Is My Nissan Considered A Lemon?

Nissan Motor Corporation, headquartered in Japan, sells vehicles in several countries and has dealerships across the United States. Its brands include Nissan and Infiniti vehicles and the discontinued Datsun line.

In 1999, Nissan joined the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, a partnership to support all three automakers. In 2022, Nissan was the ninth-largest automobile manufacturer in the world and the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer. 

Nissan offers several vehicle models and features. Nissan owners rely on their vehicles for safe travel and dependable performance. However, when a hidden defect causes issues, a Nissan owner may discover they’ve purchased a lemon. 

Common Problems With Nissan Vehicles That Might Mean You Have a Lemon

A search for “Nissan” on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall website returns 1,224 results as of November 2024. These recalls affect vehicles from the 2001 model year to the present.

Recalls that affect 2024 model year Nissan vehicles cover several issues, including windshield problems, incorrectly installed driveshafts, backup camera problems, and more.

Engine Failure

Nissan has issued a major recall for over 480,000 vehicles, including 2019–2022 Altimas and 2021–2024 Rogues, due to a VC-Turbo engine defect that can lead to engine failure, stalling, or fire, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.

Windshield Issues

A July 2024 recall affects 2024 Nissan Sentra vehicles. Air bubbles in the windshield can obscure the owner’s view of the vehicle identification number (VIN). Without access to the VIN, drivers may not know if their vehicle is involved in a recall. They may not be able to identify their vehicle if it is stolen or damaged. 

Driveshaft and Powertrain Issues

Approximately 9,645 2024 Nissan Sentra vehicles have been recalled for problems with the front left side driveshaft. These issues can cause a transmission fluid leak, which may result in a loss of drive power. Loss of drive power while the vehicle is in motion can increase the risk of a crash. 

Backup Camera Errors

Approximately 37,236 2024-2025 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti QX80 vehicles were recently recalled due to a software error that can cause the backup camera to show a blank screen when the vehicle is in reverse. Without the backup camera, drivers can have trouble seeing what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a collision with a person or object. 

Other Nissan vehicle systems named in recent recalls include:

• EV batteries,
• Diagnostic software,
• Seat belts and seat belt installation hardware,
• Inverters and other drive power components, 
• Power steering,
• Tie rods. 

How Does California Lemon Law Protect Me if My Nissan is a Lemon?

California lemon law includes consumer protections. These protections cover consumers who buy a Nissan or other vehicle with defects that substantially impair the owner’s use, value, or safety of the vehicle. Protections apply if the automaker fails to fix the issues within a “reasonable number” of repair attempts. A reasonable number can be as few as two attempts for serious defects. 

Under California lemon law, the automaker must buy back your vehicle or provide a “substantially similar” defect-free replacement. As the vehicle owner or lessee, you may also be able to seek compensation for out-of-pocket expenses like towing fees and for your attorney’s fees. 

A defective Nissan vehicle puts you, your family, and your friends at risk. It also increases the chance of harm to everyone else on the road. A defective vehicle can cause a crash that a driver cannot prevent. The driver may not even know about the risk until it’s too late. 

No one expects their new vehicle to be perfect. Yet it’s reasonable to expect your new Nissan will be safe and reliable. It’s reasonable to expect your new Nissan to do what it’s supposed to do. When it fails, and the automaker won’t fix the problem, it’s time to speak to an experienced California lemon law attorney. 

The knowledgeable attorneys at Wirtz Law APC can help. We’ll protect your California Lemon Law rights and fight for compensation – at no cost to you. 

Any defects that substantially impair your use, value, or safety are covered, including:

• Brake problems
• Navigation malfunctions
• Leaks of coolant, fluid, oil, etc.
• Airbag defects
• Engine malfunctions
• Power equipment defects
• Power steering issues
• Suspension and transmission problems
• Faulty dashboard lights
• Defective seat belts
• Exhaust system defects
• Electrical problems
• Faulty coolant systems
• Fuel system problems

If you believe you have a Nissan vehicle that has turned out to be a lemon, contact the Wirtz Law APC team today. We will work with you to figure out the best course of action for you and explain your California lemon law rights.

We not only serve our local San Diego communities, but we also have experience settling lemon law cases for Central California and Northern California counties. We have recovered over $70 Million for our clients across California. We take pride in our work and work endlessly to achieve the best results for our clients. 

Talk to the experienced Nissan lemon law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC today. Contact us online or by phone to schedule a free, no-obligation, confidential case evaluation.