Nissan Rogue Owners Sue Over Allegedly Exploding Rear Windshields

A proposed class-action lawsuit targeting Nissan was one of the most striking developments for auto-glass professionals in the week of January 16, 2026. New York residents Nicole Delucia-Roitman and Darren Chang filed suit alleging that the rear windshields of 2021–2025 Nissan Rogues were prone to spontaneous and violent shattering — a defect the complaint said Nissan had concealed from buyers.

The complaint alleges that Delucia-Roitman's backlite shattered on December 27, 2025, while she was driving, with no apparent cause such as a road-debris impact. She said she and her husband heard a loud pop and discovered the rear glass spread across the interior of the vehicle. Chang alleged an almost identical experience the same day, with glass from his backlite covering his child's stroller in the rear seat.

The lawsuit alleged that Nissan refused to cover the damage under its warranty, characterizing the failure as "normal wear and tear." The complaint argued that characterization was false and that Nissan had knowledge of the defect through warranty claims and customer complaints but chose not to disclose it or initiate a recall.

For auto-glass shops, the lawsuit highlighted a practical challenge: when rear windshields fail spontaneously on specific makes and models, shops can see a localized surge in demand for that part, sometimes straining distributor inventory. Shops that stocked or could quickly source Rogue backlites for model years 2021 through 2025 were in a better position to serve these customers quickly.

The case also underscored the importance of documenting replacement jobs thoroughly. Customers whose backlites failed under allegedly defective conditions were potential class members in ongoing litigation, and shops that could provide clear records of part sourcing, installation dates and adhesion processes were better protected if drawn into related warranty or liability disputes.

No NHTSA recall had been issued for the Rogue backlite issue as of January 22, 2026. The agency monitors active lawsuits as one signal of potential defects, so a formal investigation — and potentially a recall — could follow if the complaint attracted additional plaintiffs.