2023 Nissan Ariya problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2023 Nissan Ariya involving an apparent failure of the 12-volt battery and/or electrical system. While parked overnight in my driveway, powered off, and not plugged in nor charging, the front battery/engine compartment began sizzling, overheating, and producing smoke. The heat caused internal damage and disabled the vehicle. This created a serious fire risk because the incident occurred at my home while the vehicle was unattended and inactive and it happened without any earlier signs or warning. My battery health was checked by the repair shop at the dealership within the last 5 months. The malfunction could have caused a vehicle or house fire and endangered nearby occupants and property. The vehicle is currently at King Windward Nissan in Hawai‘i for inspection and repairs, and a Nissan Consumer Affairs case has been opened. Anecdotally, I have heard from 4 other Nissan Ariya owners in Hawai'i who have experienced similar battery failures with their Nissan Ariyas within the first two-years of purchase.

NHTSA complaint #11739371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle’s EV system and related electrical components appear to be malfunctioning, causing repeated “EV System Off” error messages and rendering the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection upon request. The defect created a significant safety risk because the vehicle became unreliable and could unexpectedly fail to operate, leaving me stranded and without dependable transportation. This placed both myself and others at risk, especially if the failure occurred while driving or in traffic. Yes, the issue has been repeatedly reproduced and confirmed by the Nissan dealership. The vehicle has been towed to the dealership approximately five times for the same or substantially similar issue, and multiple repair attempts and part replacements have been made. The vehicle has been inspected by the Nissan dealership and Nissan Consumer Affairs has been notified on multiple occasions. Repairs and diagnostics were performed between March 20, 2026 and April 10, 2026, and the same issue reoccurred again on May 19, 2026. Yes, warning messages appeared prior to the failures, specifically the “EV System Off” warning message. These symptoms first began prior to the initial repair period in March 2026 and have continued to reoccur despite repair attempts.

NHTSA complaint #11739123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SERVICE BRAKES

At approximately 18,500 miles, my 2023 Nissan Ariya experienced a brake system failure while driving. The vehicle exhibited abnormal braking behavior and reduced braking performance, creating a serious safety concern. I was able to safely stop the vehicle, but the failure could have resulted in an accident. The vehicle was taken to a Nissan dealership for inspection. The diagnosis revealed severe and premature wear of the rear brake pads and significant damage to the rear rotors. The dealership also recommended replacement of the entire rear brake assemblies, not just standard wear components. The total repair estimate is approximately $3,800. Safety Concern: This failure occurred at very low mileage. In an electric vehicle with regenerative braking, brake components should last significantly longer under normal conditions. The extent of damage and need for full brake assembly replacement suggests a potential mechanical or electronic defect, such as a caliper malfunction or braking system issue. This was not normal wear and tear. The failure occurred during operation and posed a direct safety risk due to compromised braking ability. Manufacturer Response: The dealership has indicated the issue may not be covered under warranty, classifying it as wear-related. However, the severity and early failure strongly indicate an underlying defect rather than routine wear. I have contacted Nissan Corporate claims for further resolution. When visually inspecting the car the rotors were irregularly worn and the brake lines had burst spilling break fluid all over the rear innner tire .

NHTSA complaint #11731604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Recently I been hearing a clicking noise every time I come to a complete stop and when I take off again. It started happening recently. After I hear the click noise coming from the middle of the front of my car, the wheel feels like it’s spinning just a little bit before coming to a stop.

NHTSA complaint #11728901 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

At low speeds after startup, the car automatically shifts from drive into neutral. The car will be locked in neutral, not letting you put it in park, drive, or reverse. To get the car back into drive, you must come to a complete stop, turn the car off, back on, and floor the accelerator. Failure to floor the accelerator will lead to the car getting stuck in neutral again. I have pulled out into traffic on numerous occasions and had the car die in the middle of the road, forcing me to come to a stop and fully turn it back on, sometimes multiple times. No warning messages appear.

NHTSA complaint #11722759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

At low speeds after startup, the car automatically shifts from drive into neutral. The car will be locked in neutral, not letting you put it in park, drive, or reverse. To get the car back into drive, you must come to a complete stop, turn the car off, back on, and floor the accelerator. Failure to floor the accelerator will lead to the car getting stuck in neutral again. I have pulled out into traffic on numerous occasions and had the car die in the middle of the road, forcing me to come to a stop and fully turn it back on, sometimes multiple times. No warning messages appear.

