Nissan Leaf Recall: Are Your Owner's Manual Defroster Instructions Wrong?

A significant recall affects approximately 64,700 Nissan Leaf electric vehicles from model years 2018 through 2023 due to incorrect windshield defroster instructions in the owner's manual. Following the printed directions can lead to reduced defroster performance in cold weather, potentially compromising driver visibility and safety. Nissan will begin mailing corrected instructions to owners starting April 1.

What is the Specific Problem with the Nissan Leaf Defroster?

The core issue lies in the procedure outlined in the affected vehicles' owner's manual. If an owner engages the maximum fan speed setting for the defroster under certain cold temperature conditions, it can cause the vehicle's heating system to enter a fail-safe mode. This is a protective state where the system limits its own output to prevent damage. When this occurs, the defroster's effectiveness is significantly reduced, which is particularly dangerous during winter when clear visibility is critical. An improperly functioning defroster increases the risk of frost or fog on the windshield, thereby elevating the chance of a crash.

Which Nissan Leaf Models Are Affected by This Recall?

This safety recall specifically targets model-year 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Nissan Leaf hatchbacks. Nissan estimates that 64,700 vehicles in the United States are part of this action. Owners of these all-electric vehicles should not rely on the defroster instructions currently in their glove box. The recall number assigned by Nissan for this issue is R22C5.

What Should Affected Nissan Leaf Owners Do?

Nissan is not requiring owners to bring their vehicles to a dealership for a physical repair. Instead, the automaker's solution is to mail a letter containing the corrected operating instructions for the windshield defroster. These notification letters are scheduled to be mailed out beginning April 1. Owners who have questions before receiving the letter or who want to confirm their vehicle is included in the recall can take the following steps:

• Contact Nissan directly at their customer service number: 800-867-7669. Be sure to mention recall number R22C5.
• Contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at their vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236.
• Visit the NHTSA website and enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to check for any open recalls on your vehicle.

Owners of affected Nissan Leaf models should discontinue using the defroster instructions in their current owner's manual and await the corrected instructions from Nissan. Proactively checking your VIN on the NHTSA website is the fastest way to get confirmation and official details.