Most common Nissan warranty defects
Nissan’s recent repeat-repair complaints are dominated by the Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and by the 1.5L three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine in the current Rogue, followed by infotainment software that blanks the rearview camera, truck transmission and chassis recalls, and drive-power faults in the Ariya and LEAF. These are mostly powertrain and safety systems, which is why their repair history carries so much weight in a lemon law claim.
Xtronic CVT judder, hesitation and loss of power
Most of Nissan’s cars and smaller crossovers — Versa, Sentra, Altima, Kicks, Rogue, and the Murano through 2024 — use a CVT; the redesigned 2025 Murano switched to a nine-speed automatic. Nissan’s bulletins describe the complaint as judder (shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps or vibration), hesitation, lack of power or RPM flare, and Nissan added dedicated “CVT judder” trouble codes to help diagnose it. Bulletin NTB17-039, last amended in April 2024, still covers V6 models including the 2015–2023 Murano and 2016–2023 Maxima. On the 2024 and 2025 Sentra, recalls 24V-304 and 26V-410 address a front driveshaft that may not be fully seated in the CVT, which can leak fluid and cause a loss of drive power. Our Rogue CVT guide covers the symptoms in more detail.
ModelsRogueAltimaSentraVersaKicksMuranoMaxima
Rogue 1.5L VC-Turbo engine bearing failures
The three-cylinder 1.5L variable compression turbo engine introduced in the current Rogue is the subject of two large recalls. After an NHTSA investigation (PE23-023) into engine knocking and loss of power, recall 25V-437 covered about 444,000 vehicles, including 2021–2024 Rogues, for engine bearings with manufacturing defects. In 2026, recall 26V-080 added certain 2023–2025 Rogues, where high temperatures can break down engine oil and let the bearings seize. The remedy reprograms the engine computer, and dealers may inspect the oil pan for metal debris and replace the engine if needed. A related recall, 26V-081, covers throttle-body gears that may break on 2024–2025 Rogues. A software-based engine recall does not replace the bearings, so any return of knocking or power loss should be reported immediately.
ModelsRogueAltima
Infotainment reboots and blank rearview cameras
Nissan has issued a series of recalls for infotainment software that takes the rearview camera down with it. Recall 22V-772 covered 2021–2022 Rogue and 2022 Frontier and Titan models whose infotainment system could reboot continuously on restart; recall 22V-527 fixed head units that rebooted when the SiriusXM subscription was set to “Not Subscribed.” More recent campaigns cover a blank camera screen in reverse on 2024–2025 Rogues (24V-748), a blank center display on 2025 Frontier and Kicks models (25V-324), and a startup software error on the 2025 Murano and 2025–2026 Armada (25V-821). Many are fixed over the air, which means the fix may not appear on a dealer repair order. Record each failure and keep the recall notices.
ModelsRogueFrontierTitanKicksMuranoArmadaPathfinder
Frontier and Titan transmission and chassis recalls
Nissan’s trucks have their own pattern. Recall 22V-671, which covered about 197,000 vehicles including 2020–2023 Titan and 2020–2022 Frontier trucks (and the 2023 Z), addresses a transmission parking pawl that may not engage when shifted into park, allowing a rollaway; owners were told to use the parking brake every time until the transmission and engine control software was reprogrammed. Later truck recalls include an oversized front lower ball joint that can corrode and separate on certain 2024 Frontiers, a missing spacer that can leave the air bag control unit unsecured on 2021 and 2024 Titans, and daytime running lights that dim when idle stop-start restarts the engine on 2025 Frontiers. Repeated drivetrain and electrical visits on a work truck can add up quickly in days out of service.
ModelsFrontierTitanTitan XDZ
Ariya and LEAF drive-power and battery recalls
Nissan’s electric vehicles have had propulsion-related recalls. On the 2023 Ariya, recalls 23V-657 and 24V-560 updated inverter software that could misread a fault and shut down the EV system, and recall 24V-391 replaced front traction motors whose damaged O-rings could leak oil internally and cause a sudden loss of drive power. For 2021–2022 LEAF models with a quick-charge port, recall 25V-655 warns that the battery may overheat during Level 3 fast charging and tells owners not to use it until a software update is completed. On a small number of 2026 LEAFs, recall 26V-188 addresses internal battery damage that can short circuit a module, with owners told to park outside and not charge. Charging restrictions and parked-outside warnings affect how usable the car is.
ModelsAriyaLEAF
Signs your Nissan may be a lemon
- A CVT that shudders again after reprogramming. Your Rogue, Altima or Sentra still judders, hesitates or flares in RPM after a transmission control update.
- Knocking from a VC-Turbo Rogue. You hear engine knocking or feel a loss of power after the bearing recall’s software update.
- A camera that keeps going black. Your infotainment screen reboots or shows nothing in reverse even after an over-the-air or dealer update.
- Truck repairs that do not hold. Your Frontier or Titan returns for the same transmission, ball joint or electrical fault.
- EV charging limits that will not lift. Your Ariya or LEAF has lost drive power or been restricted from fast charging for months while waiting on a remedy.
