Table 1 shows one common power train related problems of the 2022 Nissan Leaf.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Power Train problems |
I am reporting a critical safety hazard involving my 2021 Nissan Leaf s plus (approx. 117,000 miles). Since January 2025, the vehicle has exhibited dangerous battery degradation and voltage sag during operation. On my 30-mile highway commute, while driving at normal highway speeds—especially on inclines—the vehicle would suddenly display a low-power warning, and the remaining battery percentage would instantly crash. This caused a sudden, dangerous loss of propulsion in high-speed traffic, creating severe crash risks. I primarily charged at home and rarely used DC fast charging. On may 22, 2026, while actively driving, the dashboard flashed: "service ev system unable to restart after power off. " I pulled over, and upon turning the car off, it completely bricked. The auxiliary electronics power up, but the vehicle permanently refuses to enter "ready" (drive) mode due to a high-voltage safety lock. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Nissan dealer. The certified technician's diagnostic report confirmed that the high-voltage traction battery has completely failed and is internally damaged. Crucially, this vehicle is currently under an active, unremedied safety recall (NHTSA recall 25v655 / Nissan r25c8) due to excessive lithium deposits that cause severe battery degradation, sudden power loss, and fire risks. The physical failure of my battery is a direct manifestation of this exact manufacturing defect. Nissan’s software-only "interim remedy" did not fix the hardware defect; it simply bricked my car after exposing my family to highway propulsion loss. Nissan must be held legally responsible for replacing these defective, recalled battery packs regardless of mileage, as they present a severe, systemic risk of catastrophic failure and traffic accidents.
“2022 Nissan Leaf with 63,000 miles. Vehicle loses propulsion, unable to accelerate above 40 mph, and goes into turtle mode. Dealer opened the high-voltage battery and found multiple swollen modules. Nissan refuses to replace swollen modules and will only replace one cell despite ev system failure. Vehicle is unsafe to drive. ”.
The latest recall, NHTSA recall 25v-655 for which there is no fix, has rendered my vehicle useless for any round-trip of more than approximately 130 miles from home. This is the same issue for which there was a recall for 2019/2020 Leafs and after a year there was no known fix from the manufacturer.
The vehicle is subject to a manufacturer safety recall related to a fire risk involving the high-voltage battery system. After receiving the recall notice, I brought the vehicle to an authorized dealer for evaluation. The dealer confirmed that there is currently no permanent remedy available for this recall and no estimated timeline for when a corrective repair will be available. The vehicle was returned to me without a corrective repair being performed. Since the recall, the vehicle’s charging capability and usable driving range have been significantly reduced compared to normal operation. Fast-charging functionality is no longer reliably available, resulting in longer charging times and a materially decreased effective range. This condition persists and is not attributable to normal battery degradation or driving habits. The vehicle was purchased new in reliance on its advertised driving range and charging capability, which were necessary to meet predictable daily transportation requirements. Due to the post-recall charging limitations and reduced effective range, the vehicle can no longer be relied upon to perform as originally intended. The active safety recall restricts authorized dealers from selling, leasing, or transferring the vehicle until a permanent remedy is available. No remedy or definitive timeline has been provided. Continued operation of a vehicle subject to a fire-related recall without corrective repair, combined with reduced charging capability and range, raises concerns regarding recall adequacy, charging availability, trip completion, and continued safe operation.
The vehicle has been unable to charge at a lvl3 charger due to safety recall 25v-655 meaning I am no longer able to use this car as a daily commuter for my purpose.
My 2022 Nissan Leaf (VIN ending 558192) is affected by recall r25c8 (lithium-ion battery expansion / fire risk from quick charging). The recall, announced September 30, 2025, requires a software update to the battery management system. Nissan has advised not to use the chademo DC fast charging port until remedied. No remedy is currently available, and the software update has not been deployed. This defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, and safety for its intended purpose (long-distance travel), restricting it to local driving only. The delay has caused significant loss of use. We previously contacted Nissan on October 7, 2025 (case #55896895) with no resolution. Contacted them again February 18 2026 (case #56332493), with no resolution. This is ongoing as of February 2026.
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. 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.
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).
When the power switch is depressed the vehicle takes a certain amount of time before the ready to drive light is illuminated and the vehicle can be shifted into drive out reverse mode. However, if the gear shifter is moved into either drive or reverse prior to the light illuminating the vehicle will enter neutral mode instead of remaining in park. If the vehicle is stopped on any incline the vehicle may begin to roll in an unexpected direction once the brake is released believing the vehicle has shifted into the correct mode. If another vehicle, pedestrian, or object is near the vehicle it may be impacted before the driver has the time to depress the brake pedal. Further making this issue unsafe is that normally the gear selector has to be held in the neutral position for 2 seconds before the vehicle shifts into neutral. With this issue, the vehicle immediately goes into neutral when the shift selector is placed in drive or reverse. The issue was presented to a Nissan dealership for which they responded the vehicle is operating normally. Contacting Nissan consumer affairs also resulted in the statement that the vehicle is functioning normally. The issue with the "normal" operation being an unsafe operation was not of interest to either the dealership or consumer affair department, though the consumer affairs rep said they may look into it. For comparison, the same procedure was performed on a 2012 Toyota prius in which it remains in park, as would be the expected result if the vehicle was not ready to shift into gear.