Navigating the Turbid Waters of Engine Innovation and Legal Action
The Troubled Genesis of Nissan's VC-Turbo Engine
Nissan's VC-Turbo variable-compression engine, a marvel of modern engineering, has regrettably become a source of considerable concern and legal contention. This innovative powerplant, designed to dynamically alter compression ratios for optimized performance and efficiency, has exhibited critical flaws, specifically bearing failures. These malfunctions can lead to severe and sudden engine damage, prompting a significant recall and, more recently, a prominent class-action lawsuit against the automaker.
Allegations of Foreknowledge and Warranty Denials Fueling Legal Battles
The recently initiated lawsuit, filed in Delaware by several VC-Turbo vehicle owners and lessees, asserts that Nissan possessed prior knowledge of these engine defects as far back as 2019. The plaintiffs contend that despite this awareness, the company continued to market and sell these potentially flawed vehicles. Furthermore, the legal filing accuses Nissan and its luxury arm, Infiniti, of unjustly refusing warranty claims for affected VC-Turbo engines, exacerbating the frustration and financial burden on consumers.
Vehicles Under Scrutiny and the Mechanics of Failure
The class-action suit specifically targets a range of Nissan and Infiniti models equipped with the KR15DDT and KR20DDET engines, including the 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue, 2019-2023 Nissan Altima, and 2019-2023 Infiniti QX50 vehicles. The core of the problem lies within the VC-Turbo's "multi-link" mechanism, which uses dual connecting rods per piston. Bearings within this intricate system, both for the adjustment mechanism and the crankshaft, are proving susceptible to premature failure, often resulting in engine collapse without prior warning.
Regulatory Investigations and Nissan's Response to Engine Defects
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) commenced an inquiry into reported VC-Turbo engine malfunctions in December 2023, preceding Nissan's broad recall in June 2025. This recall encompasses nearly 450,000 vehicles, including the 2019-2022 Infiniti QX50, 2022 Infiniti QX55, 2021-2024 Nissan Rogue, and 2019-2020 Nissan Altima. Despite Nissan's assertion to NHTSA that only a limited number of vehicles are potentially impacted and that subsequent engine improvements have been made, the class-action lawsuit extends its scope to all VC-Turbo engine variants, regardless of recall status, focusing on issues indicated by the presence of metal shavings in the oil.