2011 NISSAN LEAF Electrical System Problems

When applying brakes, at a point in the pedal travel the vehicle deceleration goes from too little to vastly too much. This makes the vehicle challenging to drive in traffic without colliding into the vehicle in front and not stopping so quickly as to cause the trailing vehicle to collide. The dealer has confirmed the behavior. There is a TSB to supposedly address the problem, and a receipt is attached of that TSB software update being applied. However, this has not changed the behavior. This is at least partially a software issue, since the vehicle blends physical brakes with EV regenerative braking.

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that the Telematics Control Unit, which locates the nearest charging station, was inoperable and could not be upgraded. Additionally, the 12 Volt battery would not charge, and the doors would not unlock to open. The windows would not roll up, and the gear shifter would not shift out of park into neutral. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. However, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Mileage: 40,000

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2011 NISSAN LEAF VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. I QUICKLY NOTICED THAT MY BATTERY CAPACITY WAS AT 5 BARS AND THE VEHICLE HAS 73300 MILES. I ALSO NOTICED THE EV SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I WAS GOING TO NEED A NEW BATTERY BUT WANTED TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLES BATTERY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE DEGRADATION OF THE VEHICLES BATTERY WOULD FALL INTO THE SEVERE CATEGORY AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN BETWEEN OWNERS AT THE TIME NO ONE TOOK IT IN FOR A BATTERY REPLACEMENT. CURRENTLY IN 2020 THE 2011 VEHICLE IS AT 5 BARS MEANING THAT IF THE BATTERY ONLY LOST ONE BAR IN THE LAST YEAR THE BATTERY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE LOST MORE THAN 50% CAPACITY WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE 8 YR/100,000MILES EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY VEHICLE BATTERY INFORMATION ALTHOUGH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEALER DID CONFIRM THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT LAST YEAR. THEY THEN QUOTED ME $6600 FOR A BATTERY REPLACEMENT. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND A LETTER FROM NISSAN WHICH STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WARRANTY WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FOR 2011 MODELS WITH IMPLEMENTATION STARTING SOMETIME IN SPRING OF 2013. NISSAN SO FAR IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE BATTERY OR ASSIST IN THE REPAIR ALTHOUGH THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE COVERED THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS COME CLOSE TO TURNING OFF WHILE I'VE BEEN ON THE ROAD. I AM AFRAID OF MY CARS BATTERY DYING WHILE I'M ON THE ROAD. IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 73,300

THE RANGE METER ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE DASH SHOWS INCORRECT RANGE. I UNDERSTOOD WHEN PEOPLE WOULD SAY IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DRIVE, BUT NO MATTER HOW I DRIVE THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY FOR ME TO GET THE RANGE THE CAR SAYS I HAVE. IF IT SHOWS 55 MILES I CAN BE SURE TO GET BETWEEN 20 AND 35 MILES BEFORE BEING STRANDED. I CONTACTED NISSAN FOR A WARRANTY OR SERVICE CONCERN AND THEY CLAIMED IT NOT TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.

Mileage: 89,000

STARTING ON 12/03/2018, THIS 2011 NISSAN LEAF BEGAN RELEASING SMOKE AND A NOXIOUS BURNING-PLASTIC SMELL INTO THE CABIN DURING 240V AND 125V ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND THE IGNITION IS OFF. THE SMOKE ORIGINATES FROM THE ON-BOARD CHARGER (PART 296A0-3NA8A) LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT, WHICH IS RIGHT BEHIND WHERE THE CHILD SEAT USUALLY GOES. DESPITE THIS, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO CHARGE FROM ELECTRICAL SOURCES AND DRIVE NORMALLY. AN INSPECTION BY STEVENS CREEK NISSAN (4855 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051) ON 12/12/2018 FOUND THE SAME BURNING SMELL AND REPORTED THAT A "FUSE IN THE ON-BOARD CHARGER (IS) FUSING". THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER EXPERTISE ABOUT THE CAUSE EXCEPT TO RECOMMEND A REPLACEMENT OF THE ON-BOARD CHARGER. ON THE SAME DAY, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WAS CONTACTED AND ASKED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND REPLIED THAT THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM ON 01/11/2019. THE ATTACHED IMAGES INCLUDE THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT FROM NISSAN STEVENS CREEK AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE THERMAL DAMAGE AND COMBUSTIBLE SOOT BUILDUP WITHIN THE ON-BOARD CHARGER, WHICH NOT ONLY CHEMICALLY CORRODES ELECTRONICS, BUT ALSO CAUSES OVERHEATING AND PRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD.

