Warranty and tyre wear on Leaf

waynegalway

Hi

Noob questions. I’ve had a quick search, but nothing coming up in recent threads, so here goes:

1. Can someone confirm what is the warranty period and mileage for a 24kWh Leaf (both the body/mechanical stuff and the powertrain/battery). Car was originally registered in U.K., will that make any difference?

2. I’ve read a few posts about uneven rear tyre wear and how axle replacement may be needed, but can be hard to get from Nissan. Is this only an issue on the larger wheels of the SVE from the 2014 model year? Most threads seem to be about that model. Was there any manufacturing changes that resolved this issue in 2015 and/or for the smaller rims?

Thanks in advance.

KCross

waynegalway wrote: »

1. Can someone confirm what is the warranty period and mileage for a 24kWh Leaf (both the body/mechanical stuff and the powertrain/battery). Car was originally registered in U.K., will that make any difference?

Warranty is valid across Europe. Buying in the UK will make no difference, it will be covered here.
The warranty terms are on their website at Nissan.ie but something like 5yrs for battery and 3yrs for other stuff.... check their website to get the fine detail.

waynegalway wrote: »

2. I’ve read a few posts about uneven rear tyre wear and how axle replacement may be needed, but can be hard to get from Nissan. Is this only an issue on the larger wheels of the SVE from the 2014 model year? Most threads seem to be about that model. Was there any manufacturing changes that resolved this issue in 2015 and/or for the smaller rims?

Can happen on all Leafs to at least 2015. Haven't heard it happening on 2016 so maybe they have fixed it since then.

pavelpro

I was trying to sort it out with the dealer.
They did smth which they called alignment kit it was done on last days of warranty. Unfortunately, i cant confirm if it was fixed by this as i changed rear tyres at the same time.

From my experience, dealers are not very happy to fix smth on UK import, in my case they said - "what you want, you bought a cheap car" (142 UK import).
I will monitor wear for the year and if its the same will try to force them to change rear axle even if it's out of warranty by now.

waynegalway

pavelpro wrote: »

I was trying to sort it out with the dealer.
They did smth which they called alignment kit it was done on last days of warranty. Unfortunately, i cant confirm if it was fixed by this as i changed rear tyres at the same time.

From my experience, dealers are not very happy to fix smth on UK import, in my case they said - "what you want, you bought a cheap car" (142 UK import).
I will monitor wear for the year and if its the same will try to force them to change rear axle even if it's out of warranty by now.

What’s the worst that can happen with the axle issue?

Is it just accelerated tire wear, or is there another safety issue?

Assuming the tires themselves are in good condition at the time, is the axle geometry something that would be identified at the time of an NCT and potentially cause failure?

Thanks.

KCross

pavelpro wrote: »

I was trying to sort it out with the dealer.
They did smth which they called alignment kit it was done on last days of warranty. Unfortunately, i cant confirm if it was fixed by this as i changed rear tyres at the same time.

From my experience, dealers are not very happy to fix smth on UK import, in my case they said - "what you want, you bought a cheap car" (142 UK import).
I will monitor wear for the year and if its the same will try to force them to change rear axle even if it's out of warranty by now.

The only real fix is to replace the axle as it can't be adjusted. You can put "shims", I think thats what they call them, in to fix it but thats just a hack fix really.

Your dealer sounds like a w*nker to be honest. My dealer didn't bat an eyelid. Just got it fixed, no questions asked and I imported as well.

waynegalway wrote: »

What’s the worst that can happen with the axle issue?

Is it just accelerated tire wear, or is there another safety issue?

Assuming the tires themselves are in good condition at the time, is the axle geometry something that would be identified at the time of an NCT and potentially cause failure?

Thanks.

Yes, accelerated tyre wear. No safety issue and it won't fail NCT because of it. It really depends on how bad the alignment is. It might be only a small bit and it will make little difference or it could be out by a lot and you will be wasting good tyres. You need to eyeball the rear tyres before you buy.

Main thread on the uneven wear is here:
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057740866

Barlo Nissan would not accept any known issue with the Axle so as it's least I don't give a Sh1t. But I'm not impressed with Barlo Nissan in Kilkenny for that !

