The Nissan Leaf spans 2011–2026 with 54 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2019, 2020, 2015 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2017, 2022, 2023. It delivers up to 121 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Nissan Leaf is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2011 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Nissan Leaf VIN — every digit explained
Every Nissan Leaf carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Nissan and the country it was built in (real Nissan codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Leaf.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA1N4 · 1N6 · 5BZ · 5N1
- Mexico3N1 · 3N6 · 3N8 · 3PC
- JapanJN1 · JN6 · JN8
- UKSJK
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Leaf, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Nissan Leaf have?
The Nissan Leaf has 54 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Nissan Leaf recalls 2
Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 LEAF vehicles. The outer rear seat belt automatic locking retractors (ALR) may deactivate early, which can prevent a child restraint system (CRS) from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk. An improperly secured child restraint system may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix. Dealers will replace the rear outboard seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed July 17, 2026, anticipated by winter 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is R26A7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on July 7, 2026.
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2026 LEAF vehicles. The high voltage battery may have internal damage that can cause a short circuit within the battery module.
Risk. A short circuit in a high voltage battery module increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and should not charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery modules or the battery, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed April 24, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in July 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is R25F1. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 27, 2026.
2023 Nissan Leaf recalls 3
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 LEAF vehicles. The right-hand brake tubes may have been damaged during production and could corrode, possibly causing a hole in the brake line and a brake fluid leak.
Risk. A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the right-hand brake tube, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC976.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2022 Nissan Leaf recalls 4
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. 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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2021 Nissan Leaf recalls 4
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. 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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
2020 Nissan Leaf recalls 6
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.
Risk. A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 3, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R24B2, P4A38, and P5A22.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Visibility:glass, Side/rear
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
Risk. Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 LEAF electric vehicles. Under certain circumstances, the images for the back-up camera can disappear while in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. This recall began August 31, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
2019 Nissan Leaf recalls 5
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.
Risk. A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 3, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R24B2, P4A38, and P5A22.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2018 Nissan Leaf recalls 4
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2017 Nissan Leaf recalls 2
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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 May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.
Air Bags
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk. In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2016 Nissan Leaf recalls 4
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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 May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix. Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Air Bags
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk. In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag.
Risk. If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 9, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2015 Nissan Leaf recalls 4
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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 May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix. Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Service Brakes
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.
Risk. If the brake relay fails, longer distances or additional brake effort would be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk. In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2014 Nissan Leaf recalls 6
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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 May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Nissan LEAF vehicles manufactured April 15, 2014, through April 24, 2014. Due to a problem with the motor control circuit board, the inverter may fail, causing the vehicle shut down.
Risk. An unexpected vehicle shut down increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. The recall began in July 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Structure
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 28, 2014, through March 12, 2014. The front structural member assembly may be missing welds, which could reduce the structural integrity of the vehicle if the vehicle is involved in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to meet the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," and 305, "Electric-Powered Vehicles: Electrolyte Spillage and Electrical Shock Protection."
Risk. Missing welds may effect the vehicle's integrity in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the vehicle's occupants.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect to see if any of the welds are missing. Any vehicle missing welds will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 2, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix. Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Risk. If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Service Brakes
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.
Risk. If the brake relay fails, longer distances or additional brake effort would be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2013 Nissan Leaf recalls 5
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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."
Risk. Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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 May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.
Air Bags
What's wrong. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
Risk. If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk. If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Fix. Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Electrical System:software
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
Risk. If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Service Brakes
What's wrong. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.
Risk. If the brake relay fails, longer distances or additional brake effort would be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Best and worst years for the Nissan Leaf
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 16 tracked years, the worst years are 2019, 2020, 2015 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2017, 2022, 2023.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Leaf | Air Bags | Average | |
| 2012 Leaf | Service Brakes | Average | |
| 2013 Leaf | Service Brakes | Average | |
| 2014 Leaf | Service Brakes | Average | |
| 2015 Leaf | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 2016 Leaf | Service Brakes | Average | |
| 2017 Leaf | — | Best | |
| 2018 Leaf | Service Brakes | Average | |
| 2019 Leaf | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2020 Leaf | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2021 Leaf | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2022 Leaf | — | Best | |
| 2023 Leaf | — | Best | |
| 2024 Leaf | — | Average | |
| 2025 Leaf | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2026 Leaf | — | Average |
What are the most common Nissan Leaf problems?
