2021 Nissan LEAF: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
54 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
27,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 31 of 54 complaints (57.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 27 | 50.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.9% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 1.9% |
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 | 31 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 2 |
Electrical System: 31; Unknown Or Other: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Engine: 6; Visibility/Wiper: 6; Power Train: 3; Air Bags: 2; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 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 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 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: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 48 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 22 |
2021: 1; 2022: 4; 2023: 8; 2024: 5; 2025: 14; 2026: 22
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 27 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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 11421790 · 2021-06-22 (June 22, 2021)
On June 20, 2021, the electric car front hood section area to charge the vehicle flew open while driving the vehicle on the highway. There was no indication that there was a problem with the charging hood at any time.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11450620 · 2022-02-05 (February 5, 2022)
Our FEB system lights came on and then went off 3 times on our way home tonight. Will call Nissan on Monday to have it checked out. February 5 2022.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11459264 · 2022-04-01 (April 1, 2022)
This vehicle failed to have airbags deployed in this accident on 3.23.2022, as photographs that are larger than 10MB will upload, but the Estimate did upload. BUT the car was spun nearly if not fully 360 after hit by a truck in a lane change of a blind spot that spun the car and into concrete barriers. HORRIBLE. Totaled Vehicle. this is the SECOND accident both under USAA on September 03, 2021, with another Police Report and Freeway accident from Front End when freeway traffic came to a sudden stop, and into the barrier. AGAIN no Air Bag D…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11459264 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11459274 · 2022-04-01 (April 1, 2022)
9.3.2021 Freeway comes to a complete stop. Front end collision into vehicle in front at an angle to avoid full collision and into the barrier on Passenger side. NO AIRBAGS deployed! Police Report Filed.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11459274 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11490939 · 2022-10-26 (October 26, 2022)
Vehicle showed a message "Service EV system - Unable to restart after power off". Took to my local Nissan dealer on Oct/21 and had the car serviced and message cleared. On my way back home from dealer, same message showed up again and shut off the car. Next morning the same message remained on dashboard and was unable to start the vehicle. Through an internet research, the same issue is happening with Nissan Leaf all over the world (Japan, UK, etc)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11490939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11502246 · 2023-01-17 (January 17, 2023)
My car got stuck in a snowbank and became unresponsive. I attempted to gently rock it back and forth by putting it into drive and reverse two or three times. The car began to smoke. I took my foot off the accelerator and attempted to exit the vehicle, but the door was locked and did not automatically unlock. I tried to press the child safety lock button in case the child safety lock had been activated, but accidentally pressed the button to open the window. Smoke started coming into the car. I manually unlocked the door, pressed the button to p…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11502246 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11505888 · 2023-02-06 (February 6, 2023)
Intermittent failure of the rear view camera system. Triggered and corrected by opening and then closing firmly rear hatch. Display with show a pink screen, blue screen, scrolling blank screen, or image misaligned/split in half (top half on bottom of screen, bottom half on top of screen.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11505888 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515167 · 2023-04-03 (April 3, 2023)
The resolution for recall 22V-048 provided by Nissan is unacceptable. In order how to properly run the defroster for conditions you have refer to manual or supplement manual. I would expect just turn on defrost and not worry if it going to work in the weather condition I am driving in.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515167 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V048000 · Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual | Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
Reported: 2023-02-02 (February 2, 2023)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The Owner's Manual instructions for defroster operation are incorrect, and may result in reduced defroster performance under specific conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Consequence: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will mail an addendum with updated instructions on how to operate the defroster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V494000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2023-07-17 (July 17, 2023)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The vehicle may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed ("D" to "B"; e-Pedal "On"; or "ECO" mode) after disengaging the cruise control.
Consequence: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (VCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A6.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V071000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Reported: 2024-02-02 (February 2, 2024)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2022 LEAF vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23D7.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V655000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Charging:Module:Software | Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
Reported: 2025-09-30 (September 30, 2025)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2022 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.
Consequence: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use Level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 16, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R25C8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 4, 2025.
NHTSA campaign record ↗