LEAF Fire in North Texas

[Shawn75067]

My vehicle was purchased as a New 2013 Leaf model SL. Unfortunately I am unaware of what month it was made. I bought the vehicle in September of 2013.

[Firetruck41]

I understand being gunshy about electric cars after this, but if it started under the dash, it is much more likely something to do with the 12v system, which every electric/gas/diesel/hybrid car has. Hopefully there is some determination as to what caused that, pretty scary!

[Shawn75067]

My friend found a picture of the Leaf that was a cut-away showing where wiring and battery, etc are located. We showed it to a friend of ours and explained exactly where the smoke and fire appeared from. He suspects it may be faulty wiring in the bundle of the main line. The main power line runs through that console which makes us suspicious of that line. I do hope they figure out the cause and really would like to know what they find though wouldn't be surprised if we continue to be left in the dark.

[RonDawg]

Aren't all the high voltage components and wiring outside of the passenger compartment? While it's possible it could have started outside the car, then spread inside (happens all the time with ICEVs), I'm wondering if this isn't just a run-of-the-mill 12 volt short from behind the dash.

[BrockWI]

Could it have been the resistance heater? Doesn't it heat up coolant, what if the coolant had leaked out somehow. I don't know where that sits or even if it could do that, but 5000w dry would be a fire starter for sure, but you would think there are a couple of safety's on that that system as well. Although the SL should have been using the heat pump if any HVAC was called for, just throwing things out there.

Either way good to know your safe, a car is a car and can be replaced.

[Shawn75067]

The fire and smoke was coming out of the console in the passenger compartment, not the dash itself. I wish I could post the picture of the cutaway so you could see what area I'm referring to and what is there. The area was right at the cup holders and in front of them in the little shelf area.

[EVforRobert]

That is quite specific, Shawn. From what you describe, you had a relatively new well-maintained, premium trim vehicle which went bad almost instantly.

I have read on other EV forums a comment about high voltage through the firewall in this particular vehicle. I think the question for our more technically minded members is are there any high voltage (400V) components related to the hybrid heating or other electronics? Could they have produced a fire?

[BrockWI]

So sort of below the radio / heating / cooling controls and in front of the cup holders?

[Shawn75067]

Yes right in front of the cup holders. I wish I had a way to post the crossection picture I found before because it does show orange power cables running in the area which I assume goes to the motor. But there was another in the picture that split away from the main bundle in that area that looks suspicious as well.

[DuncanCunningham]

Yes right in front of the cup holders. I wish I had a way to post the crossection picture I found before because it does show orange power cables running in the area which I assume goes to the motor. But there was another in the picture that split away from the main bundle in that area that looks suspicious as well.

Have Nissan made any other contact with you except for their "research" call?