Mileage: 99,844

I BELIEVE THE BATTERY WAS RIGGED INTO RUNNING LOW RIGHT AFTER THE WARRANTY RAN OUT

Mileage: 39,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHARGED THE ENTIRE NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,769.

Mileage: 36,769

VEHICLES ELECTRIC WINDOWS MALFUNCTION. WINDOW WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, BUT THE OTHERS WILL. MANY LEAF OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.

Mileage: 38,000

THIS IS NOT RELATED TO ANYTHING SPECIFIC THAT HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE, BUT IT IS RELATED TO CONSUMER SAFETY AND PROTECTION. NISSAN SETTLED A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT AND AMENDED THEIR BATTERY REPLACEMENT/REPAIR WARRANTY SHORTLY AFTER THEY INTRODUCED THE LEAF TO THE US. VERY SOON AFTER THIS AMENDED WARRANTY WENT INTO EFFECT NISSAN SENT A LETTER TO ALL LEAF OWNERS AND ASKED US TO BRING OUR CAR IN FOR A "SOFTWARE UPGRADE" THAT WOULD GIVE US A BETTER RANGE DISPLAY. I SUSPECT THAT THIS "UPGRADE" ACTUALLY KEEPS THE CAPACITY (RANGE) DISPLAY ABOVE THE THRESHOLD THAT WOULD OTHERWISE OBLIGATE NISSAN TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE BATTERY. IS YOUR AGENCY THE APPROPRIATE ON TO BRING THIS SUSPICION/COMPLAINT TO AND REQUEST AN INVESTIGATION OR SHOULD I CONTACT SOMEONE ELSE. I DO NOT HAVE EVIDENCE, BUT IT IS MORE THAN A HUNCH. BEFORE THIS ALLEGED ""FIX" MY CAR HAD LOST 2 BARS OF DISPLAY, AFTER, ONLY 1, YET IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND RECHARGED MUCH MORE EXTENSIVELY THAN BEFORE THE "FIX". ALSO, NISSAN HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO SHARE DATA ON THE LEAF OR ITS BATTERY, AND INSISTS THAT THEY ARE THE ONLY COMPANY WHO CAN DIAGNOSE THE BATTERY, AND THEREFORE, THE ONLY COMPANY WHO CAN DECIDE IF THE WARRANTY SHOULD BE HONORED IN ANY CASE. THIS IS TROUBLING. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF ANY RESOURCES COULD BE DEVOTED TO LOOKING INTO THIS SOFTWARE "FIX" - THOUGH I UNDERSTAND BUDGET AND PERSONNEL CONSTRAINTS MAY INHIBIT THIS WITHOUT EVIDENCE BEYOND MY CIRCUMSTANTIAL EXPERIENCE AND MY GUT FEELING. STILL, IT BEARS CONTACTING YOU TO ASK, AS WE HAVE SEEN HOW OTHER MAJOR AUTO MAKERS ARE WILLING TO BEND RULES AND LAWS IN ORDER TO PAD THE BOTTOM LINE. THANK YOU!! *TR

Mileage: 40,000

2011 NISSAN LEAF, HAVE TAKEN IT MULTIPLE DEALERS AND DONE THE UPDATE(S) REQUIRED BY NISSAN, WHICH ACTUALLY MADE MATTERS WORSE, REGEN IS NOT WORKING LIKE HAD PRIOR TO THE P3227 UPDATE. THE BIGGEST ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN LEAF IS THE BATTERY CAPACITY AND ADVERTISED CLAIMS. CURRENTLY CHARGING 100% AND GETTING LESS THAN 60 MILES RANGE. THE WARRANTY APPARENTLY AFTER TWO CLASS ACTIONS IS 5 YEARS 60,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. ALL ANYONE AT NISSAN OR THE DEALERS CAN SAY IS TO WAIT UNTIL WE DROP THE 9TH BAR. BUT FROM WHAT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP TOLD ME, I NEEDED TO DROP BELOW 70% , WHICH ACCORDING TO MY CALCULATIONS I HAVE. BUT NISSAN DOES NISSAN MATH, EACH BAR IS WEIGHTED AND THE SOFTWARE UPDATE MADE ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE MYSTERIOUS TO MOST. NISSAN MISREPRESENTED THE LEAF AND WITH THE POOR BATTERY CHEMISTRY FAILED TO DELIVER AS PROMISED, AND NOW THESE CARS ARE PRACTICALLY BEING GIVEN AWAY. NISSAN DOES NOT COOL THE BATTERIES PROPERLY AND THERE COULD BE A DANGER THAT THEY ARE NOT DISCLOSING. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER BY NHTSA/DOT

