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Nissan Recalls Nearly 65,000 Leaf EVs Over Defrosters

White 2020 Nissan Leaf SL Plus 2020 Nissan Leaf | Cars.com photo by Joe Wiesenfelder

It’s usually safe to assume the owner’s manual in your glove box won’t steer you in the wrong direction when it comes to operating your vehicle. That isn’t always the case, though: Nissan is recalling roughly 64,700 of its all-electric Leaf hatchbacks over incorrect windshield defroster instructions in their owner’s manuals.

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Affected vehicles include model-year 2018-23 Leafs. Following the owner’s manual instructions for the defroster may result in decreased performance of the feature, specifically in cold temperatures (so, when you really need it). Engaging the maximum fan speed can cause the heater to enter a fail-safe mode, limiting the defroster’s output. When the defroster is not performing properly, the driver’s visibility may be impacted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Nissan is addressing the issue by mailing letters to owners with instructions on how to operate the defroster; those are expected to be mailed April 1 (no kidding). Those with further questions meanwhile can contact the automaker at 800-867-7669 (Nissan’s number for this recall is R22C5), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or visit its website to check your vehicle identification number and learn more.

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