Nissan leaf breakdown

Notch000

on a side note do you have to rent the batteries on these leafs ??

Notch000

Notch000 wrote: »

on a side note do you have to rent the batteries on these leafs ??

NO, and we're not even given the option in Ireland.

However, by the time you add up the cost of rental you'll have paid for it either way.

Most people will flog a brand new car by the time the warranty has expired, and so I don't expect the battery to fail within this time at all so there is no point renting it, but it should be an option for 2nd hand buyers.

kdouglas

[Deleted User] wrote: »

NO, and we're not even given the option in Ireland.

However, by the time you add up the cost of rental you'll have paid for it either way.

Most people will flog a brand new car by the time the warranty has expired, and so I don't expect the battery to fail within this time at all so there is no point renting it, but it should be an option for 2nd hand buyers.

I'm not a fan of the battery lease option myself. It negates the fuel savings of operating an electric vehicle and although it makes the initial purchase price cheaper id rather own the vehicle outright and do what I want with it rather than be stuck paying a battery lease indefinitely.

Granted though, if you're buying new and plan to sell after a couple of years, battery lease is with considering but I'd be concerned about trying to sell a car privately with a battery lease.

I honestly think now anyone buying new should seriously consider PCP rather than normal HP or bank loan. The monthly repayments are considerably lower. That is of courseif you want to keep buying new.

Though on a car loan form a bank you could go over 5 years with much lower monthly payment, though you can't trade it and top up the loan you got to pay the bank loan completely before they will give you more.

I think on finance you can pay over 5 years trade and refinance the new car ?

But leasing the battery while it makes the car cheaper you could end up paying a lot more after the car is paid off.

You'd have to calculate the cost with and without the battery and add up the leasing over the miles you need.

TBH If I were buying a brand new leaf this year I'd considering PCP if I were fortunate enough to be within the max miles allowed because the MK II is due in 2017 but Nissan could offer different battery options within this current model generation.

kdouglas

kdouglas wrote: »

Granted though, if you're buying new and plan to sell after a couple of years, battery lease is with considering but I'd be concerned about trying to sell a car privately with a battery lease.

No it makes less sense if you intend to get rid of it after a few years because the initial manufacturers warranty will cover defects for 60,000 miles or 5 years I think it is.

I wouldn't have much issue if I could get a Leaf for 8k or less leasing a battery because i know once it reaches 70% they will install a brand new battery where as it stands now they will only replace to in or around 70% which is useless. That and the fact the car will still drive much better than any ice car with high mileage, sure all suspension related issues still apply but in general motor and electronics wise they should be pretty reliable if the prius is anything to go by or Steve Marsh's leaf in Seattle with over 100,000 miles.

70 % may be the industry standard idea of end of life in the battery makers world but not in a car with 80 odd miles range from new.

Unknown Soldier

Jaysus!

if I bought a car off a Nissan outlet and I was treated like this by them I'd be well p155ed off!

Bad service isn't unique to Nissan.

Old diesel

Scottie99 wrote: »

My experience with Nissan was a positive one. Our Leaf was due a service, because of work commitments I was unable to get the car serviced during the week. They suggested I bring the car in at the weekend and take away one of their cars for a few days.

Fantastic - but this is exactly what should have happened with OP - Nissan should be falling over themselves to get OP back on the road - even if that meant getting a hire car from Hertz or Avis - at Nissans expense.

Yes that would mean extra fuel costs for OP compared to his/her electric car - but that's something that could be addressed - the priority should be a) keeping OP on the road and b) getting to the bottom of the issue with the OPs Leaf

Old diesel

Old diesel wrote: »

Fantastic - but this is exactly what should have happened with OP - Nissan should be falling over themselves to get OP back on the road - even if that meant getting a hire car from Hertz or Avis - at Nissans expense.

Yes that would mean extra fuel costs for OP compared to his/her electric car - but that's something that could be addressed - the priority should be a) keeping OP on the road and b) getting to the bottom of the issue with the OPs Leaf

The alternative option is to keep a number of Leafs in the country CENTRALLY to be delivered to customers whose Leaf is off the road.

