Nissan LEAF problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,094 owner complaints analyzed
20 distinct recall campaigns
21,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 380 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 503 of 1,094 complaints (46.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 454 | 41.5% |
| Braking behavior | 279 | 25.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 21 | 1.9% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 1.9% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 503 |
| Service Brakes | 234 |
| Unknown Or Other | 162 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 133 |
| Air Bags | 92 |
| Power Train | 61 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 57 |
| Engine | 49 |
Electrical System: 503; Service Brakes: 234; Unknown Or Other: 162; Fuel/Propulsion System: 133; Air Bags: 92; Power Train: 61; Vehicle Speed Control: 57; Engine: 49
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 205 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 100 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 48 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 18 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 205; 25,000 to 49,999: 100; 50,000 to 74,999: 48; 75,000 to 99,999: 18; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (205). 714 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2015 | 40 |
| 2016 | 36 |
| 2017 | 30 |
| 2018 | 46 |
| 2019 | 63 |
| 2020 | 36 |
| 2021 | 40 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 84 |
| 2024 | 77 |
| 2025 | 278 |
| 2026 | 218 |
2011: 7; 2012: 19; 2013: 27; 2014: 34; 2015: 40; 2016: 36; 2017: 30; 2018: 46; 2019: 63; 2020: 36; 2021: 40; 2022: 59; 2023: 84; 2024: 77; 2025: 278; 2026: 218
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 454 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 279 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 21 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 10435269 · 2011-11-11 (November 11, 2011)
I BORROWED A LEAF FROM A CO-WORKER TO DRIVE OVERNIGHT. I PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY (NOT BY A PLUG) AND PLUGGED THE 110V CHARGER INTO AN EXTENSION CORD TO CHARGE THE BATTERY. I AWOKE AT MIDNIGHT TO A STRONG BURNED PLASTIC/OZONE TYPE SMELL IN MY BEDROOM, WHICH IS ABOVE THE GARAGE. I WENT TO THE GARAGE AND FOUND THE EXTENSION CORD WAS OVERHEATING, MELTING THE PLASTIC INSULATION FROM THE WIRING. I DISCONNECTED IT, OPENED DOORS FOR A WHILE TO AIR OUT THE HOUSE AND WENT BACK TO BED. GLAD I HAD ENOUGH BATTERY TO GET TO WORK THE NEXT MORNING. MY CONCERN…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10435269 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10469729 · 2012-08-08 (August 8, 2012)
MY NISSAN LEAF HAS EXPERIENCED A 1 CAPACITY BAR LOSS FOR IT'S LITHIUM-ION BATTERY, REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF AVAILABLE MILES TO DRIVE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS PREMATURE AND THAT THIS IS IN RELATION TO LIVING IN A HOT WEATHER CLIMATE AREA (SUMMER MONTHS). NISSAN HAS BEEN INFORMED BY ME OF THIS CONDITION. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY INSTANCE, IF POSSIBLE, PLEASE SEE ATTACHED SITE: HTTP://MYNISSANLEAF.COM/WIKI/INDEX.PHP?TITLE=REAL_WORLD_BATTERY_CAPACITY_LOSS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,570 miles reported. Look up ODI 10469729 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10896860 · 2016-08-18 (August 18, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 (NA) NISSAN LEAF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHOOK AND VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. AFTER RELEASING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ERRONEOUSLY ACCELLERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT IMMEDIETLY REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 14,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10896860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10415124 · 2011-07-25 (July 25, 2011)
