Nissan Leaf Complaints (2021)

57 consumer complaints on file.

#11772696October 21, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
So on October 1st, my car, my nissan Leaf went into turtle mode for the first time. And then yesterday, while I was on the highway, it went into turtle mode, dropped down to 50 miles per hour, and I got off the highway, and the car wouldn't move anymore. I had to turn off the car, wait a couple minutes, and turn it back on, and then it worked again. I was told to contact the dealer to get a car rental. The dealer said that they don't have any loaners available and that other customers are waiting. I contacted Nissan, and Nissan is using a third party called Morley to handle this, and Nissan's saying that Morley's in charge of it and Morley isn't responding. I have a car that's under warranty and has an approved battery replacement. They're trying to call buy the battery, and Nissan themselves says that they would provide a rental, but Nissan keeps referring me to Morley and the dealer is not providing me a rental. And I have a car that I believe is a Potential health hazard that I need to feel comfortable driving, and I don't feel like anybody's helping me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767872September 29, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The Automatic Emergency Braking system on my 2021 Nissan Leaf S Plus engaged erroneously (phantom braking) twice. One time was on a sunny day in August 2026 when I had just backed out of my driveway onto my residential street. There was a person walking well to the right side of the road about 100 feet ahead of me. I had just finished backing out and put the car in drive and stepped on the accelerator when the AEB system suddenly engaged despite there being nothing at all directly in front of the car. The second incident was in August or September 2026 when I had come to a stop at a stop sign on a covered roadway just outside a parking garage. As soon as I stepped on the accelerator to make a left turn into the parking garage the AEB system suddenly engaged despite nothing being in front of the vehicle. I have owned this car since August 2023 and have not had any other incidents of phantom braking before these two incidents. I have had no accidents or any other incidents leading up to these incidents. I took the car to Nissan of Bellevue where they could not reproduce the issue. They ran diagnostic codes (none came up), checked the physical brakes and checked the 12 volt battery (not sure if they tested under load). They then said they could find no cause of the issue and returned the car to me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763960September 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Incident Summary & Ineffective Recall Remedy: I am reporting an acute high-voltage battery cell collapse on my 2021 Nissan LEAF (VIN: [XXX]). The vehicle previously received the software update for NHTSA Recall #25V655 (Nissan Recall #R25C8) at Kings Nissan. The software patch failed to repair the underlying defective battery hardware. Following a second service visit on XXX where Kings Nissan tested only the auxiliary 12V lead-acid battery to dismiss my complaint, I purchased an independent CAN-bus diagnostic tool. On XXX (63,702 miles), LeafSpy telemetry confirmed Cell #31 is severely degraded, exhibiting a 191–307 mV voltage collapse. This causes sudden dashboard state-of-charge drops from 70%+ down to 42–45% on active highways, forcing emergency power limits ("limp mode"). Refusal of Post-Remedy Service: Despite active Corporate Case #XXX with Nissan Consumer Affairs, authorized dealers (Kings Nissan, Nissan of Queens and Nissan of Staten Island) refuse to intake, scan, or ground the vehicle, leaving a severe hardware hazard active on public roads. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761027August 31, 2026
ENGINE
The contact owned a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while at a dealer charging the vehicle for approximately 15- 20 minutes, there was a fire coming from the front of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department after several hours. A Police report was not filed. No injuries, medical attention, or damages were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759079August 24, 2026
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A recall fix was done for the back up camera about a year ago. That was a national recall for an issue with the system. My car started the same exact issue about 3 weeks ago. No back up camera, pink or blue screen, glitchy. I contacted Nissan about it and it didn't seem like they wanted to make the repair again or fix the issue at no cost. I was wondering if other owners have had the same issue and if you can intervene. Thank you
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11752892July 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Our vehicle was affected by recall 25V655 for defective battery. The vehicle was serviced at the Nissan dealer and the software update to resolve the recall was applied. Yesterday the vehicle spontaneously combusted during DC fast charging despite the software update. It appears that the software update was ineffective at mitigating the fire hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11745738June 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