Especially if theres issues with parts supply - if the customer has a replacement LEAF for the duration of their own Leafs been off the road - a delay in parts arriving isn't such an issue - they are at least on the road - in a Leaf

Unknown Soldier

Unknown Soldier wrote: »

Jaysus!

if I bought a car off a Nissan outlet and I was treated like this by them I'd be well p155ed off!

I am a little wiser now and I see it is an import. I withdraw my previous comment.

kdouglas

Old diesel wrote: »

The alternative option is to keep a number of Leafs in the country CENTRALLY to be delivered to customers whose Leaf is off the road.

Especially if theres issues with parts supply - if the customer has a replacement LEAF for the duration of their own Leafs been off the road - a delay in parts arriving isn't such an issue - they are at least on the road - in a Leaf

Thankfully, there aren't enough Leafs off the road at any given time to warrant keeping loaners in stock specifically for that purpose.

Old diesel

kdouglas wrote: »

Thankfully, there aren't enough Leafs off the road at any given time to warrant keeping loaners in stock specifically for that purpose.

Okay - one in the country then, either way - Nissan really need to get their act together :rolleyes:.

At end of the day - a Nissan vehicle under a Nissan factory guarantee has broken down - its been off the road for quite a long time now.

And Nissan haven't seen fit to do something which should be basic decent service - ensure the customer can be kept on the road.

Something any potential purchaser of a new Nissan would do well to think about from where im standing.

And yes I fully realise that this crappy service isn't unique to Nissan as has been mentioned already in this tread.

noelf

mmitche wrote: »

I hope not. I'm back on my bike until Nissan resolve this.
Hopefully, they'll give me an update soon.....

Any word back from Nissan about your car yet this thread has gone very quite are you still having to cycle to work ?

mmitche

mmitche wrote: »

Hi all
My newly acquired 2011 nissan leaf has broken down. The battery went from a charge of 36miles to 0 overnight and it went into auto-shutdown mode.
It's was taken away by nissan a week and a half ago. They're waiting for feedback from nissan Europe on the error codes for the past several days but nothing yet.....
I'm told that only 1 battery has developed a fault across Europe so far. I hope I'm not number 2.....

OP the fault with your Leaf seems very similar to this on leaftalk !!!

http://www.leaftalk.co.uk/showthread.php/14796-For-one-day-only

After many weeks of research and anticipation I purchased a 3.5k Nov 2012 Leaf for £12000.

My first day of commuting from Huddersfield to Leeds on a speed restricted section of the M62 was blissful. My regular 35 mile daily commute and solar panels seem to be a perfect fit with the Leaf. The driving experience was sublime - the start of a love affair.

On Tuesday morning I was dumbfounded to find that something had gone horribly wrong with the over-night charge process. The car had been put to bed with 40 miles of range which had incredibly all vanished by morning with the car displaying zero range and not able to shift out of neutral.

The car has been diagnosed with a defective charger control unit. So I am currently driving a rental Ford Fiesta and longing to be driving a Leaf again.[End Quote]

mmitche

[Deleted User] wrote: »

OP the fault with your Leaf seems very similar to this on leaftalk !!!

http://www.leaftalk.co.uk/showthread.php/14796-For-one-day-only

After many weeks of research and anticipation I purchased a 3.5k Nov 2012 Leaf for £12000.

My first day of commuting from Huddersfield to Leeds on a speed restricted section of the M62 was blissful. My regular 35 mile daily commute and solar panels seem to be a perfect fit with the Leaf. The driving experience was sublime - the start of a love affair.

On Tuesday morning I was dumbfounded to find that something had gone horribly wrong with the over-night charge process. The car had been put to bed with 40 miles of range which had incredibly all vanished by morning with the car displaying zero range and not able to shift out of neutral.

The car has been diagnosed with a defective charger control unit. So I am currently driving a rental Ford Fiesta and longing to be driving a Leaf again.[End Quote]

Thanks for the info mad_lad ! I'm getting quite concerned as my car is with nissan for the past 3 weeks and I'm no wiser as to the problem or the solution.

