Nissan LEAF Battery Fire Recall Update (2026): No Fix Available, Owners Told to Avoid Fast Charging
What’s the Problem
Owners of certain 2022 Nissan LEAF vehicles are now receiving a second interim recall notice confirming a serious and unresolved safety defect involving the high-voltage battery system.
According to the recall letter (NHTSA Recall No. 25V-655, dated March 18, 2026), Nissan has identified a defect in the lithium-ion battery that can lead to internal cell damage and increased fire risk—particularly during DC fast charging.
Critically, there is still no repair available.
Instead, Nissan is instructing owners to stop using Level 3 (CHAdeMO) fast charging entirely, with a final remedy not expected until sometime in calendar year 2026.
Allegations
The recall raises serious concerns about the design and safety of the LEAF’s battery system, particularly under high-load charging conditions.
Based on Nissan’s own language in the recall:
The battery may develop excessive lithium deposits inside cells
This can increase electrical resistance
Resulting in state-of-charge instability
And ultimately rapid battery heating during fast charging
Which creates a risk of battery fire
From a litigation standpoint, this opens the door to claims that:
Nissan released vehicles with defective battery architecture
The defect was not discoverable or repairable at the time of sale
Owners are now being deprived of a core function of the vehicle (fast charging capability)
The lack of a timely fix may constitute a failure to repair under warranty
Recall / TSB
NHTSA Recall Number: 25V-655
Manufacturer: Nissan North America
Affected Vehicles: Certain 2022 Nissan LEAF models
Status: Open recall – remedy not yet available
Key Recall Instructions
DO NOT use Level 3 DC fast charging (CHAdeMO)
Level 1 and Level 2 charging (SAE J1772) remain permitted
Nissan states a remedy is still under development
Owners will receive a future notice when a fix becomes available
This is now the second interim notice, meaning:
Nissan has known about the defect for some time and still cannot fix it.
Symptoms
Even if your LEAF has not yet exhibited obvious problems, the recall identifies conditions that may develop over time:
Battery overheating during or after fast charging
Erratic or fluctuating state of charge
Reduced charging efficiency
Warning lights or system alerts
In extreme cases, thermal events or fire risk
Importantly, many battery defects do not present clear early warning signs, which is why Nissan is proactively restricting fast charging.
Why This Matters (2026 Update)
This development is significant for two reasons:
1. Loss of Core Vehicle Functionality
Electric vehicles like the LEAF are marketed on the ability to rapidly recharge using DC fast charging.
By instructing owners to avoid Level 3 charging entirely, Nissan is effectively:
Reducing the vehicle’s usability for long-distance travel
Increasing charging times dramatically
Undermining a key selling point of the vehicle
2. Ongoing Failure to Provide a Repair
Under California law, manufacturers are required to:
Repair warranty defects within a reasonable number of attempts
Provide a remedy within a reasonable time
Here, Nissan has:
Acknowledged a safety defect
Issued multiple notices
Still failed to produce a repair solution
That timeline is legally significant.
How to Proceed
Document Issues: Keep detailed records of all recall notices, charging limitations, and any dealership communications. If you visit a dealership, make sure your complaints are fully documented in the repair order.
Reasonable Number of Repair Attempts: While there may not yet be a repair attempt, the law also considers delays and inability to fix a defect. A prolonged lack of remedy can still qualify.
Monitor Symptoms: If you notice overheating, charging irregularities, or warning messages, stop using the vehicle and report the issue immediately.
Contact Valero Law: If your LEAF is subject to this recall and Nissan cannot repair it within a reasonable time, you may be entitled to a buyback or compensation under California Lemon Law.
Call Valero Law
If you own or lease a Nissan LEAF affected by this battery recall and are being told to avoid fast charging with no fix in sight, you may have a valid lemon law claim.
Valero Law, APC focuses on helping California consumers recover compensation for defective vehicles.
You may be entitled to:
A full vehicle repurchase
A replacement vehicle
Significant cash compensation
Call Valero Law, APC at (424) 299-4447 or complete our free Lemon Law case evaluation today. There is no cost to you, and we only get paid if we win your case.