NHTSA complaint #11722759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The car was unable to move when started up and displayed a warning that said "Service EV system." The car is within the initial 3 year warranty and has under 20,000 miles.

NHTSA complaint #11719727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Ariya. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power. The contact became aware of smoke coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that oil was leaking from the vehicle, causing the engine to fail. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later went to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11706138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DEFECTIVE COMPONENT & FAILURE MODE The vehicle suffered a failure in the 12-volt battery system, potentially involving the DC-to-DC Converter or the associated charging logic. This malfunction caused the lead-acid 12V battery to be severely overcharged and boiled while the vehicle was plugged in and parked. CATASTROPHIC SAFETY HAZARD The failure resulted in the release of highly toxic and flammable gases into an enclosed residential space (my garage), posing an immediate, life-threatening risk: TOXIC GAS POISONING: The boiling battery released a massive amount of Hydrogen Sulfide gas, identified by the distinctive, strong rotten-egg odor. H2S is a cellular asphyxiant and is fatal at high concentrations. EXPLOSION/FIRE RISK: The boiling battery also released highly flammable Hydrogen H2 gas, creating an explosion hazard inside the closed structure of the home. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS Tues, 11/11/25 (approx. 5:00 PM): Noticed strong rotten-egg smell in the garage while the vehicle was charging. 5:30 PM: Called local gas company due to fear of a gas leak. 6:30 PM: The smell was still strongly detectable, indicating dangerous lingering concentrations. Suspecting the car, immediately unplugged. 7:00 PM: Identified the car as the source and moved the immobilized vehicle outside. 9:05 PM: Contacted Poison Control due to chemical inhalation/exposure risk. (immediate / risk of delayed symptoms). MANUFACTURER CONTACT & CURRENT STATUS Manufacturer Contact: I have notified Nissan Consumer Affairs of the safety hazard and received Case Number: 55990119. Current Status: The vehicle is currently immobilized and will be sent to dealership for repair. The defective components (battery and converter) are intact. Medical Status: I sought medical consultation and am monitoring for delayed neurological or respiratory effects (pulmonary edema) known to occur after H2S exposure.

NHTSA complaint #11699151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Ariya. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a loud thud coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to inspect the vehicle, the vehicle restarted while in park, and unexpectedly rolled away. The contact was able to quickly re-enter the vehicle and stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA complaint #11692130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

I had just left the [XXX] on the [XXX] when our Ariya suddenly lost power at highway speeds. It felt like a very dangerous situation, because there are very long distances between exits in this area, and the shoulder is somewhat narrow in spots. The high voltage battery had been DC fast charged to 95% at said service area minutes earlier. But the display suddenly went to 0%, turtle mode appeared, and the message “Warning Service EV System” showed on the display. For some reason, the windshield wipers also activated momentarily, despite it being a clear summer day. It was not possible to maintain speed, as the car had a power limit of about 10%. I was fortunate that we were able to limp the ~10 miles to the next exit behind a very slow RV. However, the car slowed down dramatically when going uphill. It was a very white knuckle experience. Once we made it off [XXX], I was able to slowly coast into a gas station parking lot and collect myself. I tried turning off the car and turning it back on, but the message did not go away. Since I also carry tools when traveling, I then tried disconnecting the 12 volt battery for a minute and reconnecting it. Fortunately, that made the error go away. Having a suspicion that the 12 volt battery could be at fault, I replaced the OEM flooded lead acid battery with an AGM battery at my own expensive. The next day, I took the vehicle to Poughkeepsie Nissan in Wappingers Falls, NY to be looked at. The write up is included with the submission. The dealer was not able to duplicate the issue, but they did see error codes stored within the car’s computers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11681148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I had just left the [XXX] on the [XXX] when our Ariya suddenly lost power at highway speeds. It felt like a very dangerous situation, because there are very long distances between exits in this area, and the shoulder is somewhat narrow in spots. The high voltage battery had been DC fast charged to 95% at said service area minutes earlier. But the display suddenly went to 0%, turtle mode appeared, and the message “Warning Service EV System” showed on the display. For some reason, the windshield wipers also activated momentarily, despite it being a clear summer day. It was not possible to maintain speed, as the car had a power limit of about 10%. I was fortunate that we were able to limp the ~10 miles to the next exit behind a very slow RV. However, the car slowed down dramatically when going uphill. It was a very white knuckle experience. Once we made it off [XXX], I was able to slowly coast into a gas station parking lot and collect myself. I tried turning off the car and turning it back on, but the message did not go away. Since I also carry tools when traveling, I then tried disconnecting the 12 volt battery for a minute and reconnecting it. Fortunately, that made the error go away. Having a suspicion that the 12 volt battery could be at fault, I replaced the OEM flooded lead acid battery with an AGM battery at my own expensive. The next day, I took the vehicle to Poughkeepsie Nissan in Wappingers Falls, NY to be looked at. The write up is included with the submission. The dealer was not able to duplicate the issue, but they did see error codes stored within the car’s computers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11681148 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

