Nissan has issued a second recall for its Ariya electric SUV, affecting over 1,100 vehicles in the United States. The root of the problem lies in a current sensor within the battery junction box that could potentially trigger a safety mode, resulting in an unexpected loss of power.
This is not the first time Nissan has addressed this issue. A previous recall, issued in September 2023, targeted nearly 10,000 Ariyas manufactured between June 2022 and May 2023. The solution involved reprogramming the inverter to prevent the issue from occurring. However, it appears that some vehicles were not included in the initial recall, necessitating this latest action.
The current sensor is designed to monitor the electric motor's current flow. Under specific conditions, such as high-speed operation, the sensor might detect an abnormality in the current ripple frequency. When this happens, the vehicle’s power electronics box reacts by cutting power to the motor, abruptly placing the Ariya into a fail-safe mode. This sudden loss of propulsion can pose a significant safety risk, as drivers may not have sufficient time to react. To restore normal operation, the vehicle must be completely turned off and restarted.
Nissan has identified 1,188 Ariya models produced between September 2022 and May 2023 as affected by this recall. Both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants are included. Owners will be notified of the recall on September 9. The repair process involves updating the inverter's power electronics box software for rear-wheel drive models and reprogramming both front and rear inverters for all-wheel drive vehicles.
While Nissan is taking steps to rectify this issue, the repeated recalls related to the same component raise concerns about the long-term reliability of the Ariya. Electric vehicles, in general, are still relatively new technology, and such problems can erode consumer confidence. It is essential for automakers to thoroughly test and validate their components to prevent these types of issues from occurring in the first place.
As with any recall, owners of affected Ariya models should carefully follow Nissan's instructions and schedule an appointment with a dealership to have the necessary repairs performed as soon as possible.