What 63 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Leaf (40 Kwh Battery)

I was pulling slowly into a parking spot. The vehicle accelerated all of a sudden on its own very fast. I slammed on the brakes and the vehicle did not stop. It ran us on a sidewalk and crashed into a pole. Luckily no one hurt. Progressive is calling the car a total loss, but they have done nothing The car is still at a parking lot near the crash. Nissan is also doing nothing. I feel that I deserve better treatment. I have a good driving record and my rates are going to go up. I have not been offered a replacement car. The car is very dangerous and I would never drive another Nissan

NHTSA ODI 11559018

Vehicle would rapidly suffer from a high energy drain when driving at freeway speeds. Range was reduces from 150 miles EPA, to 80-100 miles. Nissan at first said it was due to the high temperature in Arizona. A few weeks later a "Service EV System" lamp came on, and car would not start the next day after charging overnight. Car stated it was at %80 state of charge at the time. Car was towed to a Nissan service center, and Nissan service determined that some battery modules had bloated battery cells due to overheating after a week of troubleshooting. High voltage battery was replaced under warranty 3 weeks later.

NHTSA ODI 11555512

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at low speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. As a result, the vehicle jumped the wheel stop, coming to a complete stop after colliding with a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who did not provide a specific diagnosis but advised the contact that a BCM reprogramming was required. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V494000 (Vehicle Speed Control), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 12,300.

NHTSA ODI 11548731

Hello NHTSA: I purchased a 2018 Nissan Leaf from Carvana on December 29, 2022. Within a short period of time the car experienced seat belt and air bag warning lights. The car was repaired under factory warranty by HGreg Nissan in Cutler Bay Florida but continued to display warning lights. The satellite communications system was not able to be repaired. This failure deactivated certain convenience and safety features. On March 16, 2023 a warning message and display indicated there was a high voltage battery malfunction and the car needed to be repaired by the dealer, On March 20, 2023 the car was taken to the dealer. The dealer informed me that the car was unsafe to drive and would not, nor did they ever, return the car to me [with the exception of a one-week test drive that did not correct the reported issues]. On August 3, 2023 Nissan North America declared in writing that the car was a Lemon under Florida law. Nissan refunded the purchase price of the car. Both Carvana and Nissan North America have refused to fully compensate me for certain incidental expenses including auto insurance [required to kept active until title transfer] and unused monthly prepaid Carvana maintenance costs. These fees were assessed from March 20, 2023 until August of 2023. During a discussion with Nissan North America their agent disclosed that they intended to wholesale this car. My immediate concern is that a Lemon-declared car should be disclosed if it is even allowed to be resold.

NHTSA ODI 11543440

The malfunction warning light came on to indicate that the automatic braking system was not working. I brought the car to the dealership, which quoted me $1900 for a new sensor. I have read about accidents and near collisions due to the malfunctioning of this system and am now worried that there might be sudden braking that others have experienced. I would like to get this system fixed, but do not believe consumes should need to pay $2000 to repair a defective system.

NHTSA ODI 11540384

On may 12, I was in a long line of cars at a red light , stopped. all of a sudden my car started moving and accelerating toward the car in front of me. When I got over the initial shock, I started stamping on the brake (2-3x) and nothing happened. I clipped the other car as I yanked the car out of line into the turn lane. I turned off the car and shook. Then I handled the insurance stuff with the other guy. I did NOT take my foot off the brake. (I reported this incident to the NTSB, BTW.) I wanted the collision center and Nissan to look at the black box, but the garage didn't and Nissan said that was no black box.

NHTSA ODI 11535161

I was stopped at a light, in a long line of cars, my foot on the brake, a few feet away from the car in front of me, and the same in back. All of a sudden, the car started moving, accelerating, jerking forward. I was shocked, pushed down on the brake, nothing happened. starting pulling the car out of line because I was going to hit the car in front of me. I was pumping the brake, and NOTHING HAPPENED. Clipped the car in front's rear left bumper, wrecked my front right bumper. Finally pulled into the turn lane and finally the brakes caught. It was like someone had taken a gizmo and turned on my car (like the OnStar mess a few years ago.). Nothing like this has ever happened to me, in any car, including this one, until 5/12 at 2:00 pm. It was terrifying.

