2012 NISSAN Leaf Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

SERVICE BRAKES

17 complaints

When applying the brakes at low speed the brakes grab suddenly causing the car to lurch to a stop. The problem is intermittent, and therefore difficult to predict, but occurs frequently. This behavior is an ongoing hazard to the driver and passengers while also increasing the risk of a rear end collision if someone is following too closely.

Mar 01, 2022

As I am approaching a stop, and the car is under ~15mph, and I touch the brakes, the will grab strongly and slam the car to a stop; people in the car lurch forward, and the driver behind me is surprised by the sudden stop and has to slam on their brakes. I notice there are 2 campaigns for this issue, one just before my VIN, and one after my VIN, but it looks to be the same problem. It is dangerously strong and difficult to control.

Aug 28, 2021

ON 3/3/20 I RETURNED TO ALLIED PARK AND FLY LOT IN SAN JUAN. MY CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FROM THE LOT, IT HAD SUDDEN FAILURE OF BRAKES. CAR WAS TOWED TO ADRIEL NISSAN IN TOA BAJA, MAR4, WHERE IT REMAINS, UNREPAIRED AS OF TODAY. THE DEALER HAS NOT CONTACTED ME SINCE 3/13, WHEN IT CLOSED, UNDER ISLAND COVID 19 SHUTDOWN. SUDDEN FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A CAR WITH ONLY 42,000 MILES! I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD COVER ABS REPAIR COSTS.

Mar 31, 2020

BRAKES GRAB AND LURCH THE CAR TO A STOP. THIS OCCURS ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC AND THUS IS DANGEROUS. A DRIVER FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND WILL BE SURPRISED BY THE VERY RAPID DECELERATION. IT HAPPENS OFTEN, ALWAYS AT SPEEDS BELOW ABOUT 10 - 15 MPH, BUT NOT EVERY TIME I BRAKE, AND IT IS UNPREDICTABLE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON BLOGS. I HAVE INFORMED MY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MANY OCCASIONS. ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO NISSAN RELEASED A FIRMWARE PATCH, WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN MY CAR. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T HAVE A SOLUTION. IT'S ALMOST CERTAINLY A SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE ISSUE.

Nov 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AS EXPECTED. THE CONTACT FULLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE ABS FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AS EXPECTED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR BACK PAIN, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM ABOUT SIMILAR BRAKE ISSUES. THE MANUFACTURER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER, BUT NOTIFIED ANOTHER DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,264.

Apr 26, 2017

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

+ 12 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

9 complaints

Dealer is Mike Erdman Nissan Merritt Island Fl 32953 Airbag warning light flashing red on console. Paid $260 for diagnostic check on July 21, 2024. They cannot fix it as an airbag sensor on the passenger side seat is malfunctioning and the entire passenger side seat must be replaced and part is not available or is no longer in stock. They MAY be able to locate an entire seat Nissan Leaf 2012 somewhere, but if they do (and they said probably not) it will cost $4000.00. The seat is no longer made by Nissan and after market seats would not meet safety standards (they said). There is a published complaint list of well over 2000 Nissan Leaf owners regarding 2011 and 2012 Leaf owners who say there should be a safety recall as this issue has been known by Nissan and the 2013 and later models had safety changes installed for this issue but no safety recall was made for 2011 and 2012 models. I believe a safety recall to fix this issue is imperative.

Jul 23, 2024

My Nissan Leaf is showing a warning sign that front passenger side airbag is disabled. I see that this is a common complaint from many 2011-12 Nissan Leaf owners. I would like to add my name to the list of owners who had a similar complaint and please update if you make Nissan do a recall for this issue.

Aug 28, 2023

The passenger occupancy sensor has failed and as a result the passenger airbag is now permanently off, as indicated on the console. The dashboard airbag and general error lights are now constantly flashing as well. The dealer indicated the failure is the mat in the seat, OBD code B1018, and there is no repair for this failure. I see there are mutiple complaints online about this same problem on 2011-2012 LEAFs, and that NHTSA had opened an investigation. Do I have some recourse here? I am concerned to have people ride in the vehicle with no airbag.

