Hello. I have a 2012 Leaf. The original battery was replaced with a refurbished battery in 2016; there was only a 1-year warranty. This week the EV Warning System light came on. I could start the car but it would not shift out of neutral. When I plugged it in to charge, it would not charge. The 12-volt battery tested a little low, so I replaced it with a new one. The car started and I was able to shift into Drive. Turned off the car to charge it but it would not charge, and the EV Warning System light came back on. I have LeafSpy, and I when I clear the error codes the car will start and shift into Drive, but when I try to charge it the warning code returns and the car won’t charge. I took the car to the dealer, who said there is a bad cell in the lithium battery. I was quoted $15,000 to replace the battery ($13,650 for the battery, plus labor and tax.) (NOTE: I live in Hawaii, so slightly higher prices are expected, but not that high. I am aware that as recently as June 2020 new lithium batteries were around $6,000 installed.) I called a different dealer, and was quoted around $11,000 ($9,600 for the battery, plus labor and tax.)
Paying that much is not possible for us. My questions are: Does anyone know if it is safe to drive the car with a bad cell? And if so, is there a way to charge the car? It seems that as soon as we plug it in, the diagnostic codes prevent the car from charging. Are there any other options I haven't thought of?
And input is welcome. Thank you.
Paying that much is not possible for us. My questions are: Does anyone know if it is safe to drive the car with a bad cell? And if so, is there a way to charge the car? It seems that as soon as we plug it in, the diagnostic codes prevent the car from charging. Are there any other options I haven't thought of?
And input is welcome. Thank you.