Nissan Leaf brake issue?

EV coalition Flip the Fleet is alleging there have been more than 60 reported failures of the electrically-driven brake control unit in Nissan Leafs world-wide made between November 2012 and February 2016, including five in New Zealand.

“Our research has led us to believe that these failures can be attributed to faulty ‘Series-A’ firmware that is written into the brake control at the time of manufacture (or a subsequent firmware update to ‘Series-B’),” says Flip the Fleet’s blog post.

No reported failures have been found in Leafs running the further updated ‘Series-C’ firmware, says the group which is seeking further information.

It says some drivers have described depressing the brake pedal but found braking seemed ineffective and stopping ability was reduced or non-existent.

“Our research has shown that in the case of a simulated failure, reduced braking ability is still available to the driver,” the blog says.

“You may need to slam the brake pedal hard and right to the floor to get some braking!”

Flip the Fleet estimates about 2400 potential vulnerable vehicles are in New Zealand, most still running the ‘Series-A’ firmware.

It’s seeking feedback on the matter.

Flip the Fleet says it’s also awaiting NZ Transport Agency assessment of the risk and any potential remedies.

In response to one query, Flip the Fleet’s Daniel Myall says New Zealand-new Gen 1.1 Leafs are unaffected as far as the group is aware.

He also notes the group’s Dima Ivanov likens the situation to a seminar speaker advising where the fire exits are. “Most of the time you’ll never need to use the information, but it is useful to be prepared in the rare case something does happen.”

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