NHTSA Complaint #11166570 — 2011 NISSAN LEAF

STARTING ON 12/03/2018, THIS 2011 NISSAN LEAF BEGAN RELEASING SMOKE AND A NOXIOUS BURNING-PLASTIC SMELL INTO THE CABIN DURING 240V AND 125V ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY AND THE IGNITION IS OFF. THE SMOKE ORIGINATES FROM THE ON-BOARD CHARGER (PART 296A0-3NA8A) LOCATED BEHIND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT, WHICH IS RIGHT BEHIND WHERE THE CHILD SEAT USUALLY GOES. DESPITE THIS, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO CHARGE FROM ELECTRICAL SOURCES AND DRIVE NORMALLY. AN INSPECTION BY STEVENS CREEK NISSAN (4855 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SANTA CLARA, CA 95051) ON 12/12/2018 FOUND THE SAME BURNING SMELL AND REPORTED THAT A "FUSE IN THE ON-BOARD CHARGER (IS) FUSING". THEY OFFERED NO FURTHER EXPERTISE ABOUT THE CAUSE EXCEPT TO RECOMMEND A REPLACEMENT OF THE ON-BOARD CHARGER. ON THE SAME DAY, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA WAS CONTACTED AND ASKED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND REPLIED THAT THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM ON 01/11/2019. THE ATTACHED IMAGES INCLUDE THE TECHNICIAN'S REPORT FROM NISSAN STEVENS CREEK AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF WHAT APPEARS TO BE THERMAL DAMAGE AND COMBUSTIBLE SOOT BUILDUP WITHIN THE ON-BOARD CHARGER, WHICH NOT ONLY CHEMICALLY CORRODES ELECTRONICS, BUT ALSO CAUSES OVERHEATING AND PRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD.