A total of 94,343 Nissan Leaf models are being recalled in the United States but it’s not because of an issue with the car itself. Instead, it concerns the owner’s manual of the EV.
It has been revealed that Nissan Leaf models manufactured for the 2013-2017 model years between November 19, 2012 and July 12, 2017 have an owner’s manual that provides poor instructions for operating the defroster function.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall notice states that by using the maximum fan speed for the defroster in very cold temperatures, the Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) heater may enter a failsafe mode for undercurrent protection. This can limit defroster output, reducing visibility out of the windshield.
This isn’t the first time Nissan has encountered such an issue. In fact, it issued a recall for 2018-2023 Leaf models earlier this year for the same problem and at the time, was still investigating the fault in 2013-2017 models. The carmaker made the decision to expand the recall to include 2013-2017 models on March 30.
Nissan will notify owners 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.
Current reports state that the current generation Leaf will be the last and that it will be retired in the not-too-distant future. Given that the Leaf was first introduced back in 2010 as the first affordable, mass-market electric vehicle in the U.S., it comes as no surprise that newer EVs have proven to be better packages.