I WAS ACCELERATING AFTER GETTING ON THE FREEWAY HEADING NORTH AND SLIGHTLY UPHILL I MIGHT HAVE BEEN PEAKING AT 55MPH WHEN THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY SLAMMED HIS BRAKES ON. I DID THE SAME AND I HEAR MY TIRES SCREECHING , I PRESUMED THAT THEY WERE LOCKING. HOWEVER I DID MAINTAIN MY DIRECTION AND DIDN'T SEEM TO LOOSE CONTROL. WHEN I REALIZED I WOULD NOT REAR-END THE TRUCK I LEFT MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. I WAS ALARMED WHEN MY TIRES WERE STILL LOCKED AND REMAINED LOCKED FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A VERY LONG HALF SECOND. BY THAT TIME I THINK I WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10415124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472378 · 2012-08-24 (August 24, 2012)
I HAVE RUN INTO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A SMALL DESIGN FLAW. WHILE USER ERROR IS CLEARLY INVOLVED, A SIMPLE SOFTWARE FIX COULD PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING. SCENARIO: 1) LEAF IS PARKED IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL SLOPE. 2) STARTUP SOUND IS TURNED OFF. 3) PUSH START BUTTON WHILE NOT PRESSING ON BRAKE PEDAL ADEQUATELY - LEAF GOES INTO ACCESSORY MODE. 4) TRY TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, NOT LOOKING AT DASH SCREEN TO SEE THAT LEAF IS IN ACCESSORY MODE. 5) PRESS DOWN ON PARKING BRAKE LEVER TO DISENGAGE PARKING BRAKE. …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472378 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472379 · 2012-08-24 (August 24, 2012)
I HAVE RUN INTO WHAT I BELIEVE IS A SMALL DESIGN FLAW. SCENARIO: 1) LEAF IS PARKED IN CONDO PARKING GARAGE WITH GENTLE UPHILL SLOPE ON PARKING SPACE. 2) STARTUP SOUND IS TURNED OFF. 2) FORGET THE LEAF IS STILL PLUGGED IN TO AV L2 EVSE. 3) PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, PUSH START BUTTON. 4) SHIFT INTO REVERSE, NOT LOOKING AT DASH SCREEN TO SEE WARNING THAT LEAF WON'T START. 5) PRESS DOWN ON PARKING BRAKE LEVER TO DISENGAGE PARKING BRAKE. 6) PRESS ACCELERATOR. RESULT: THE LEAF DOESN'T START SINCE IT IS STILL PLUGGED IN TO E…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10568917 · 2014-03-12 (March 12, 2014)
THE NISSAN LEAF REPRESENTATIVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH A LEAF MECHANIC HERE IN MIDLAND. I ARRIVED AT MY APPOINTMENT AND ASK THE MECHANIC IF HE WAS THE LEAF MECHANIC THAT I HAD THE APPOINTMENT WITH. HE ANSWERED YES. I TOOK HIM FOR A TEST DRIVE WHERE HE EXPERIENCED THE FRONT END PROBLEM. WHEN WE GOT BACK, THE SHOP MANAGER WANTED TO SEE THE PROBLEM FOR HIMSELF. THEN I TALKED TO THE GENERAL MANAGER WHO TOLD ME THAT NEITHER WAS A CERTIFIED LEAF MECHANIC. WHEN I CALLED THE LEAF REPRESENTATIVE HE AGAIN TALKED TO ME. AFTER SEVERAL MORE CAL…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568917 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10594656 · 2014-05-28 (May 28, 2014)
VEHICLE'S MAIN TRACTION BATTERY LOST 15% OF ITS USABLE CAPACITY AFTER ONLY 1 YEAR AND 3631 MILES OF VEHICLE USE. THIS RAPID LOSS IN BATTERY CAPACITY IS CONTRARY TO NISSAN'S ADVERTISED SERVICE LIFE OF 70%TO 80% CAPACITY AFTER 100,000 MILES. DEFECTIVE BATTERY COULD POTENTIALLY FAIL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING AND OR BRAKES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,631 miles reported. Look up ODI 10594656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10981559 · 2017-05-01 (May 1, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN CHARGED THE ENTIRE NIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING INVOLVED IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,769.
Owner-reported narrative. 36,769 miles reported. Look up ODI 10981559 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 ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 0 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 0 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2010: 0; 2011: 0; 2012: 0; 2013: 5; 2014: 6; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2020: 6; 2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 0; 2025: 0; 2026: 2