By Emly Austen 
The 2025 Nissan class action lawsuit targets Nissan VC-Turbo Engine Defect Lawsuit 2025 causing bearing failures and stalling in Rogue, Altima, and Infiniti QX50 models. Get the latest on symptoms, recall details, how to join, and your rights—updated December 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Safety First: VC-Turbo engines can fail suddenly, leading to stalling or power loss—check your VIN today.
- Ongoing Lawsuit: Filed in July 2025, it accuses Nissan of hiding defects; still no settlement as of December.
- Recall Action: Over 443,000 vehicles affected; free inspections and possible engine replacements available.
- Big Costs: Owners face $8,000+ repairs and lower resale values if not covered.
- Better Options: Many switch to rivals like Toyota for more reliable engines.
Picture this: You’re merging onto a busy highway, kids in the back, and out of nowhere your Nissan starts knocking and loses power. Scary, right? That’s exactly what some owners have dealt with because of issues in the VC-Turbo engines. This clever tech was supposed to give better fuel efficiency by changing compression on the fly. But problems with bearings wearing out too fast have led to a big class action lawsuit filed in July 2025. It’s aimed at Nissan for not telling buyers about these risks sooner. Tied to a June recall covering hundreds of thousands of cars, this affects popular models like the Rogue and Altima. If you’ve noticed odd noises or hesitation in your ride, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down simply—what’s wrong, which cars, and what you can do about it.
What’s Wrong with the Nissan VC-Turbo Engine Defect Lawsuit 2025?
Nissan’s VC-Turbo engines sounded great on paper—they adjust how the pistons work to save gas or boost power. But in reality, flaws in the main bearings and connecting parts cause them to wear out quickly. Oil gets contaminated, and suddenly the engine can hesitate or shut down. Some failures happen at super low miles, like under 10,000. It’s tied to manufacturing issues that Nissan says affect only a small percentage, but complaints tell a different story—with nearly 1,000 reports to NHTSA.
Ever heard a weird knocking while driving? That’s a common first sign. Symptoms to watch for include:
- Unusual knocking or whirring sounds from the engine.
- Hesitation when you press the gas pedal.
- Rough shaking at idle, like the car is unhappy.
- Sudden drop in power or full stalling, especially on the road. Error codes like P2563 or P2565 often pop up too. These aren’t minor annoyances—they raise real safety worries, like getting stuck in traffic.
Which Nissan Models Are Affected?
The defect hits specific years with VC-Turbo engines. Main ones include:
- 2021-2024 Nissan Rogue.
- 2019-2023 Nissan Altima (though recall focuses on earlier).
- 2019-2023 Infiniti QX50 and QX55. The recall covers about 443,899 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Quick tip: Grab your VIN from the driver’s door or windshield and check on safercar.gov. It takes seconds and tells you if your car qualifies for free fixes.
If you’re driving one of these, start paying extra attention to how it runs. Many owners first notice problems during everyday commutes.
Signs Your Engine Might Have the Defect
It often starts subtle—a strange noise here, a hesitation there. Then it gets worse: rough idling that vibrates the whole car. Power can vanish without warning, leaving you coasting. Some see dashboard lights with those turbo-related codes. In bad cases, the engine seizes up completely.
Imagine pulling out into traffic and nothing happens when you hit the gas. That’s the fear for many. Document everything if this sounds familiar—photos, videos, notes on when it happens. This helps if you need repairs or join claims later.
Nissan’s Recall: What They’re Doing
Nissan VC-Turbo Engine Defect Lawsuit 2025 launched Recall 25V437 in June 2025 after NHTSA looked into complaints. Dealers check the oil pan for metal bits from worn bearings. If they find debris, you get a brand-new engine for free. No debris? They change the oil, replace a gasket, and update the software.
It’s a start, but some owners say waits for parts drag on, and fixes don’t always hold. Rental cars during repairs help, but push for one if needed. Compared to how other brands handle recalls, this one feels a bit patchwork to frustrated folks.
