NHTSA complaint #11729598

Owner complaint summary

Incident Date: 04/05/2026 Vehicle Speed: 65–70 MPH Location: [XXX] Component: Engine / Power Train / Fuel System Summary of Safety Defect: While traveling at highway speeds (65–70 MPH) with four passengers (including two children), the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic engine failure without any prior warning or symptomatic noise. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) began flashing rapidly, immediately followed by a total loss of motive power. Despite throttle input, the vehicle failed to maintain speed or accelerate, creating an immediate hazard in high-speed traffic. Hazardous Conditions encountered: Upon the loss of power, I observed white smoke trailing from the exhaust and a strong burning odor entering the cabin from the engine compartment. To avoid a high-speed rear-end collision, I was forced to perform an emergency maneuver across active lanes of traffic to reach the shoulder. Due to the immediate fear of a vehicle fire (indicated by the smoke and burning smell), my family was forced to evacuate the vehicle and wait outside in a remote location for six hours. Correlation to Known Defects: This incident appears to be a direct manifestation of the defect described in Nissan Recall ID R25E3/R25E4 / NHTSA ID 26V0801 regarding Engine Main Bearing Seizure. The failure resulted in a complete loss of propulsion and a potential fire risk due to fluid ignition or a breached engine block. Post-Incident Status: The vehicle was towed to Nissan of Cumming and is currently awaiting a formal inspection for internal metal debris. The failure of this critical component under highway conditions posed a life-threatening risk to my family and other motorists. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)