Nissan Pulls Nearly 4,000 Leaf EVs Over Seat Belt Problem Uncovered by Consumer Reports

Nissan has announced a recall affecting approximately 3,900 of its latest Leaf electric vehicles after a routine safety evaluation by Consumer Reports revealed a seat belt issue. The problem, which involves the front passenger seat belt failing to properly lock during sudden stops, was flagged during the publication’s standard testing procedures.

The recall covers 2024 and 2025 model year Leaf EVs manufactured between late 2023 and early 2025.

According to Nissan, the defect stems from a manufacturing error in the seat belt retractor assembly, which can prevent the belt from engaging correctly in a crash. Consumer Reports engineers discovered the flaw during emergency braking simulations, noting that the belt did not hold the test dummy securely.

Nissan has confirmed that no injuries or accidents have been reported related to the issue, but the company is urging owners to schedule free repairs at authorized dealerships.

The fix involves replacing the front passenger seat belt assembly, a process that typically takes less than an hour. Nissan will begin notifying affected owners by mail starting next week. This recall underscores the importance of third-party testing in catching safety flaws before they lead to real-world harm.

For Boca Auto Care customers, we recommend checking your vehicle’s recall status online or bringing it in for a complimentary inspection if you own a recent Leaf model.