Warning: Battery Replacement Cost Increase (now $8500)

[GerryAZ]

I would get an SL+ so higher than $24k, but I drive enough miles per year to justify the expense for reliable transportation with car pool lane access. I am about to turn up 82,000 miles on the 2015.

[Eddie16]

Was the $8500 cost for a 24kwh battery, or larger? Reason I ask is that I thought I had read somewhere, that Nissan does all replacements with 40kwh packs.

I have a 2016 with a 30kwh pack that has lost 2 bars. As of Aug 2021, a Denver-area Nissan dealer quoted a cash price of $13,500 to install a 40kwh pack. If your quote was actually for a 40kwh pack replacement, then Nissan battery prices are increasing exponentially!

So much for the “circular economy” the ivory-tower environmental economists talk about. LOL

I just called Nissan about a replacement battery because my 2011 Nissan leaf is down to 8 bars and I only get about 35 miles on a charge. I was informed that the battery replacement cost is now $7000 plus labor and taxes (up from $5499). This means replacement costs are around $8500. This change occurred a couple months ago. I expressed my displeasure that as battery pack costs continue to drop, Nissan has actually raised their pack pricing.

Wanted to warn everyone out there that this change occurred. This makes it significantly more expensive to repair your used Nissan Leaf, so plan accordingly. It doesn't look like Nissan has any plans to lower pack pricing as manufacturing costs drop.

Also, they said the refurbished battery program in Japan likely won't be coming to the US anytime soon due to EPA regulations.

References:
[1] https://insideevs.com/breaking-nissan-p ... t-durable/
[2] https://electrek.co/2017/01/30/electric ... la-190kwh/

[DaveinOlyWA]

Was the $8500 cost for a 24kwh battery, or larger? Reason I ask is that I thought I had read somewhere, that Nissan does all replacements with 40kwh packs.

I have a 2016 with a 30kwh pack that has lost 2 bars. As of Aug 2021, a Denver-area Nissan dealer quoted a cash price of $13,500 to install a 40kwh pack. If your quote was actually for a 40kwh pack replacement, then Nissan battery prices are increasing exponentially!

So much for the “circular economy” the ivory-tower environmental economists talk about. LOL

I just called Nissan about a replacement battery because my 2011 Nissan leaf is down to 8 bars and I only get about 35 miles on a charge. I was informed that the battery replacement cost is now $7000 plus labor and taxes (up from $5499). This means replacement costs are around $8500. This change occurred a couple months ago. I expressed my displeasure that as battery pack costs continue to drop, Nissan has actually raised their pack pricing.

Wanted to warn everyone out there that this change occurred. This makes it significantly more expensive to repair your used Nissan Leaf, so plan accordingly. It doesn't look like Nissan has any plans to lower pack pricing as manufacturing costs drop.

Also, they said the refurbished battery program in Japan likely won't be coming to the US anytime soon due to EPA regulations.

References:
[1] https://insideevs.com/breaking-nissan-p ... t-durable/
[2] https://electrek.co/2017/01/30/electric ... la-190kwh/

30 kwh pack has degradation warranty good for 8 years or 100,000 miles so unless you are in dire straits with range, I would not pay to upgrade and yeah, it would be a 40 kwh pack either way. If you are in dire straits with range, I would look at upgrading to a Gen two. More money but will last.

[Stanton]

Was the $8500 cost for a 24kwh battery, or larger? Reason I ask is that I thought I had read somewhere, that Nissan does all replacements with 40kwh packs.

I have a 2016 with a 30kwh pack that has lost 2 bars. As of Aug 2021, a Denver-area Nissan dealer quoted a cash price of $13,500 to install a 40kwh pack. If your quote was actually for a 40kwh pack replacement, then Nissan battery prices are increasing exponentially!

The number you quoted (bolded by me above) is slightly above what it cost me to do a 24->40 kWh pack upgrade myself (https://www.electricauto.org/blog/keepi ... issan-leaf). That doesn't count the CAN-bridge converter (probably not necessary in your case) or what I "recovered" through the sale of my (old) battery pack, but it's in the ballpark.

