Nissan Recalls Older Leaf Models in the U.S. Over Battery Overheating Risk

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a recall of 2021 and 2022 Nissan Leaf electric vehicles over a potential risk of battery overheating during fast charging. The recall affects 6,545 units from the 2021 model year and 12,532 units from 2022, all built at Nissan’s plant in Tennessee.

The issue stems from the CHAdeMO DC fast-charging connector: when plugged into Level 3 charging stations, the battery may overheat, creating a rare risk of fire. Owners are being advised to avoid fast charging until a software update becomes available. The fix will be installed free of charge at Nissan dealerships.

A similar issue had previously affected 2019–2020 Leaf models, which were also repaired through a software update. Nissan estimates that only about 1% of vehicles are actually at risk. The latest-generation Leaf, equipped with a new charging system, is not affected by the recall.

The case serves as another reminder of how crucial it is for EV buyers to check a vehicle’s recall history and ensure all software updates are properly installed.