What was marketed as advanced engine technology has become a costly problem for some Nissan owners, according to a new class action lawsuit filed in federal court.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Delaware by several vehicle owners who say certain Nissan and Infiniti models contain a hidden engine defect that can cause sudden power loss or complete engine failure while driving. According to the complaint, the issue creates serious safety risks and has left many owners facing thousands of dollars in repair costs.
The case targets vehicles equipped with Nissan’s variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines, specifically the KR15DDT and KR20DDET engine types. The affected models include certain Nissan Rogue and Altima vehicles, along with Infiniti QX50 models sold in the United States over several model years.
According to the lawsuit, the problem is tied to Nissan’s variable compression system, which controls how the engine’s pistons move. The plaintiffs say the system, though promoted as an advancement, is vulnerable to internal failures that can cause the engines to malfunction.
The defect may stem from failing bearings, lower-link malfunctions, software problems, and materials that cannot withstand the heat and pressure generated by the system. When these components fail, drivers experience knocking or high-pitched whirring noises, hesitation during acceleration, rough idling, excessive oil consumption, or sudden loss of power.
Several plaintiffs describe losing engine power without warning, sometimes while driving at speed. In some cases, vehicles reportedly stalled completely and would not restart, even after multiple repair attempts or full engine replacements.
Key Takeaways
- The lawsuit alleges Nissan sold vehicles with defective VC-Turbo engines that can fail without warning
- Affected models include certain Nissan Rogue, Altima, and Infiniti QX50 vehicles
- Plaintiffs claim the defect can cause sudden power loss, stalling, or complete engine failure
- The suit alleges Nissan knew about the problem but failed to disclose it to consumers
- Owners say recall repairs and reimbursements are inadequate and do not fix the underlying issue
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Lawsuit Claims Nissan Knew of the Defect but Failed to Act
The complaint claims Nissan knew about the VC-Turbo engine issues as early as 2019 but did not alert consumers. Instead, plaintiffs say the company continued selling the vehicles and downplayed the problem, without issuing a recall or offering free repairs for years.
The complaint also challenges Nissan’s recall efforts, arguing that the remedies offered are inadequate. According to the lawsuit, many affected owners were offered little more than oil changes or software updates, while others received replacement parts that allegedly suffer from the same defect. The filing further claims that reimbursement programs have been limited and fail to cover the full cost of repairs, diagnostics, towing, or alternative transportation.
Some plaintiffs say Nissan denied the existence of any defect until after warranty coverage expired, or required owners to pay out of pocket even while the vehicles were still under warranty.
One plaintiff described purchasing a new Nissan Rogue believing it would be safe and dependable, only to experience sudden power loss within weeks. Another plaintiff reported repeated engine failures in an Infiniti QX50 despite having the engine replaced multiple times.
The lawsuit seeks to represent all U.S. consumers who purchased or leased vehicles equipped with the affected VC-Turbo engines. Plaintiffs are asking for class action certification, monetary damages, reimbursement of costs, and other legal relief.
Nissan has not admitted wrongdoing, and the case remains in its early stages.
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