Nissan Leaf Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 1,109 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

2011, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022

NHTSA has 1,109 owner complaints and 20 safety recalls on file for the Nissan Leaf, across 17 model years (2010–2026). The 2019 model year has the most complaints (259). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.

Peak: 2019, with 259 complaints

n = 1,109 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Nissan Leaf years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Leaf year: 2011, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

2019 Leaf: 259 complaints, 5 recalls
2020 Leaf: 167 complaints, 6 recalls
2015 Leaf: 110 complaints, 4 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

2010 Leaf: 1 complaint, 0 recalls
2026 Leaf: 2 complaints, 2 recalls
2024 Leaf: 5 complaints, 0 recalls

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common Nissan Leaf problems (all years)

Problem area	Complaints	Model years	Crashes
Electrical System problems	525	16	8
Service Brakes problems	234	14	35
Fuel/propulsion System problems	136	14	4
Air Bags	92	12	9
Power Train	64	14	3
Vehicle Speed Control	57	12	20
Engine	50	12	2
Visibility/wiper	40	10	0
Forward Collision Avoidance	33	7	7
Back Over Prevention	19	4	1
Steering	15	6	2
Structure	15	8	4
Seats	14	5	0
Seat Belts	13	6	1
Electronic Stability Control (esc)	10	5	0
Wheels	9	5	0
Equipment	5	4	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	5	2	1
Exterior Lighting	4	3	0
Suspension	4	2	1
Visibility	4	3	0
Lane Departure	3	2	1
Tires	3	2	0
Latches/locks/linkages	2	2	0
Service Brakes, Electric	2	1	0
Equipment Adaptive/mobility	1	1	1
Fuel System, Other	1	1	0
Hybrid Propulsion System	1	1	0
Service Brakes, Air	1	1	0
Traction Control System	1	1	0

Nissan Leaf problems by model year

Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.

All Nissan Leaf model years

Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Crash rating	Top problem	Compared with other years
2026 Leaf	2	2	—	Electrical System
2025 Leaf	7	0	—	Electrical System
2024 Leaf	5	0	—	Unknown or Other
2023 Leaf	20	3	—	Unknown or Other	Far fewer complaints than other years
2022 Leaf	96	4	—	Electrical System	Far more complaints than other years
2021 Leaf	56	4	5★	Electrical System	About as many complaints as other years
2020 Leaf	167	6	5★	Electrical System	Far more complaints than other years
2019 Leaf	259	5	—	Electrical System	Far more complaints than other years
2018 Leaf	66	4	—	Service Brakes	More complaints than other years
2017 Leaf	17	2	—	Air Bags	Far fewer complaints than other years
2016 Leaf	36	4	4★	Service Brakes	Fewer complaints than other years
2015 Leaf	110	4	4★	Service Brakes	Far more complaints than other years
2014 Leaf	34	6	4★	Service Brakes	Fewer complaints than other years
2013 Leaf	81	5	4★	Service Brakes	More complaints than other years
2012 Leaf	57	0	5★	Service Brakes	About as many complaints as other years
2011 Leaf	95	0	5★	Air Bags	Far more complaints than other years
2010 Leaf	1	0	—	Service Brakes

More from Nissan: all Nissan models · Nissan VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which Nissan Leaf years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 2011 (95), 2015 (110), 2019 (259), 2020 (167), 2022 (96) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Leaf year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the Nissan Leaf?

Electrical System, with 525 complaints across 16 model years.

How many recalls does the Nissan Leaf have?

20 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.