All I can say is that the ev specialist is working with Nissan Europe on the issue. I'm really missing the leaf....

mmitche

mmitche wrote: »

Thanks for the info mad_lad ! I'm getting quite concerned as my car is with nissan for the past 3 weeks and I'm no wiser as to the problem or the solution.

All I can say is that the ev specialist is working with Nissan Europe on the issue. I'm really missing the leaf....

No Prob.

I had assumed as much that there were no "experienced" technicians in Ireland.

The problem I would have now is if the car is actually at a very discharged state for 3 weeks, this is not good as is being at a high stare of charge equally not as good.

Hopefully the car is just reporting there is no charge due to the fault.

But I would be expecting reimbursement for the car rental !

I'd tell them that you are aware of a similar fault in the U.K and that it was the charger control unit.

Get on to Irish EV owners on Facebook, you never know who is there who can speed things up.

mmitche

[Deleted User] wrote: »

No Prob.

I had assumed as much that there were no "experienced" technicians in Ireland.

The problem I would have now is if the car is actually at a very discharged state for 3 weeks, this is not good as is being at a high stare of charge equally not as good.


Hopefully the car is just reporting there is no charge due to the fault.

But I would be expecting reimbursement for the car rental !

I'd tell them that you are aware of a similar fault in the U.K and that it was the charger control unit.

Get on to Irish EV owners on Facebook, you never know who is there who can speed things up.

I've joined the 'Irish ev owners' group on Facebook. I'll try your suggestion mad_lad! Thanks a million for your insight!

Regards
Matt

unkel

mmitche wrote: »

I'm getting quite concerned as my car is with nissan for the past 3 weeks and I'm no wiser as to the problem or the solution

I'm sorry for your troubles but that's just ridiculous. I hope at this stage Nissan have given you something half nice like a 3.5l V6 petrol Murano as a temp replacement?

OP any update ?

robertxxx

A Toyota mechanic friend of mine once told me to never buy a new model of car in its first year as they are basically the guine pig, something to trouble shoot on.

Wise words...

stimpson

OP - if you're still without a courtsey car then get to a solicitors pronto. My brother had issues with an Opel from one of Ireland's largest dealers (who also happen to sell Nissan) and he got the runaround. As soon as he told them to deal with his solicitor he got courtesy cars every time the problem re occurred. They ended up taking the car for five weeks while a new loom was ordered from Germany and gave him a toyota avensis for this time. A few weeks after he got it back it died again. He told them to keep it and he would be suing. 2 days later it was swapped for a 1 year newer model with higher spec.

My bro is an angry bastard when he gets going. I suspect you're too nice.

mmitche

[Deleted User] wrote: »

OP any update ?

Still waiting. The car was sent to dublin last Wednesday as a failed cell was diagnosed and two other cells have a low voltage.
Had a chat with the local nissan staff and they were very nice to deal with!
They maintained that there's high voltage in the battery unit and it can only be handled in Dublin.
Looks like I'm in this for the long haul......

deandean

mmitche wrote: »

Looks like I'm in this for the long haul......

THREE WEEKS :eek: Long haul is right. Your story has really put me off a leaf leaf for myself TBH.

Surely they'd just do a service-exchange on the battery pack, get you on your way?

mmitche

deandean wrote: »

THREE WEEKS :eek: Long haul is right. Your story has really put me off a leaf leaf for myself TBH.

Surely they'd just do a service-exchange on the battery pack, get you on your way?

It's been a full month with nissan today!!
I really hope they sort it out this week :-)

deandean

deandean wrote: »

THREE WEEKS :eek: Long haul is right. Your story has really put me off a leaf leaf for myself TBH.

Surely they'd just do a service-exchange on the battery pack, get you on your way?

Why would it put you off a Leaf ? they're generally a very reliable car.

mmitche

mmitche wrote: »

Still waiting. The car was sent to dublin last Wednesday as a failed cell was diagnosed and two other cells have a low voltage.
Had a chat with the local nissan staff and they were very nice to deal with!
They maintained that there's high voltage in the battery unit and it can only be handled in Dublin.
Looks like I'm in this for the long haul......