We can debate cost/value all day long, but I had great results (the 40 kWh pack I found was practically brand new) and would do it again in a heartbeat (love my Gen1 Leaf).

As a side note, the only way I know of to get a 40 kWh pack in a 24 kWh Leaf is DIY.

[RawhideKid]

Well, i took my 2017 leaf into Coulter Nissan today for a battery check, and luckily for me, it has degraded sufficiently to be covered under a full replacement for free. I’m glad, given we really like our Leaf. They will order one in and let me know when it arrives for the installation.

BUT, I had a very interesting chat - it was closing time so I didn’t get many details. The customer service rep said “sure is good thing yours is under warranty!” I said why..”You know how expensive those are to replace off warranty?” I said its been a few years since I looked at it, but I thought maybe 6k. He said “nope. 20k!” “No way” i said.

He said “I’ll show you - pulled up the warranty request paperwork for my Leaf and sure enough, $19,000 for the battery and $1,000 for labor. I was shocked. He said another one, a 2015 with 80k miles on it, came through earlier the prior week and was not under warranty and the lady was appalled. “I don’t blame her” I said.

Very glad our is under warranty - big reason we searched out a 2017 with the longer warranty to buy - a showroom demo with 500 miles on it, for $17k - basically new, off the floor.

Not sure we will get another battery replaced under warranty, but he as heck we won’t pay 20k for one if not. Incredible. I’ll post more details as I get them, including what size battery that was quoted.

RHK

[DaveinOlyWA]

Well, i took my 2017 leaf into Coulter Nissan today for a battery check, and luckily for me, it has degraded sufficiently to be covered under a full replacement for free. I’m glad, given we really like our Leaf. They will order one in and let me know when it arrives for the installation.

BUT, I had a very interesting chat - it was closing time so I didn’t get many details. The customer service rep said “sure is good thing yours is under warranty!” I said why..”You know how expensive those are to replace off warranty?” I said its been a few years since I looked at it, but I thought maybe 6k. He said “nope. 20k!” “No way” i said.

He said “I’ll show you - pulled up the warranty request paperwork for my Leaf and sure enough, $19,000 for the battery and $1,000 for labor. I was shocked. He said another one, a 2015 with 80k miles on it, came through earlier the prior week and was not under warranty and the lady was appalled. “I don’t blame her” I said.

Very glad our is under warranty - big reason we searched out a 2017 with the longer warranty to buy - a showroom demo with 500 miles on it, for $17k - basically new, off the floor.

Not sure we will get another battery replaced under warranty, but he as heck we won’t pay 20k for one if not. Incredible. I’ll post more details as I get them, including what size battery that was quoted.

RHK

More expensive, yes but its a 40 kwh pack that has better chemistry than your OEM.

[SageBrush]

More expensive, yes but its a 40 kwh pack that has better chemistry than your OEM.

That explains a $10k price. The other $10k is Nissan humor

[Stanton]

More expensive, yes but its a 40 kwh pack that has better chemistry than your OEM.

That explains a $10k price. The other $10k is Nissan humor

I might be laughing...all the way to the bank (although some of you may disagree).
I did my 24kWh->40kWh battery upgrade for ~$12k "all in" (bought Gen2 salvage Leaf/sold Gen1 battery pack) and I've noticed that (salvaged) car prices have done nothing but go up since I did mine earlier this year.

[alozzy]

I did my 24kWh->40kWh battery upgrade for ~$12k "all in" (bought Gen2 salvage Leaf/sold Gen1 battery pack) and I've noticed that (salvaged) car prices have done nothing but go up since I did mine earlier this year.

It's borderline worthwhile to retrofit an older LEAF with a 40 kWh pack at that price, as there's some risk that a very expensive HV component fails as the car ages. A used 2018 would have warranty for several more years.

The other risk is if you ever have to sell the car, will prospective buyers see the value that you added and be willing to pay a substantial premium compared to other LEAFs of the same vintage. If I did the upgrade, I would definitely plan on driving it into the ground. Sometimes life has other ideas though.

[Stanton]

If I did the upgrade, I would definitely plan on driving it into the ground.

That is exactly what I intend to do, and with the Leaf's (good) track record I may be very happy for a long time.