Apr 01, 2023

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, AND THE DEALER HAS TOLD US THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $4,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

Dec 03, 2019

WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES (CONTINUOUSLY FLASHING) AND CONTINUES TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING. ON 11/22/2019 THE NISSAN DEALER REPORTED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION MODULE HAS FAILED AND IS REPORTING A TROUBLE CODE B1018. THE REPAIR INVOLVES REPLACING THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $3938. THE COST TO REPAIR IS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS KNOW ISSUE WITH LATER MY NISSAN LEAF AND IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL.

Nov 25, 2019

+ 4 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 complaints

Lithium batteries Depletion

Jan 14, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY BOX WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KING WINDWARD NISSAN LOCATED AT (45-568 KAMEHAMEHA HWY, KANEOHE, HI 96744, (808) 439-6901) AND WAS INFORMED THAT AN INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AND FOUND EV BATTERY CASE AND BOLTS SHOWED SEVERE RUST AND THAT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE BOLTS FROM THE CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,340. *JS

Jan 22, 2020

SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR IT HAS NEVER GOTTEN A FULL CHARGE. EVEN WHEN I TURN OFF ALL THE TIMERS AND CHARGE FOR 2 DAYS I CAN ONLY GO 50 MILES TOPS AND THE POWER BATTERY BAR ONLY GOES TO 5 BARS. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND I'M SCARED TO PAY MORE FOR A NEW BATTERY. AS IT MIGHT AS WELL BE PURCHASING A NEW CAR😭😥

Oct 10, 2019

NISSAN LEAF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A NUMBER OF CONCERNS: ELECTRONIC KEY PROBLEMS, FAILED NIGHT LIGHTS IN THE DRIVER DOOR CONTROLS AND MILEAGE ISSUES. *LD *JS

Jul 25, 2018

MY 2012 NISSAN LEAF HAS A BATTERY CHARGE INDICATOR ON THE DASH THAT DOES NOT TRULY REFLECT HOW MUCH ACTUAL DRIVING RANGE MILEAGE IS LEFT. IN FACT, IT IS SO FAULTY THAT IT IS REFERRED TO ONLINE AS THE GOM OR GUESS-O-METER. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS I HAVE NO ACCURATE WAY OF KNOWING IF I WILL BE LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC ON AN EXPRESSWAY, A BUSY HIGHWAY, A BACK ROAD DETOUR, OR SIMPLY MILES AWAY FROM ANY CHARGING STATION. THE FIRST TIME I REALIZED HOW SERIOUS THIS PROBLEM WAS I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO COME AND GET ME. I LEFT MY HOME WITH 39 MILES OF CHARGE ON THE RANGE INDICATOR. IT WAS A COOL DAY SO THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS OFF. I DROVE SEVEN MILES AND MY CAR RAN OUT OF CHARGE LEAVING ME ALONE AND FRIGHTENED IN AN UNFAMILIAR AREA. I AM A 70 YEAR OLD WIDOW. AFTER RECEIVING A TOW HOME, I CHARGED THE CAR AND THEN TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR A BATTERY TEST. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE AND THAT THE PROBLEM MUST BE MY DRIVING STYLE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR MORE THAN A FEW MILES FROM MY HOME AT A TIME. I HAVE HAD THE BATTERY TESTED PERIODICALLY AND VOICED MY CONCERN TO NISSAN BUT TO NO AVAIL. I CONTEND THAT IF A GAS DRIVEN AUTO HAD AN INACCURATE FUEL INDICATOR THAT CAUSED VEHICLE OPERATORS TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING THEN THE NTSB WOULD WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT. I BELIEVE THAT MY NISSAN HAS A COMPARABLE PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR THREE YEARS NOW AND HAVE LESS THAN 4,600 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT ANYWHERE LEST I HAVE ONLY ONE THIRD OF REAL DRIVE TIME THAN IS DISPLAYED ON THE BATTERY DRIVE RANGE AND CHARGE INDICATOR. MY GUESS-O-METER IS A REAL SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ADVICE AND INPUT IN THIS REGARD. *TR