Recall for FAST CHARGE LEVEL 3 CHADEMO has been issued for over 6 months. I am advised not to fast charge due to risk of devastating fire. Very dangerous to continue to use this car in an urban setting. Buyback was denied and told to wait for a fix. No fix yet! I can't get out of Philadelphia in this car. Tesla wouldn't let this happen!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743472June 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Level 3 quick charging was not working, and only Level 2 charging is working now. That creates a risk of not working if Level 2 charging does not work as well. Nissan issued the letter on 3/18/2026 to recall but not yet provided the detailed repair plan as of today. Please advise. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735427May 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I own a 2021 Nissan Leaf with an open safety recall (NHTSA Recall 25V-655, Nissan Recall R25C8) issued on September 30, 2025. The recall involves a battery defect that creates a safety risk during DC fast charging (Level 3). As a result, I am unable to use public fast-charging networks such as EVgo. The recall currently has no remedy available and has been unresolved for over 7 months. I do not have access to home charging, and without fast charging, the vehicle cannot be used in a practical or reasonable way for daily transportation. This has resulted in a complete loss of use of my vehicle and has impacted my ability to work. Nissan has not provided a timeline for repair or an alternative solution such as a loaner or rental reimbursement. This delay is not reasonable, and I am requesting investigation into the lack of remedy and the impact on vehicle usability.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733592April 24, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was not made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11729569April 6, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I own a 2021 Nissan Leaf subject to open recall R25C8 (NHTSA Campaign 25V655) for fire risk during Level 3 DC fast charging. The recall was issued October 2025. Nissan’s stated remedy target was late March 2026. As of today, April 6, 2026, no remedy has been provided. The affected component is the lithium-ion battery pack and its charging system. The vehicle is equipped with a CHAdeMO DC fast charging port, which I cannot safely use due to the documented fire risk. I am not avoiding this feature by choice – I am avoiding it because Nissan’s own recall identified it as a safety hazard. On April 6, 2026, I encountered a DC fast charging station and chose not to attempt charging due to the active recall warning, and due to reports that charging networks have begun refusing sessions on recalled vehicles. Diagnostic software shows my battery’s internal resistance index (Hx) at 71%, disproportionately low relative to State of Health at 87.5%. The vehicle is also consuming battery charge at an accelerated rate during highway driving, with approximately 50% of charge depleted over 30 to 40 miles. I am concerned that a software-only remedy will be inadequate for a battery with this level of internal resistance degradation, as software cannot compensate for the absence of active thermal management hardware. No dealer has confirmed the condition. I am filing to document loss of vehicle functionality, Nissan’s missed remedy deadline, and concern about remedy adequacy.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11728129March 30, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
This vehicle is subject to NHTSA Recall 25V-655 involving the high-voltage traction battery. The recall restricts the vehicle from using DC fast charging (Level 3), which significantly limits the safe and practical operation of the vehicle for its intended use. My household must routinely complete 300+ mile one-way trips on a weekly basis. Without DC fast charging capability, the vehicle cannot reliably complete these trips, creating a risk of being stranded or unable to safely reach destinations. Reliance on Level 2 charging requires extended delays of 6+ hours, which makes the vehicle impractical for its intended use and inconsistent with reasonable consumer expectations for normal operation. I contacted Nissan North America Consumer Affairs and was directed to work with the local dealer. I then contacted Dick Hannah Nissan in Gladstone, OR, who redirected me back to Consumer Affairs. As a result, no party is taking responsibility and no remedy or interim solution has been provided. The manufacturer has issued a safety recall but is unable to provide a repair, timeline, or mitigation. The vehicle’s primary propulsion system is effectively restricted, and the vehicle cannot be used as intended for necessary travel. I have requested a loaner or comparable replacement vehicle while awaiting a remedy, but this has not been provided. This unresolved recall creates an ongoing safety and usability issue, and the manufacturer has failed to provide a reasonable interim solution.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11727594March 27, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The 62kWh High-Voltage Lithium-Ion Battery Pack. The vehicle is currently in my possession in Santa Fe, NM, and is available for inspection. It exhibits physical degradation (40.07% Hx) directly linked to the cell defects described in Recall 25V655. The vehicle is a documented fire risk. Per Recall 25V655, internal lithium deposits create resistance that leads to thermal incidents. Because my battery already shows terminal degradation (40.07% Hx and 3.18V sag), the risk of a fire during charging or operation is imminent. Furthermore, Nissan has banned Level 3 Fast Charging, which leaves me with no way to safely recharge the vehicle during necessary travel, creating a risk of being stranded in unsafe conditions. A terminal battery failure was officially diagnosed by an authorized Nissan dealer in Albuquerque in August 2025 at 108,000 miles. However, my local dealer (Fiesta Nissan in Santa Fe) has since refused to intake the vehicle for the recall because they are not EV-certified. Yes, by an authorized Nissan Dealer. As noted, the failure was confirmed in August 2025. Additionally, the vehicle is subject to a formal manufacturer safety recall (25V655 / R25C8) specifically for this battery defect. Symptoms appeared in August 2025 including severe range loss and power turtle mode. LeafSpy Pro diagnostics confirm a terminal 40.07% Hx rating and a dangerous 3.18V cell sag under load. Nissan's March 2026 recall notice confirms there is no current remedy to address these physical symptoms, and the proposed software 'fix' only monitors for failure rather than repairing the defective cells. Car immediately shut down on me on the Highway(around 55mph) and I was able to coast out of traffic and onto the shoulder. Car indicated having battery percentage around 58%(30KWH) still remaining. car also would not shift into neutral because battery was too low so towing was difficult. no neutral overide on car if battery is "dead".
