The second-generation Nissan Leaf in the United States is affected by a potentially serious recall, as there is a fire risk during DC fast charging.

For now, the manufacturer is asking owners to stop using CHAdeMO DC fast chargers and wait for a solution.

Almost 45,000 Leafs

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s 25V655 safety recall report from October 1, 2025, the issue concerns 19,077 Nissan Leafs (both 40-kWh and 62-kWh battery versions) from the 2021-2022 model years. This comes on top of the 25,704 Nissan Leafs (also both battery sizes) from 2019-2020 model years, recalled in late 2024 (recall 24V700).

In total, some 44,781 Nissan Leafs are potentially involved, although the estimated percentage of cars with a defect is 1%, so less than 450.

The Issue

The document explains that the cars manufactured at the Nissan Smyrna plant may have a battery defect. The battery cells are supplied by Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC).

“Nissan has determined the lithium-ion battery in affected vehicles may experience excessive lithium deposits within battery cells, increasing the electrical resistance and potentially causing a fluctuation in the state of charge.”

It might increase the electrical resistance within battery cells, leading to higher temperatures during DC fast charging and a potential fire risk.

“While the vehicle is Level 3 quick charging, the increased electrical resistance could result in rapid heating of the battery. If quick charging continues, a battery fire may occur increasing the risk of injury”

The Solution

To avoid the risk of fire, Nissan is asking owners of the affected EVs to stop using CHAdeMO DC fast chargers. Meanwhile, the manufacturer is working on a software solution:

“Nissan is preparing the remedy software that will prevent progression to thermal incident. Once the remedy software is ready for deployment, owners of all potentially affected vehicles will be notified with an Invitation to Repair Owner Letter and further instructions”

We don’t know how the software fix will work, but as we understand, it might detect an excessive increase in temperature and slow or stop a charging session. If triggered, it would be a sign that a particular vehicle has defective battery cells. We guess that battery modules should then be replaced, because otherwise, DC fast charging would be compromised or impossible.

The recall has now been ongoing for more than a year (counting from the first recall). Nissan has already postponed the final repair schedule a few times.

The 2018 Nissan Leaf. (Source: Nissan)

The Nissan Leaf was never a DC fast-charging speed demon, achieving only about 50 kW. Its simple battery architecture had no liquid cooling. Additionally, the cars were equipped with the CHAdeMO charging port, which is on its last legs in North America.

A recall like this, essentially removing the DC fast-charging option entirely until a solution is applied (or risk a fire), is a serious blow not only for Leaf users, but also for CHAdeMO chargers (since Leafs are almost the only EVs still using the standard).

New Leaf With NACS is Coming

The all-new third-generation Nissan Leaf, featuring a NACS charging port and significantly improved DC fast-charging performance, is just around the corner. The versions with a 75-kWh battery will start at an MSRP of $29,990, while the entry-level Leaf S (52 kWh) is expected to cost just over $25,000.