Dec 12, 2014

+ 3 more complaints for this component

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 complaints

NHTSA MUST PASS REGULATIONS REQUIRING VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS TO DRASTICALLY IMPROVE A-PILLAR OBSCURATION ANGLE! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT OF MANY MODERN VEHICLES THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN MANY ACCIDENTS, THE EXTENT TO WHICH IS PROBABLY UNQUANTIFIED & LARGELY UNKNOWN DUE TO THE FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY REMEDY IS FOR THE DRIVER TO MOVE HIS HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE STARTS FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO ASCERTAIN THAT THERE ARE NO PEOPLE OR VEHICLES HIDING IN OR TRANSITING THE A-PILAR BLOCKAGE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE INDUSTRY, AS PROVEN BY THE PAPER PUBLISHED BY PIPKORN BENGT OF AUTOLIV RESEARCH (SWEDEN) ENTITLED SAFETY & VISION IMPROVEMENTS BY EXPANDABLE A-PILLARS (UNDATED), WHICH IS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE/WEBSITE, WHERE A 25% IMPROVEMENT IN A-PILLAR OBSCURATION ANGLE IS DEMONSTRATED BY THE USE OF EXPERIMENTAL EXPANDABLE A-PILLARS. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ALREADY INJURED OR KILLED BY THIS COMMON MODERN CAR DEFECT WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE KNOWN, WITH THE UNFORTUNATE DRIVERS BEING DISBELIEVED WHEN THEY SAY THEY NEVER SAW ANYONE/THING DUE TO THE OBSCURE NATURE & KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. IN MY LAST EXPERIENCE WITH IT, THE WORST CASE SCENARIO OCCURRED (EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT INJURY/DEATH WAS AVOIDED). I WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 10MPH IN A PARKING LOT & AN OLDER WOMAN WAS WALKING AT ABOUT 1MPH TOWARD MY CAR FROM THE LEFT AT JUST THE RIGHT DISTANCE/SPEED. MY WIFE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HAVING A BETTER LEFT VIEW, STARTED YELLING AT ME 'STOP - ARE YOU GOING TO RUN OVER THAT LADY'. I SAID 'WHAT LADY?' REALIZING IN A COUPLE SECONDS THAT IT SHE MUST BE BEHIND MY WINDOW PILLAR, I MOVED MY HEAD ABOUT 6 INCHES TO THE RIGHT, & THERE SHE WAS! SHE JUST APPEARED OUT OF THIN AIR! I NEVER SAW EVEN A TINY BIT OF HER BEFORE. SHE WAS LOOKING AT ME WITH DISBELIEF ON HER FACE. WHAT IF IT WERE A CHILD?

Jun 22, 2016

SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT IN MANY MODERN CARS - HUGE WINDOW PILLAR BLOCKAGE!!! I AM A RETIRED ENGINEER AFTER ALMOST 34 YEARS OF FEDERAL SERVICE FOR THE US ARMY MOSTLY AT FORT MONMOUTH NJ. ABOUT A YEAR AGO I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN WHO WAS WALKING VERY CLOSE TO THE FRONT LEFT OF MY CAR AT NIGHT. YESTERDAY I LOOKED LEFT BUT DID NOT SEE A LARGE BLACK SUV TRANSITING FROM MY RIGHT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. I LOOKED LEFT AND THEN STARTED TO SLOWLY TURN LEFT AS I LOOKED RIGHT AGAIN AND WOW...IT PASSED RIGHT IN FRONT! TO MY PERSPECTIVE, IT LITERALLY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE!!! BOTH OF THESE INCIDENTS WERE DUE TO ME LOOKING QUICKLY, NOT DWELLING FOR A COUPLE SECONDS. A VEHICLE OR PERSON MUST BE IN JUST THE RIGHT SPOT AND TRAVELING SLOWLY, SO IT HAPPENS ONLY ABOUT ONCE A YEAR. I MEASURED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD PILLAR SUPPORT WIDTH OF ABOUT 30 CARS IN A PARKING LOT. MOST OLD CARS AND SOME MODERN ONES HAVE SMALL WINDOW PILLAR BLOCKAGE OF 4 TO 5 INCHES. HOWEVER MANY MODERN CARS HAVE WINDOW PILLAR BLOCKAGES OF 5 TO 6 INCHES, HIDING MUCH VIEW! THE NISSAN LEAF HAS THE WORST ABOUT 5.5 INCHES UP HIGH, BUT A PHENOMENAL 8 INCHES AT SIDE MIRROR LEVEL. UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS THE HEIGHT OF MY EYES IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT! IT BLOCKS THE WIDTH OF A WHOLE CAR WHEN THE CAR IS ONLY A CAR LANE AWAY AND AT JUST THE RIGHT ANGLE! SINCE THE SUV WAS BLACK, MY EYES WERE TRANSITING LEFT TO RIGHT AND BACK IN ABOUT A SECOND AND THE SUV WAS GOING VERY SLOW TO TURN LEFT IN FRONT OF ME, I SAW NOTHING. FORTUNATELY I WAS JUST STARTING TO SLOWLY PULL OUT WHEN I LOOKED RIGHT AGAIN AS IT MAGICALLY APPEARED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, SO I STOPPED ABRUPTLY AND AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT! NHTSA SHOULD ISSUE REGULATIONS THAT REQUIRE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS TO RETURN TO THE SMALL WINDOW PILLAR SUPPORT WIDTHS OF THE PAST DECADES. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Apr 15, 2015

