2022 Nissan Leaf

I own a 2022 Nissan LEAF (VIN [XXX] ) that is subject to a Nissan safety recall advising owners not to use DC fast charging due to risk of battery overheating and fire. DC fast charging is a core function of an electric vehicle. Nissan’s instruction to avoid fast charging effectively removes this capability. In addition, some public charging networks have restricted or blocked Nissan LEAF fast charging, further limiting safe operation. Nissan has not provided a permanent repair. A proposed software update does not address the underlying physical battery risk and does not restore full charging functionality. As a result, the vehicle cannot be used as intended, and owners are left with reduced charging capability and increased safety uncertainty. I believe this defect presents an ongoing safety risk and warrants regulatory review. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

There has been a recall on my vehicle for months now, and previously there was a recall on other nissan leafs for over a year at this point before they branched out to include my vehicle. In the contract I signed to purchase my vehicle, I was stated to have access to tier 3 charging. I am unable to do that currently, and I do not live close to a tier 2 charger, so I am forced to use my tier 3 charging. They say not to do that, so I am left with a vehicle that I am unable to use, and have been for months. I iniated a buyback, but they declined it.

The vehicle is affected by manufacturer recall R25C8 (NHTSA 25V-655), which identifies a risk of battery overheating and potential fire during fast charging. The recall instructs owners not to use Level 3 (DC fast) charging because the vehicle’s battery system may enter a failsafe mode or experience thermal issues under high-load charging. This significantly restricts normal operation of the vehicle, especially for longer-distance travel, and raises concerns about battery safety during charging. The issue is ongoing, and no permanent remedy is currently available. The restriction on fast charging reduces the vehicle’s intended functionality and creates uncertainty about the safety of the high-voltage battery system. No collision or fire has occurred, but the condition remains unresolved. The vehicle remains available for inspection upon request.

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. EVGO, one of the major lv3 chargers refuses service from customers with Leafs as well at this time, forcing me to rent a vehicle for long distance family trips this holiday season. 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.

High-voltage traction battery / propulsion system repeatedly malfunctions. First incident – Aug 2023 (~91,000 mi). Vehicle displayed “EV System No Power” with DTC P31E7. After parking, the car would not restart; I was stranded > 2 hours on a surface road until towed. Nissan dealer (Napleton St Louis) replaced a battery module under warranty and cited Nissan TSB NTB23-024 (bent retention plate in 62 kWh pack). Vehicle returned to service. Second incident – Apr 2024 (~128,000 mi). Same symptoms re-appeared: dashboard showed 200 mi remaining, but under moderate acceleration the range meter plunged to ~80 mi within seconds, but releasing the accelerator the range would go back up, but plunge again once accelerating again. the car gets less then the then half what the dash claims on a full charge, leaving me to not know what the full range truly is. Two dealerships have said I'm having the same issue as previously, except my car is not displaying the inhabitation error. Current safety concern: The vehicle’s range indicator fluctuates drastically under load (e.g., 190 → 70 → 140 miles) whenever the accelerator is pressed, suggesting instability or failure in the high-voltage battery. Because remaining range is no longer reliable, I have stopped using the vehicle for daily transportation to avoid being stranded—especially on highways where there is no safe place to pull over or access to chargers. A sudden loss of motive power at high speed creates a crash risk for both occupants and surrounding traffic.

in reduced traction environments vehicle will accelerate a full throttle without driver input to accelerator pedal. The issue is repeatable. though it seems to happen under multiple conditions. Vehicles acceleration is often opposite of the direction selected on shifter. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On my 2022 Leaf I use the epedal system, which is supposed to operate as a one-pedal driving, meaning when you the car is in epedal mode, you can drive the car with one pedal. When you press the accelerator the car will move forward and when you let go of accelerator the car will come to a stop. However, sometimes the car does NOT come to a stop and it will coast as if the epedal is not engaged. This happens regardless of the batteries SOC (state of charge), weather, angle of the road, temperature, or road condition. When epedal is engaged and you lift off the accelerator, the car should always come to a stop, and it doesn't. This is dangerous because there have been many times where I have ran a stop sign or almost hit the car in front of me because I've had to slam on the brakes at the last seconds. Sometimes the epedal system works great and the car will come to a stop, but many times it does not. The braking should always be consistent and it is not, making this feature dangerous to use because you can easily hit the car/something in front of you. I know how the system works because this is my second Nissan Leaf. In my 2018 Nissan Leaf, the epedal was consistent with the braking; it always braked, no matter the situation. The 2022 does not, and it's dangerous. I brought the car to the Nissan dealer and of course they can't find anything wrong with it. There are several others I've found online that have the same issue: epedal braking is NOT consistent and it should be. There are no warning lamps or messages that come up on the dash. I'm asked to provide a date, but this happens every day. Every day the braking is inconsistent. his has been happening since the first day I bought the car in November of 2021.