The future is electric for the automotive industry, and Japanese automaker Nissan was one of the first manufacturers to hop on the bandwagon. It rolled out the LEAF in 2010, long before electric vehicles (EVs) started dominating headlines.
The Nissan LEAF is easier to maintain than vehicles with an internal combustion engine, but some versions of the car tended to suffer from battery degradation.
It depends on the year. Some versions of the Nissan LEAF suffered from premature battery degradation, primarily due to the fact the battery did not have a thermal management system, as we’ll discuss below.
The absence of an internal combustion engine and the need to have less fluids than a conventional vehicle would mean that an EV like the LEAF would need fewer maintenance checks. However, that doesn’t mean the model won’t develop a few issues over time. Here are the most common problems Nissan LEAF owners have reported across different model years.
Early model years of the LEAF have been notorious for having poor battery life, mainly because their batteries aren’t liquid-cooled. Liquid cooling is a technology that uses coolants, like water, ethylene glycol, and refrigerant, to keep the battery cool. This helps an electric car optimize its performance in terms of battery life and range.
The 2015 redesign has been reported to have a 6% battery degradation rate during its first year, which soars to 18% in its fifth year of ownership. Following that redesign is the 2014 model year, which has a 23% battery degradation rate after six years.
The good news is that the newer models have been reported to have lower rates than the earlier redesigns. Battery degradation from the 2016-2019 models tends to stay between 1% and 3% in their first year.
There have been cases where 2011-2017 LEAFs had faulty automatic braking systems caused by outdated software. The problem, which is common on a variety of Nissan vehicles of the same era, can cause the brakes to apply out of nowhere, even when there isn’t an obstacle ahead.
There have been cases where the 2014 LEAF shut down completely without any warning. Nissan issued a recall (14V263000) for select model year vehicles, citing the inverter as a common cause of the concern.
The driving range of EVs tends to diminish by about 20% during cold weather, according to a report by the Norwegian Automobile Federation. But for some 2013 LEAFs, low temperatures can set back their driving range by as much as 47%.
It’s no secret that EVs offer dozens of advantages over the conventional car, and the LEAF is no different. But while they’re seen as the better option for drivers, EVs can still develop problems over time.
Battery degradation is only one of the possible issues an EV could develop, and losing track of maintenance checks might result in more problems in the long run. So be cautious and take care of your EV the same way you would a conventional car to keep it running for a long time.
The Nissan LEAF is a solid vehicle, but it isn’t perfect. Many drivers have complained about battery degradation, inverter failure, and other issues. Luckily, you can shop for high-quality replacement parts without breaking the bank when at CarParts.com.
Place your order using our website, or you can also dial our toll-free hotline for further assistance. If you shop online, use our vehicle selector to start shopping for the parts you need. Then, use the search filters to narrow down the products according to your preferred brand, price range, and features.
You won’t even have to wait too long to receive your order. Our warehouses are strategically located all over the US. That means you can receive your purchase within a matter of days. If your new parts don’t fit, simply file a claim, ship them back to us, and we’ll issue your refund.
Keep your Nissan LEAF running like new by staying on top of its repair and maintenance. Shop for new parts today!
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The recalibration method buried in the article works for me every time: