2016 Nissan Leaf Fuel System Problems

While driving up the San Mateo Bridge in the fast lane, your Leaf unexpectedly shifted itself into Neutral and wouldn't shift back into Drive, leaving you with no power. You had to carefully change lanes to the right without power assistance, but were able to coast down the other side and pull over safely. Your dealership confirmed the battery had failed and needs to be replaced.

USING THE J-1772 CHARGE PORT AT A SHOPPING MALL WHILE GOING FOR A WALK; ON SUN 5/19 AS WE APPROACHED THE CAR TO LEAVE, WE NOTICED A STRONG ELECTRICAL SMELL. I DISENGAGED THE CHARGER, INSPECTED IT AND SAW NO ISSUES. OUR CAR, HOWEVER SHOWED DISTORTION IN THE PORT AT THE UPPER RIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING, 5/20, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND HAD THE CERTIFIED LEAF TECHNICIAN TRY TO PLUG IT IN AND CHECK THE CHARGING. HE FOUND RESISTANCE AS HE TRIED TO PLUG IT IN, LOOKED AT THE DISTORTED PLASTIC, AND SAID "YOU NEED TO REPLACE THAT PORT" IT'S JUNE 1ST TODAY; THE DEALER SAID THEY HAD TO CONTACT NISSAN. AFTER A WEEK OF NO RESPONSE OR CALLBACK, I FINALLY WAS TOLD THAT WE MUST HAVE DAMAGED IT, AND IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED. THEY HAD NO BASIS FOR THAT ASSERTION, AND THEY OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OR ADVICE ABOUT THE DAMAGE ON THE PORT. I'VE CONTACTED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM NISSAN WARRANTY DIVISION. IN THE MEAN TIME, I'M CHARGING WITH THE CHADEMO PORT WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AND STILL USING THE J-1772, ALTHOUGH WITH NO EXPLANATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM I FEEL LIKE IT'S A RISK EVERY TIME. OBVIOUSLY THE CHARGING IS BASIC FOR THE VEHICLE'S FUNCTION.

BATTERY DEGRADATION OCCURRING MUCH QUICKER THAN REASONABLY EXPECTED. DETAILS FOLLOW. CAR PURCHASED IN JUNE 2016. AFTER DRIVING A TOTAL OF 6,150 MILES UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TEMPERATURE, CONSERVATIVE DRIVING (NOT EXCEEDING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, USING ECO MODE AS RECOMMENDED IN THE MANUFACTURER'S MANUAL TO ENHANCE BATTERY LIFE) AND RARELY CHARGING THE BATTERY TO MORE THAN 80% NOR MAKING USE OF FREQUENT QUICK-CHARGING (ALSO AS RECOMMENDED IN MANUFACTURER'S MANUAL), I NOTICED THAT 1 OUT OF 12 "BARS" OF BATTERY CAPACITY WERE LOST. USE OF SOFTWARE TO DETERMINE STATE OF HEALTH (SOH) OF THE BATTERY INDICATED THAT AFTER ONLY 2,300 MILES (AND 4 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP), SOH WAS 89%. MOST RECENTLY (NOV. 2016), SOH IS LESS THAN 84%. CAR IS ALWAYS KEPT IN GARAGE WHEN NOT IN USE, NEVER PARKED OUTSIDE OVERNIGHT. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER IN OCT. 2016 AND NOV. 2017 ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SERVICE DEPARTMENT DECLINED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEMS IN OCT. 2016 WITH SOH WAS ONLY 89%. CONCLUSION: SINCE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN AND CHARGED UNDER OPTIMAL CIRCUMSTANCES WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE OF OVERHEATING WHILE IN OWNER'S POSSESSION, IT APPEARS LIKELY THAT THERE IS EITHER A DEFECT IN THE BATTERY PER SE OR POOR HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE TIME OF SALE. THERE IS NO WAY FOR A CONSUMER GET AN ACCURATE MEASURE OF BATTERY CAPACITY AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I CAN MAKE A SPREADSHEET OF BATTERY SOH OVER TIME AS MEASURED BY 3RD PARTY SOFTWARE AVAILABLE TO NHTSA AT YOUR REQUEST.