my car isnt listed for a current recall but should considering the software update does not match. Recall Reference: P4A30, P4A31 should have included my call as i dont have that update. Update 283C36PA5E is before the one shown in the recall.

NHTSA complaint #11671413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

Vehicle tires last less than 10k miles before tread depth is unsafe. I have complained to Nissan and they take no responsibility despite being the company that selected these tires, and there are multiple instances of failure for this vehicle. I should not have to buy new tires on a $60k car with less than 10k miles on it.

NHTSA complaint #11652603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

I am writing to formally report a series of safety concerns I have encountered with my Nissan vehicle. These issues have been brought to the attention of both the service department and Nissan directly, but they remain unresolved. I believe these defects pose significant safety risks, not only for me as the driver but also for others on the road. Below is a detailed account of the problems: Spontaneous Locking and Unlocking: The vehicle intermittently locks and unlocks itself without any input from me. This issue compromises security and creates a potential safety hazard while driving or when the vehicle is parked. Malfunctioning Steering Wheel Controls: The steering wheel controls often become unresponsive and freeze, particularly during the use of cruise control. This prevents me from canceling cruise control unless I press the brakes abruptly, which could lead to unsafe situations on the road. Melting Dashboard Emitting Toxic Vapors: The dashboard of the vehicle begins to melt during driving, releasing vapors that are extremely toxic and irritating. This is a serious health concern, as the vapors affect the air quality within the vehicle and could impair my ability to operate the vehicle safely. Inadequate Door Seals: The door seals are unusually thin and fragile, causing them to break easily. This not only impacts the structural integrity of the vehicle but also creates potential exposure to external elements, affecting the vehicle's safety and functionality. Given the severity of these issues, I request an investigation to determine if these defects are common among similar vehicles and if they warrant a recall. The safety of myself, my passengers, and others on the road is at risk due to these defects, and I believe action is necessary to prevent accidents or injuries. Please feel free to contact me if further details or documentation are required. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

NHTSA complaint #11649452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I am writing to formally report a series of safety concerns I have encountered with my Nissan vehicle. These issues have been brought to the attention of both the service department and Nissan directly, but they remain unresolved. I believe these defects pose significant safety risks, not only for me as the driver but also for others on the road. Below is a detailed account of the problems: Spontaneous Locking and Unlocking: The vehicle intermittently locks and unlocks itself without any input from me. This issue compromises security and creates a potential safety hazard while driving or when the vehicle is parked. Malfunctioning Steering Wheel Controls: The steering wheel controls often become unresponsive and freeze, particularly during the use of cruise control. This prevents me from canceling cruise control unless I press the brakes abruptly, which could lead to unsafe situations on the road. Melting Dashboard Emitting Toxic Vapors: The dashboard of the vehicle begins to melt during driving, releasing vapors that are extremely toxic and irritating. This is a serious health concern, as the vapors affect the air quality within the vehicle and could impair my ability to operate the vehicle safely. Inadequate Door Seals: The door seals are unusually thin and fragile, causing them to break easily. This not only impacts the structural integrity of the vehicle but also creates potential exposure to external elements, affecting the vehicle's safety and functionality. Given the severity of these issues, I request an investigation to determine if these defects are common among similar vehicles and if they warrant a recall. The safety of myself, my passengers, and others on the road is at risk due to these defects, and I believe action is necessary to prevent accidents or injuries. Please feel free to contact me if further details or documentation are required. I appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

