2012 Nissan LEAF: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10473780 · 2012-09-04 (September 4, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHTS WERE POINTED UPWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO ALTER THE VEHICLE DESIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,000. UPDATED 10/10/12 *CN
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10473780 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10489565 · 2012-12-23 (December 23, 2012)
THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLES REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES PROHIBITS SUCCESSFUL BUCKLING OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10489565 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 10500793 · 2013-02-28 (February 28, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WASHER SPRAYS THE REAR EDGE OF THE HOOD AND NOT THE GLASS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,500. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10503451 · 2013-03-18 (March 18, 2013)
CAR DOES NOT DRIVE THE NUMBER OF MILES THE ELECTRIC CHARGE STATES AND DEALERSHIP REPORTS. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS CAUSE TO DRIVE AT POSTED SPEED LIMITS OF MAJOR HIGHWAYS THE CHARGE IS USED UP VERY QUICKLY LIKE 3 TIMES WHATEVER SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING IF OVER 50 MPH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503451 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508602 · 2013-04-17 (April 17, 2013)
DRIVER AND DRIVER'S YOUNG CHILD WERE IN VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND SLIGHTLY INCREASED SPEED TO CROSS INTERSECTION. ACCELERATOR PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN SHARP ACCELERATION AT FULL POWER TOWARDS THE NEXT INTERSECTION. THE NEXT INTERSECTION CONTAINED OTHER VEHICLES AND A RAILROAD CROSSING, AND DISPLAYED A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT SIGNAL AGAINST THE VEHICLE'S DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. THE DRIVER PRESSED BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE, BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED SHARPLY AGAIN WHEN THE BRAKES WERE RELEASED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10508602 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.