Please Report 2018 - 2020 Leaf Defects Here

[golfcart]

Update to me previous post ^^^

The 2018 Leaf SV does, in fact, have a leak somewhere in the system according to the dealer. They are having a hard time tracking down exactly where it is because, I was told, the unique heat pump system on the Leaf doesn't allow them to put dye in the system and watch where it comes out (which is what they typically do). So hopefully I am not out of commission for too long and stuck driving this Versa.

Anyone else have similar issues with the heat pump?

[jdcbomb]

FINALLY: After 2 weeks of testing and investigating by a combined team at the collision center and suspension specialists, it was determined that a combination of the motor mount + crossbar (non-critical) interacting with the chassis was causing the noise. The components were replaced / tightened and it appears the bolts for the crossbars were just a quarter turn too loose, causing the play with the chassis. It took so long, and was such a unique issue, that the main tech lead at the collision center said he lost sleep over racking his mind on what could be causing it. They even rolled up the carpet, took out the front seat, and sat in a lawn chair in the vehicle to nail down the source. I miss this car and just glad I will be getting it back, but appreciate that Nissan / Gerber took the time and effort to solve the issue once and for all. Now I get to have them look at an eerily similar but different sounding issue emanating from the steering column on my other 18 MY LEAF!

2 weeks later after the dealer did further testing of the left front creaking and confirmed the location of the sound is coming from the chassis. My vehicle then was transported to Nissan's designated collision repair center (Gerber) for dis-assembly of the entire left/under sides to get deep into the frame. It took several days but I believe they finally found a bad weld somewhere in there. I expect to get a final report and my LEAF back in the next few days. Free rental vehicle started off as a Frontier, which then they swapped to a 2019 Altima with PP. Good service at this dealer.

I first noticed this issue after reaching around 5,000 miles in the 18 SV. Any sharp left turn (u-turn) on a flat or downward include would cause an audible creaking sound coming from the left front area behind the dash.

First visit to original dealer resulted in "unable to replicate." Took to 2nd dealer a couple weeks later and was easily replicated. Tech investigated it for at least 2 hours and could not confirm the location. Weeks later Nissan regional tech lead worked with on-site tech and attached wireless sound sensors to multiple areas.

Confirmed it was not the axle, not the wheel, not the brakes, not the CV joint, and most interesting it was NOT the strut tower (older LEAFs has a TSB for strut tower spacers to solve a similar sound.)

After spending another 4 hours taking apart the under side panels and other components, the going theory it's a bad weld somewhere in the chassis. This will require me to leave the car with a certified body shop that will have to disassemble much of the left side to get to the chassis defect.

Dreading they won't be able to put it all back together correctly but we'll see. Warranty issue means I get free rental (dreading a ICE car too).

What's disturbing is I have another 18 MY SL and it's starting to exhibit the identical sound...

[Transient]

I ran across this thread and wanted to add my ongoing experience with my 2018 Leaf SL (built in Smyrna, TN).

• No issues for the first 6 months, aside from Rapidgate.
• May, 2019 - Nissan Connect EV stopped working (right around 6 months of ownership). Ignored it for a bit, hoping it was temporary. Spent hours on the phone with support to no avail.
• June - Started getting "System malfunction" warnings with AEB disabled occasionally. Also, the backup camera would sometimes be solid black (360 camera was okay, except the rear portion).
• July 9 - Took it into Nissan for servicing. They pulled codes and ordered in parts. Also, they did something that fixed Nissan Connect EV, but they weren't sure what.
• July 15 - Replaced front radar.
• Aug 1 - Replaced the windshield camera (whatever it is called, the one behind the rear-view mirror).
• Sept 9 - Replaced the windshield camera again.
• Oct 2 - Replaced the backup camera. (**this fixed the black backup camera issue**)
• Oct 29 - Replaced the ADAS controller.
• Nov 13-29 - Replaced the windshield camera again. They kept it for 2 1/2 weeks to road test, although the app showed it didn't even move for most of that time (that's a whole other discussion).

So far, the problem hasn't reoccurred since picking it up Nov 29. Hopefully it's finally fixed.

I'm curious if anyone else has had to have their car serviced this many times?

[HerdingElectrons]

I ran across this thread and wanted to add my ongoing experience with my 2018 Leaf SL (built in Smyrna, TN).

• No issues for the first 6 months, aside from Rapidgate.
• May, 2019 - Nissan Connect EV stopped working (right around 6 months of ownership). Ignored it for a bit, hoping it was temporary. Spent hours on the phone with support to no avail.
• June - Started getting "System malfunction" warnings with AEB disabled occasionally. Also, the backup camera would sometimes be solid black (360 camera was okay, except the rear portion).
• July 9 - Took it into Nissan for servicing. They pulled codes and ordered in parts. Also, they did something that fixed Nissan Connect EV, but they weren't sure what.
• July 15 - Replaced front radar.
• Aug 1 - Replaced the windshield camera (whatever it is called, the one behind the rear-view mirror).
• Sept 9 - Replaced the windshield camera again.
• Oct 2 - Replaced the backup camera. (**this fixed the black backup camera issue**)
• Oct 29 - Replaced the ADAS controller.
• Nov 13-29 - Replaced the windshield camera again. They kept it for 2 1/2 weeks to road test, although the app showed it didn't even move for most of that time (that's a whole other discussion).

So far, the problem hasn't reoccurred since picking it up Nov 29. Hopefully it's finally fixed.

I'm curious if anyone else has had to have their car serviced this many times?

Nothing so far for my August '18 build. What month was yours built?

[Transient]

Nothing so far for my August '18 build. What month was yours built?