NHTSA ODI 11525019

Plastic/metal from steering wheel become dislodged/detached/warped, caused major laceration to my right ring finger when making left turn 5/6/23 4PM. Went to urgent care as a result, had to get tetanus shot.

NHTSA ODI 11521565

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH uphill, the vehicle went into protective safe mode due to a faulty signal, and would no longer exceed 20-25 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that it was a known failure that occurred in cold weather. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,225.

NHTSA ODI 11515840

The PTC Heater and A/C compressor failed on my 2018 Nissan Leaf, just as the winter of 2022 was getting started. The vehicle passed prior service inspections, with no mention of issues on either of these components. The failure of the PTC heater and A/C compressor results in a "Service EV System" error message, and indication that the vehicle would not restart after powering off. When this error message appeared, the heating and defrost capabilities of the vehicle were lost. The fans would continue to blow air, but windows would fog up. I could not charge my vehicle in this error state either, so if I hadn't been close to home, I would've been in a potentially dangerous situation because it was cold out. The local Nissan dealership confirmed the error codes of P0AA6-1A (HV battery voltage system isolation) and P31E7 (restart inhibition) were present. They initially fixed this issue after nearly 5 months of the vehicle being in their shop. These codes, paired with the information I've read on the Internet, indicates others have had this issue before, and the normal repair involved replacing the traction battery (400v high-voltage battery), not these two components. The "Service EV System" came back less than 36 hours after paying for the repair. The 12v battery was also at a low voltage, which may have been related to the vehicle sitting for so long for service without being charged.

NHTSA ODI 11513715

Around 45 degree weather, while driving on the freeway, a warning light indicating the AEB had been turned off started flashing on my dashboard without any collision, jerky movements, sudden stops, or changes to settings. At the same time this happened, my electric battery mileage started to fluctuate erratically (73% to 8% to 14% back to 70% and finally to 60%). This is extremely concerning because of the car immediately brakes or if the battery dies on the freeway, it could cause a major collision.

NHTSA ODI 11492170

Around 45 degree weather, while driving on the freeway, my electric battery mileage started to fluctuate erratically (73% to 8% to 14% back to 70% and finally to 60%). It gave me low battery warnings two separate times. At the same time this happened, a warning light indicating the AEB had been turned off started flashing on my dashboard without any collision, jerky movements, sudden stops, or changes to settings. This is extremely concerning because of the car immediately brakes or if the battery dies on the freeway, it could cause a major collision.

NHTSA ODI 11492173

When the vehicle is booting up after pressing the power on button you can try to shift from P to R or D. It is very easy to do this too soon. Instead of staying in P or shifting to the desired gear it shifts to N. You can then shift to R or D without using the brake pedal. Normally you would think this is no big deal. The problem is if you are on a hill and expect to move in reverse you end up rolling forward and vice versa. This happens a lot, because I am impatient. It has not caused an issue for me yet, but I can foresee something happening from a minor collision to something horrible where a child is run over or injured. I brought it to the attention of my local dealer before my warranty expired and they said all of the Leaf vehicles do this. How does Nissan think this is acceptable? How does a dealership not report this after they are made aware of such an issue? This has been the case since I have had the vehicle since late 2018. I keep meaning to report it. I hope this has not caused any injuries.

NHTSA ODI 11486228

There is a faulty passenger airbag sensor. I see that this has been an issue in the past for older Nissan models. The dealer has inspected it and confirmed the problem. If there is no passenger in the front seat, the supplemental airbag warning light and the front passenger airbag status light stay on. If there is a passenger, the supplemental airbag warning light will turn off, but the front passenger airbag status light stays on.

NHTSA ODI 11475265

While driving on the highway with a full battery charge, the vehicle battery was suddenly depleted, the car entered "turtle mode" (a reduced motor power at low charge feature), and then turned off completely moments later. This is a huge safety issue as it leaves you to coast to a stop without the benefit of power brakes or steering. This is caused by a weak cell in the high voltage battery, an issue Nissan is aware of but has chosen not to address. Currently I have no other option but to continue driving the car as is, with the risk of an accident in a situation like this continually increasing.

