Nissan Recalls the Leaf for Battery Overheating Issue
Nissan has a new Leaf coming very soon, but the existing model just got hit with a recall on its way out the door. The automaker is grabbing more than 19,000 cars from the 2021 and 2022 model years for an issue that could cause the battery to overheat during fast charging.
The recall impacts Leaf models equipped with a CHAdeMO fast-charging port. The batteries in affected cars may accumulate excessive lithium deposits, which can increase electrical resistance and cause problems with the charge. Level 3 fast charging with that resistance may cause rapid heat buildup, increasing the risk of a fire or injury.
Nissan didn’t report any accidents or injuries related to the problem, and it has not issued warnings advising owners to charge outside or to park away from buildings. The automaker is working on a fix for the issue, which will involve a software update to prevent thermal incidents.
The new Leaf improves on its predecessor with a new powertrain and battery, with up to 303 miles of range and 174 horsepower. Unlike the old model, which came with a CHAdeMO port, the new version comes with J1772 and Tesla North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports. It also retains a modest price, starting at $29,990.
[Images: Nissan]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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Crazy - it's like they never tested for this.