A two-year federal investigation into alleged tie rod bending and deformation on certain Nissan Rogue crossovers has concluded without a recall, after regulators found relatively few allegations and determined that many reported failures involved abnormal impact-related conditions.
Federal Investigation Finds No Recall-Worthy Defect
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened the investigation in 2024 after receiving reports involving certain 2021 Nissan Rogue crossovers. The reports alleged that inner tie rods could fail and potentially cause a loss of steering control.
The issue potentially affected more than 250,000 Rogue models. Allegations involving bent or deformed tie rods raised concerns that the damaged components could affect wheel alignment, create steering problems and lead to abnormal tire wear.
During the investigation, ODI reviewed vehicle owner questionnaires, reporting data, warranty claims and other information provided by Nissan. Regulators also considered vehicle age, mileage and the severity of reported incidents.
In its report published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), ODI said it identified a low number of tie rod bending or deformation allegations compared with the affected vehicle population and exposure.
“The available reports did not indicate a consistent failure pattern, common production period, common mileage, or repeatable failure mode suggestive of a safety-related defect,” the investigation report stated.
Impact Damage Linked to Many Incidents
ODI also found that many of the reported incidents involved impact-related damage. The investigation cited pothole strikes, curb contact, road debris impacts, previous collision damage and other steering or suspension loads considered abnormal.
Based on those findings, ODI closed the investigation on August 24, 2026, and no recall was issued for the Nissan Rogue. NHTSA will continue to monitor any additional incidents involving the reported issue.
The Nissan Sentra had previously been recalled in 2023 for similar tie rod and steering issues.
Why Damaged Tie Rods Can Be Dangerous
Tie rods are an important part of a vehicle’s steering system. They connect the steering rack to the steering knuckle, allowing the wheels to turn when the driver steers.
Loose or damaged tie rods can produce several warning signs, including shaking or vibration through the steering wheel, excessive play and knocking or clunking noises, particularly when turning at lower speeds.
Dirt and debris can also cause a grinding noise when the vehicle is turning. In the worst-case scenario, a worn or broken tie rod can lead to a loss of vehicle control and increase the chances of a crash.
2021 Rogue Uses Different Engine
The investigation comes as Nissan is already dealing with another Rogue-related reliability issue. Earlier this year, the automaker extended the engine warranty following failures involving the vehicle’s three-cylinder VC-Turbo engine.
That engine, however, is not equipped in the 2021 Nissan Rogue covered by the tie rod investigation. The 2021 model used an older 2.5-liter non-turbo engine.
With the federal investigation now closed, the Nissan Rogue will not be recalled over the alleged tie rod bending and deformation issue, while NHTSA continues to monitor any further incidents.
