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I'll tell you my true experience with my LEAF. I bought my used 2013 leaf at a sticker price of around ~9,500 USD before taxes and fees. A few months in, I be

I'll tell you my true experience with my LEAF. I bought my used 2013 leaf at a sticker price of around ~9,500 USD before taxes and fees. A few months in, I began to experience an issue with the braking system. After depressing the brake pedal and slowing to a stop, the pedal would sink slowly, and the car could creep forward again until I applied more pressure. After enough cycles of this I'd have pushed the pedal all the way down, and there would be no way to hold the stop. I immediately set up an appointment with the local licensed Nissan dealer for maintenance, and began putting the car in park at intersections. I noted that the brake fluid was very low, but not empty, when I brought the car in. I figured all it needed was to be refilled, but there were some other minor squawks I wanted to have them look at. After service, the rep sat me down and explained that the part that balances brake force between the regenerative and friction braking systems "had failed", and this part was going to cost nearly $2000 to replace. He clearly represented to me that the maintenance mechanics had uncovered a problem with this part, that it was failed, and absolutely necessary to replace. I paid for the appointment and said I'd have to think about the replacement part. I looked over the paperwork very carefully and there were no error codes in the testing results. I've been driving the car for over a year since with no issues. The problem with the brake pedal resulted from low brake fluid, which they topped off during the maintenance. I've resolved not to take the car to the dealer for any issue unless I absolutely can't handle it myself, which I'm guessing means "never". So I definitely give credence to the idea that the electric cars are a threat to maintenance revenue.

taneq 8y ago
I've only had a couple of experiences with dealer service centers but, like yours, they've been not good. I've come to the conclusion that dealer service standards are lower as they rely on a funnel of new car sales to provide customers. Our local independent service center is cheaper, more responsive and far more transparent about what needs doing to our cars.
snowwindwaves 8y ago
The Brake fluid reservoir level becomes low when the fluid leaks out somewhere in the system. Brake fluid isn't something that is consumed in normal operation. When fluid can be pushed out as a leak that is lost force that is not applied to stopping. When fluid can get out air can get in and air is compressible so this makes the hydraulic braking system feel spongy. Adding more fluid and bleeding the air out of the system may temporarily make it seem like there is no problem but if you note the level dropping then you ought to find the leak or you risk losing control of your vehicle and run in to some thing or some one. I can't believe it got so bad you were putting it in park at intersections. That is really dangerous!!
- jacquesm 8y ago
  Could be. But what also could be is that during a previous maintenance visit a part of the brake system was replaced which led to loss of some fluid and they forgot to top it off. After all, if there is a leak in the system OP would not be able to drive the car for a year without the issue recurring.
  - ams6110 8y ago
    In a disc brake system, the brake fluid level will become lower due to normal wear on the pads. Often an indicator that pads are worn is that the low brake fluid warning light will illuminate on the dashboard. If you top up the fluid at that point, everything will seem normal, but the pads will continue to wear until the friction material is entirely gone. Sinking pedal while stopped can also be caused by leaking seals in the master cylinder. So yes, low fluid level is either an indication of pad wear or a leak, it's not a normal condition and if you don't know the cause, you should take it to a shop that can check it out.
    - imtringued 8y ago
      >If you top up the fluid at that point, everything will seem normal, but the pads will continue to wear until the friction material is entirely gone. No, nothing will seem normal if your brake pads are worn out. Depending on your care your brake pads are designed in a way that an electrical signal is activated or they make a loud noise before they wear out completely.
  - dazc 8y ago
    If this was the case, wouldn't it be standard practice to bleed the system and top it up?
    - HeyLaughingBoy 8y ago
      Considering that sometimes mechanics forget to do basic things like tighten oil drain plugs, that happening wouldn't surprise me.
gcb0 8y ago
this is exactly what happens with any car! why would this be different with electric?!?! every shop, from a dealer or not, will have a minimum figure of "repairs" to push on any customer that pass its door. they will tell you the steering rod is bent, the spark plugs need replacement, anything. if anything, this is more reason to push electric cars because now there's a whole lot of parts the customer never heard about! not to mention the new battery homerun!

taneq 8y ago

I've only had a couple of experiences with dealer service centers but, like yours, they've been not good. I've come to the conclusion that dealer service standards are lower as they rely on a funnel of new car sales to provide customers. Our local independent service center is cheaper, more responsive and far more transparent about what needs doing to our cars.

snowwindwaves 8y ago

The Brake fluid reservoir level becomes low when the fluid leaks out somewhere in the system. Brake fluid isn't something that is consumed in normal operation. When fluid can be pushed out as a leak that is lost force that is not applied to stopping. When fluid can get out air can get in and air is compressible so this makes the hydraulic braking system feel spongy. Adding more fluid and bleeding the air out of the system may temporarily make it seem like there is no problem but if you note the level dropping then you ought to find the leak or you risk losing control of your vehicle and run in to some thing or some one. I can't believe it got so bad you were putting it in park at intersections. That is really dangerous!!

jacquesm 8y ago
Could be. But what also could be is that during a previous maintenance visit a part of the brake system was replaced which led to loss of some fluid and they forgot to top it off. After all, if there is a leak in the system OP would not be able to drive the car for a year without the issue recurring.
- ams6110 8y ago
  In a disc brake system, the brake fluid level will become lower due to normal wear on the pads. Often an indicator that pads are worn is that the low brake fluid warning light will illuminate on the dashboard. If you top up the fluid at that point, everything will seem normal, but the pads will continue to wear until the friction material is entirely gone. Sinking pedal while stopped can also be caused by leaking seals in the master cylinder. So yes, low fluid level is either an indication of pad wear or a leak, it's not a normal condition and if you don't know the cause, you should take it to a shop that can check it out.
  - imtringued 8y ago
    >If you top up the fluid at that point, everything will seem normal, but the pads will continue to wear until the friction material is entirely gone. No, nothing will seem normal if your brake pads are worn out. Depending on your care your brake pads are designed in a way that an electrical signal is activated or they make a loud noise before they wear out completely.
- dazc 8y ago
  If this was the case, wouldn't it be standard practice to bleed the system and top it up?
  - HeyLaughingBoy 8y ago
    Considering that sometimes mechanics forget to do basic things like tighten oil drain plugs, that happening wouldn't surprise me.

gcb0 8y ago

this is exactly what happens with any car! why would this be different with electric?!?! every shop, from a dealer or not, will have a minimum figure of "repairs" to push on any customer that pass its door. they will tell you the steering rod is bent, the spark plugs need replacement, anything. if anything, this is more reason to push electric cars because now there's a whole lot of parts the customer never heard about! not to mention the new battery homerun!