Nissan’s VC‑Turbo KR engines have developed a significant defect pattern in late‑2010s and 2020s vehicles. Reported issues include bearing failure, engine knocking, high oil consumption, loss of power, and sudden engine seizure. Multiple class actions allege that Nissan concealed unsafe defects in KR15DDT and KR20DDET variable‑compression turbo engines used in select Nissan and Infiniti models.
Owners report knocking or high‑pitched whirring noises, hesitation, rough running, loss of power, elevated oil consumption, and sudden engine failures in VC‑Turbo equipped Nissan and Infiniti vehicles. Lawsuits and defect investigations describe elevated failure rates related to the variable‑compression mechanism and bottom‑end durability in KR15DDT and KR20DDET engines.
| Year(s) | Make | Model | Should Purchase? | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 | Nissan | Altima (VC‑Turbo) | Not Suggested |
Engine: 2.0L VC‑Turbo – KR20DDET Issues: bearing failures, knocking, loss of power, sudden engine seizure, high oil consumption Notes: VC‑Turbo variable‑compression mechanism adds complexity and new failure modes; many complaints and lawsuits focus on premature engine failure in these years Legal context: included in VC‑Turbo class action filings alleging concealed engine defects and unsafe operation |
|
| 2021 2022 2023 2024 | Nissan | Rogue (VC‑Turbo) | Not Suggested |
Engine: 1.5L VC‑Turbo – KR15DDT Issues: knocking/whirring noises, bearing failure, hesitation, loss of power, potential engine seizure Notes: widely reported VC‑Turbo failures; large recall and defect investigations focused on KR15DDT bearing durability and internal wear Legal context: major VC‑Turbo class actions name 2021–2023 Rogue models with KR engines as affected vehicles |
|
| 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 | Infiniti | QX50 (VC‑Turbo) | Not Suggested |
Engine: 2.0L VC‑Turbo – KR20DDET Issues: engine knocking, bearing wear, oil consumption, rough running, sudden loss of power and engine failure Notes: one of the first production applications of KR20DDET; owners report elevated failure rates compared to conventional 2.0T engines Legal context: explicitly included in VC‑Turbo engine defect lawsuits and recall‑related criticism |
|
| 2022 2023 2024 | Infiniti | QX55 (VC‑Turbo) | Not Suggested |
Engine: 2.0L VC‑Turbo – KR20DDET Issues: similar VC‑Turbo complaints – knocking, high oil use, hesitation, loss of power, potential engine seizure Notes: shares KR20DDET architecture with QX50; early production years coincide with growing VC‑Turbo defect allegations Legal context: captured in broader KR engine class actions and engine‑failure investigations targeting VC‑Turbo designs |
Multiple putative class actions in the United States allege that Nissan and Infiniti concealed defects in their VC‑Turbo KR engines and continued selling affected vehicles despite knowing about elevated failure rates. Complaints describe engine knocking, bearing failure, high oil consumption, sudden stalling, and full engine seizure in KR15DDT and KR20DDET applications. Plaintiffs argue that these defects create safety risks and that existing recalls and repairs are insufficient to correct the underlying problems or to compensate owners for diminished value and repair costs.