In 2025, Nissan and its luxury counterpart Infiniti made national headlines for all the wrong reasons. The automakers announced a massive recall impacting nearly 450,000 vehicles equipped with their so-called breakthrough VC-Turbo engines — a technology once praised for its innovation but now linked to widespread reliability issues. This large-scale Nissan recall California 2025 has left thousands of drivers uncertain about their safety and their rights under California law.
The recall stems from ongoing reports of engine knocking, metal shavings in oil pans, and complete loss of engine power across both Nissan and Infiniti models. What was once marketed as a “revolutionary dual-mode compression system” has instead become a potential liability for everyday drivers. Many owners describe experiencing sudden loss of acceleration or stalling on highways, prompting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to open an investigation.
For California drivers, these problems have immediate consequences. Beyond the inconvenience of multiple dealership visits, affected vehicles often lose significant resale value — particularly when potential buyers see a history of unresolved recalls. The combination of reliability issues and safety concerns has pushed many consumers to explore their options under the California Lemon Law, which provides strong legal protection for those sold Nissan Lemon Law defective vehicles or Infiniti Lemon Law recall defects that cannot be repaired after repeated attempts.
This isn’t the first time Nissan and Infiniti have faced quality-control scrutiny, but it may be the most consequential yet. With both brands already struggling to maintain consumer trust, the 2025 recall campaign could represent a turning point in how automakers approach cutting-edge but untested technologies.
The Cause: Bearing Failures and Engine Damage 
At the heart of the Nissan and Infiniti recall California 2025 lies a fundamental mechanical flaw. The VC-Turbo engines — available in 2.0-liter and 1.5-liter configurations — suffer from defective engine bearings that can break down prematurely. Over time, metal fragments from these bearings circulate through the oil system, grinding against internal components and leading to catastrophic engine failure.
The recall, officially listed as NHTSA Campaign No. 25V-437, affects hundreds of thousands of vehicles produced between 2019 and 2024. According to Nissan’s internal reports, just 1.2% of all affected vehicles may experience the defect — but that still represents thousands of engines that could fail without warning. Drivers have reported everything from subtle ticking noises to complete engine seizure while driving at highway speeds.
When bearings fail, the resulting metal debris contaminates the oil, starving the engine of proper lubrication. This process can escalate rapidly, transforming what starts as a faint vibration into a total loss of power within weeks. In the most severe cases, drivers have experienced complete engine lockup in traffic, a terrifying event that dramatically increases the risk of a collision.
Nissan maintains that these failures are “not typically instantaneous,” but the safety implications are undeniable. For California drivers navigating busy freeways, even a few seconds of lost power can mean the difference between safety and disaster. The company’s decision to limit its warning to inspection notices rather than issuing a “Do Not Drive” advisory has been widely criticized by consumer advocates.
This recall once again highlights the tension between innovation and reliability — a balance automakers continue to struggle with as they integrate new technologies into production vehicles.
Affected Models in the Recall
The scale of the Nissan recall California 2025 and Infiniti recall California 2025 is unprecedented for both brands, impacting several of their best-selling models. The list includes:
- 2021–2024 Nissan Rogue – approximately 348,554 units
- 2019–2022 Infiniti QX50 – approximately 84,536 units
- 2019–2020 Nissan Altima – approximately 5,685 units
- 2022 Infiniti QX55 – approximately 5,124 units
These vehicles collectively represent some of Nissan’s most popular offerings across the compact SUV and midsize sedan categories. The Rogue, in particular, has been a cornerstone of Nissan’s U.S. lineup — making its heavy inclusion in the recall especially damaging to the brand’s reputation.
California consumers are feeling the brunt of the issue, as both Nissan and Infiniti have strong market presence in the state due to their fuel-efficient designs and sleek styling. However, that popularity also means thousands of California owners are now faced with the reality of owning vehicles that may be unsafe to drive.
Dealerships are already overwhelmed with recall appointments, and many customers are being told that replacement engines may be delayed due to limited parts availability. For drivers depending on their vehicles for work or family transportation, this adds another layer of frustration and financial strain.
Beyond the immediate inconvenience, vehicles with major recalls often experience long-term depreciation — especially when the issue involves critical systems like the engine. Many owners are finding that even after repairs, their vehicles’ Carfax reports permanently flag them as having undergone a major recall, lowering their trade-in or resale value.
What Nissan and Infiniti Are Doing 
Nissan and Infiniti have pledged to begin notifying affected owners by mid-August 2025, but the timeline has already sparked criticism from advocacy groups who argue that drivers deserve faster action. The recall involves multiple phases, depending on the engine type and the presence of metal debris in the oil system.
For owners of vehicles equipped with the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine, the process begins with a comprehensive oil pan inspection. If no metal debris is found, technicians will perform an oil and filter change free of charge — a relatively quick, one-hour service. However, if debris is detected, the dealership must contact Nissan’s Powertrain Call Center to authorize a full engine replacement, which may take up to 15 hours of labor.
Drivers with the smaller 1.5-liter VC-Turbo face a slightly different process. Even if no debris is found, technicians will still replace the oil pan gasket, update the engine control module (ECM) software, and complete an oil change to help prevent future issues. All of this work will also be performed at no cost to the owner.
While the automakers have not issued an explicit warning against driving these vehicles, owners are urged to remain alert for signs such as engine knocking, oil pressure warnings, or illuminated check-engine lights. Ignoring these early warnings could lead to sudden power loss or permanent engine damage.
