A growing number of Nissan Rogue owners say their vehicles’ rear windshields have shattered suddenly at low mileage, in some cases while the SUV was parked and not in use.
A proposed class action lawsuit claims rear windshields in 2021–2025 Nissan Rogues are exploding without warning. Plaintiffs allege Nissan was aware of the defect but did not disclose it or provide a fix. Sudden shattering can startle drivers, increase crash risk, and leave vehicles vulnerable to theft.
The Nissan Rogue, the brand’s best-selling vehicle in the U.S., has endured a turbulent stretch. In the middle of last year, the compact crossover was swept up in a large-scale engine recall. More recently, Nissan issued another recall tied to spare tire issues.
Now, the Rogue is at the center of a new legal challenge: a class action lawsuit alleging that rear windshields are prone to spontaneous explosions. According to the plaintiffs, Nissan knew the glass was defective and failed to warn customers or correct the issue, despite the potential safety risks.
The lawsuit claims that rear windshields in numerous Nissan Rogues have shattered without any external impact. These incidents reportedly occur well before a rear window would normally be expected to fail, often within the first three years or 36 months of ownership, still inside the standard warranty period.
One cited case involved a Rogue with just 9,400 miles on the odometer when the rear glass suddenly exploded. Several owners say Nissan declined to replace the shattered windows, attributing the damage to normal wear and tear. As a result, affected drivers say they were forced to pay out of pocket for replacements through independent repair shops.
The alleged defect impacts 2021–2025 model-year Rogues and, according to the complaint, can occur whether the vehicle is moving or stationary. Owners also report that the failures happen even when weather conditions are mild, ruling out obvious environmental triggers.
Beyond the obvious inconvenience, a shattered rear windshield exposes the cargo area, increasing the likelihood of break-ins. When the glass explodes while driving, the sudden noise and debris can also distract the driver, potentially leading to a collision.
“The loud explosion and flying glass distract and startle drivers and occupants,” the class action lawsuit says, as per Top Class Actions. “The broken rear windshield can also result in an increased risk of vehicle break-ins and theft.”
The lawsuit asserts claims for breach of both express and implied warranties, violations of New York’s General Business Law, and common law fraud and fraudulent omission.
While the precise cause of the rear windshield failures has not been confirmed, the pattern described in the lawsuit points away from routine wear and tear and toward a manufacturing or installation defect.
One possible factor is thermal stress, rapid shifts between extreme heat and cold can weaken tempered glass. If the glass contains even a minor imperfection, or if it was improperly installed, everyday actions such as closing the tailgate or changes in cabin pressure could eventually cause it to shatter.
Joe Stanson, a store manager at Gatto’s Tire and Auto Service in Florida, told Fox 35 that features like rear windshield defrosters and factory tinting may also contribute to sudden glass explosions. In a 2024 report, the outlet noted that mechanics are encountering this type of failure more frequently.
A review of social media discussions, including a Facebook thread shared by Rogue owners, reveals multiple reports of similar incidents. Notably, some of those complaints involve earlier Rogue generations, not just the current third-generation model named in the lawsuit.
The case, Delucia-Roitman, et al. v. Nissan North America Inc., et al., has been filed in a Tennessee court. Nissan has not yet issued a public response, and the outcome remains to be seen.
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