Warning - Lectron NACS Adapter Recalled For Safety Defect

Warning - A safety defect has been found with the Lectron NACS adapter that allows the Supercharger cable to unplug WITHOUT pressing the latch release. This can cause a dangerous blinding arc flash if the Supercharger cable was pulled out without pressing the latch first. Charging will not be stopped before cable removal, hence the arc flash risk. Charging expert Branden Flasch discovered the defect. The first batch of adapters are now under recall for this safety defect.

It appears the NACS latch pin has a rounded profile. This means you have to press the latch down to insert the cable, but it will pull out WITHOUT squeezing the latch release. It should function the opposite way, push in, lock, and NOT release when pulled.

This issue may only affect some Lectron adapters. All adapters in the first batch have been recalled. Please see this video for more information. If your Lectron adapter has this defect, please DO NOT USE IT and contact Lectron. This is a serious safety risk.



NOTE: This issue does not affect the Ford NACS adapter. Only the Lectron branded adapter.

4/15 Update - Lectron has provided a statement:

"We are analyzing the problem and doing a deep dive. Once we understand the root cause and the number of units affected, we can provide more guidance. At this point, we believe that only a small number of units are affected. The issue can be fixed with easy mechanical change to the latch."

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4/16 Update - Lectron says due to a logistics error, a limited number of early versions with the issue were shipped to customers. Supposedly, the ones currently shipping do not have the issue. If yours has the issue, they will send you a new one after you contact them.

?5/3 Update - Lectron has finally recalled 1624 adapters for this latch defect. The latch profile was manufactured incorrectly. The replacement adapters will have a flat face so the cable is properly retained. Owners will be notified by mail starting on May 3rd.

NHTSA Safety Issue 24E033 - https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24E033

Safety defect report is attached.

Well that's a big mistake.

5:37 is where the test is

God, I hate Youtube videos. A 5-1/2 minute video to point out a single flaw?

superdave80 said:

God, I hate Youtube videos. A 5-1/2 minute video to point out a single flaw?

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I know. I didn't even get to see the arc flash. Bummer.

superdave80 said:

God, I hate Youtube videos. A 5-1/2 minute video to point out a single flaw?

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What do you want? A 150-word article that could be read in 30 seconds? We might as well live in the 18th century.

load97 said:

I know. I didn't even get to see the arc flash. Bummer.

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I can't wait for a clout chasing YouTuber to do do this on purpose. It will be glorious.

Hard to say if that is the actual flaw or not.
I watched Brandon’s video earlier today. I thought it just wasn’t quite clicking in. As in the NACS connector was bottoming out before the latch clicked in. But perhaps the latch was in but just not holding the connector in.

I believe Mach E vlog also had to press the button to insert the NACS handle. They never said that theirs pulled out easily though. So unsure if they have the same issue too. If it wasn’t them then it was State of Charge that commented about that.

Either way, I’m glad I went with the A2Z one.

redgrandam said:

Hard to say if that is the actual flaw or not.
I watched Brandon’s video earlier today. I thought it just wasn’t quite clicking in. As in the NACS connector was bottoming out before the latch clicked in. But perhaps the latch was in but just not holding the connector in.

I believe Mach E vlog also had to press the button to insert the NACS handle. They never said that theirs pulled out easily though. So unsure if they have the same issue too. If it wasn’t them then it was State of Charge that commented about that.

Either way, I’m glad I went with the A2Z one.

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Yah, glad my Lectron order has still not shipped.

OTOH my A2Z has been flawless.

redgrandam said:

Hard to say if that is the actual flaw or not.
I watched Brandon’s video earlier today. I thought it just wasn’t quite clicking in. As in the NACS connector was bottoming out before the latch clicked in. But perhaps the latch was in but just not holding the connector in.

I believe Mach E vlog also had to press the button to insert the NACS handle. They never said that theirs pulled out easily though. So unsure if they have the same issue too. If it wasn’t them then it was State of Charge that commented about that.

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That was a question of mine, but in the video I posted, you can see him push the connector in slowly, and finally the latch pops in 100%. That means it's fully seated. And then he just pulled it out. Branden also pushed it in very hard first, same thing. The lock pin is either backwards or has a bad profile that is not providing enough retention.

@Mach-E VLOG tagging for awareness.

Mach-Lee said:

That was a question of mine, but in the video I posted, you can see him push the connector in slowly, and finally the latch pops in 100%. That means it's fully seated. And then he just pulled it out. Branden also pushed it in very hard first, same thing. The lock pin is either backwards or has a bad profile that is not providing enough retention.

@Mach-E VLOG tagging for awareness.

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Right. Makes sense. I was confused when Brandon could pull his out like that (as I assumed it wasn’t latching) but he was still able to charge. As the latch on the NACS side should be an interrupt as well. If it isn’t latched it shouldn’t charge (like with A2Z). So that means his was actually latching (or doesn’t have that switch like it should) and just wasn’t holding.

I can’t believe this passed QC. They need to recall them.

redgrandam said:

Right. Makes sense. I was confused when Brandon could pull his out like that (as I assumed it wasn’t latching) but he was still able to charge. As the latch on the NACS side should be an interrupt as well. If it isn’t latched it shouldn’t charge (like with A2Z). So that means his was actually latching (or doesn’t have that switch like it should) and just wasn’t holding.

I can’t believe this passed QC. They need to recall them.

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Correct. The fact that it was charging means it was fully seated and latched because the interlock would have prevented it from working.

And that’s why 3rd party is trash ?

jamelski said:

And that’s why 3rd party is trash ?

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Lectron. Says nothing about others.

jamelski said:

And that’s why 3rd party is trash ?

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I’m assuming this isn’t the one Ford is sending us for free?