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726970March 25, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
As described in recall 25V-655, lithium deposited have accumulated in the HV battery of my 2021 Nissan Leaf. I haven't used L3 charging since I received the recall notice, but the car often won't charge even on L1 charging. The state of health of the HV battery is still 86% but the internal resistance of the HV battery is down to 44% due to the lithium deposits. The local Nissan dealership won't touch it because Nissan hasn't provided a remedy. It has been over 5 months since I received the recall notice. That doesn't seem very timely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11726727March 24, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The high-voltage battery on my 2022 Nissan Leaf is subject to Recall 25V655. The recall notice states that the battery cells can develop excessive lithium deposits, which increases electrical resistance and can cause rapid battery heating during Level 3 fast charging. Nissan instructs owners not to use Level 3 charging at all until a “remedy” is available. The issue is that the remedy described by Nissan is not an actual repair of the battery defect. Nissan states it will install software that monitors for “state-of-charge fluctuation” and, if detected, will prevent the vehicle from restarting or recharging in order to avoid a thermal incident. This means the defect inside the battery cells is still present, and the car may disable itself if the defect begins to appear. The recall materials also state there is no warning before overheating occurs. This creates multiple safety concerns: • The underlying battery defect remains uncorrected. • The vehicle can become immobilized (unable to restart or recharge) if the software detects the condition. • Loss of Level 3 charging capability affects the ability to travel safely or plan charging when needed. • A battery fire risk exists during Level 3 charging if the defect is not detected in time. Nissan’s documents state that the software is meant only to prevent the “progression” of a thermal incident, not to repair the defective battery. I am concerned that my vehicle contains a known hazardous defect that has not been physically repaired and that the software-only response is inadequate to ensure safety. I am filing this complaint so NHTSA is aware that the remedy being offered does not address the internal battery defect itself and may leave owners exposed to continued safety and reliability risks.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11725123March 17, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The battery has had a recall since October 2025 with no repair update at all. The battery degeneration has cause serious issues and has almost left me stranded multiple times. I haven’t been able to charge at most charging stations due to the limiting of fast chargers and it is very time consuming when I do.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11723651March 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
See attached document for complaint. I purchased a certified pre-owned Nissan Leaf SV Plus on [XXX] specifically for the larger battery capacity and the ability to use a DC fast charger, as this would allow me to drive my electric vehicle wherever I needed to go, including regular trips to Seattle from Mount Vernon. I was notified by Nissan in September 2024 that, due to the possibility that the battery could catch fire while using a DC fast charger, that my vehicle’s battery had been recalled and was instructed not to use a DC charger. They stated a remedy would be available in October 2024. When the date came and went, I contacted Nissan about the issue and the date was pushed to November 2024. Then December 2024, then spring 2025, then fall 2025. After numerous contact attempts to replace my battery, I initiated a buyback with Nissan on 10/16/25. I unexpectedly required medical treatment in October and contacted the Nissan rep on 10/28/25 to inform them of my medical issue and asked they contact my husband. My husband also attempted to contact the rep w/ no response. After coming back home, I found out that my claim was closed—Nissan said I failed to respond. Now, my doctors want me to receive further medical treatments in Seattle 3-5 times per week. At this time, my vehicle cannot transport me to the required appointments since I cannot use the fast charger. My medical treatment is delayed until Nissan resolves this! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721845March 3, 2026
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Car is under a recall-no level 3 charging due to risk of fire since October of 2025 with no remedy in place. The car is not able to be used as advertized-cannot travel outside of 200 miles from my home as level 3 charging is not possible and level 2 charging not feasible for travelling. Of note-the battery in my car is a NEW battery -it was replaced in December of 2025 due to repeated prior failures -including suddenly slowing down drastically on highway which was a safety hazard. Aftee repeated efforts to get this addressed Nissan agreed to replace the battery but the repacement IS UNDER RECALL and the car is not usable for my purposes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717042February 10, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
I want to be clear about why I opened this case. Per Nissan’s own recall documents, the software update does not repair the defective battery cells, it only detects the issue and may disable the vehicle to prevent a thermal event. Level 3 charging remains unusable, and the underlying defect is still present. Because of this, I am requesting a repurchase or a replacement vehicle. If they say the software will “fully correct the condition”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715140February 2, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nissan has yet to effectively respond to NHTSA recall 25V-655 concerning a fire hazard when fast charging particular Leaf models including the 2021 model year that I own. As a temporary solution Nissan strongly recommends not to fast charge (Level 3 charge) until a solution is provided (anticipated by Dec. 31 2025). Nissan Customer Service has been unable to respond to my query for a revised date and therefore the safety issue is ongoing for an indeterminable time. Meanwhile the safety issue continues leaving my car in a diminished state of use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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