Nissan models we see
Lemon law claims can involve any Nissan still under factory warranty, including:
- Versa
- Sentra
- Altima
- Maxima
- Kicks
- Rogue
- Rogue Sport
- Murano
- Pathfinder
- Armada
- Frontier
- Titan and Titan XD
- LEAF
- Ariya
- Z
- GT-R
What Nissan’s warranty means for a claim
Nissan’s current terms are a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which covers the engine, the CVT or automatic transmission and the drivetrain. Corrosion perforation is covered for 60 months with no mileage limit, and seat belts for 120 months with no mileage limit. Nissan EVs add 8-year/100,000-mile coverage for the battery and EV system, including lithium-ion battery capacity coverage.
For CVT complaints, documentation decides how far a dealer will go. Nissan’s V6 CVT judder bulletin says that if a judder trouble code is not stored, the bulletin does not apply — so a car that shudders but sets no code may simply be reprogrammed or sent home. Ask that each repair order record your description, any codes and the mileage. Nissan’s 2026 warranty booklet also says owners must first use the BBB AUTO LINE program before pursuing certain federal warranty claims and, where state law calls for it, state lemon law remedies. Vehicles bought or leased in California carry a separate arbitration agreement with a 30-day opt-out after delivery.
Nissan recalls and problem reports
No Nissan articles match that exact combination — but that does not mean you do not have a claim. Repeat repair attempts, days out of service, and warranty status matter more than whether a recall exists.
A recall is not a claim
An open recall on your Nissan is not, by itself, a lemon law case — and a recall that has already been repaired does not mean you don’t have one. Recalls are safety campaigns run by the manufacturer; lemon law claims turn on how your specific vehicle has performed under warranty. What matters is the record: how many times you brought the vehicle in for the same problem, how many days it has spent out of service, and whether the defect substantially impairs its use, value, or safety while covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
A Nissan that has been back to the dealer repeatedly for one persistent issue can qualify with no recall on file, while a vehicle with three open recalls may not qualify at all if each was repaired on the first visit. Repair-attempt and days-out-of-service thresholds vary from state to state, so the same facts can play out differently depending on where you bought or registered the vehicle. Keep every repair order — the paper trail is the case.
Who handles your Nissan claim
Lemon Law Group Partners is a law firm dedicated to lemon law. Jason S. Hegedus founded it in 2012 after years as a defense attorney for a major automaker in Michigan, and he has litigated lemon law claims since the late 1990s. That background shows us how manufacturers evaluate and defend claims — and we use it for consumers.
Your Nissan case is handled by a team of more than twenty attorneys, paralegals and case managers. We collect and review your repair orders, deal with the manufacturer and its lawyers, and pursue a buyback, replacement or cash settlement where your state’s law allows. No attorney’s fees unless we recover.
Jason S. HegedusManaging Partner & FounderFrequently asked questions about Nissan lemon law claims
Is a shuddering Nissan CVT covered by the lemon law?
A CVT defect that persists after reasonable repair attempts during your warranty period can support a claim. The CVT is covered by Nissan’s 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, so a 2022 or newer Rogue, Altima or Sentra may still be within coverage even after the basic warranty ends. What matters is a documented pattern: each visit for judder, hesitation or slipping, the dealer’s findings and whether the problem came back.
My Rogue had the VC-Turbo engine recall. What if it starts knocking again?
Report it right away and in writing. The bearing recalls (25V-437 and 26V-080) primarily reprogram the engine computer; NHTSA’s recall filing says dealers may also inspect the oil pan for metal debris and replace the engine if needed. If your Rogue knocks, loses power or shows warning lights after the update, that is a repeat attempt on the same defect, and an engine failure can also keep the vehicle out of service for an extended period.
Do I have to go through BBB AUTO LINE first?
Nissan’s warranty booklet says owners must use BBB AUTO LINE before seeking certain remedies under federal warranty law, and before state lemon law remedies where the state’s law provides for that kind of program. Whether that step applies to you depends on your state. The program is free, but its decisions and deadlines affect your options, so get advice before filing a BBB claim on a Nissan.
How long is my Ariya or LEAF battery covered?
Nissan lists 8 years or 100,000 miles of coverage for the battery and EV system on its electric vehicles, plus lithium-ion battery capacity coverage. That is longer than the 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, so a drive-power, inverter or charging defect on a 2021 or newer Ariya or LEAF may still be covered. Keep records of any fast-charging restrictions or loss-of-power events, and of how long the car was unavailable.
The fix for my Nissan was an over-the-air update. Does that count as a repair?
It can still matter. Several Nissan infotainment and camera recalls can be completed over the air instead of at a dealer, which means there may be no repair order for that attempt. If the blank camera or rebooting screen returns, take the vehicle to the dealer, describe every prior occurrence and the update you received, and ask that the history be written on the repair order.
Can a Nissan with an extended CVT warranty still be a lemon?
Older Nissans, such as certain 2017–2018 Altima and 2018–2019 Sentra and Versa models, received CVT warranty extensions to 84 months or 84,000 miles through class action settlements. An extension can pay for repairs, but state lemon laws usually focus on problems that began within the original warranty or the state’s own time window. If your repair history started early, it is worth having it reviewed.
Think your Nissan might be a lemon?
If your Nissan has been in the shop repeatedly for the same warranty problem, or has sat out of service for weeks, tell us what happened. The review is free, and there are no attorney’s fees unless we recover for you.
Lemon Law Group Partners PLC is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Nissan or any other vehicle manufacturer. All trademarks, service marks, and brand names are the property of their respective owners and are used solely to identify the vehicles at issue.
