Overview
If your Nissan Leaf suddenly won’t charge and the dealer is quoting $4,000-5,000 for a PDM replacement, you’re not alone. At Atomic Auto, we recently completed this exact repair for significantly less than dealer pricing—and we can confirm this is a known failure point on 2015-2017 Leaf models.
Our Experience with Nissan Leaf PDM Failures
In January 2026, a repeat customer brought in his 2016 Nissan Leaf (75,922 miles) after the local Nissan dealer diagnosed “NEEDS PDM TO START” and quoted $4,500 for the repair. The vehicle would not accept a charge at all—completely dead in the water.
After our own diagnostic testing, we confirmed the dealer’s diagnosis was correct: the Power Delivery Module had failed. However, our total repair cost came in at $3,712.04—saving the customer nearly $800 compared to the dealer quote.
What Is the PDM (Power Delivery Module)?
The PDM is part of the inverter assembly in the Nissan Leaf. It’s responsible for:
- Converting DC power from the battery to AC for the motor
- Managing the charging process from external chargers
- Regulating power delivery throughout the vehicle’s electrical systems
When it fails, the most common symptom is the vehicle refusing to charge—either at home on Level 1/2 chargers or at DC fast chargers.
Technical Details from Our Repair
Vehicle: 2016 Nissan Leaf SV
VIN prefix: 1N4AZ0CP…
Mileage at failure: 75,922 miles
Parts Used:
- Power Delivery Module: Part #292C0-4NP3D — $2,276.29
- Honda Blue Coolant (OL999-9011) — $33.97 (1.5 quarts required for coolant system refill)
Labor: 8 hours for inverter assembly removal and replacement
Total Cost: $3,712.04 (including parts, labor, supplies, and tax)
Why This Happens
The PDM failure we’re seeing tends to occur in the 60,000-90,000 mile range on 2015-2017 Leaf models. While Nissan hasn’t issued a formal recall, this is a documented failure pattern in the Leaf community. Contributing factors may include:
- Thermal cycling stress from repeated fast charging
- Age-related component degradation
- Manufacturing variance in early production units
What We Recommend
If your Leaf suddenly won’t charge:
- Don’t panic at the dealer quote. Independent EV specialists can often complete this repair for 15-20% less than dealer pricing.
- Get the diagnosis confirmed. Make sure it’s actually the PDM and not a simpler issue like the onboard charger or charge port.
- Ask about the part. The PDM (Part #292C0-4NP3D) is the key component. Some shops may try to upsell a complete inverter assembly when only the PDM module needs replacement.
- Plan for loaner transportation. This repair takes a full day, and since your Leaf can’t charge, you can’t drive it in or out without a tow.
The Outcome
After completing the repair, we texted the customer: “The vehicle is charging as intended.” He picked up the car that evening, and it’s been running perfectly since.
If you’re dealing with a Leaf that won’t charge and you’re in the Portland area, we can help diagnose whether the PDM is the culprit—and get you back on the road for less than dealer pricing.
Last updated: January 2026 | Based on completed repair at Atomic Auto
Questions? Contact us at [email protected]