NHTSA complaint #11649452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

This is the fourth time this has happened to us during normal driving. I pulled out onto a highway and suddenly with no prior warning, the car lost all power and went into what I can only describe as a "limp mode" and wouldn't go above 5 mph. I had to quickly pull off the road as traffic was catching up at highway speed. The dashboard flashed "Malfunction, see owners manual" and we had an orange triangle with an exclamation point as well as a circle with exclamation point with a wrench next to it. The traction control light and car with exclamation point were also lit up. After limping to a cross road we turned the car completely off for 5 min and when we restarted it, it worked normally. The same thing happened July 25, 2024 and I had the car in the dealership. They said they could not recreate the issue even though I showed them video of the dashboard acting strangely. The service manager said he believed something had blocked the front bumper sensor and that it should be fine now. We have already performed both software updated recalls and since then, it has happened to us twice more. The battery was at around 80%, had just been driven by my wife for around 30 min with no issues, was turned off in the driveway for about 15 min and then we left again. It was extremely cold during this issue (temps around 10 degrees F), but this has also happened during normal temps in the summer and fall.

NHTSA complaint #11637886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is the fourth time this has happened to us during normal driving. I pulled out onto a highway and suddenly with no prior warning, the car lost all power and went into what I can only describe as a "limp mode" and wouldn't go above 5 mph. I had to quickly pull off the road as traffic was catching up at highway speed. The dashboard flashed "Malfunction, see owners manual" and we had an orange triangle with an exclamation point as well as a circle with exclamation point with a wrench next to it. The traction control light and car with exclamation point were also lit up. After limping to a cross road we turned the car completely off for 5 min and when we restarted it, it worked normally. The same thing happened July 25, 2024 and I had the car in the dealership. They said they could not recreate the issue even though I showed them video of the dashboard acting strangely. The service manager said he believed something had blocked the front bumper sensor and that it should be fine now. We have already performed both software updated recalls and since then, it has happened to us twice more. The battery was at around 80%, had just been driven by my wife for around 30 min with no issues, was turned off in the driveway for about 15 min and then we left again. It was extremely cold during this issue (temps around 10 degrees F), but this has also happened during normal temps in the summer and fall.

NHTSA complaint #11637886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

This is the fourth time this has happened to us during normal driving. I pulled out onto a highway and suddenly with no prior warning, the car lost all power and went into what I can only describe as a "limp mode" and wouldn't go above 5 mph. I had to quickly pull off the road as traffic was catching up at highway speed. The dashboard flashed "Malfunction, see owners manual" and we had an orange triangle with an exclamation point as well as a circle with exclamation point with a wrench next to it. The traction control light and car with exclamation point were also lit up. After limping to a cross road we turned the car completely off for 5 min and when we restarted it, it worked normally. The same thing happened July 25, 2024 and I had the car in the dealership. They said they could not recreate the issue even though I showed them video of the dashboard acting strangely. The service manager said he believed something had blocked the front bumper sensor and that it should be fine now. We have already performed both software updated recalls and since then, it has happened to us twice more. The battery was at around 80%, had just been driven by my wife for around 30 min with no issues, was turned off in the driveway for about 15 min and then we left again. It was extremely cold during this issue (temps around 10 degrees F), but this has also happened during normal temps in the summer and fall.

NHTSA complaint #11637886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN

Car losing power while driving, and powering down to zero. Also slowly goin backwards while in standard drive mode. Dealership has been troubleshooting for 3 weeks and not fix has been found.

NHTSA complaint #11632058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car losing power while driving, and powering down to zero. Also slowly goin backwards while in standard drive mode. Dealership has been troubleshooting for 3 weeks and not fix has been found.

NHTSA complaint #11632058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

Car losing power while driving, and powering down to zero. Also slowly goin backwards while in standard drive mode. Dealership has been troubleshooting for 3 weeks and not fix has been found.

NHTSA complaint #11632058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.