Could have been a leaf that was left on the charger all day in a showroom, or left dis-charged for a long time before it was put back on the charger.

Could also have been faulty electronics that control the balance of the cells.

This should have been handled much better and much faster, but battery failures are so rare that it would be impossible to get technicians with experience on the battery.

mmitche

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Could have been a leaf that was left on the charger all day in a showroom, or left dis-charged for a long time before it was put back on the charger.

Could also have been faulty electronics that control the balance of the cells.

This should have been handled much better and much faster, but battery failures are so rare that it would be impossible to get technicians with experience on the battery.

Hopefully, it'll be sorted soon! The local mechanics did say that this is a rare occurrence for the leaf.....

deandean

Deleted User wrote: »

Why would it put you off a Leaf ? they're generally a very reliable car.

[edit] think you are wearing these madlad

deandean

deandean wrote: »

think you are wearing these madlad

Sorry you pic didn't work !

I guarantee you the Leaf is far more reliable than many ICE cars on the road today !

Old diesel

Deleted User wrote: »

Sorry you pic didn't work !

I guarantee you the Leaf is far more reliable than many ICE cars on the road today !

It quite possibly is a lot more reliable then many ICE cars on the road - personally I think the issue at hand here isn't how good the general reliability of the Leaf is - but Nissans apparent poor service to the customer.

Anything can go wrong though - I personally know of a case where back in the mid 90s a a T4 Transporter only a month or so old was off the road for over 3 weeks waiting for a part/repairs.

And I know of a situation too - where a chap had an engine go in his taxi - and due to how long it would take to source a new one - it was actually easier when lost income was factored in - and the cost of repair - to just buy a new car :rolleyes:

Two year old car - and 3 weeks to source a brand new engine from the manufacturer .

To be fair the dealer/maker did do a decent deal on the new car to compensate - but still.

Truck manufacturers are generally far more on the ball - if your Scania and mess a haulier about with a truck been off the road - that Haulier may never buy Scania again.

Which is a problem when said haulier could have 20 trucks and be replacing them every 4 to 5 years

pippip

I have to say that is absolutely ridiculous.

Whether electric, hybrid or ICE that is not an acceptable time frame to repair any car with a main dealer especially a relatively new car.

No one could argue that in this case Nissan's service is pretty damn poor.

To think they couldn't even loan a car.

But the leaf itself is a pretty damn good car.

Scottie99

deandean wrote: »

[edit] think you are wearing these madlad

Actually he's not. The Leaf is very reliable, but it seems the problem lies with Nissan not getting this issue sorted.

Old diesel

Scottie99 wrote: »

Actually he's not. The Leaf is very reliable, but it seems the problem lies with Nissan not getting this issue sorted.

Precisely

Thoie

Cars break down, things go wrong, the tools/parts/people may not be immediately available. But leaving you without a loaner for anything more than a day is unacceptable.

Unfortunately with about 400 volts of DC power, you got to know what you're doing there is 0 room for mistake because one mistake and you're dead.

It will take time for Nissan technicians to get the experience required to be able to repair future Leaf's especially since failures are extremely rare.

And because failures are so rare this leaves me to seriously believe the car was abused in the sense that it could have been sitting days or weeks on very high state of charge or very low state of charge. It could have been plugged in all day every day for many weeks.

stimpson

Deleted User wrote: »

Unfortunately with about 400 volts of DC power, you got to know what you're doing there is 0 room for mistake because one mistake and you're dead.

It will take time for Nissan technicians to get the experience required to be able to repair future Leaf's especially since failures are extremely rare.

And because failures are so rare this leaves me to seriously believe the car was abused in the sense that it could have been sitting days or weeks on very high state of charge or very low state of charge. It could have been plugged in all day every day for many weeks.

In fairness, 240V AC will kill you too. It's not rocket science - take the battery out and cap the terminals. If you split the pack down to its individual cells it's not going to be a danger to anyone. It's not as if they're going to ask the apprentice to disassemble the pack.

Surely Nissan technicians would know straight away if it was abused as I'm sure all of the data on charging is logged by the car. As nothing has been said to the OP we can probably rule that out.

