Nissan Rogue Recalls Impacts Nearly 700k SUV’s, Citing Possible Power Failures, Electrical Shorts and Vehicle Fires

Water damage could cause corrosion under the driver’s side dash, which could cause an electrical short, the recall warns.

Nearly 700,000 Nissan SUVs are being recalled, due to concerns that water damage and corrosion could cause power driver seat, power window and all-wheel drive (AWD) light malfunctions, as well as potentially creating a vehicle fire risk.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Nissan Rogue recall on January 25, following  investigations into overheating and vehicle fires reported in the U.S. and Canada between 2019 and 2021.

The investigations focused on the effects of corrosion on an electrical connector harness located under the driver’s side dashboard. In the Canadian market, Nissan confirmed two thermal incidents and two incidents of localized thermal damage. In the U.S. market, Nissan is aware of three unconfirmed incidents that are believed to be related to harness damage. There have been no injuries reported in the U.S. due to this issue.

Nissan production records indicate the issue is unique to Nissan Rogue SUVs from the 2014 through 2016 model years, due to the specific layout of the harness and the harness tape used in those vehicles. The problem in the affected vehicles occurs when water and salt collect in the driver’s side footwell and infiltrate the under dash wiring harness connector causing corrosion. A corroded connector may still allow electrical current to flow between the terminals resulting in illumination of the AWD warning light, power driver’s seat or power window failure, battery discharge, thermal damage to the connector, or fire.

These problems may be preceded by smoke under the driver’s side dash or a burning odor. Nissan urges owners whose vehicles exhibit either or both of these symptoms to park the vehicle outdoors and have the vehicle towed to a dealer by Nissan Roadside Assistance.

The recall affects certain model year 2014-2016 Nissan Rogue vehicles, manufactured between July 25, 2013 through December 31, 2016. They were manufactured at the Renault and Smyrna plants. An estimated 688,946 vehicles are affected by the recall.

Nissan indicates owners of potentially affected vehicles will receive notification of the recall beginning on March 2. The notification will include information concerning reimbursement of any pre-notification repairs made since the affected vehicles are no longer under warranty.

An official repair is still under development and will be implemented once confirmed, according to Nissan. Owners of the affected vehicles can contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.