AI DamageNissan Leaf: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Nissan Leaf across 11 model years: 587 owner complaints and 143 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 62% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 6% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 5% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 365 complaints (62% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 344.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 100 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Service brakes: 49 complaints (8% of all), 8 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 22.
- Powertrain: 36 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 63.
- Engine: 33 complaints (6% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric 2011–2026
- automatic, 1-speed 2011–2026
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 587 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 365 | 2 | 344 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 100 | 1 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 49 | 8 | 22 |
| Powertrain | 36 | 0 | 63 |
| Engine | 33 | 2 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 27 | 5 | 46 |
| Visibility | 25 | 0 | 75 |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 6 | 5 |
| Backover prevention | 18 | 1 | 14 |
| Air bags | 12 | 4 | 36 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 | 50 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 102 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
This sudden unintended acceleration put safety at risk and caused significant property damage. There were no warning signs or messages. The car is in the yard now and will be available for inspection.
The airbags did not deploy. The Automatic Braking System did not work. There were no warning messages or lamps. The only unusual symptom that I noticed was that on my way home from Kona, when I was pulling up slowly to a traffic light, the car seemed to hesitate a couple of times, which seemed odd but not severe…
There were no warning lights illuminated; however, there was a beeping sound while attempting to stop the vehicle. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags deployed as needed. The contact was unsure if a Police report was filed. The contact stated that the vehicle was driven to the residence.
Brake pedal went to the floor with erratic pulsing sensation and very little brake power. Driver drove car into jersey wall to slow and stop vehicle. Battery state was 60% and battery was replaced under warranty about 1 year ago. While waiting for tow, powered on vehicle and symptoms remained as far as I could check.
A warning light appeared, stating "T/M System Malfunction Warning - See Dealer," but by that time, the brakes had already stopped working. The only way to stop the vehicle was by using the emergency brake, which is extremely dangerous and could easily lead to a fatal accident.
The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at low speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. As a result, the vehicle jumped the wheel stop, coming to a complete stop after colliding with a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is committed to delivering the highest levels of product quality and…
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
- TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION HINT
- DEFROST FEATURES UNAVAILABLE IN APP DUE TO SHORTING TERMINAL POSITION APPLIED VEHICLES
- EFFICIENCY DISPLAYS LOWER THAN EXPECTED, BUT ACTUAL DRIVING RANGE OK IF YOU CONFIRM The efficiency display…
- *****Dealer Announcement***** To ensure continued customer satisfaction and confidence, Nissan is…
- PROCESS FOR 12V BATTERY TESTING APPLIED VEHICLES
- AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS
- INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED…
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2018-2025 LEAF; HVAC REPROGRAM CAMPAIGN ID #
- *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is conducting a service campaign on certain specific MY2018-2025…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- 2016 Nissan Leaf EV owner says cost of battery replacement may not be worth investmentamount per author: 85,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Nissan Leaf II (2017-now) – Common Problems and Repair Costsamount per author: €400
- Is the 2026 Nissan Leaf already outdated?amount per author: 60,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Stranded in our 2026 Nissan Leaf SV+
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.