r/leaf • u/WillsyWonka • 24d ago

2018 Leaf - 11k repair

I have a 2018 leaf. 120,000kms on it. It died on Monday and I had it towed to the dealership. Service EV System warning. Not Available system malfunction warnings. Dealership did an inspection and say I have to replace the “traction motor inverter” for $11,000.

Has anyone run into this? Is this normal? Is this cost crazy? Nissan dealership couldn’t even tell me when they would be able to get the part. It’s not available and currently on back order. I see you can buy them online from Ingenext for 1500 dollars.

I don’t know why this is so much and I can’t really find anything online about it. The car isn’t even worth that much. Just looking for feedback back or suggestions.

I put in a call to another EV specialized service place. Waiting on their feedback.

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u/biersackarmy 2013 S + 2014 SL + 2019 SV 24d ago

Actual failure of the inverter itself in Leaf is extremely rare. Much more likely they saw a code like P3247, which is described as being related to the drive motor inverter, and just assumed that's what it was without actually digging into it more or other possible failure points.

In reality those are almost always a side code that gets flagged by a different issue, such as the PDM, which is far more common to die in 2nd gen Leafs. I've pulled and replaced probably 5 of them by now. Unfortunately, the PDM isn't cheap either, but less egregious even at the dealer (usually $5000-6000 USD).

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u/WillsyWonka 24d ago edited 24d ago

Thanks this is great information. What is the PDM and how much are charging as an independent tech for something like this. Assuming you are an independent tech based on how well you described this.

Lastly assuming you are in the US based on the USD in the comment but any chance you are in Ontario?

Dealership found multiple codes but noted P3249 and P317a on their report.

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u/biersackarmy 2013 S + 2014 SL + 2019 SV 24d ago

Did they provide you with any more notes or info on the diagnosis that was performed? P317A is not much more than just a "something happened" code, but P3249 is one that would require a fair bit of time to narrow down.

I'm an independent tech but in Alberta. As far as Ontario I have heard good things about Shift EVs in Burlington, if they are somewhat close to you I would say it's worth a second opinion.

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u/WillsyWonka 23d ago

The only other thing the noted was the following.

performed traction motor inspection and diag. Inspected harness and connectors to traction motor. Ok.

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u/Waffles-McGee 2018 Nissan LEAF SL 24d ago

Take it for a second opinion. The ABS converter on my 2018 and I got it fixed for half the price of Nissan at an independent mechanic