Sounds to me like they don't know and aren't being entirely helpful to the OP. A quick google search shows that it may be more common than MadLad is willing to admit: https://www.google.ie/search?q=nissan+leaf+won't+charge&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#hl=en-gb&q=nissan+leaf+won't+charge+site:www.mynissanleaf.com&safe=off

stimpson

stimpson wrote: »

In fairness, 240V AC will kill you too. It's not rocket science - take the battery out and cap the terminals. If you split the pack down to its individual cells it's not going to be a danger to anyone. It's not as if they're going to ask the apprentice to disassemble the pack.

Surely Nissan technicians would know straight away if it was abused as I'm sure all of the data on charging is logged by the car. As nothing has been said to the OP we can probably rule that out.

Sounds to me like they don't know and aren't being entirely helpful to the OP. A quick google search shows that it may be more common than MadLad is willing to admit: https://www.google.ie/search?q=nissan+leaf+won't+charge&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari#hl=en-gb&q=nissan+leaf+won't+charge+site:www.mynissanleaf.com&safe=off

Sure just pull the service plug and it disconnects the main 400 V supply from the main terminals. Use your high voltage gloves and off you go.

Most of the few links you posted are mainly in relation to public chargers and home chargers or (EVSE's) killing Leaf chargers rather than the charger itself.

One charger controller.

None of the links mentioned battery failures.

Could also be a story being spun to the OP either about battery failure.

Hardly anything to be concerned about really with over 100,000 + Leaf's sold. A few charge related problems and one ( alleged) battery failure here on this Island. I can't find reference to any battery failure. But no doubt there is someone searching it now to post here for us all to see.

deandean

Scottie99 wrote: »

Actually he's not. The Leaf is very reliable, but it seems the problem lies with Nissan not getting this issue sorted.

welll, no. the Leaf has been 0 per.cent.reliable. Fair dues to the OP for doing the research, buying the car and making the epic journey back home.
Then he found he has a pup.
100000 Leafs all ok yea yea but look at mmitche's experience... 100 per cent fail.

Toyota should have service exchanged the battery pack, it is acknowledged as being under warranty to begin with. how long does that take, 4 hours?

@OP you are being brushed off here. last time I had a 'major problem' with my ICE car after 5 days I turned up at the dealer in overalls and with a toolbox, said I can't wait any more, they said give us 10 minutes and ta-dah the car was fixed. so, any car with the dealer for 3 weeks has been parked up because they are making more money / under more pressure from othef customers.
ASSERT YOURSELF.
I have the money here for a 2011 leaf but I am seroiusly looking at a gen 3 prius now.

Scottie99

deandean wrote: »

welll, no. the Leaf has been 0 per.cent.reliable. Fair dues to the OP for doing the research, buying the car and making the epic journey back home.
Then he found he has a pup.
100000 Leafs all ok yea yea but look at mmitche's experience... 100 per cent fail.

Toyota should have service exchanged the battery pack, it is acknowledged as being under warranty to begin with. how long does that take, 4 hours?

@OP you are being brushed off here. last time I had a 'major problem' with my ICE car after 5 days I turned up at the dealer in overalls and with a toolbox, said I can't wait any more, they said give us 10 minutes and ta-dah the car was fixed. so, any car with the dealer for 3 weeks has been parked up because they are making more money / under more pressure from othef customers.
ASSERT YOURSELF.
I have the money here for a 2011 leaf but I am seroiusly looking at a gen 3 prius now.

As a Leaf owner 32000km and part of the Irish EV Owners Community. I can assure you the Leaf is reliable, we've not had any problems with the Leaf. Yes I'm sure they're are issues out there - no car is perfect

Op when the car gets fixed make sure you get proper documentation of the repair work.

thecomedian

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Unfortunately with about 400 volts of DC power, you got to know what you're doing there is 0 room for mistake because one mistake and you're dead.

It will take time for Nissan technicians to get the experience required to be able to repair future Leaf's especially since failures are extremely rare.

And because failures are so rare this leaves me to seriously believe the car was abused in the sense that it could have been sitting days or weeks on very high state of charge or very low state of charge. It could have been plugged in all day every day for many weeks.

