A Nissan car recall impacting 64,732 vehicles worldwide has been issued. The Nissan safety recall is related to the defroster operations being incorrect. These operations may result in reduced defroster performance under specific conditions. The recall spans across 2018 to 2023 Nissan Leaf models.

How serious is the Nissan EV recall?

Visibility is an essential part of driving, so the recall is something to worry about slightly. Although it is not necessary and won’t directly cause any issues, the defroster not working can cause some frustration. According to RepairPal, the official recall number is 23V048000, which informs you that the vehicles fail to comply with requirements. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard sets requirements. The Nissan Leaf fails to comply with FMVSS number 103, “Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems.”

What are owners of Nissan Leafs supposed to do?

Nissan aims to address the issue of the Leaf by mailing letters to owners with new instructions. The letters should be sent from Nissan by April 1st, 2023. These instructions will inform the owners how to operate the defroster so it does not enter the fail-safe mode. Additional questions can be answered by the automaker. The Nissan recall number is R22C5. Until owners receive the instructions, the defroster should not be run at maximum fan output to help remedy the issue.

Is the Nissan Leaf reliable?

It is essential for owners to distinguish safety from reliability. The Nissan Leaf has established itself as one of the front-runner EV cars for over a decade. Nissan released the Leaf in 2011, quickly becoming one of the best budget EV cars on the market. Its main rival, the Chevy Bolt, outperforms it in many categories but does not quite have the recognition of the Leaf. According to J.D. Power, the Nissan Leaf scores 73 out of 100 overall in terms of reliability, quality, and cost.

For 2023, the Nissan Leaf starts at $29,135. The spacious cabin and available semi-autonomous technology are an incredible value at this price point. Not only that, but the Leaf provides up to 149 miles of range. The range could be better, like the Tesla Model 3, but the quality you receive for the price is solid.

What is the top-rated Nissan EV?

The Nissan Leaf SV Plus is the top trim of the Leaf model. Starting at $37,135, the SV Plus gives you a more powerful electric motor, an extended driving range, and a good package of standard equipment. The SV Plus electric motor pushes 214 horsepower to the front-wheel drive layout. However, although it may be quick, it is still slower than the Chevy Bolt EV and the Tesla Model 3.

Standard features of the SV Plus include an 8.0-inch infotainment system with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, automatic headlights, automatic climate control, and keyless entry with push-to-start. Even with the nearly $10,000 price increase for the SV Plus, it is still worth it over the standard Leaf. Both cars are affected by the defroster recall, but with new operation instructions on the way, there is much less to worry about.