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN RAPIDLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE MILEAGE SPECIFIED FOR THE BATTERY TO BE RECHARGED WAS INACCURATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Mileage: 4,000

VEHICLE'S MAIN TRACTION BATTERY LOST 15% OF ITS USABLE CAPACITY AFTER ONLY 1 YEAR AND 3631 MILES OF VEHICLE USE. THIS RAPID LOSS IN BATTERY CAPACITY IS CONTRARY TO NISSAN'S ADVERTISED SERVICE LIFE OF 70%TO 80% CAPACITY AFTER 100,000 MILES. DEFECTIVE BATTERY COULD POTENTIALLY FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND OR BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 3,631

VEHICLE HAS DIGITAL DISPLAY THAT INDICATES HOW MANY MILES OF TRAVEL REMAIN IN THE BATTERY. METER READS AT LEAST TWICE AS HIGH AS MILES ACTUALLY DELIVERED. COULD CAUSE UNAWARE DRIVE TO RUN OUT OF CHARGE AND STOP IN TRAFFIC LANES THUS POTENTIALLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT OF BODILY HARM TO OCCUPANTS OF VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 10

TWO MONTHS AGO I WAS BRAKING MODERATELY WHEN THE CAR SHUTTERED, THERE WAS A BUMP AND THE CAR BEGAN COASTING. I SAW THAT IT HAD POPPED INTO N (NEUTRAL) EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T TOUCH THE GEAR SHIFT. I TRIED TO PUT IT BACK INTO D (DRIVE) BUT IT WOULDN'T RESPOND. I PUSHED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO SHUT IT DOWN. FINALLY, IT RESPONDED, THEN RESTARTED AND DROVE NORMALLY. AFTER THAT, THERE WOULD BE INTERMITTENT SHUTTERING AND BUMPING WHILE BRAKING. THE RECHARGING LIGHTS WILL PULSE AND I CAN FEEL THE REGENERATIVE FEATURE GRAB AND THEN RELEASE. ONE MORNING RECENTLY, ALONG WITH THESE SYMPTOMS THE RANGE PLUMMETED QUICKLY, BY ABOUT 1 MILE PER SECOND. AFTER DRIVING ONLY 20 MILES I HAD 17 MILES OF INDICATED RANGE. THEN, YESTERDAY, THE FIRST PROBLEM REAPPEARED: THE CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL AND BRIEFLY WOULDN'T RESPOND. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 25,500

BATTERY CAPACITY HAS DROPPED 1 BAR. NISSAN CASE NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 21,982

THE INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO BE DRIVEN OFF WITHOUT THE KEY PRESENT (IT WAS IN THE POCKET OF A PERSON STANDING OUTSIDE THE CAR). THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS THEN WENT ON A 15 MILE TRIP, WHEREIN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED (SAFELY). AFTER AWHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RE-ENTERED, BUT THE DRIVER COULD NOT START THE CAR BECAUSE THE KEY WAS NOT PRESENT. 2 YOUNG CHILDREN WERE LEFT WAITING IN THE HOT SUN, BUT WERE NOT INJURED. EVENTUALLY ANOTHER PERSON RETRIEVED THE KEYS AND BROUGHT THEM TO THE DISABLED CAR AND DRIVER USING A SECOND VEHICLE. IT WAS VERY INCONVENIENT AND STRESSFUL FOR ALL PARTIES INVOLVED AND LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. NOTE: LATER ON, AFTER TESTING THE VEHICLE IN A CONTROLLED SITUATION, THE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT INDICATE THAT THE KEY WAS NOT PRESENT AS THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES IT SHOULD. *TR

Mileage: 11,645

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL AND BATTERY SYSTEM FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISCHARGED NUMEROUS TIMES AT LOW SPEED OF 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT IT WAS PERFORMING ACCORDING TO THE ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 6,130 WAS AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,900.

Mileage: 6,130

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE BATTERY AND RAPID RANGE CAPACITY BARS DISAPPEARED, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO DECIPHER HOW MUCH FURTHER THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO DIAGNOSE, REPAIR OR ADMIT THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE DUE TO COMPANY POLICY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,232 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17,025.