NHTSA ODI 11461430

AEB system malfunction around 25000 miles. Dealer diagnose as the front radar failed and cause the cruise control not available.

NHTSA ODI 11447574

Steering wheel paint chipping causes multiple lacerations on finger during turn

NHTSA ODI 11436355

2 incidents have occurred with this vehicle. The first earlier this year (2021) is that upon slowly accelerating to move closer to vehicle that moved up in a turn lane, the automatic emergency brake system engaged, abruptly stopped the vehicle and many lights lit up across the dashboard. The brakes then released and all lights on the dashboard disappeared. I was not close enough to the car ahead or at any rate of speed that should have caused this abrupt brake reaction. The 2nd incident and most dangerous happened on 8/13/21. I was slowly reversing out of a parking spot at a crowded location, when I saw a car behind my vehicle. I went to brake (not hard brake just regular), and the brakes did not work. I continued to slowly roll back towards the car behind me. I tried pressing the brakes repeatedly and it would not stop rolling backwards. I then pulled the emergency brake and the car came to a stop. No lights appeared on the dashboard. I turned the car off and powered it on again and slowly moved forward into the parking space and tried reversing again. The car was driving completely fine just after. I had a short trip home & didn't drive the rest of the evening. I didn't charge the car as there was still 85% left on the battery. The next morning, the car would not start and a message showing "Service EV System No Power" appeared on the dashboard with multiple lights lit. I called a tow truck to take it to the dealer and they found that the 12v battery was completely dead. Battery light not lit on dashboard prior to the complete outage. The dealer said it was the 12v battery that was likely the cause of these incidents and they replaced it. The brake issues could not be reproduced at the dealer after the new battery installed. Also note, that I just had the vehicle in for a multi-point inspection in June where nothing was found to be faulty. They did recommend a brake fluid exchange, so this was done as well as tire rotation.

NHTSA ODI 11429682

I HAD INITIATED A CLAIM SOMETIME LAST YEAR ABOUT THE B PILLAR PLASTIC DOOR TRIM POSSIBLY BEING DAMAGED FROM THE SUN'S REFLECTION. NISSAN USA REFERRED ME TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SINCE THEY CANNOT HELP ME. THEY SAID THAT IT'S NOT A DEFECT AND WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY DAMAGES THAT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED (ABOUT $1000). I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS AS IT'S NOT AN UNCOMMON ISSUE FOR DOOR TRIMS TO MELT JUST LIKE IF THE HEAT FROM A HEAT GUN WAS APPLIED TO IT. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW PHOTOS ONLINE AND NOT JUST NISSAN. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER WHERE THE SUN REFLECTS OR THE BUILDINGS THAT REFLECT THE SUN'S RAYS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS, THE VEHICLE WAS USED AS INTENDED, AND THERE ARE NO INSTRUCTIONS ON THE MANUAL REGARDING THIS. THE CAR IS MELTING FROM THE SUN.

NHTSA ODI 11415463

I WAS DRIVING ALONE AT 4:20PM AT ABOUT 30 MPH, WITH NO OTHER CARS OR PEDESTRIANS AROUND WHEN THE BRAKES SUDDENLY ACTIVATED, AND THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO IDLE. THE BRAKING LASTED ABOUT ONE SECOND AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR COMPLETELY. THIS OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET. THESE EVENTS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH.

NHTSA ODI 11394518

WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 30 MPH ALONE ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC AROUND, NO PEDESTRIANS OR OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE ROAD, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR DISENGAGED AND THE BRAKES CAME ON. THE BRAKING ONLY LASTED ABOUT ONE TO TWO SECONDS AND DID NOT STOP THE CAR. A TRIANGULAR WARNING SIGN APPEARED ON THE DASH DURING THE BRAKING, AND WENT OFF WHEN THE BRAKES RELEASED. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI 11391083

FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR STARTED SAGGING AGAIN, SAME ISSUE AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED UNDER # 11308649. TAKEN TO THE DEALER TODAY, THEY ADJUSTED THE "DOOR STRIKER". AS REPORTER PREVIOUSLY, THERE MAYBE A STRUCTURAL ISSUE WITH THE DOOR STRIKER BEING TOO FRAGILE OR TOO THIN.

