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Nissan VC-Turbo engine failures: which Rogue and Altima owners are affected?
Two of these three recalls point at the same part: the bearings inside Nissan's variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engine. The 2025 action covers 1.5L three-cylinder and 2.0L four-cylinder VC-Turbo engines in 2021-2024 Rogue, 2019-2020 Altima, 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 and 2022 QX55, where manufacturing defects in the bearings can cause engine failure and an under-hood fire. The 2026 action repeats the theme on 2023-2025 Rogue 1.5L engines, where heat breaks down the oil until the bearings seize. The Rogue is the model hit most often, and it turns up a third time in the 2017-2019 Rogue Hybrid recall, where the ECM bracket rubs the engine harness, blows a fuse and stalls the engine.
Warning signs to watch for
- Knocking or other abnormal noise from the engine
- The oil warning light comes on
- A burning smell from under the hood
- The engine loses power or stalls while you are driving
- Sudden engine failure with no restart
Is it safe to keep driving?
None of these three notices tells owners to stop driving or to park outside, so driving until the repair is acceptable. But none is minor either. The VC-Turbo bearing recalls describe an engine that can quit in traffic and bearing damage that can lead to an engine fire, so book the appointment right away. Nissan's guidance on the 2025 bearing recall is to stop driving if you hear knocking, see the oil light, or smell burning. The Rogue Hybrid harness recall allows normal driving but should not wait.
What the free repair involves
For both VC-Turbo recalls the core repair is reprogramming the engine control module software. On 2023-2025 Rogues the dealer also checks for diagnostic trouble codes and test drives the vehicle, and may inspect the oil pan for metal debris and replace parts. Rogue Hybrids get a protective cover installed over the engine harness. All of this is free, and none of it is done over the air.
Severity at a glance
| Severity | Recalls |
|---|---|
| critical | 2 |
| high | 1 |
Models affected most
Every recall in this group
| Date | Recall | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-12 | Nissan Rogue VC-Turbo Engine May Seize and Fail | critical |
| 2025-06-27 | Nissan and Infiniti turbo engines may fail or burn | critical |
| 2021-10-26 | Nissan Rogue Hybrid wiring damage can stall engine | high |
Common questions
Is my Rogue covered by more than one of these recalls?
It can be. The Rogue appears in all three: 2021-2024 for the VC-Turbo bearing defect, 2023-2025 for oil breakdown that seizes the bearings, and 2017-2019 Rogue Hybrid for the chafed engine harness. Check your VIN against each.
Can a software update really fix damaged engine bearings?
The reprogramming is the listed remedy, but it is not the whole visit. On 2023-2025 Rogues dealers also read diagnostic trouble codes, test drive the vehicle, and may inspect the oil pan for metal debris and replace parts as needed.
What should I do if the engine starts knocking before my appointment?
Nissan's guidance on the bearing recall is to stop driving if you hear knocking, see the oil warning light, or smell burning. Those are the signs the bearings are already failing, and a failure can lead to an under-hood fire.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.