC-Turbo engines use a cutting-edge but complex design that adjusts compression ratios on the fly for improved efficiency and performance. While innovative, some of these engines may have been assembled with faulty internal bearings that shed material into the oil system—a potentially terminal problem that could cause engine seizure.
Rather than replacing all engines outright, Nissan is beginning with a targeted inspection process. Dealership mechanics will remove the engine oil pan to check for metal shavings or debris. If fragments are found, the engine will either be repaired or replaced entirely. If no contaminants are discovered, the engine will be reassembled, and the vehicle returned to the owner with fresh oil.
For the 1.5-liter variants, the recall also includes installation of a new sump gasket and a reflash of the engine control module (ECM). The 2.0-liter engines, meanwhile, only require an oil change if found to be unaffected.
Owners of affected vehicles can expect to receive formal notification soon. In the meantime, drivers concerned about unusual engine noises or performance issues should contact their local dealer for inspection. For a subset of Nissan and Infiniti drivers, this recall could ultimately mean a brand-new engine—a rare fix in the world of automotive recalls, although, just ask General Motors how well that's going.
Become an AutoGuide insider. Get the latest from the automotive world first by subscribing to our newsletter here.
An experienced automotive storyteller and accomplished photographer known for engaging and insightful content. Michael also brings a wealth of technical knowledge—he was part of the Ford GT program at Multimatic, oversaw a fleet of Audi TCR race cars, ziptied Lamborghini Super Trofeo cars back together, been over the wall during the Rolex 24, and worked in the intense world of IndyCar.
More by Michael Accardi
Comments
Join the conversation
Dont want a car built after 2010 anymore it seems.
They'll give you a new, but still defective engine. They are blowing up because it is a feat of engineering, poorly implemented, but completely impractical in the real world. Too many moving parts and complexity for very little gain.