Nissan Rogue Sunroof Leak Recall: What Owners Need To Know Right Now

Own a Rogue with a soaked headliner, mysterious puddles, or a sunroof drip the dealer can’t fix? Plenty of Rogue drivers are chasing the same problem. Reports of water leaks have poured in from frustrated owners across the country, all searching for an answer, and many expecting a recall.

Here’s where the road splits: as of mid-2025, there’s still no official “sunroof leak recall” for the Nissan Rogue. Owners are wading through a mess of technical service bulletins, warranty gray zones, and high repair bills, trying to figure out what’s covered and what isn’t.

If you’re dealing with soggy carpets or electrical weirdness, this guide breaks down the facts, what Nissan will fix, what they won’t, and how to fight for help when the water just keeps coming.

Ready to get a straight answer before another rainstorm hits? Let’s cut through the confusion.

What Owners Mean by a “Sunroof Leak Recall” – Fact vs. Reality

Ever heard a friend say their Rogue was “recalled for leaks”? Not quite. Most of what’s out there is a tangle of shop rumors, half-right news stories, and frustrated service visits. Here’s what actually matters: a recall and a TSB aren’t the same thing, and the difference could hit your wallet.

Recalls are the big one, when a safety defect pops up, the government or Nissan steps in. You get a letter, the dealer fixes it for free, and they’re legally on the hook.

A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB), though, is more like Nissan whispering in the dealer’s ear: “Hey, we’ve seen this before, here’s how you might fix it.” TSBs cover known problems, but unless your car is still under warranty, you’re probably footing the bill.

Recalls vs. TSBs – What’s Covered, Who Pays, How Owners Are Notified

So, when someone swears their Rogue got a recall for a leaky sunroof, double-check the paperwork. Most will find it was a TSB, not a government recall.

Current Recall Status: Is There a Nissan Rogue Sunroof Leak Recall?

No Official Recall, Just a Sea of Owner Frustration

If you’ve been hoping for a real Nissan Rogue sunroof leak recall, here’s the blunt truth: there isn’t one. Nissan and NHTSA haven’t flagged sunroof leaks or water intrusion in general as an official recall for the Rogue, no matter what year you drive.

What owners get instead are technical service bulletins and a lot of runaround.

Why Hasn’t It Triggered a Recall?

So, what’s keeping this from hitting recall status? Federal regulators only force recalls if the defect is considered a direct safety risk.

Water leaks are miserable, think soaked carpets, mold, or fried electronics, but unless they can show it causes something like an airbag or brake failure, it doesn’t meet the safety bar.

Most Rogue leaks show up right after the standard warranty ends, so Nissan usually dodges recall costs.

How to Check Your VIN: Don’t Rely on a Dealer

Don’t sit around waiting for a letter that never comes. The only way to know if your Rogue has any open recalls is to punch in your 17-digit VIN at Nissan’s or NHTSA’s lookup sites. It’s quick, free, and skips the guesswork.

Relevant Nissan Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for Rogue Water Leaks

The TSB Maze: How Nissan Quietly Handles Water Intrusion

Nissan hasn’t issued a recall, but they’ve stacked up a list of TSBs for Rogue water leaks. These internal memos tell service departments exactly where to look and what to fix when owners complain about wet carpets or drippy headliners.

Which Rogues Are on the List?

If you drive a 2021–2023 Rogue, keep an eye out for roof rail clip leaks. Nissan’s TSB NTB21-097B zeroes in on those little plastic roof rail clips that love to let water sneak inside.

For 2014–2020 models, NTB14-105a calls out the cowl and firewall seam as repeat offenders, soaking front carpets and leaving a swampy mess.

What the TSBs Actually Cover

These bulletins lay out step-by-step repairs: pull the rails, yank off trim, replace seals, apply fresh sealant, or swap out clips. Most repairs are only free if you’re still under warranty; otherwise, expect a bill.

If you’re out of warranty and the dealer wants to charge for “diagnosis,” bring up the TSB by number and push for goodwill if you’re just outside coverage.

Key TSBs for Nissan Rogue Water Leaks

Where the Water Gets In: The Most Common Leak Points on the Rogue

Sunroof Drains: The Usual Suspect

Clogged or poorly routed sunroof drains have been at the center of most owner complaints. On Rogues, these narrow tubes pick up debris, leaves, dirt, even stray bugs until water has nowhere to go but your headliner.

Owners call out the “nipple” or filter at the end of the hose as a notorious choke point, sometimes clogging after just a few heavy rains.

Sunroof Seals and Glass Alignment

After a few years of baking in the sun, those rubber sunroof seals lose their flex. Some Rogue drivers spot fine cracks or feel a brittle edge, signs water can slip through. If the sunroof glass isn’t seated just right, even new seals can’t help.

