Nissan Recalls Leaf Electric Cars for Rearview Camera Snafu

Nissan is calling back more than 57,000 Leaf electric vehicles for a rearview camera defect that has already caused the company to recall other models.

“The problem has to do with wiring that can wear over time,” Keith Barry writes for Consumer Reports. “If this happens, the screen may show a blurry or distorted picture or not display any image.”

The company recently acknowledged that this means the screens do not comply with federal safety standards and pose safety risks.

“If the rear view image is not available, rearward visibility may be reduced, potentially increasing the risk of a crash,” Nissan said in a defect report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The new recall covers certain Leaf EVs from the 2018 through 2022 model years. It comes after Nissan previously recalled certain Sentra and Altima sedans, citing similar problems with rearview cameras.

Nissan plans to begin notifying owners of recalled cars by March 20, the company said in the defect report. The problem, however, is that it has yet to come up with a fix for the issue.

“Nissan is preparing the remedy for this issue,” the company told NHTSA.

Nissan Safety Issues

These kinds of recalls are far too common for Nissan and other major automakers around the globe. They call back millions of vehicles in the U.S. alone every year, citing a wide range of defects that pose real safety risks.

Earlier this year, for instance, the company said it was recalling more than 20,000 Infiniti QX60 vehicles over a problem with the vehicles' Adaptive Front-Light Systems. Nissan said at the time that a software issue could cause the recalled cars’ headlights to be incorrectly adjusted downward, limiting divers’ ability to see the road.

The move came months after Nissan announced it was recalling some 236,000 vehicles over a defect that could impact steering. 

Know Your California Lemon Law Rights

California car owners and lessors have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. Namely, you do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed.

The lemon law, officially known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or simply decline to fix. That includes covering the purchase price, financing fees and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.