The Leaf is EL Cheapo ( sounds rather like EL Chapo ) lol, Great show on Netflix , watch it !

Anyway, that's the price you pay with a solid axle and on Irish roads always a gamble.

BoatMad

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Barlo Nissan would not accept any known issue with the Axle so as it's least I don't give a Sh1t. But I'm not impressed with Barlo Nissan in Kilkenny for that !

The Leaf is EL Cheapo ( sounds rather like EL Chapo ) lol, Great show on Netflix , watch it !

Anyway, that's the price you pay with a solid axle and on Irish roads always a gamble.

I thought the rear axle was struts and a stub axle

2016 30 kWh left rear tyre wears first but differential is about 10%

No idea tbh BoatMad all I know is it’s not adjustable.

BoatMad

Deleted User wrote: »

No idea tbh BoatMad all I know is it’s not adjustable.

the tracking can be changed by shims as per any car

zilog_jones

It's a torsion beam, which is considered "semi-independent" rear suspension, not a solid axle. They are not adjustable like fully independent suspension, but only by modification (i.e. adding shims).

gunnerfitzy

Hi all,

I purchased a 2015 UK import Tekna late last year. I noticed the excessive tyre wear on the rear passenger side. I brought it to the attention of a Nissan dealer during a vehicle health check last week who confirmed that the camber is indeed out on that side.

They said that they have ordered a 'repair kit' to fix the issue and will contact me next week to book it in. I did my research online prior to raising the issue and have heard that the remedy is to have the rear axle replaced. This is the first I have heard of a repair kit to address this issue. Anyone else hear of a repair kit?

Let see what the situation is after the work is carried out. I have the issue logged before my warranty is out in March anyway.

Ecohead

gunnerfitzy wrote: »

This is the first I have heard of a repair kit to address this issue. Anyone else hear of a repair kit?

Let see what the situation is after the work is carried out. I have the issue logged before my warranty is out in March anyway.

I'm wondering how the repair has worked out for you? My dealer replaced the rear axle on my 2014 Leaf which, 24k kms later, seemed to have fixed the problem. However, on my newly acquired 2015 Leaf they're talking about using a shim kit for the fix. Is this going to be a long-term solution I wonder or could the axle misalignment get worse with time?

goz83

Ecohead wrote: »

I'm wondering how the repair has worked out for you? My dealer replaced the rear axle on my 2014 Leaf which, 24k kms later, seemed to have fixed the problem. However, on my newly acquired 2015 Leaf they're talking about using a shim kit for the fix. Is this going to be a long-term solution I wonder or could the axle misalignment get worse with time?

I had this done a week ago. They seem to have stopped doing axel replacements in favour of shim kits. I suppose time will tell how good the fix is.

DrPhilG

KCross wrote: »

Yes, accelerated tyre wear. No safety issue and it won't fail NCT because of it.

There have been quite a few reported NCT failures because of this issue so far.

waynegalway

DrPhilG wrote: »

There have been quite a few reported NCT failures because of this issue so far.

Because of tracking/alignment or because of tyre wear?

DrPhilG

waynegalway wrote: »

DrPhilG wrote: »

There have been quite a few reported NCT failures because of this issue so far.

Because of tracking/alignment or because of tyre wear?

I believe its related to the alignment.

Gumbo

DrPhilG wrote: »

There have been quite a few reported NCT failures because of this issue so far.

waynegalway wrote: »

Because of tracking/alignment or because of tyre wear?

I failed the nct on Friday due to alignment of the rear axle.
We all know it’s a solid real axle and it can’t be aligned in a 4 wheel alignment process so that means the axle is misaligned itself.

goz83

waynegalway wrote: »

Because of tracking/alignment or because of tyre wear?

kceire wrote: »

I failed the nct on Friday due to alignment of the rear axle.
We all know it’s a solid real axle and it can’t be aligned in a 4 wheel alignment process so that means the axle is misaligned itself.

And mine failed a couple months ago apparently with exactly the same readings as kceire.

