Latest news with #VCTurbo
Car and Driver
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Nissan Recalls 444K Models for Potential VC-Turbo Engine Failure
Nissan is recalling 443,899 models for VC-Turbo engines that could possibly fail. The Nissan Altima, Rogue, and the Infiniti QX50/QX55 are models that have or had the complex variable-compression engine with bearings that could fail. Dealers will inspect the engines, and in cases where it's necessary, they will replace the engine for free. Nissan's novel variable-compression-ratio engine is at the center of a massive recall that involves nearly 444K models. The Nissan Rogue is the brand's most popular model in the United States, and as a result, it accounts for the majority of the recall population (348,554 total units). The Nissan Altima, as well as the Infiniti QX50 and QX55, are also among the models that are being recalled. According to a recall report that Nissan submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on June 26, 2025, the issue involves bearing failures. The report specifically identifies the engines' main bearing and the A-, C-, and L-links, which may be defective and could cause engine damage or failure. As a result, Nissan is recalling 2021–2024 Rogues and 2019–2020 Altimas (5685 total units); 84,536 Infiniti QX50s (2019–2022) and 5124 QX55s (2022) are also part of the recall. Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Marc Urbano | Car and Driver Nissan's VC-Turbo engine is the only one in production that can vary its compression ratio. It's designed to optimize either torque or fuel economy on the fly, and it took Nissan two decades and 300 patents to bring it to life. A turbocharged 2.0-liter version of the VC-Tfirst appeared on the 2019 Infiniti QX50 and then migrated to the Nissan Altima. The Rogue adopted a variable-compression 1.5-liter turbo three for the 2021 model year, and it remains the compact SUV's only engine. Nissan states that the bearing failures occur gradually rather than instantly, so drivers will likely have clues that their engine is on the fritz. Along with vehicle warning lights and messages, Nissan says drivers may hear an unusual engine noise or feel the engine running rough. Ideally, people who own vehicles involved in the recall will bring them into their dealer to address the issue before sustaining any damage or failure. Dealers will inspect oil pans for specific metal debris. If nothing is found in the three-pot VC-T, a technician will replace the oil pan gasket, engine oil, and reprogram the vehicle's ECU. Only the engine oil will need to be changed if no debris exists in the turbo four's oil pan. If there is debris where it's not supposed to be, Nissan says that it will replace either engine free of charge. A reimbursement plan will be available for owners whose warranty has expired. Dealers will be notified by July 15; owners will begin to be notified on Aug. 25, 2025. Eric Stafford Managing Editor, News Eric Stafford's automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si. Read full bio
Motor 1
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Nissan Just Issued a Major Recall for Its Funky Variable-Compression Engine
Nissan's variable-compression engine once held so much promise. The so-called VC-Turbo uses a complicated mechanism to allow operation at a low compression ratio for performance, and a high compression ratio for better fuel economy. But, reliability has been a concern, prompting a NHTSA investigation , and now, a massive recall. CarBuzz brought our attention to the recall , which covers 443,899 Nissan and Infiniti models listed below: 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50 2022 Infiniti QX55 2021-2024 Nissan Rouge 2019-2020 Nissan Altima The two Infiniti models and certain trims of the Altima use Nissan's 2.0-liter four-cylinder VC-Turbo engine, while the Rouge uses the 1.5-liter three-cylinder variant. As we've reported before , the problem stems from bearing failures due to a manufacturing defect in the "multi-link mechanism" that varies the compression ratio. Nissan has introduced manufacturing updates over the life of the engine, which seems to have helped, if not solved the problem entirely, hence why newer Infiniti models and Altimas, plus the new Murano, aren't covered in the recall. But, it's still a huge amount of engines. More on the VC-Turbo Nissan's Variable-Compression Engine Is a Disappointment 2023 Nissan Altima SR Review: Variable Compression, Variable Results Per the NHTSA filing , the recall procedure is straightforward, but it could prove painful for a struggling Nissan. Dealers will inspect the oil pans of affected cars for metal shavings. If no metal debris is present, they'll replace the engine oil in the four-cylinder cars, and the oil and pan in three-cylinder cars. Three-cylinder models will also get a software update. But if there is metal present in either VC-Turbo engine, dealers will replace the engine entirely if deemed necessary. Nissan said in a previous NHTSA filing that the incidence rate of bearing failures in VC-Turbo engines is extremely low, well under 1%. But if there is a problem, it could lead to catastrophic engine failure. Nissan could end up replacing thousands of engines. A potentially expensive endeavor for a company that's aiming for $3.4 billion in cost cuts over the next two years . The irony is that the VC-Turbo engine never quite delivered on its promise of huge performance and fuel economy improvements. Nissan spent decades working on this engine, finally doing what many others never managed to pull off, but variable compression didn't become a must-have piece of tech. Now, it's behind the curve on hybrids and EVs, playing catch-up in a changing world with a variable-compression albatross hanging off its neck. Nissan will send the recall notice to customers on August 25, 2025. Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: NHTSA via Carbuzz Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