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.

Feb 28, 2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

THIS IS AN ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLE. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT SLOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE PULSATES. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM SINCE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS FULLY CHARGED AND NOT REGENERATING THROUGH THE BRAKING SYSTEM.

Jul 18, 2018

DROVE CAR INTO DRIVEWAY WITH SLIGHT INCLINE, PRESSED BUTTON TO ENGAGE CAR INTO PARK, GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, PLUGGED IN CAR TO CHARGE IT. WALKED UP 2 STEPS TO HOUSE, CAR ROLLED BACK NEARLY STRIKING 9 YEAR OLD. RUSHED TO THE CAR TO TRY TO STOP IT. CAR STOPPED WHEN ROLLED BACK ACROSS STREET AND INTO NEIGHBORS YARD / ROCK. TORE CHARGING STATION OFF THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE. CAUSED BREAKER TO TRIP AND RUINED THE UNIT COMPLETELY.

Aug 30, 2013

Crash: 1

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

WITH THE CAR PARKED AND ALL SEATS UPRIGHT, I FOUND THE CENTER REAR SEATBELT RETRACTOR LOCKED. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO USE THE SEATBELT. I FOLDED THE SEAT DOWN, THEN BACK UP, AND IT WAS LOCKED TIGHTER. MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER REPLACED THE BELT FREE OF CHARGE THE NEXT WEEK. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THEY SERVICE SEVERAL LINES OF CARS, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, AND OCCASIONALLY SEE SEATBELT RETRACTORS LOCKED UP IN SEVERAL LINES OF CARS. *TR

Oct 05, 2013

THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLES REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES PROHIBITS SUCCESSFUL BUCKLING OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS. *TR

Dec 23, 2012

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

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. THE DRIVER PRESSED BRAKES AGAIN AND PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SWITCH TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE DRIVER THEN PUSHED THE PARK BUTTON LOCATED ON THE SHIFTER AND THE VEHICLE JERKED TO A STOP. THE DRIVER THEN LOOKED AT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND SAW THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT PHYSICALLY STUCK. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO FORCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO POP BACK UP TO ITS NORMAL POSITION BY USING DRIVER'S HAND. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE INCIDENT, STATED THAT "NO CODES WERE STORED, NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL, VEHICLE INSPECTED BY NISSAN DTS...AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE AT THIS TIME." NISSAN STATES THAT NO REPAIR WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE NISSAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AFTER 11 MILES OF TESTING. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT RETURN OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *TR

Apr 17, 2013

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

Aug 02, 2012

Crash: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE

1 complaint

Car stops completely due to a defective battery should be recalled by dealer manufacturer

Aug 19, 2023

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

The brakes on the vehicle jerk alot when going under 15, causing everyone in the vehicle to get jerked forward multiple times and are touchy resulting in almost being in an accident. Airbag sensor for front passenger also no longer works and Nissan refuses to repair any defect

Jun 27, 2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS

1 complaint

I believe my newly purchased 2012 Nissan LEAF is suffering from the same passenger-side airbag faulty sensor problem that has been documented in NHTSA case id: 11234415. I am experiencing the same flashing warning lights when I operate the vehicle. There are no signs of damage or tampering with the passenger-side seat. I will do my best to make the vehicle available for inspection upon request. I am worried that the faulty senor, if unfixed, might be shutting off the whole airbag deployment safety system. If it is doing that, Nissan MUST recall these vehicles for repair! A previous owner took the vehicle to the dealership that originally sold the car and their service center reported that the problem was a known issue. [NOTE: Date of Incident in this report refers to date of purchase of the vehicle, NOT the date that the problem began to occur. I do not have that information available to me.]

