ENGINE FAILURES INVESTIGATED IN NISSAN ROGUE, NISSAN ALTIMA AND INFINITI QX50 - CALIFORNIA LEMON LAW
For once, Nissan doesn’t have a problem with their CVT Transmissions! Rather, now their in hot water for their engines!
A government inquiry has been launched into the 2021–2023 Nissan Rogue, 2019–2021 Nissan Altima, and 2019–2021 Infiniti QX50 automobiles due to Nissan engine issues.
Field reports and complaints have been filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, claiming that the KR15DDT and KR20DDET engines knocked, lost power, and had metal shavings in the oil pans.
NHTSA says sometimes the metal can appear as chunks instead of metal shavings.
Regarding the engines, the KR15DDT engine powers the Nissan Rogue. The KR20DDET engines seen in the Nissan Altima and Infiniti QX50 are then installed. The Infiniti QX55, which is not the subject of the inquiry, also has that engine.
Nissan claims that the variable compression ratios used in the 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter KR15DDT and 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter KR20DDET engines enable both strong power output and great fuel efficiency.
According to the NHTSA, Nissan has already altered manufacturing processes to address engine seizures, main bearing damage, and L-link damage; yet, the issues are purportedly still present.
Safety regulators will assess the risk to public safety posed by the Nissan engine issues and may decide to extend their investigation to cover more vehicles.
The NHTSA Investigation Documents can be found here.
And here is the NHTSA Investigation Statement:
December 13, 2023 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE23023OPEN INVESTIGATION
Complete loss of motive power due to engine failure
NHTSA Action Number: PE23023
Components ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE
Opened From: December 13, 2023–Present
Summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has identified six (6) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and multiple Field Reports (FR) alleging engine failure, loss of motive power, engine knock or noise and/or metal chunks and shavings found in the oil pan of Nissan North America Inc. (Nissan) vehicles equipped with both the KR15DDT and KR20DDET engines. The only model Nissan has manufactured with a KR15DDT engine is the Rogue. Nissan manufactured 3 models equipped with the KR20DDET engine. These models include the Altima, QX50, and QX55. Both the 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter KR15DDT, and 4-cylinder, 2.0-liter KR20DDET engines are unique in that they use a variable compression ratio that allows for high power output and high fuel efficiency at the same time.
Based on an analysis of the VOQ and FR data, ODI has identified three (3) vehicle models with elevated variable compression engine failure rates. These includes 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue equipped with KR15DDT engine; 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; and 2019-2021 Infinity QX50, both equipped with the KR20DDET engine. During discussions with Nissan, ODI learned that they have attempted to address main bearing and L-link damage/seizures on the KR15DDT and KR20DDET engines by introducing multiple manufacturing processes changes over time.
A Preliminary Evaluation has been opened to assess the scope, frequency, and consequences of these variable compression engines. Additionally, ODI may expand the scope of the subject population during the investigation, if needed.
To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
If you're in California and you’ve taken your 2017 or newer Nissan Rogue, Nissan Altima or Infiniti QX50 to a dealership for issues above, from engine failure, transmission failure, gear crunching, or any warranty condition, we can help get your vehicle bought back from you…. AT NO COST TO YOU! Valero Law, APC is a California consumer protection firm dedicated to protecting the lemon law rights of California consumers and ALL cases are taken on a contingency basis, meaning if there is no recovery, there is absolutely no fee to you. We will fight to have your vehicle repurchased from you from the manufacturer under California Lemon Law.