2012 Nissan LEAF problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
13,920 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 42 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 57 complaints (38.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 42.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 15.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 22 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
Service Brakes: 22; Electrical System: 14; Air Bags: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 4; Seat Belts: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2; Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 29 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 29; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 15 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 4; 2013: 12; 2014: 7; 2015: 5; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 6; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 4; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10466334 · 2012-07-17 (July 17, 2012)
DURING EXTREME BRAKING ON UNEVEN SURFACE, LOOSE GRAVEL, OR SLICK SURFACE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) ENGAGES (AS EXPECTED). HOWEVER, ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS BEEN RELEASED, ABS FAILS TO RELEASE THE BRAKES PROMPTLY. THE ADDITIONAL RELEASE DELAY CAUSES GREATER-THAN-INTENDED BRAKING, AND POTENTIAL FOR BEING REAR-ENDED (STRUCK BY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10468947 · 2012-08-02 (August 2, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT WAS PARKING THE VEHICLE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CURB AND CRASHED INTO A BUSH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THE MANUFACTURER SENT AN ENGINEER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500. .. UPDATED 08-27-12 *BF
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10468947 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10496069 · 2013-02-01 (February 1, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN ECO- MODE, SHE NOTICED THE BATTERY MILEAGE COUNT SUDDENLY DECREASED FROM 77 MILES TO 55 MILES AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY A MILE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER CHARGING THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, THE BATTERY DID NOT COMPLETELY CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS NOT A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70.
Owner-reported narrative. 70 miles reported. Look up ODI 10496069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10663841 · 2014-12-12 (December 12, 2014)
MY 2012 NISSAN LEAF HAS A BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR ON THE DASH THAT DOES NOT TRULY REFLECT HOW MUCH ACTUAL DRIVING RANGE MILEAGE IS LEFT. IN FACT, IT IS SO FAULTY THAT IT IS REFERRED TO ONLINE AS THE GOM OR GUESS-O-METER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I HAVE NO ACCURATE WAY OF KNOWING IF I WILL BE LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON AN EXPRESSWAY, A BUSY HIGHWAY, A BACK ROAD DETOUR, OR SIMPLY MILES AWAY FROM ANY CHARGING STATION. THE FIRST TIME I REALIZED HOW SERIOUS THIS PROBLEM WAS I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO COME AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 105 miles reported. Look up ODI 10663841 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11719541 · 2026-02-21 (February 21, 2026)
High voltage battery keeps shorting out stalling while driving on interstate almost got hit by 18 wheeler a few times it's a very unsafe car to drive and I keep smelling something like an odor from the battery I've been trying to get help to do the door ship Nissan consumer affairs and seem to be getting nowhere and they're letting me drive a car with a high voltage battery problem that obviously has a short in it help me
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11719541 at NHTSA ↗