Any news on getting yours sorted kceire?

Gumbo

goz83 wrote: »

And mine failed a couple months ago apparently with exactly the same readings as kceire.

Any news on getting yours sorted kceire?

Nothing done over the weekend tbh

If you're worried about your alignment the best is to take the car to tyreland or some other tyre company that can do a four wheel alignment with printout. Then if the rear axle is out ask Nissan to fix it while the car is still under warranty.

And yes, the shim fix is a universal way to repair any cars with torsion beam rear axle.

zilog_jones

waynegalway wrote: »

Because of tracking/alignment or because of tyre wear?

Uneven tyre wear is undoubtedly caused by poor alignment, but the cars are failing the NCT on the side slip test.

zilog_jones

zilog_jones wrote: »

Uneven tyre wear is undoubtedly caused by poor alignment, but the cars are failing the NCT on the side slip test.

Which is an indication that the alignment is out of spec?

zilog_jones

I mean: They're probably only going to fail the NCT on tyres if they are below the minimum tread limit. Without looking at the NCT manual I don't think uneven wear is a fail. The side slip test does indicate the same issue, i.e. the car is not driving straight.

gunnerfitzy

Ecohead wrote: »

I'm wondering how the repair has worked out for you? My dealer replaced the rear axle on my 2014 Leaf which, 24k kms later, seemed to have fixed the problem. However, on my newly acquired 2015 Leaf they're talking about using a shim kit for the fix. Is this going to be a long-term solution I wonder or could the axle misalignment get worse with time?

For me, its too soon to tell if the problem has been rectified with the shim kit. I don't drive the distances to tell if the tyre is still wearing excessively. It may the be NCT next year before I know for sure!

DrPhilG

gunnerfitzy wrote: »

Ecohead wrote: »

I'm wondering how the repair has worked out for you? My dealer replaced the rear axle on my 2014 Leaf which, 24k kms later, seemed to have fixed the problem. However, on my newly acquired 2015 Leaf they're talking about using a shim kit for the fix. Is this going to be a long-term solution I wonder or could the axle misalignment get worse with time?

For me, its too soon to tell if the problem has been rectified with the shim kit. I don't drive the distances to tell if the tyre is still wearing excessively. It may the be NCT next year before I know for sure!

Go get a 4 wheel tyre alignment check.

DrPhilG

I've just had my rear axle replaced, out of warranty, as a "good will gesture".

I would urge everyone to pursue Nissan to do the same. If you take your car to a tyre specialist and get a 4 wheel alignment report it will show that the axle is bent.

I had to pay £270 for the labour costs which is a joke in itself. I could have had it fitted for half that but Nissan refused to give me the part.

I could have had the shim kit fitted for a similar price but why should I accept a half assed repair on a car with a manufacturing flaw?

It's a joke that Nissan did not recall and fix this problem but anyone affected should go after them ASAP.

If you are in warranty great but even if you are outside warranty you should not let it go.

Gumbo

Seen your post on FB.
Nissan IRL won’t entertain me with regards to the axle replacement. Gave me ‘goodwill’ on the shim kit only!

ewj1978

If this was the states it'd be a Class action lawsuit..

Gumbo

Got my shims fitted yesterday.
Nissan not budging on the 50% discount on parts.

Left me with a bill of €301 to get it sorted. Now to book the NCT again!

That should be that then. Will be interesting to hear if you notice any difference in the way the car drives now.

Gumbo

Passed NCT today after having the shim kit fitted by Nissan.
Front alignment was 4m/km as per last months fail and the rear was 7m/km compared to 20m/km last month.

All good so just have to move on now.

gunnerfitzy

I got the alignement checked last week after having the shim kit put in early in the year.

Both the camber and the tracking were way way out. Worse than prior to work being completed. I have it going back in now and am looking for axle to be replaced.

Just a word of caution not to accept dealers assurances that just because shim kit is fitted all is okay.

Stealthirl

Hope you report back

Sounds like the dealer made mess with the install. Imo the best get it fitted at a place that are regularly involved suspension work and alignment. Or at least get it checked afterwards.