2018 Nissan Leaf Steering Problems
5 owner-reported steering complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Owner Complaints (5)
Your airbag warning light turns on when you start the car and stays on. The dealer has tried multiple fixes including computer resets and says a sensor needs replacing, but the light keeps returning. Additionally, you're hearing a loud clanking or grinding noise when turning the steering wheel left or right, and the steering momentarily locked up during a U-turn. The dealer replaced axle nuts but the noise got worse and now says front strut mounts and bearings need replacement. Fixing these issues will likely involve replacing the occupant detection system sensor and potentially the front strut mounts, bearings, and axle components.
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Plastic/metal from steering wheel become dislodged/detached/warped, caused major laceration to my right ring finger when making left turn 5/6/23 4PM. Went to urgent care as a result, had to get tetanus shot.
Steering wheel paint chipping causes multiple lacerations on finger during turn
NISSAN PROPILOT HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW. WHEN USING PROPILOT ON MY 2018 NISSAN LEAF SV IN STOP AND GO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES WHEN MY NISSAN LEAF COASTS TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP 15 FEET BEHIND A "BOXY" VEHICLE LIKE A SEMI-TRUCK, THE LEAF SUDDENLY ACCELERATES LIKE IF THERE IS NO VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME AND IF I AM NOT COMPLETELY ATTENTIVE AND IF I DO NOT IMMEDIATELY APPLY THE BREAKS, THE NISSAN LEAF WOULD REAR END THE SEMI-TRUCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 4 TIMES OVER THE PAST 6 MONTHS WHEN FOLLOWING A SEMI-TRUCK WITH TRAILER AND THIS MORNING IT OCCURRED AGAIN A FIFTH TIME BUT THIS TIME I WAS BEHIND A SEDAN. I HAVE A DASHCAM VIDEO OF THE INCIDENT FROM THIS MORNING. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO NISSAN BUT THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE TAKEN MY 2018 NISSAN LEAF IN TO THE LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE CENTER BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE SENSORS AND THEY DO NOT SEE ANY ISSUES AND NO ERROR CODES REPORTED BY THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM WHERE THE SOFTWARE IGNORES THE RADAR IMAGE OF THE TRUCK IN FRONT BECAUSE IT THINKS IT IS AN OVERHEAD SIGN AND NOT ANOTHER VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT, THE CAMERA INPUT OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT ALSO APPEARS TO BE IGNORED BY THE SOFTWARE IN THIS SITUATION. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE HAD AT LEAST TWO INCIDENTS (ALSO OCCURRED THIS MORNING) WHERE PROPILOT LANE KEEPING FEATURE SHUTS OFF AND AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BREAKING IS ALSO SHUT OFF AND DEACTIVATED FOR AND EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR NOW APPARENT REASON (IN EXCELLENT WEATHER AND CLEAR CONDITIONS, NO OBSTRUCTIONS OF SENSORS, ETC.), I HAVE VIDEO OF THIS AS WELL.
THIS NISSAN CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH FEATURES NAMED, PRO-PILOT ASSIST (PPA), INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL (ICC) AND EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST (EBA). WHEN ENGAGED, IT IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP LANES AND FOLLOW DISTANCE IF THERE IS A CAR IN FRONT. WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT IS STOPPED THIS CAR IS SUPPOSED TO STOP AS WELL. PPA WHEN ENGAGED, IF THERE ARE GOOD ROAD MARKINGS, WILL SHOW A GREEN STEARING ON THE DASH BOARD, TO SHOW THAT CAR CAN STEER IT SELF. HOWEVER IF THERE IS A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT ON THE SAME LANE (EX. STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT), THIS CAR DO NOT DETECT THAT THERE IS A CAR STOPPED, AND KEEP GOING FORWARD UNTIL CRASH INTO THE STOPPED CAR, DRIVER HAVE TO INTEVENE TO STOP AT THIS TIME TO STOP. I TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS NORMAL. THAT IS NOT WHAT NISSAN ADVERTISE. THIS BEHAVIOR IS QUITE DANGEROUS OF THESE CARS, AND MY EXPECTATION IS THE CAR NEED TO STOP IF THERE IS AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE ROAD, WHEN THE GREEN STEERING WHEEL ON DASH IS SHOWING THAT CAR IS DOING AUTO-STEER.