by Lawsuit Over Dangerous Defect
A new class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States, alleging that certain models of the compact Nissan Rogue SUV may have a potentially dangerous defect related to the rear windows. According to owners, the glass can suddenly shatter without warning. Owners also claim they have received no notifications about the issue, and Nissan refuses to cover the damages under warranty, forcing them to deal with the consequences on their own.
Nissan’s Toughest Rogue Turned Into A Mattress With Wheels
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, concerns Rogue models manufactured between 2021 and 2025. It features two plaintiffs who report that the rear glass of their vehicles suddenly exploded for no apparent reason.
Rear Glass Fails Without Warning
One of the plaintiffs, Nicole Delucia-Roytman, leased a 2025 Rogue in May 2025. Just seven months later, after the SUV had only traveled 9,400 miles, the rear glass allegedly shattered.
“Delucia-Roytman safely pulled over to investigate the sound and found that the rear glass had shattered but was still standing vertically in the rear frame of the vehicle before collapsing into the cargo area, scattering glass throughout the rear interior,” the lawsuit states. “Out of necessity, the plaintiff carefully drove home.”
According to the documents, Delucia-Roytman contacted Nissan but was informed that the shattered glass would not be covered under warranty. Her insurance company intervened, but due to a lack of parts in stock, her Rogue remains inoperable.
Second Case, Same Story
The second plaintiff, Darren Chang, leased a 2023 Rogue in April 2024. Eight months later, the rear glass of his vehicle also shattered. His insurance covered most of the cost, but he now expects to pay an additional $260 for a new rear wiper blade because the glass debris damaged the original one. The lawsuit does not explain why replacing the wiper blade is so expensive.
Possible Cause and Plaintiffs’ Demands
What could be the cause? The lawsuit suggests that Nissan uses thin soda-lime glass in the Rogue, prone to manufacturing defects, making the windows vulnerable to shattering. The class action also alleges that replacement rear windows have the same defect and that Nissan concealed this flaw despite being aware of the danger.
The plaintiffs demand that Nissan recall the affected Rogue models or implement a free rear glass replacement program. Alternatively, the automaker should provide warranty coverage for the windows or buy back the Rogue vehicles from affected customers.
Broader Context of the Problem
The Nissan Rogue is not the only SUV reported to have exploding rear windows. Last year, a class action lawsuit was filed against Acura, alleging that the rear windows of 2019-2023 RDX models can also suddenly explode without cause. This points to a potentially broader issue in the automotive industry related to the quality and safety of glass used in modern vehicles. Such incidents not only create financial losses for owners due to repairs and downtime but also pose a serious safety threat, especially if the glass shatters while driving. Manufacturers’ responses to such claims often become contentious, as they may try to avoid large-scale recalls that entail significant costs. For owners, it is important to document such cases and contact the relevant authorities to protect their rights and contribute to resolving systemic issues.