The most-reported Nissan Leaf problems are Air (1 reports), Other (1 reports) and Seats (14 reports) — out of 937 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Nissan Leaf specifications & dimensions
The 2020–2023 Nissan Leaf measures 176″ long on a 106″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,439 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Nissan Leaf window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–2023 | 176″ | 70″ | 61″ | 106″ | 3,439 lb |
| 2014–2017 | 175″ | 70″ | 61″ | 106″ | 3,384 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Nissan Leaf cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Leaf holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 92 cu ft of passenger volume and 24 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Nissan Leaf tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Nissan Leaf get?
The Nissan Leaf returns up to 121 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $650/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2026 Nissan Leaf gets 121 MPGe and costs about $650/yr to fuel — that's about $7,750 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Leaf | 131 | 111 | $650 | — | — | Electric | |
| 2025 Leaf | 123 | 99 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2024 Leaf | 123 | 99 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2023 Leaf | 123 | 99 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2022 Leaf | 123 | 99 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2021 Leaf | 123 | 99 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2020 Leaf | 123 | 99 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2019 Leaf | 124 | 99 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2018 Leaf | 125 | 100 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2017 Leaf | 124 | 101 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2016 Leaf | 126 | 101 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2015 Leaf | 126 | 101 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2014 Leaf | 126 | 101 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2013 Leaf | 129 | 102 | $650 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2012 Leaf | 106 | 92 | $750 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2011 Leaf | 106 | 92 | $750 | — | 10/10 | Electric |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Leaf stacks up against the most fuel-efficient electric cars, or calculate this Leaf's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Nissan Leaf have? Power & range
The Nissan Leaf is offered with 1 powertrain — Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | FWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Nissan Leaf cost to own?
A used Nissan Leaf sells for a median of about $21,496 for a 2025 — most listed between $18,870 and $24,605, from 252 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Leaf | $18,870–$24,605 | 12 | |
| 2024 Leaf | $18,565–$22,000 | 9 | |
| 2023 Leaf | $20,000–$20,985 | 3 | |
| 2022 Leaf | $9,500–$17,950 | 8 | |
| 2021 Leaf | $12,900–$18,750 | 5 | |
| 2020 Leaf | $9,500–$14,000 | 4 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Leaf is worth today, or browse used-market prices for electric cars.
A Nissan Leaf tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Leaf loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $3,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Leaf ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Nissan Leaf to insure?
A Nissan Leaf costs about $1,323 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 8% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (92, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Leaf's HLDI loss index. See Nissan insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Nissan Leaf safe?
The Nissan Leaf earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Leaf | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2024 Leaf | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2023 Leaf | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2022 Leaf | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2021 Leaf | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 Leaf | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2016 Leaf | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2015 Leaf | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2014 Leaf | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2013 Leaf | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2012 Leaf | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2011 Leaf | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
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How many miles does a Nissan Leaf last?
A well-maintained Nissan Leaf typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Check your Nissan Leaf’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Leaf’s VIN free →All Nissan Leaf model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Nissan Leaf — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Leaf | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2025 Leaf | 1 recall | ★★★★★ | |
| 2024 Leaf | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2023 Leaf | 3 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2022 Leaf | 4 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2021 Leaf | 4 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2020 Leaf | 6 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2019 Leaf | 5 recalls | — | |
| 2018 Leaf | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2017 Leaf | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2016 Leaf | 4 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2015 Leaf | 4 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2014 Leaf | 6 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2013 Leaf | 5 recalls | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2012 Leaf | 1 recall | ★★★★★ | |
| 2011 Leaf | 1 recall | ★★★★★ |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Leaf?
By owner-complaint volume, 2019, 2020, 2015 drew the most reports. 2017, 2022, 2023 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Leaf have?
54 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2011–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Nissan recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Leaf get?
Up to 121 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Leaf safe?
The Leaf earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Leaf last?
A well-maintained Leaf typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Leaf reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Leaf is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Nissan Leaf warranty?
New Nissan models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Nissan dealer.
Where is the Nissan Leaf made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Leaf's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Nissan may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Leaf have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.