Mileage: 14,232

I AM FILING A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE MAIN BATTERY IN MY 2011 NISSAN LEAF. ACCORDING TO NISSAN, I SHOULD HAVE EXPECTED ABOUT A 20% BATTERY CAPACITY LOSS AFTER FIVE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 14.5 MONTHS. AS OF 8/29/2012, THE BATTERY HAS LOST 3 BARS OF CAPACITY (APPROXIMATELY 27.5% CAPACITY LOSS). THIS RATE OF CAPACITY LOSS IS FAR BEYOND WHAT NISSAN EXPECTED AND POSSIBLY MODELED/ENGINEERED. PLEASE HELP INSURE THERE WILL NOT BE ANY SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE BATTERY AS THE CAPACITY DETERIORATES. *TR

Mileage: 25,725

I HAVE RUN INTO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A SMALL DESIGN FLAW. WHILE USER ERROR IS CLEARLY INVOLVED, A SIMPLE SOFTWARE FIX COULD PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. SCENARIO: 1) LEAF IS PARKED IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE. 2) STARTUP SOUND IS TURNED OFF. 3) PUSH START BUTTON WHILE NOT PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL ADEQUATELY - LEAF GOES INTO ACCESSORY MODE. 4) TRY TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, NOT LOOKING AT DASH SCREEN TO SEE THAT LEAF IS IN ACCESSORY MODE. 5) PRESS DOWN ON PARKING BRAKE LEVER TO DISENGAGE PARKING BRAKE. 6) PRESS ACCELERATOR. RESULT: THE LEAF IS STILL IN ACCESSORY MODE, BUT HAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AFTER STEP #4. ONCE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF AND FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, THERE IS NOTHING TO KEEP THE LEAF FROM ROLLING FORWARD. THIS IS NOT HYPOTHETICAL, IT HAPPENED TO ME TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. ONE TIME I HIT A SHOPPING CART, BUT FORTUNATELY PUT THE BRAKE ON IN TIME AND THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE HOLDER PROTECTED MY LEAF FROM DAMAGE. COMMENT: IN MY OPINION, TRYING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE THE LEAF IS IN ACCESSORY MODE SHOULD NOT PUT THE LEAF IN NEUTRAL--IT SHOULD STILL BE IN PARK. THIS SIMPLE CHANGE WOULD PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF THIS HAPPENING. THE LEAF CAN STILL SHIFT TO NEUTRAL IN ACCESSORY MODE BY MOVING THE SHIFTER TO THE LEFT AND HOLDING IT THERE FOR 2 SECONDS. *TR

Mileage: 8,000

I HAVE RUN INTO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A SMALL DESIGN FLAW. SCENARIO: 1) LEAF IS PARKED IN CONDO PARKING GARAGE WITH GENTLE UPHILL SLOPE ON PARKING SPACE. 2) STARTUP SOUND IS TURNED OFF. 2) FORGET THE LEAF IS STILL PLUGGED IN TO AV L2 EVSE. 3) PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, PUSH START BUTTON. 4) SHIFT INTO REVERSE, NOT LOOKING AT DASH SCREEN TO SEE WARNING THAT LEAF WON'T START. 5) PRESS DOWN ON PARKING BRAKE LEVER TO DISENGAGE PARKING BRAKE. 6) PRESS ACCELERATOR. RESULT: THE LEAF DOESN'T START SINCE IT IS STILL PLUGGED IN TO EVSE. THE LEAF SHIFTS OUT OF PARK INTO NEUTRAL AFTER STEP #4. ONCE PARKING BRAKE IS OFF AND FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR, THERE IS NOTHING TO KEEP THE LEAF FROM ROLLING BACK. IF IT ROLLS FAR ENOUGH IT WILL DAMAGE EITHER THE L2 CONNECTOR TO THE CAR OR THE EVSE OR BOTH. COMMENT: THIS IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL, IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME 3-4 TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. FORTUNATELY, I QUICKLY REALIZED THE LEAF WAS STILL CONNECTED TO THE EVSE AND APPLIED THE BRAKE SO THAT NO DAMAGE WAS DONE. IN MY OPINION, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT THE LEAF OUT OF PARK OR RELEASE THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE THE LEAF IS STILL PLUGGED IN. I WOULD SUGGEST CHANGING THE SOFTWARE TO AVOID POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE LEAF L2 CONNECTER, EVSE OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY IN THE VICINITY. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