NHTSA ODI 11389170

BACKUP CAMERA PERIODICALLY FAILS TO PRODUCE FEED, RESULTING IN BLACK SCREEN WHEN VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE (THOUGH BACKUP TURN GUIDANCE LINES STILL APPEAR). SLAMMING TRUNK DOOR OR PRESSING ON THE CAMERA MODULE ITSELF SOMETIMES RESOLVES ISSUE BUT CAN ONLY BE DONE FROM OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND DOES NOT ALWAYS FIX THE ISSUE. THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THE EXISTING RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE SOFTWARE ISSUE. DEALERSHIP HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE AND NOT FOUND ANY WIRING ISSUES AND NOTED THAT THIS IS NOT RELATED TO THE SOFTWARE ISSUE IN THE EXISTING RECALL. CANNOT RELIABLY REPRODUCE BUT SEEMS TO OCCUR ROUGHLY ONCE A MONTH OR MORE OFTEN. POSSIBLY OCCURS FROM OPENING AND CLOSING TRUNK DOOR THOUGH ISSUE IS NOT NOTICED UNTIL NEXT TIME THE CAR IS OPERATED AND PUT IN REVERSE. TURNING VEHICLE OFF AND THEN BACK ON DOES NOT RESOLVE ISSUE. BACKUP CAMERA TURN GUIDANCE LINES CONTINUE TO APPEAR EVEN IF NO BACKUP CAMERA FEED APPEARS (BLACK SCREEN) WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE AN ISSUE WITH THE CAMERA MODULE ITSELF RATHER THAN THE DISPLAY MODULE OR SOFTWARE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX/DIAGNOSE AS IT HAS NOT OCCURRED WHILE AT DEALERSHIP OR OTHER REPAIR FACILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330412

THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT MY ALMOST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE NISSAN LEAF 2018 HAS A MODE CALLED "E-PETAL" THAT ALLOWS THE DRIVER TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE USING ONLY THE GAS PETAL. THE ISSUE I HAVE WITH MY CAR IS WHEN I AM IN A PARKING LOT TURNING MY STEERING WHEEL AS FAR TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT AS IT WILL GO TO NAVIGATE INTO THE PARKING SPACE, MY CAR WILL SUDDENLY STOP BRAKING CAUSING MY CAR TO RUSH FORWARD. I HAVE NEVER BEEN HURT, BUT THE SUDDEN SPEED INCREASE WHILE MAKING A HARD TURN WIPES MY CAR AND HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HIT PARKED CARS. THE "E-PETAL" SHOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO BRAKE WHEN THE GAS PETAL IS DEPRESSED, BUT IT SEEMS TO DISENGAGE ENTIRELY WHEN I DO AS STATED ABOVE. I DON'T SEE ANY REASON TURNING THE WHEEL A CERTAIN WAY SHOULD CAUSE THE "E-PETAL" TO DISENGAGE. I DIDN'T KNOW IF I SHOULD REPORT THIS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE I COULD REALLY HURT SOMEONE IF THIS HAPPENED WITH PEDESTRIANS AROUND. I AM UNSURE ABOUT THE EXACT MILEAGE, DATE, AND SPEED WHEN THE INDECENT OCCURRED BUT IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11316742

ON FRIDAY, 02/07/2020, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR NO LONGER CLOSED CORRECTLY ON THIS CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE AN "ADJUSTMENT" WAS MADE. LATER THAT DAY, THE DOOR WOULD NO LONGER CLOSE AGAIN. ON MONDAY, 02/10/2020 THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER, AND ANOTHER ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT "NO WEIGHT" SHOULD BE PUT ON THE DOOR EVEN THOUGH THIS HASN'T BEEN AN ISSUE BEFORE. I BELIEVE THAT THERE MAYBE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT INHERENT IN THE HINGING MECHANISM OF THIS MODEL WHICH LEADS TO GRADUAL WEAKENING OF THE HINGE LEADING TO A DOOR NOT BEING ABLE TO CLOSE PROPERLY. THIS MAY BE RELATED TO AN EXISTING NHTSA ID # 10143486 (NTB18-042).

NHTSA ODI 11308649