Software Problems of Nissan Leaf

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!!.

See all problems of the 2011 Nissan Leaf 🔎.

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 NHTSA/dot.

I have run into what I believe is a small design flaw. While user error is clearly involved, a simple software fix could prevent this from happening. Scenario: 1) Leaf is parked in grocery store parking lot on a slight downhill slope. 2) startup sound is turned off. 3) push start button while not pressing on brake pedal adequately - Leaf goes into accessory mode. 4) try to shift into reverse, not looking at dash screen to see that Leaf is in accessory mode. 5) press down on parking brake lever to disengage parking brake. 6) press accelerator. Result: the Leaf is still in accessory mode, but has shifted into neutral after step #4. Once parking brake is off and foot is on accelerator, there is nothing to keep the Leaf from rolling forward. This is not hypothetical, it happened to me twice in the last year. One time I hit a shopping cart, but fortunately put the brake on in time and the front license plate holder protected my Leaf from damage. Comment: in my opinion, trying to shift into drive or reverse while the Leaf is in accessory mode should not put the Leaf in neutral--it should still be in park. This simple change would prevent the possibility of this happening. The Leaf can still shift to neutral in accessory mode by moving the shifter to the left and holding it there for 2 seconds.

I have run into what I believe is a small design flaw. Scenario: 1) Leaf is parked in condo parking garage with gentle uphill slope on parking space. 2) startup sound is turned off. 2) forget the Leaf is still plugged in to av l2 evse. 3) put foot on brake, push start button. 4) shift into reverse, not looking at dash screen to see warning that Leaf won't start. 5) press down on parking brake lever to disengage parking brake. 6) press accelerator. Result: the Leaf doesn't start since it is still plugged in to evse. The Leaf shifts out of park into neutral after step #4. Once parking brake is off and foot is on accelerator, there is nothing to keep the Leaf from rolling back. If it rolls far enough it will damage either the l2 connector to the car or the evse or both. Comment: this is not a hypothetical, it has happened to me 3-4 times in the last year. Fortunately, I quickly realized the Leaf was still connected to the evse and applied the brake so that no damage was done. In my opinion, you should not be able to shift the Leaf out of park or release the parking brake while the Leaf is still plugged in. I would suggest changing the software to avoid potential damage to the Leaf l2 connecter, evse or damage to property in the vicinity.