2017 Nissan LEAF problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
4,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 17 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 29.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 17.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 |
Air Bags: 4; Electrical System: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Power Train: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Visibility/Wiper: 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 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 9 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 |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 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 11245292 · 2019-08-20 (August 20, 2019)
WHEN DRIVING OUR 2017 NISSAN LEAF ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT ABOUT 65 MPH UP A STEEP HILL / STEEP INCLINE, WE ARE EXPERIENCING A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE BATTERY AREA WHEN THE VEHICLE CLIMBS OVER 2000FT ELEVATION WITHIN A SHORT DISTANCE (16 MILES). THE CLUNK ALWAYS HAPPENS WITHIN THE SAME 1 MILE STRETCH OF ROAD AND HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UT (4,226 FEET) TO SUMMIT PARK, UT (6,887 FEET). WE FIRST NOTICED IT THIS SUMMER 2019. THERE IS AN AUDIBLE CLUNK AND IT CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE PASSENGER FOOT-WELL BEHIND THE DRIVER'S S…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11245292 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324479 · 2020-05-13 (May 13, 2020)
WHEN DRIVING OUR NISSAN LEAF FROM 4000 FEET ALTITUDE UP TO ABOUT 7000 FEET ALTITUDE (ABOUT 2500 FEET ALTITUDE CHANGE), SOMETHING UNDER THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR (BEHIND THE DRIVER) MAKES A LOUD BANG AND CAN BE FELT THROUGH THE FOOT-WELL OR FLOOR. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE SAME SECTION OF ROAD, WHICH IS USUALLY TWICE A WEEK. INTERNET RESEARCH SUGGESTS OTHER NISSAN LEAF OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND AT ALTITUDE, AND THAT IT MAY BE A ISSUE WITH COMPRESSION AND EXPANSION OF THE BATTERY CASE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS BEFORE…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11324479 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11064245 · 2018-01-22 (January 22, 2018)
I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY IN A PARKING LOT, TRYING TO FIND A PLACE TO PARK. WHEN I WAS ON THE 4TH FLOOR I FOUND A SPOT, MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN, AND AS I SLOWLY TURNED INTO THE SPOT I TOOK MY FOOT OF OF THE ACCELERATOR TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CAUSED MORE THAN $16,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR. I HAVE LEASED THIS CAR SINCE AUG, 2017. BEFORE THAT I LEASED A 2015 NISSAN LEAF AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CARE.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11064245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11091422 · 2018-05-02 (May 2, 2018)
BRAKE FAILURE AT LOW SPEEDS. IN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE, TWICE THE CAR FAILED TO STOP WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. I WAS GOING AT AROUND 20-25 MPH IN BOTH THE CASES.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11091422 at NHTSA ↗