NHTSA Complaint #11217262 — 2016 NISSAN LEAF

USING THE J-1772 CHARGE PORT AT A SHOPPING MALL WHILE GOING FOR A WALK; ON SUN 5/19 AS WE APPROACHED THE CAR TO LEAVE, WE NOTICED A STRONG ELECTRICAL SMELL. I DISENGAGED THE CHARGER, INSPECTED IT AND SAW NO ISSUES. OUR CAR, HOWEVER SHOWED DISTORTION IN THE PORT AT THE UPPER RIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING, 5/20, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND HAD THE CERTIFIED LEAF TECHNICIAN TRY TO PLUG IT IN AND CHECK THE CHARGING. HE FOUND RESISTANCE AS HE TRIED TO PLUG IT IN, LOOKED AT THE DISTORTED PLASTIC, AND SAID "YOU NEED TO REPLACE THAT PORT" IT'S JUNE 1ST TODAY; THE DEALER SAID THEY HAD TO CONTACT NISSAN. AFTER A WEEK OF NO RESPONSE OR CALLBACK, I FINALLY WAS TOLD THAT WE MUST HAVE DAMAGED IT, AND IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED. THEY HAD NO BASIS FOR THAT ASSERTION, AND THEY OFFERED NO EXPLANATION OR ADVICE ABOUT THE DAMAGE ON THE PORT. I'VE CONTACTED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE, WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM NISSAN WARRANTY DIVISION. IN THE MEAN TIME, I'M CHARGING WITH THE CHADEMO PORT WHENEVER POSSIBLE, AND STILL USING THE J-1772, ALTHOUGH WITH NO EXPLANATION OF WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM I FEEL LIKE IT'S A RISK EVERY TIME. OBVIOUSLY THE CHARGING IS BASIC FOR THE VEHICLE'S FUNCTION.