Nissan to fix 30 kWh leafs

Nissan has released a statement outlining a fix for their 2016 and 2017 30 kWh Leafs that are experiencing losing range and capacity at an increased rate. 

Nissan plans to reprogramme the controller so that an accurate display of battery capacity and vehicle range is shown. According to Nissan, the level gauge on 2016 and 2017 Leafs are displaying range and capacity that is lower than the actual amount. 

In a statement, Nissan said: “Nissan began conducting a customer service campaign in North America to reprogram the lithium-ion battery controller in 2016 and 2017 model-year LEAF vehicles equipped with a 30-kWh battery, to correct the calculation used for the battery capacity level gauge and distance remaining of the vehicle."

"The displayed vehicle range and battery capacity level gauge on these vehicles are displaying range and capacity that is lower than the actual amount. Reprogramming the controller will result in an accurate display of the LEAFs battery capacity and trip range."

"This service campaign is open to all 2016 and 2017 LEAFs regardless of mileage or if they have had their battery previously replaced.  Owners should contact their local dealer to schedule the update."

Prior to this announcement, owners of Nissan Leafs were reporting that their cars were losing significant range and battery capacity. 

An EV-centric news outlet, Clean Fleet Report, stated that owners were losing as much as 25 per cent of their car’s range and battery capacity in as little as 24,000 kilometres. 

"Nissan’s 96-month lithium-ion battery capacity coverage replaced the suspect batteries. However, for some Leafs, one battery replacement was not enough, with the problem resurfacing not long after the replacement," says Clean Fleet Report. 

Autofile reached out to a few Nissan dealerships in New Zealand and they were unaware of the update.