2011 Nissan Leaf electrical problems

Filed May 31, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

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.

Filed Sep 27, 2021 · Electrical · 40,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed May 15, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 73,300 miles · CA

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.

Filed Mar 21, 2019 · Electrical, Fuel system · 89,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed Jan 11, 2019 · Electrical · 99,844 miles · CA

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.

Filed Oct 5, 2017 · Electrical · 39,000 miles · VA

I believe the battery was rigged into running low right after the warranty ran out

Filed May 1, 2017 · Electrical · 36,769 miles · AL

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.

Filed Apr 6, 2016 · Electrical · 38,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Oct 7, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 40,000 miles · WA

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!!

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 45,000 miles · CA

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 the federal safety agency/dot