Mine was also built 8/18. I think it was really close to the end of production for the 2018 model year as people were posting pics of 2019's showing up before it finally showed up at my dealership.

[DaveinOlyWA]

After driving my E Plus a month, I realize that my 40 kwh likely had some sort of front end issue. It would make a rubbing sound 50% of the time while making a left turn from an arterial to a street that was a few inches lower. My E Plus despite its heavier weight makes no such sound. I even experimented with taking the corner way too fast and still no sound.

[jdcbomb]

Update on my other 18 MY SL that has a different sound emanating from the same area under the same driving conditions (left u-turn or sharp left turn).

Nissan manufacturing still determining what could be causing the "tock" sound to occur. The entire left axle was replaced but it didn't really do much. Regional Nissan tech is mystified and I find it fascinating that I have presented them with two LEAFs with frame sounds that take months to resolve. Customer service at the dealer is very good.

Good thing is they've ruled out it's a safety issue so I've been able to drive this vehicle normally without having to use a ICE loaner.

FINALLY: After 2 weeks of testing and investigating by a combined team at the collision center and suspension specialists, it was determined that a combination of the motor mount + crossbar (non-critical) interacting with the chassis was causing the noise. The components were replaced / tightened and it appears the bolts for the crossbars were just a quarter turn too loose, causing the play with the chassis. It took so long, and was such a unique issue, that the main tech lead at the collision center said he lost sleep over racking his mind on what could be causing it. They even rolled up the carpet, took out the front seat, and sat in a lawn chair in the vehicle to nail down the source. I miss this car and just glad I will be getting it back, but appreciate that Nissan / Gerber took the time and effort to solve the issue once and for all. Now I get to have them look at an eerily similar but different sounding issue emanating from the steering column on my other 18 MY LEAF!

2 weeks later after the dealer did further testing of the left front creaking and confirmed the location of the sound is coming from the chassis. My vehicle then was transported to Nissan's designated collision repair center (Gerber) for dis-assembly of the entire left/under sides to get deep into the frame. It took several days but I believe they finally found a bad weld somewhere in there. I expect to get a final report and my LEAF back in the next few days. Free rental vehicle started off as a Frontier, which then they swapped to a 2019 Altima with PP. Good service at this dealer.

I first noticed this issue after reaching around 5,000 miles in the 18 SV. Any sharp left turn (u-turn) on a flat or downward include would cause an audible creaking sound coming from the left front area behind the dash.

First visit to original dealer resulted in "unable to replicate." Took to 2nd dealer a couple weeks later and was easily replicated. Tech investigated it for at least 2 hours and could not confirm the location. Weeks later Nissan regional tech lead worked with on-site tech and attached wireless sound sensors to multiple areas.

Confirmed it was not the axle, not the wheel, not the brakes, not the CV joint, and most interesting it was NOT the strut tower (older LEAFs has a TSB for strut tower spacers to solve a similar sound.)

After spending another 4 hours taking apart the under side panels and other components, the going theory it's a bad weld somewhere in the chassis. This will require me to leave the car with a certified body shop that will have to disassemble much of the left side to get to the chassis defect.

Dreading they won't be able to put it all back together correctly but we'll see. Warranty issue means I get free rental (dreading a ICE car too).

What's disturbing is I have another 18 MY SL and it's starting to exhibit the identical sound...

[cwerdna]

Wow. Transient has had a heck of a time w/his car.

Are '19 defects ok here or should there be another thread for that? https://www.facebook.com/groups/seattle ... 448622940/ has a '19 w/a bad battery module.

Seems like these gen 2 Leafs aren't quite as reliable as the gen 1's.

[LeftieBiker]

I'll expand the title.

[LeafGromby]

2018 SL, the automatic emergency brake warning light kept turning on. Took it into the dealership, and they are waiting on a part. They said it was on back order due to this being a common issue, so I'd be interested to see if anyone else is in the same boat.

It sounded like the forward facing radar (in the front bumper) shorted out due to moisture getting in, but I might not have all of the info yet.

I'll edit this post with any updates, hopefully it won't take too long to get the part...

Have a 2019 SV Plus, Feb 2019 build date, almost 5K miles on it. My Automatic emergency brake warning light acts up every time it rains. Haven't taken back to the dealer for this yet.

Along the lines of the front radar/ camera is the response time. Example, If you're driving with ACC and car comes in front of you, say a lane merge, the car takes a good second or two to respond, and when it does respond the braking is harsh! It's nerve racking when you're closing in on the car in front of you and not slowing, then to have brakes "slam" on. Response seems better if the car is already in front of you and slows down. Now, I'm comparing this to my wife's 2018 Honda CRV which doe not experience this "lag" if you want to call it.

On a different note, the back up camera sucks!! When you watch the picture it's choppy, like watching a video that keeps buffering. Did take it to the dealership, was told there was a recall coming out for the cameras and there was nothing they could do. Then, the recall comes out and my VIN is not included.

Front right suspension sounds loud when you hit larger bumps, like a bad strut almost. Nissan Tech rode with me and said he couldn’t hear anything. Of course we didn't take over any real bumps for him to hear anything, plus he wouldn't be quite and try to listen.

Front drivers side door on the bottom rubs on the fender sometime, it's wearing through the paint. Haven't brought it back for this and the camera yet.

My take on the Leaf, what I like about it are the things inherent to being an electric car. Biggest, is the instant heat in the winter now!! No waiting for the car to warm up! Overall, and as a Nissan, it think it somewhat lacks for what the car cost. I'm trying to like it though since I spend a good chuck to by it. I feel like I bought a $15K quality car with a really expensive battery.