Inside the Class Action Lawsuit
The lawsuit kicked off July 8, 2025, in Delaware federal court. Owners say Nissan knew about bearing problems since 2019 but kept quiet. They claim warranty denials left people paying thousands. One plaintiff had failure at just 157 miles and still got stuck with a big bill.
As of December 2025, it’s ongoing—no class certification or settlement yet. It could cover broader models than the recall. Past Nissan cases, like CVT ones, ended with payouts, so eyes are on this.
How to Join the Lawsuit or Get Help
Want in? Track sites like ClassAction.org for updates on opting in. Collect your evidence: repair bills, code readouts, mileage logs. Many lawyers offer free chats to see if you qualify.
Or try lemon law individually—it’s often faster for buybacks in states with strong rules. Weigh it: Class actions help many but take time; personal claims can resolve quicker.
Your Rights as an Owner
Warranties should cover defect fixes, but denials happen. The lawsuit pushes for refunds, better repairs, or compensation for lost value. Resale drops 10-20% on affected cars, per data.
If repairs pile up—say three or more for the same issue—lemon law might get you a new car or money back. Don’t pay out of pocket without fighting; reimbursement is possible.
Current Trends and Owner Stories
Complaints spiked after the recall, with reliability ratings lagging behind Toyota by a good margin. Nissan even phased out Nissan VC-Turbo Engine Defect Lawsuit 2025 in some models like the Altima. Owners feel let down by complex tech that promised more than it delivered.
Many are trading in for simpler, proven engines from competitors. Trust takes a hit when safety’s involved.
Why Competitors Might Be Better
Look at Toyota’s engines: lower failure rates, cheaper fixes. Honda turbos hold up stronger too. Nissan’s 1.2% defect estimate still means thousands impacted, with high costs.
If trading, factor in that value loss. Hybrids from others give efficiency without the drama.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nissan VC-Turbo Engine Defect Lawsuit 2025 (FAQs)
What models have the Nissan engine defect?
Mainly 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2023 Altima, and 2019-2023 Infiniti QX50/QX55 with VC-Turbo. The recall hits specific years, but lawsuit claims broader. Check your VIN on NHTSA site for Recall 25V437. Over 443,000 vehicles involved. Issues like bearing wear cause failures early. Free dealer checks available now. Many owners report problems despite low miles.
What causes VC-Turbo engine failures?
Manufacturing flaws in bearings and links lead to quick wear and seizures. Oil dilutes, parts grind, causing knocks and power loss. Known since 2019, per lawsuit. Heat from turbo worsens it. NHTSA has 998 complaints, many with P2563/P2565 codes. Design for efficiency overlooked strength. Stop driving if signs appear to avoid fires or breakdowns.
How can I tell if my Nissan has the defect?
Listen for knocking, feel hesitation, or notice rough idle/stalling. Codes P2563/P2565 are clues. Happens low-mile often. Get free recall inspection—oil pan check for debris means new engine. Clean? Oil change and update. Log symptoms for proof. Risks include sudden highway stops. Thousands faced this already.
How do I join the Nissan VC-Turbo Engine Defect Lawsuit 2025?
filed July 2025, ongoing in Delaware. Watch ClassAction.org for notices—opt-ins likely 2026+. Gather receipts and records. Free lawyer consults common. Lemon law alternative for quicker personal help. Alleges hidden defects and warranty issues. Past cases paid thousands. No settlement yet December 2025.
What kind of compensation can I get?
Lawsuit seeks refunds, repairs, buybacks if wins. Recall offers free fixes/replacements. Lemon law: full money back possible. Cover rentals, value loss (10-20%). Precedents from other Nissan suits: $1,000-$5,000+. Document everything. Push for loaners during waits. Outcomes vary by case strength.
Does the recall really fix the problem?
It catches some with debris for full swaps, but reports of returns exist. Software helps monitor, not root cause. Delays common, up to weeks. Some call it temporary. Vs. competitors, less thorough. Track after fix—if issues back, pursue more. Complaints rose post-recall. Long-term reliability questioned.