NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Complete Loss of Motive Power Due to Engine Failure in Infiniti QX50 (PE23-023)

PE23-023 at a glance

What is NHTSA investigating in the Infiniti QX50?

From NHTSA’s investigation summary:

On December 13, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-023 to investigate allegations of engine failures leading to loss of motive power in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue; MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; and MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50 vehicles.

At that time, ODI had received 6 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) and multiple early warning reports, with consumers reporting engine knocking noises accompanied by a loss of engine power while driving.

The investigation identified bearing failures in certain vehicles equipped with the subject 3-cylinder 1.5L or 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo (VC-Turbo) engines.

ODI also identified early warning reports describing thermal incidents that occurred immediately after the vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure.

The failures were the result of a manufacturing defect in specific engine bearings (main, A-, C-, and L-link) or other engine components that may cause engine damage and potentially lead to engine failure.

Engine failure can result in a loss of motive power event that can increase the risk of a crash.

Engine failure might also result in a fire if internal components detach and impact the engine block creating a hole that allows engine oil to reach hot surfaces.

In its April 2024, May 2024, and June 2025 responses to ODI's information requests, Nissan provided 998 customer reports (including complaints, field reports, and legal claims) and 1,107 warranty claims related to the alleged defect.

When combining ODI and manufacturer report data, there are 1,878 unique VINs that have experienced failures across all subject vehicles.

In one of the early warning reports, ODI identified an incident involving a 2022 Infiniti QX55 that resulted in an engine fire following an alleged engine failure.

The 2022 Infiniti QX55 was not included in the scope of this investigation but the vehicle model shares the same 4-cylinder 2.0L variable compression turbo engine.

Based on the information included with the early warning report, the fire can be directly related to the alleged defect.

A further review of ODI and manufacturer data, identified 12 allegations of engine compartment fires in subject vehicles; three were confirmed as directly related to the engine failure, and nine reports described an under-hood fire that occurred following a loss of power event.

Additionally, ODI identified multiple reports describing an engine block crack or hole surrounded by oil residue following an engine failure.

On June 27, 2025, Nissan submitted recall 25V-437 involving 443,899 MY 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue, MY 2019-2021 Nissan Altima; MY 2019-2021 Infiniti QX50; and 2022 Infiniti QX55 vehicles.

The recall remedy provides the dealer instructions to inspect the engine oil pan for the presence of specific metal debris.

For customers with the 3-cylinder 1.5L VC-Turbo engine, if no debris is detected during the inspection, dealers will replace the oil pan gasket, engine oil, and reprogram the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).

For customers with the 4-cylinder 2.0L VC-Turbo engine, if no debris is detected, dealers will replace the engine oil.

In the case where specific debris is detected and confirmed by Nissan Powertrain Call Center, dealers will be instructed to replace the engine.

In addition, Nissan will extend the vehicle warranty to 10 years and 120,000 miles for the recall subject vehicle population after the dealer performs the inspection.

Nissan has implemented multiple corrective actions to address the identified manufacturing defects of certain engine block internal components.

In view of the recall action (25V437) taken by Nissan, ODI is closing this Preliminary Evaluation.

The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

What is a preliminary evaluation?

Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.

Did this investigation lead to a recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists recall 25V437000 as the result of this investigation: 2021-2024 Nissan Rogue Engine Recall (25V437).

Which vehicles are part of this investigation?

What are Infiniti QX50 owners reporting to NHTSA?

NHTSA’s public database lists 1,628 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

What should owners do?

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
2. If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
3. Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
4. File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
5. If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.

Recalls on the same vehicles

• 2025 Nissan Altima Air Bag Fastener Recall (26V526)
• 2026 Nissan Rogue Gear Position Indication Recall (26V419)
• 2024-2025 Nissan Rogue Throttlebody and Manifold Recall (26V081)
• 2023-2025 Nissan Rogue Engine Recall (26V080)
• 2025 Nissan Altima Door Latch Recall (26V023)
• 2026 Nissan Rogue Spare Tire Recall (25V912)
• 2021-2024 Nissan Rogue Engine Recall (25V437)
• 2024-2025 Nissan Rogue Infotainment Software Recall (24V748)
• 2023 Nissan Rogue Seat Belt Pretensioner Recall (24V156)
• 2024 Nissan Titan Inflator Module Recall (24V154)

Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?

Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.

Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).

An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

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