Jul 13, 2022

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

multiple times when I have been driving, the accelerator pedal has stayed in the depressed position when I remove my foot from the pedal after going up to about 35 MPH When I brake, the accelerator pedal stays in the depressed position and the vehicle resumes acceleration as soon as I remove my foot from the brake. Today the only way I was able to get it back to a normal position was to pull over and turn the car off.

Aug 25, 2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRIC BATTERY WAS UNABLE TO BE RECHARGED, MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITH THE REMAINING CHARGE IN THE BATTERY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER CORAL SPRINGS NISSAN LOCATED 9350 WEST ATLANTIC BLVD, CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ONBOARD CHARGER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

Aug 28, 2020

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

1 complaint

A CASE#33557927 WAS REPORTED TO NISSAN LEAF CONSUMER RELATION AND A CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AT LONG BEACH NISSAN(PHONE #562-264-400) TO REPORT A BATTER THAT IS NOT HOLDING CHARGE AND RECENTLY THE CAR BEGIN TO LURCH FORWARD. NISSAN WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. NISSAN CORP SHOULD CORRECT THE BATTERY AND SAFETY ISSUE. SO FAR, THEY HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONAL AND DOES NOT TAKE ANY OWNERSHIP TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I REQUEST AN EMAIL AFTER THE CASE WAS OPENED AND THEY NEVER SEND ME THE EMAIL. THIS ISSUE INVOLVE SAFETY AND BATTERY NOT HOLDING CHARGE. THE BATTERY IS STILL UNDER DEFECTIVE WARRANTY. NISSAN WANTS TO PUT THE VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROAD THAT IS NOT SAFE. NHTSA BOARD WOULD AGREED WITH ME THAT NISSAN ACTED IRRESPONSIBLY SHOULD THEY GO FORWARD WITH NOT FIXING THE BATTER AND THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD ISSUE.

Feb 06, 2019

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE LATCH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000. UPDATED 04/22/16*LJ

Mar 03, 2016

SEATS

1 complaint

NEW CAR HEADRESTS ARE ANGLED TOO FAR FORWARD. I DO NOT WANT TO SLOUCH, SO I WOULD LIKE TO SIT WITH MY SEAT UPRIGHT. THIS FORCES MY HEAD INTO A VERY UNNATURAL POSITION, CAUSING ME PAIN. EVEN WITH THE SEAT TILTED BACK, THE HEADREST STILL FORCES MY HEAD FORWARD, AND CREATES A DIFFICULT DRIVING POSITION WITH MY SHOULDERS SLUMPED FORWARD AND MY HEAD TILTED. THIS CAUSES HEADACHES & DISTRACTION. THIS DISCOMFORT IS ALSO TRUE OF THE 2013 FORD FOCUS, THE 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS, AND THE 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT I HAVE RECENTLY DRIVEN. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN EFFORT TO REDUCE WHIPLASH INJURIES, BUT IT IS CAUSING FLEXION/OVERUSE INJURIES IN OWNER'S NECKS!

Feb 26, 2015

Injuries: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED AND IGNITION STARTED AND THRUSTED CAR FORWARD. IT SEEMED LIKE THE BRAKE GOT SOFT AND THEN WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED THE CAR TO DAMAGE PRIVATE PROPERTY AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Sep 12, 2014

