Nissan has announced a recall of 19,077 Nissan Leaf electric hatchbacks from the 2021 and 2022 model years due to a potential fire risk associated with their lithium-ion batteries. This recall follows an earlier 2024 recall involving 2019 and 2020 Leafs for the same issue.
Reason For Recall
The recall is prompted by excessive lithium deposits found inside the battery cells of affected Leafs. These deposits increase electrical resistance and cause fluctuations in the state of charge. During Level 3 fast charging, this increased resistance can lead to rapid overheating, potentially resulting in battery fires. Both the standard 40.0 kWh battery pack and the optional 62.0 kWh pack are impacted by the issue.
Nissan’s Response & Owner Guidance
Nissan is developing a software fix that will monitor battery temperature and halt charging if rapid heating is detected, specifically during Level 3 charging. Until this remedy is available, Nissan advises all owners of affected Leafs to avoid Level 3 charging to minimize fire risk. Interim notifications to owners will begin on October 24, 2025. The software update will be provided free of charge once developed and made available.
No Warning Signs
According to Nissan and documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there are currently no warning symptoms to alert owners if their vehicle’s battery is affected. Owners can verify whether their car is part of the recall on NHTSA’s website. Nissan encourages affected customers to adhere to the provided precautions and await further instructions.
Summary
- Recall includes 19,077 Nissan Leafs from 2021 and 2022 model years.
- Batteries may develop lithium deposits causing excessive heat during Level 3 charging.
- Nissan is issuing a software fix to stop rapid charging if overheating occurs.
- Owners should avoid Level 3 fast charging until the repair is performed.
- No warning signs currently exist; Nissan will notify owners starting late October 2025.
- Repair and software update will be free of charge to affected customers.
This recall highlights the ongoing challenges of managing lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles as manufacturers work to balance performance and safety. Nissan remains committed to resolving the issue swiftly and transparently for customers.