Unfortunately, Nissan and Infiniti have provided no timeline for when new VC-Turbo engines will be fully available for replacement, raising concerns that parts shortages may leave some owners waiting months. In the meantime, many California drivers are seeking alternative transportation or legal remedies through the Lemon Law process.
The Bigger Picture: Consumer Impact and Legal Rights
The Nissan and Infiniti recall California 2025 has broader implications for both the automotive industry and the rights of California consumers. As technology advances, so too does the risk of failure when manufacturers prioritize innovation over proven reliability. The VC-Turbo engine, initially hailed as a breakthrough, now serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of rushing new systems into production without sufficient testing.
For consumers, the financial burden can be overwhelming. A defective engine can mean lost time, diminished vehicle value, and safety concerns that persist long after the recall repair. Some drivers have reported repeated dealership visits only to be told “no defect found” — a phrase that often precedes further breakdowns and additional costs.
Under California’s Lemon Law, owners of Nissan Lemon Law defective vehicles or Infiniti Lemon Law recall defects have legal recourse if their vehicles cannot be permanently repaired within a reasonable number of attempts. This includes the right to receive a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash compensation directly from the manufacturer.
Furthermore, Lemon Law claims can apply even if the vehicle is no longer under warranty, as long as the issue originated during the warranty period and remains unresolved. That means drivers who have faced recurring VC-Turbo issues since 2019 may still qualify.
The situation also underscores the importance of documenting every repair attempt, maintaining service receipts, and saving all communications with dealerships or Nissan corporate representatives. These records serve as critical evidence when pursuing compensation or filing a Lemon Law claim.
For many affected Californians, the recall is about more than fixing a car — it’s about holding corporations accountable when innovation comes at the cost of safety and dependability.
What California Drivers Should Do Next
If you own or lease a Nissan Rogue, Altima, Infiniti QX50, or Infiniti QX55, checking your vehicle’s VIN number through NHTSA.gov/recalls should be your first step. Even if you haven’t received a formal letter, your car may still be part of the affected batch under the Nissan recall California 2025 or Infiniti recall California 2025 campaign.
Once you confirm your vehicle is included, contact your local dealership to schedule an inspection immediately. Keep in mind that parts availability may vary, so early action is critical to avoid lengthy repair delays. If your vehicle shows early signs of trouble — such as reduced power, rattling noises, or dashboard warnings — avoid long trips until the issue is properly addressed.
California consumers are strongly encouraged to keep detailed records of all repair visits, recall notifications, and out-of-pocket costs related to the defect. These documents will be essential if you decide to pursue a Lemon Law claim or need to prove a history of recurring issues.
You can also contact Nissan directly through their recall hotline or online owner portal to request updates and track the status of your repair. However, many owners have reported slow response times and long waitlists at dealerships, reinforcing the value of seeking independent legal advice early in the process.
Remember: the California Lemon Law is designed to protect you, not the manufacturer. If repeated recall repairs fail to permanently fix your vehicle or if your engine has already failed due to this defect, you may be entitled to significant compensation.
How The Barry Law Firm Can Help
At The Barry Law Firm, we specialize in helping California consumers take legal action against manufacturers when their vehicles fail to meet quality and safety standards. If your Nissan Rogue, Altima, Infiniti QX50, or QX55 has been in the shop repeatedly for mechanical or safety issues — or if a recall repair hasn’t fixed the problem — you may be entitled to a refund, replacement, or cash compensation under California’s Lemon Law.
Lemon Law Expertise – We specialize in California Lemon Law cases and know how to hold manufacturers accountable.
No Upfront Costs – The California Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to pay our fees. That means, at The Barry Law Firm, we will never charge you, no matter the outcome of your case.
Proven Success – We have helped thousands of consumers obtain favorable settlements for their defective vehicles.
Personalized Attention – We handle all legal paperwork and negotiations so you don’t have to deal with the stress.
If Nissan’s or Infiniti’s recall repairs have failed to solve your vehicle’s problems, you may have a Nissan Lemon Law defective vehicle or Infiniti Lemon Law recall defect case. Contact us today to explore your legal options.
Closing
The Nissan and Infiniti recall California 2025 is more than just another automaker recall — it’s a wake-up call for the entire industry. When nearly half a million engines risk failure due to preventable manufacturing defects, it raises serious questions about corporate accountability and quality control in modern vehicle production.
For everyday Californians, this situation goes far beyond inconvenience. Each recall represents a family who may lose confidence in their vehicle’s safety, a commuter stranded on the side of the freeway, or a parent worried about their car stalling with children inside. These stories illustrate why California’s strong consumer protection laws exist — to safeguard people, not corporations.
If you’ve experienced persistent problems with your Nissan or Infiniti, don’t wait for another recall notice to arrive. Ongoing defects, even after repairs, may already qualify your car as a lemon under state law. Taking legal action isn’t just about recovering money — it’s about demanding higher standards from the companies that rely on your trust.
At The Barry Law Firm, we’ve seen how devastating defective vehicles can be. Whether your engine has already failed or you’re still waiting for recall parts, our team is here to ensure you’re not left paying the price for a manufacturer’s mistake.
Your safety matters. Your rights matter. And with California’s Lemon Law on your side, justice is within reach.
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