NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: 2021 Nissan Rogue Inner Tie Rod Failures in 2021-2023 Nissan Rogue (PE24-020)

PE24-020 at a glance

What is NHTSA investigating in the Nissan Rogue?

From NHTSA’s investigation summary:

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to assess allegations of tie rod bending, deformation, or related steering linkage damage in certain 2021 Nissan Rogue vehicles.

A bent tie rod can affect wheel alignment and steering geometry, and in some circumstances may result in steering pull, abnormal tire wear, reduced steering precision, difficulty maintaining directional control, or loss of vehicle steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

ODI reviewed Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs), Early Warning Reporting data, manufacturer field reports, warranty claims, consumer complaints submitted to the manufacturer, and other information provided by Nissan in response to ODI's information request.

ODI also evaluated the reported failure circumstances, vehicle age and mileage, incident severity, and whether the available evidence indicated a defect trend occurring in the absence of external impact or other non-defect causes.

Based on the information reviewed, ODI identified a low number of tie rod bending or deformation allegations relative to the subject vehicle population and exposure.

The available reports did not indicate a consistent failure pattern, common production period, common mileage, or repeatable failure mode suggestive of a safety-related defect.

Many of the reviewed incidents involved circumstances consistent with external loading or impact-related damage, including pothole strikes, curb contact, road debris impacts, prior collision damage, or other abnormal steering/suspension loads.

ODI's analysis did not identify a trend of tie rod bending occurring during normal vehicle operation without evidence of external influence.

The complaint and warranty rates were low, and ODI did not identify a pattern of crashes, injuries, or loss-of-control events attributable to a tie rod defect in the subject vehicles.

Accordingly, this investigation is closed.

The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.

The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by new circumstances or additional information.

To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing 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?

NHTSA closed this investigation on August 24, 2026 without listing a recall. That can mean NHTSA did not find a safety defect it could prove, or that the manufacturer addressed the issue another way. A closed investigation does not mean owners have no lemon law claim if the problem keeps happening.

Which vehicles are part of this investigation?

What are Nissan Rogue owners reporting to NHTSA?

NHTSA’s public database lists 1,253 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

• 2026 Nissan Rogue Gear Position Indication Recall (26V419)
• 2024-2025 Nissan Rogue Throttlebody and Manifold Recall (26V081)
• 2023-2025 Nissan Rogue Engine Recall (26V080)
• 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)
• 2021 Nissan Rogue Brake Caliper Recall (23V791)
• 2023 Nissan Rogue Seat Belt Fastener Recall (23V374)

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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