Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Nissan Leaf owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The vehicle was taken to a charging station, and while driving at 5 MPH, entering the driveway, the battery burst into flames. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V700000 (Electrical System). The police department was on the scene. The fire department attempted to extinguish the fire, but the battery continued to ignite. The fire marshal from Minnesota was contacted for assistance to resolve the matter, and the fire department had taken the battery to a gravel pit. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer, where it remained for a month. The dealer replaced an unknown battery component. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was seldom driven for short distances after the incident, due to safety concerns. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Nucar Nissan of Norwood (525 Boston Providence Hwy, Norwood, MA 02062) and Quirk Nissan (600 Southern Artery, Quincy, MA 02169) were contacted and confirmed that the recall remedy was not yet available. …
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shifted in Turtle Mode, preventing the vehicle from exceeding 30 MPH. The contact stated that there was a message for the EV Battery failure and to take the vehicle to the dealer for further analysis. The Turtle Mode warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed; however, the failure was not identified or replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was possibly notified by the local dealer about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while charging the Lithium battery, the message that the battery had overheated was displayed. While driving on the freeway, the battery rapidly lost charge without warning. The vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH before stalling in the middle of the road. The contact ran across a four-lane highway to safety. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer. The contact received information about NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) and was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was charged at the dealer and driven to the residence the following day. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Took car to dealership to charge. Got home and an hour later the battery ignited into a fire. Car was engulfed with smoke ,fire in front of our house. After 4 hours with fire dept trying to put out the fire within battery... it still continued to smoke. Hazmat team came out as well. Total loss after having car less than 30 days that I purchased as dealership.
*High Voltage Battery defect/failure - this is what was believed to be the issue when it was towed to the dealership. What is left of it is available for inspection at the dealership for now, however the insurance may take it to a salvage yard since the fire department finished their investigation. *While at the dealership after they spent the day trying to recreate what happened they parked it and planned to try again the next day, then someone walked by and saw smoke coming from the car and called 911. They called it a thermal runaway and it burned for hours before being moved to a safer, emptier lot where it was covered in thousands of pounds of sand. The night before the mileage range dropped roughly 70%, unaware of the recall in our mail that hadn't been opened we stopped to try to charge so we could get home. …
See attached document for complaint. I purchased a certified pre-owned Nissan Leaf SV Plus on [redacted] specifically for the larger battery capacity and the ability to use a DC fast charger, as this would allow me to drive my electric vehicle wherever I needed to go, including regular trips to Seattle from Mount Vernon. I was notified by Nissan in September 2024 that, due to the possibility that the battery could catch fire while using a DC fast charger, that my vehicle's battery had been recalled and was instructed not to use a DC charger. They stated a remedy would be available in October 2024. When the date came and went, I contacted Nissan about the issue and the date was pushed to November 2024. Then December 2024, then spring 2025, then fall 2025. After numerous contact attempts to replace my battery, I initiated a buyback with Nissan on 10/16/25. …
This vehicle is subject to NHTSA Recall 25V-655 involving the high-voltage traction battery. The recall restricts the vehicle from using DC fast charging (Level 3), which significantly limits the safe and practical operation of the vehicle for its intended use. My household must routinely complete 300+ mile one-way trips on a weekly basis. Without DC fast charging capability, the vehicle cannot reliably complete these trips, creating a risk of being stranded or unable to safely reach destinations. Reliance on Level 2 charging requires extended delays of 6+ hours, which makes the vehicle impractical for its intended use and inconsistent with reasonable consumer expectations for normal operation. I contacted Nissan North America Consumer Affairs and was directed to work with the local dealer. I then contacted Dick Hannah Nissan in Gladstone, OR, who redirected me back to Consumer Affairs. …
I own a 2021 Nissan Leaf subject to open recall R25C8 (NHTSA Campaign 25V655) for fire risk during Level 3 DC fast charging. The recall was issued October 2025. Nissan's stated remedy target was late March 2026. As of today, April 6, 2026, no remedy has been provided. The affected component is the lithium-ion battery pack and its charging system. The vehicle is equipped with a CHAdeMO DC fast charging port, which I cannot safely use due to the documented fire risk. I am not avoiding this feature by choice - I am avoiding it because Nissan's own recall identified it as a safety hazard. On April 6, 2026, I encountered a DC fast charging station and chose not to attempt charging due to the active recall warning, and due to reports that charging networks have begun refusing sessions on recalled vehicles. …
I own a 2021 Nissan Leaf with an open safety recall (NHTSA Recall 25V-655, Nissan Recall R25C8) issued on September 30, 2025. The recall involves a battery defect that creates a safety risk during DC fast charging (Level 3). As a result, I am unable to use public fast-charging networks such as EVgo. The recall currently has no remedy available and has been unresolved for over 7 months. I do not have access to home charging, and without fast charging, the vehicle cannot be used in a practical or reasonable way for daily transportation. This has resulted in a complete loss of use of my vehicle and has impacted my ability to work. Nissan has not provided a timeline for repair or an alternative solution such as a loaner or rental reimbursement. This delay is not reasonable, and I am requesting investigation into the lack of remedy and the impact on vehicle usability.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Charging › Module › Software
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2022 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use Level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 16, 2026.
NHTSA investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Electrical complaints in other Leaf years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2021 Nissan Leaf?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2021 Nissan Leaf, 57% of the model year's 56 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Nissan Leaf electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 25V-655 (software, Sep 30, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Nissan Leaf electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.