THE NISSAN LEAF IS A 100% BATTERY OPERATED VEHICLE. THERE IS A BUILT-IN BATTERY CAPACITY INDICATOR THAT IS DISPLAYED AS 12 INDICATOR BARS. EACH BAR REPRESENTS A % OF THE BATTERIES CAPACITY TO HOLD A CHARGE. NISSAN CLAIMS THAT GRADUAL CAPACITY LOSS IS NORMAL AND THAT DRIVER SHOULD EXPECT TO HAVE 80% OF THEIR CAPACITY LEFT AFTER 5 YEARS AND 70% AFTER 10. I LOST MY FIRST BAR AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL, SECOND BAR FIRST WEEK OF JUNE, AND THIRD BAR FIRST WEEK OF JULY. NISSAN HAS NOT DEFINED WHAT THESE BARS MEAN, HOWEVER, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE LOSS OF THREE BARS IN 4 MONTHS AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR A YEAR IS GRADUAL. I HAVE SENT MY CAR TO 2 DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERSHIPS AND EVEN LET NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TAKE MY CAR FOR 16 DAYS FOR TESTING. SO FAR, NISSAN HAS TOLD ME THAT EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. I BELIEVE THAT HAVING A 100% BATTERY OPERATED VEHICLE MARKETED TO A MASS CUSTOMER BASE AND BEING DRIVEN ON OUR STREETS AND HIGHWAYS SHOULD HAVE A DEPENDABLE BATTERY. *TR

Mileage: 20,000

BATTERY CAPACITY HAS DECREASED OVER 15%, IN JUST 7200 MILES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE DEFECT IN NISSAN LEAF BATTERY. PLEASE HAVE NISSAN INSTITUTE RECALL FOR DEFECTIVE BATTERIES IN 2011/2012 NISSAN LEAF VEHICLES. *TR

Mileage: 7,200

2011 NISSAN LEAF ELECTRIC VEHICLE, PURCHASED ON 8/6/2011, LOST A BATTERY CAPACITY BAR ON 06/21/2012 - 10 MONTHS, 15 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE. THIS IS A 15% LOSS OF BATTERY CAPACITY. NISSAN ADVERTISES AN EXPECTED 80% CAPACITY REMAINING AFTER 5 YEARS. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD MY BATTERY IS "NORMAL," AND SO IS THE LOST CAPACITY. I DISAGREE AND BELIEVE THE BATTERIES NISSAN IS USING IN THIS CAR ARE UNFIT FOR THE HIGH TEMPERATURES IN MY LOCAL AREA OF PHOENIX, AZ. *TR

Mileage: 10,219

LOST FIRST BATTERY CAPACITY BAR AFTER ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP. THIS RESULTS IN A 15% LOSS IN CAPACITY. DIFFICULTIES ARE OCCURING TO ACHIEVE DRIVING DISTANCES AND HABITS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. VEHICLE WILL SOON NO LONGER FUNCTION AS AN FORM OF TRANSPORTATION IF RANGE CONTINUES TO DIMINISH. THE CAPACITY LOSS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE BATTERY AND IS UNACCEPTABLE TO LOOSE A LARGE AMOUNT IN A SHORT TIME FRAME. *TR

Mileage: 20,206

MY NISSAN LEAF HAS EXPERIENCED A 1 CAPACITY BAR LOSS FOR IT'S LITHIUM-ION BATTERY, REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF AVAILABLE MILES TO DRIVE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS PREMATURE AND THAT THIS IS IN RELATION TO LIVING IN A HOT WEATHER CLIMATE AREA (SUMMER MONTHS). NISSAN HAS BEEN INFORMED BY ME OF THIS CONDITION. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INSTANCE, IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SITE: HTTP://MYNISSANLEAF.COM/WIKI/INDEX.PHP?TITLE=REAL_WORLD_BATTERY_CAPACITY_LOSS. *TR

