Time has not been kind to Nissan’s VC-Turbo engine. This 1,5 litre 3-cylinder, which was supposed to be revolutionary in every way, keeps making headlines, and not for the right reasons. This time, it’s two simultaneous recalls that have put it in the spotlight, affecting nearly 650,000 Rogue SUVs from model years 2023 to 2025.
The Nissan Rogue’s VC-Turbo engine has already been recalled.
Each recall affects more than 40,000 models in Canada.
The VC-Turbo engine debuted in 2018 with the Infiniti QX50.
In both cases, the turbocharged 3-cylinder variable-compression engine is the one concerned. This engine, it should be noted, is a downsized version of the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder variable-compression unit the company launched with the Infiniti QX50 in the late 2010s.
The American NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), the equivalent of Transport Canada, is reporting that 642,698 Nissan Rogues have been called in for service. In Canada, the first recall targets 47,559 models, while the second affects 42,722 units.
And what is the problem? For the first recall, Transport Canada describes the situation as follows: “On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the electronic throttle chamber (ETC) to fail. If this happens, there could be a loss of power to the wheels.” Obviously, a sudden loss of power can pose a safety risk. In this first recall, the affected models are those from the 2024 and 2025 model years.
Nissan Recalls Nearly 444,000 Vehicles Over Risk of VC-Turbo Engine Failure
For the second campaign, Transport Canada explains that “On certain vehicles, the engine may not have been manufactured properly. As a result, the engine could make abnormal noises, and a warning light may turn on. If you continue to drive the vehicle with these symptoms, the engine could fail.”
The conclusion is the same regarding the risks: a loss of drive power represents a safety hazard. A fire risk is also present. Models from 2023 to 2025 are affected.
In this case, “Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to update the engine control module. The dealer will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine”, explains Transport Canada.
For the first recall, the dealer will need to “update the engine control module. The dealer will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the ETC.”
None of this bodes well for the Nissan Rogue, which was once considered a reliable and recommendable product back when its naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine powered it.
