While alchemy has famously spent the better part of recorded history trying to transmute lead into gold, the automotive industry has repeatedly managed to achieve the lesser-known act of sorcery where water is converted into fire. This usually occurs when humidity ends up corroding an essential electrical component, resulting in fire risk that becomes the deciding factor in a recall campaign.
This week’s corporate conjurer is Nissan, which has decided to call back 793,000 Rogue SUVs in the United States and Canada.
While the relevant documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) explains that fire risks are rare, it’s still advising caution while the manufacturer recalls impacted vehicles from the 2014-2016 model years.
The reported culprit is a wiring connector located in the driver’s footwell. Apparently, water and salt can enter the area and corrode the unit to a point that it can make a Rogue’s electrical systems go haywire. Drivers may notice diminished battery life, disabled controls on the driver-side (e.g. windows, seat adjustments, etc.), and even the occasional warning light for the all-wheel-drive system.
Nissan said that it’s even possible that the defect could cause a vehicle fire, with the manufacturer noting seven “thermal incidents” relating to the matter. As much as we’d like to single them out for criticism, it seems that most major automakers have been forced to issue some kind of fire-related recall within the last couple of years — though some have worse incendiary track records than others.
The Japanese automaker is asking any owners who notice the above issues to exercise the maximum amount of caution and park vehicles outside until the necessary repairs have been made. Though anybody who notices a burning smell or notice smoke inside the vehicle is being encouraged to immediately contact Nissan Roadside Assistance to have it towed to the nearest dealership.
However, the official recall won’t kick off until the spring, as Nissan doesn’t yet have a comprehensive solution for the defect. Impacted customers will begin being notified in March to schedule times to bring in their Rogue. But they might have to wait a little longer before the company actually starts issuing repairs if a regulator-approved solution hasn’t been settled upon.
[Image: Nissan Motor Co.]
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for the proactive people, its probably not that difficult to remove the drivers side kick panel and check for moisture/corrosion. unless you REALLY want to visit a nissan dealer
Yep. Open the connector, fill it with dielectric grease, and close it back up.
The delay is probably due to Nissan having to prove the long term efficacy of the fix.
My ex-girlfriend had a Rogue, which I drove once. I then had an urge to burn it. Don’t discount buyer’s remorse here, folks.
That’s too bad. Now they’ll stay on the road longer.
…until the CVT goes China Syndrome.
This is why I pretty much insisted my daughter buy Tacoma. There is a certain cheapness in Nissans nowadays that is hard to ignore for car people. The new Frontier seems good, but once you drive it, you see the cheapness. No telescoping steering wheel. No LEDs for a brand new vehicle. Steering that was so so stiff. Pass on Nissan.
Things are junk. We would get them as trade-ins with 65,000km and they’d feel like they had 250,000 on them.
Shame.
I like Nissan products. I want them to do well.
( p.s. my Sentra SE-R back in grad school was not the holy grail folks seem to think they were. Not that quick. poor MPG. And Poor quality)
I wonder when Nissan is going to deal with the deteriorating headlights? I drove a 2016 Rogue recently at night and it was like driving with the headlights off.
These electric cars are dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not defending Nissan. But they issue a recall and some think it’s proof they make junk. Toyota has a recall and it’s the company standing behind their products. Tacoma, Prius, Corolla, Camry, Rav4, Highlander, Tundra, Sequoia, Lexus GS, IS and more have been recalled for risk of fire. But, but, but.
I guess this is a real concern for people whose broken down cars develop sunroof leaks while sitting abandoned due to their CVT failing. Things just go from bad to worse for Rogue buyers.
Seriously, Nissan Rogue is easily the most anonymous, bland, boring car you can buy in 2022. Change my mind.
Yet they sold 793,000 of them.
Yes, and 22,000 Maitas sold in that time. Sales are not reflective of how exciting something is. I get it, there is something to be said for bland and boring, and some people seek that out. Not everyone wants the joys of being stranded on the side of the road admiring the beauty of your Alfa.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t make the stink face when my friend talks about her 2015 Rogue.
The updated model is actually good, from what I gather. But your description is definitely apt for the outgoing one.
Wasn’t there a Star Wars Rogue One version of the Rogue a few years back?
“Apparently, water and salt can enter the area and corrode the unit to a point that it can make a Rogue’s electrical systems go haywire. Drivers may notice diminished battery life, disabled controls on the driver-side (e.g. windows, seat adjustments, etc.), and even the occasional warning light for the all-wheel-drive system.”
So when it fails it emulates a Volkswagen? :-)
[This can’t be too bad, since VW is the choice of discriminating automotive writers and the very very smartest TTAC commenters.]