Crash: 1

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

AN ANIMAL RAN IN FRONT OF THE CAR. AFTER A HARD APPLICATION OF BRAKES AND SUBSEQUENT RELEASE OF BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO STOP, COMING TO A FULL STOP IN THE STREET WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT. THE CONDITION CAN BE REPEATED, IF YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD ENOUGH. THE BRAKES FUNCTION NORMALLY IN TYPICAL DRIVING. THE PROBLEM ONLY MANIFIESTS ITSELF IN EMERGENCY OR UNUSUALLY HARD BRAKING AS ENCOUNTERED IN COLLISION AVOIDANCE OF CARS, PEDESTRIANS, OR OTHER OBSTACLES. A SECOND INCIDENT ALSO OCCURRED AT 30 MPH. AN ONCOMING CAR APPEARED IN MY LANE ON A BLIND CURVE. THE ABRUPT BRAKING RESULTED IN THE LEAF STOPPING UNEXPECTEDLY AND COMPLETELY IN THE CURVE. DUE ONLY TO THE VIGILANCE OF THE DRIVER FOLLOWING BEHIND US, WE WERE NOT REAR ENDED. I HAD STOPPED APPLYING THE BRAKE LONG BEFORE THE LEAF WAS STOPPED, AS THE DANGER HAD PASSED. FROM 40 MPH, A HARD APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND THE RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY AT 35 MPH, WILL RESULT IN THE CAR COMING TO A FULL STOP IN THE ROAD. APPLICATION OF THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY AFTER RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AT APPROX 35 MPH WILL RESULT SLIGHT MITIGATION OF BRAKING, BUT ONLY AFTER A DELAY. THE CAR WILL STILL CONTINUE TO SLOW DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY AND PUT THE OCCUPANTS IN SIGNIFICANT DANGER FROM FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. I TESTED ANOTHER 2012 LEAF AND EXHIBITED IT THE SAME BEHAVIOR WHILE A 2014 DID NOT, INSTEAD, REACTING NORMALLY TO HARD BRAKING.

Aug 16, 2014

SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

PAGE 1-21 OF THE 2012 NISSAN LEAF OWNER MANUAL HAS AN ILLUSTRATION OF A FORWARD-FACING CONVERTIBLE CHILD RESTRAINT INCORRECTLY INSTALLED, WITH THE CAPTION "LATCH WEBBING-MOUNTED ATTACHMENT". THE ILLUSTRATION SHOWS THE FORWARD-FACING CONVERTIBLE CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLED WITH THE LOWER ANCHORAGE FLEXIBLE CONNECTOR STRAP (LATCH WEBBING) ROUTED THROUGH THE REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT BELT PATH. NO WEBBING IS ROUTED THROUGH THE FORWARD-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT BELT PATH. THIS ILLUSTRATION MAY SUGGEST TO USERS THAT THIS IS HOW TO ROUTE THE "LATCH WEBBING" IN A FORWARD-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT ILLUSTRATION, WHICH MAY LEAD TO INJURY. THIS ILLUSTRATION IS COMMON TO MANY MODELS OF 2003 AND LATER NISSAN VEHICLES, NOT JUST THE LEAF. *TR

Oct 22, 2013

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY 2012 NISSAN LEAF ON MY MORNING COMMUTE TO WORK, ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM FREEWAY AND 3 MILES AWAY FROM HOME WHERE I STARTED, THE CAR GAVE A ALARM BEEP, AND STARTED DECELERATING. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND TO THAT. NOTICED THE DASH SAYING "I KEY SYSTEM FAULT" THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP. I QUICKLY TURNED ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRIED TO TURN OFF/ON THE CAR BUT IT KEPT ON SAYING "I KEY SYSTEM FAULT", AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TRYING THIS I DECIDED TO PUSH THE CAR INTO A DRIVEWAY TO NOT CAUSE A TRAFFIC JAM, HERE I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO TURN OFF /ON THE CAR BUT IT DID NOTHING HAPPENED, IT BEHAVED LIKE THAT AS OVER AN HOUR AND HALF, EVEN THE SAME WAY WITHOUT THE FOB, EVENTUALLY THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP STILL ON AND IS STILL BEING LOOKED AT BY THE TECHNICIANS THERE. PRETTY SCARY TO HAVE THE CAR BEHAVE LIKE THIS WHILE DRIVING. CANT IMAGINE WHAT COULD CAUSE THIS FAILURE AND WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WERE ON THE FREEWAY. WILL TRY AND UPDATE WITH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT WITH THE CAR.

Sep 06, 2013

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

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

Sep 04, 2012

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4.2/5.0

61 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2012 NISSAN Leaf have?

The 2012 NISSAN Leaf currently has 56 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2012 NISSAN Leaf?

The most common problems reported for the 2012 NISSAN Leaf are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2012 NISSAN Leaf problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2012 NISSAN Leaf comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.