Nissan Leaf Recall: NHTSA Issues 'Do Not Drive' Advisory for 9,800 Vehicles
NHTSA has issued an urgent 'do not drive' advisory for approximately 9,800 Nissan Leaf vehicles due to a battery defect that can cause fires, following multiple incidents of spontaneous vehicle fires.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued an urgent “do not drive” advisory for approximately 9,800 Nissan Leaf vehicles in the United States, warning that the high-voltage battery poses a fire risk that can occur even when the vehicle is parked and turned off. The advisory, issued February 25, 2026, applies to Nissan Leaf vehicles from model years 2018-2024 equipped with a specific battery cell configuration.
What the Advisory Says
The advisory specifically covers Nissan Leaf vehicles equipped with batteries manufactured by Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) that show signs of lithium plating — a condition where metallic lithium deposits form on the battery’s anode during fast charging or high-rate discharge, potentially causing a short circuit.
Nissan has received 14 reports of spontaneous Leaf fires in the United States since 2023, including three incidents where the fire spread to adjacent vehicles or structures. No injuries have been reported.
NHTSA’s “do not drive” advisory is reserved for the most serious safety defects, where the risk of continued operation is deemed to outweigh the inconvenience to owners. The agency is recommending that affected Leaf owners contact Nissan roadside assistance or their local dealer to arrange free vehicle transport for the software update and battery inspection.
The Recall and Fix
Nissan has initiated a recall for affected vehicles, covering a software update to the battery management system that reduces the maximum state of charge to 80 percent and disables fast charging. For vehicles where the battery inspection reveals concerning cells, Nissan will offer a full battery replacement at no cost.
The battery replacement program is notable because it represents an acknowledgment that the underlying cell-level defect cannot be fully remediated through software. Nissan has committed to sourcing replacement batteries from its current cell suppliers, though supply constraints may mean some owners wait several months for parts.
The Broader Context
The Nissan Leaf recall is the latest in a series of battery-related safety actions affecting electric vehicles. GM recalled the Chevrolet Blazer EV in 2024. Hyundai and Kia have had multiple recalls for the IONIQ 5 and EV6 related to battery system issues. The incidents have highlighted the complexity of battery management in high-voltage EV systems and the challenges that arise when batteries are operated outside their design parameters.
The Leaf, which was first introduced in 2010 and was one of the earliest modern mass-market EVs, uses a passive air-cooling system for its battery pack — a design choice that has aged poorly compared to the liquid-cooled thermal management systems used in newer EVs. The passive cooling system is less able to manage thermal extremes, potentially contributing to the lithium plating issue.
What Leaf Owners Should Do
Affected Leaf owners should check their VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or at my.nissan.com. If the vehicle is subject to the advisory, owners should:
- Park the vehicle outdoors and away from structures or other vehicles
- Do not charge the battery above 80 percent
- Contact Nissan roadside assistance for free transport to a dealership
Nissan is providing free loaner vehicles or rental cars to affected owners while the recall work is completed.
Motorlinks covers EV safety and recall developments. For more on EV battery technology, see our EV charging explainer.
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