Mileage: 9,570

THE PROBLEM IS THE BATTERY, WE WHERE TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THERE WOULD BE A SLOW LOSS OF CAPACITY AND UP TO 20% LOSS AT 5 YEARS. THIS IS ONLY IN HOT CLIMATES LIKE ARIZONA, TX AND CA. THE CAR SHOULD HAVE HAD A BATTERY COOLING SYSTEM. *TR NOW AFTER PAY $40,000 FOR THE CAR IN THE FIRST YEAR MY DRIVING RANGE IS DOWN SO MUCH IN MY SECOND YEAR THE CAR WILL BE WORTHLESS TO DRIVE OR SELL. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF AGO, I PURCHASED A 2011 NISSAN LEAF FROM MY LOCAL DEALER. EVERYTHING WAS GOING GREAT UNTIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 20 MPH OR SO WHEN THE POWER SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD INSTANTLY WENT OFF BUT THE RADIO+TOUCHSCREEN REMAINED ON. THE CAR CAME TO A CRAWL AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. IT WAS A LITTLE SCARY TO SAY THE LEAST. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND LEFT A VOICE MAIL FOR THE SERVICE DEPT. SINCE IT WAS SATURDAY BUT NEVER RECEIVED A CALL BACK. I KIND OF SHRUGGED IT OFF THAT DAY THINKING IT MIGHT HAVE JUST BEEN A QUIRK SO I DIDN'T FOLLOW UP WITH THE DEALER. ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF AGO, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT GOING AROUND 10 MPH AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IT IN THE NEXT DAY. THEY'VE HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND SAID THAT NISSAN TOLD THEM TO DRIVE IT AND TRY REPRODUCING THE PROBLEM. I DIDN'T EXPECT THEM TO REPRODUCE IT SINCE IT HAS ONLY HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN WEEKS. AS EXPECTED, THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT SO I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE CAR BACK SINCE THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM TAKING THE LEAF BACK TOMORROW TO START DRIVING AGAIN BUT DEFINITELY HAVE CONCERNS SINCE MY WIFE ALSO DRIVES THE CAR AND WHO KNOWS WHAT SHE WOULD DO IN A SHUT-OFF WHILE DRIVING SITUATION. LUCKILY, THE PAST TWO INCIDENTS WERE NOT IN HIGH SPEEDS AND I WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY. MY WORST NIGHTMARE WOULD BE IF WE GOT REAR ENDED DUE TO INSTANTLY LOSING POWER. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN DIRECTLY TO LET THEM KNOW ABOUT MY CAR BUT NO ONE HAS CALLED ME BACK. I ASSUME THEY WERE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH THE DEALER. I DON'T LIKE THE FACT THAT I AM BEING HANDED THE CAR BACK AT A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK. *TR

Mileage: 6,350

I BORROWED A LEAF FROM A CO-WORKER TO DRIVE OVERNIGHT. I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY (NOT BY A PLUG) AND PLUGGED THE 110V CHARGER INTO AN EXTENSION CORD TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. I AWOKE AT MIDNIGHT TO A STRONG BURNED PLASTIC/OZONE TYPE SMELL IN MY BEDROOM, WHICH IS ABOVE THE GARAGE. I WENT TO THE GARAGE AND FOUND THE EXTENSION CORD WAS OVERHEATING, MELTING THE PLASTIC INSULATION FROM THE WIRING. I DISCONNECTED IT, OPENED DOORS FOR A WHILE TO AIR OUT THE HOUSE AND WENT BACK TO BED. GLAD I HAD ENOUGH BATTERY TO GET TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING. MY CONCERN IS THAT I ASSUMED THE CAR CHARGER WAS SELF REGULATING SO IT WOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM USING AN EXTENSION CORD. AS A BORROWER, I DIDN'T READ AN OWNER'S MANUAL OR ANY INFORMATION WARNING ME TO AVOID AN EXTENSION CORD. I'M VERY STRONG AUTO-TECHNOLOGY BASED, YET STILL MADE THIS DUMB MISTAKE. IT WAS DARK, I WAS IN A HURRY TO GET HOME, QUICKLY PLUGGED IT IN AND WENT INSIDE. IF I WASN'T SLEEPING NEAR THE GARAGE, I ASSUME IT WOULD HAVE CONTINUED THIS PATH OF OVERHEATING UNTIL THE WIRE BURNED THRU OR A FIRE OCCURRED. I ASSUME IF SOMEONE PLUGS IT DIRECTLY INTO OLD WIRING IN A HOUSE, IT COULD OVERHEAT THAT WIRING TOO. I EXPECT MANY PEOPLE COULD DO THE SAME THING AS I DID SINCE NO ONE HAS A PLUG OUTSIDE, AND NO ONE IN CALIFORNIA CAN ACTUALLY GET A CAR IN THEIR GARAGE BECAUSE ITS FILLED WITH STUFF. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR AS IT WAS MARVELOUS TO DRIVE. BUT THIS CHARGING ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT CLOSELY SINCE WE ARE BEGINNING TO READ STORIES OF HOUSE FIRES WITH EVS. *TR

Mileage: 1,000