Nissan Recalls Over 94,000 Leaf Models for Owner's Manual Amendment

Nissan has issued a recall for over 94,000 Nissan Leaf models in the United States. The recall is not related to the vehicle itself but to an issue with the owner's manual of the electric vehicle.

Nissan needs to amend the manual to provide clearer instructions on how to operate the defroster function in very cold temperatures. The affected models were manufactured for the 2013-2017 model years between November 19, 2012, and July 12, 2017. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, using the maximum fan speed for the defroster in cold temperatures could cause the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater to enter a failsafe mode for undercurrent protection. This, in turn, can limit the defroster output, potentially reducing visibility out of the windshield.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Nissan has encountered such an issue. The carmaker had issued a recall for 2018-2023 Leaf models earlier this year for the same problem and was still investigating the fault in 2013-2017 models. Nissan has now decided to expand the recall to include these earlier models as well.

Nissan will notify owners of the affected vehicles of the new voluntary safety recall on April 27. An addendum will be made to the owner’s manual of these vehicles with updated instructions on how to operate the defroster in very cold environments.

The Nissan Leaf was first introduced back in 2010 as the first affordable, mass-market electric vehicle in the U.S. The current generation Leaf is reportedly the last and will be retired soon. While it may have been a trailblazer in the EV market, newer electric vehicles have since surpassed it in terms of features and performance.

Source: NHTSA