Correct madlad, a lot more dangerous than 230 AC.

Old diesel

thecomedian wrote: »

Correct madlad, a lot more dangerous than 230 AC.

I think most sensible people realise that due to the nature of the car - there is a need for care and time when fixing it - and it requires a lot of teamwork and time to get to the bottom of it.

What is unacceptable however is how Nissan have not kept the OP on the road with a replacement car.

That's totally unacceptable - even if it meant Nissan having to get a demonstrator Leaf to the Op for him/her to use.

Even if it meant organising a hire car for as long as it takes.

Even if heaven forbit - it meant having to allocate a Leaf from production - get it over to Ireland - register it - and give OP the use of it.

Everything that Nissan could or can do - should be done to keep their customer on the roads.

Even if Nissan Ireland wanted to wash their hands of it - because OP did not buy from them - Nissan Europe should intervene.

This outcome is a bit of a nightmare for Nissan as its BAD publicity for them - and it knocks on to their other models as a Quasqui potential customer may decide not to buy now if they think that's the service Nissan give when things go wrong.

So let me see now - that's Merc (long story), Mazda and now Nissan on my blacklist on cars I would NOT buy BRAND NEW.

All due to situations where all 3 have failed to do the right thing by customers.

New cars cost far too much to entertain crap service from the manufacturer when things go wrong.

And yes I know - bad service isn't unique to the 3 manufacturers ive mentioned.

All the manufacturers could end up on my black list yet :D:D

mmitche

Hi all
My leaf was transported to nissan Dublin over a week ago. My patience is being royally tested here as they've informed me that some part of the battery has failed and they're in contact with nissan Europe regarding the sourcing of replacement parts.
All I've asked for is an approximate ETA on the repair. They told me to call again next week. 5 weeks with no replacement car and no repair eta = very shoddy service!
Nissan! I really want to give a positive spin but you're making it very difficult!

lollsangel

mmitche wrote: »

Hi all
My leaf was transported to nissan Dublin over a week ago. My patience is being royally tested here as they've informed me that some part of the battery has failed and they're in contact with nissan Europe regarding the sourcing of replacement parts.
All I've asked for is an approximate ETA on the repair. They told me to call again next week. 5 weeks with no replacement car and no repair eta = very shoddy service!
Nissan! I really want to give a positive spin but you're making it very difficult!

I would be demanding some sort of comp PLUS a replacement car at this point. Really beyond a joke now

kyote00

It is really very bad service.
It looks like if something goes wrong, the service, parts supply and experience is the achilles heel of this thing.

It definitely time to be firm with them --- they amount of brand damage you can do is huge (whether justified or not). Whether its reliable or not, you do need a reliable dealer to help when something goes wrong.

In the meantime --- sorry for your pain --- but maybe this is better low cost solution....i think it ex-MadLad stock
http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/sinclair-c5/6420514

mmitche wrote: »

Hi all
My leaf was transported to nissan Dublin over a week ago. My patience is being royally tested here as they've informed me that some part of the battery has failed and they're in contact with nissan Europe regarding the sourcing of replacement parts.
All I've asked for is an approximate ETA on the repair. They told me to call again next week. 5 weeks with no replacement car and no repair eta = very shoddy service!
Nissan! I really want to give a positive spin but you're making it very difficult!

robertxxx

I'd really think about getting a solicitor, its gone beyond a joke now and it seems to me they are treating you like a test mule.

stimpson

robertxxx wrote: »

I'd really think about getting a solicitor, its gone beyond a joke now and it seems to me they are treating you like a test mule.

This. You are being taken for a ride.

A solicitor will cost you €100 or less and will tell you your options. Nissan won't fob you off when they think they will be landed in court.

kyote00

kyote00 wrote: »

solution....i think it ex-MadLad stock
http://cars.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/sinclair-c5/6420514

This is far better and I had it limited to 40 mph.

600 Watt Hr battery capable of taking me 40 mph for 12 miles or 25 miles at 15-20 mph 0 peddling.

Of course peddling significantly increases range.

Thargor

Do you have a thread going about that bike anywhere Madlad?