Sometimes, a hard slam or a small bump is all it takes to throw things out of alignment and invite leaks.

Roof Rail Clip and Cowl/Floor Leaks

On 2021–2023 Rogues, the roof rail clip is a design headache. These small plastic pieces sit hidden under the roof trim, but when they fail, water slides under the rails and finds its way into the pillars or headliner.

Earlier models have a different weak point: the seam between the cowl and firewall, which can open up just enough to soak the front carpets during a downpour.

What You Actually Notice Inside

It starts with a wet headliner or a damp spot by the driver’s foot. Leave it unchecked, and you might catch a musty odor or spot mold on the carpet.

Some owners report a “sloshing” noise, water pooling somewhere out of sight. And if water reaches the electrical harnesses, you could see warning lights or face quirky electrical issues that spiral into bigger repairs.

The Real-World Consequences: How Sunroof Leaks Wreak Havoc

When a Drip Turns into a Disaster

What starts as a little water on the headliner can spiral fast. Owners have walked into the garage after a storm only to find their carpets soaked, seats damp, and a distinct musty smell taking over. It’s not just about wet feet; once water settles in, the damage spreads everywhere you don’t want it.

Mold, Mildew, and the Smell That Won’t Leave

Once moisture gets trapped inside, mold and mildew are never far behind. That funky smell lingers no matter how many air fresheners you toss under the seat.

For families, especially those with allergies or asthma, mold growth isn’t just a nuisance; it’s a health risk. Some folks have had to call in professional cleaners or even replace carpets and headliners just to get the air safe again.

When Electronics Go Down for the Count

Water and wiring are a bad mix. It’s not uncommon for Rogue owners to end up with dead interior lights, sunroof switches that stop working, or worst of all, massive wiring harness failures.

One driver reported an $11,000 repair bill after a leak fried so many circuits that the car was almost totaled. Electrical gremlins often don’t show up until weeks after the leak starts, so it’s easy to miss the warning signs until it’s too late.

The Slow Burn: Diagnosis Delays and Repair Hassles

Diagnosing the source is rarely quick. Dealerships sometimes chalk it up to user error or struggle to “duplicate” the problem, especially if the car dries out before your appointment.

Add in long waits for backordered parts or repeated failed fixes, and a simple leak can sideline your car for weeks. Some owners have spent months chasing down stubborn leaks with no clear resolution in sight.

What Nissan Owners Can Actually Do: Repairs, Recourse, and Costs

Stay Proactive, Don’t Let Small Leaks Slide

Waiting for a recall that may never come? That’s a losing bet. The smartest move is to get ahead of leaks before they turn your Rogue into a rolling terrarium.

Start by running your VIN through both Nissan’s and NHTSA’s recall lookup tools. It takes five minutes and saves a world of hassle if anything new drops.

Push for Goodwill if You’re Close to Warranty

If you’re just outside warranty and your Rogue starts dripping, don’t just accept a big repair bill. Dealers have been known to work with Nissan corporate for “goodwill” coverage, especially if you can show this is a known issue (bring TSB numbers, photos, and records).

Sometimes, a little polite pressure and documentation can open doors that a first “no” would slam shut.

Document Everything: Photos, Dates, Dealer Chats

Keep a digital paper trail. Every photo of water damage, every repair estimate, every back-and-forth with Nissan or your dealer, file it away.

This isn’t busywork: when a leak turns into an electrical fiasco, or you have to push for buyback, lemon law, or insurance, this documentation is your leverage.

When Repairs Don’t Stick, Escalate

Had it “fixed” but the leak keeps coming back? Ask for a service manager. Escalate to Nissan corporate (their complaint line is built for exactly this).

And if you’re facing thousands in repairs on a newer Rogue, check your state’s lemon law or start a case with your insurance, especially if electrical or mold damage starts to threaten safety or value.

Why Fast Action Matters When the Drips Start

There’s no magic fix or open recall for Nissan Rogue sunroof leaks, just a messy mix of TSBs, warranty gaps, and design complaints. If you own a Rogue and spot water inside, the sooner you act, the better your shot at minimizing damage and cost.

Stay vigilant with VIN checks, document every sign of trouble, and don’t hesitate to push your dealer or Nissan corporate for help. In the world of water leaks, waiting around only makes things worse. Take charge before the drip becomes a disaster.

Adam Faris

Adam Faris is the founder and lead editor at Recall Brief, where he covers confirmed recalls, service bulletins, and widespread vehicle issues that often slip past official channels. He focuses on clear, fact-based reporting and breaks down complex problems into plain language so readers know what matters and what to do next.