The most-reported Leaf run is 1N4AZ1CP7KC (2019 builds) with 17 complaints, 3.6× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 40% of reports; 2019 is the worst model year at 11.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for Leaf model years 2013–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Nissan Leaf has 198 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 9% of every Leaf complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1N4AZ1CP7KC•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1N4AZ1CP8KC•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1N4BZ1CP3KC•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1N4BZ1CP0KC•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| JN1AZ0CP8BT•••••• | 2011 | — | — | |
| 1N4BZ1CP1KC•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1N4AZ0CP2DC•••••• | 2013 | 1 | — | |
| 1N4AZ1CP2KC•••••• | 2019 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1N4AZ0CPXFC•••••• | 2015 | 1 | — | |
| 1N4AZ1CP4KC•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| 1N4AZ0CP1FC•••••• | 2015 | 1 | — | |
| 1N4AZ1CP6KC•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — |
Each of the other 186 Leaf runs has 12 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 113 Leaf VINs so far, most often 2025, 2013, 2019 builds; 8 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Nissan Leaf the gap between build years is 6.6×: a 2019 car draws 11.2 complaints per run, a 2021 one 1.7.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 6 | — | |
| 2021 | 55 | 33 | 2 | |
| 2020 | 164 | 51 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 258 | 23 | 4 | |
| 2018 | 64 | 12 | 8 | |
| 2016 | 35 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2015 | 104 | 14 | 8 | |
| 2014 | 30 | 10 | 3 | |
| 2013 | 75 | 15 | 9 | |
| 2012 | 49 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2011 | 87 | 12 | 5 |
Heaviest year here is 2019 at 11.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2025 at 1.2. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 40% of everything Nissan Leaf owners report: Electrical System, 439 of 928 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 | 8 | |
| Service Brakes | 27 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 | 5 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 6 | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | 1 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | — | |
| Engine | 2 | 3 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 20 recall campaigns on the Nissan Leaf; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 23V048000 | Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual | 2018–2023 |
| 23V494000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 2018–2023 |
| 24V071000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 2018–2022 |
| 23V296000 | Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual | 2013–2017 |
| 16V244000 | Air Bags:sensor:occupant Classification | 2013–2016 |
| 17V253000 | Air Bags | 2015–2017 |
23V048000 was opened in 2023 on cars built from 2018: 5 years on the road before the recall.
The Leaf against its rivals
The Leaf draws 4.7 complaints per production run; the Toyota Prius 13.3. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf | 928 | 198 | 5% | |
| Toyota Prius | 10,797 | 811 | 7.9% |
How serious were they
Of the 928 reports on the Nissan Leaf, 5% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Nissan Leaf | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 928 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 46 (5%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 11 (1.2%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 27 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Nissan Leaf share of that is 928 complaints over 198 runs, 0.08% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Nissan Leaf VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 928 NHTSA complaints from 198 Leaf runs and 20 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Leaf production run has the most complaints?
1N4AZ1CP7KC, a 2019 build, with 17 complaints. The typical Leaf run has 4.7.
Which Leaf years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2019 is heaviest at 11.2 complaints per run and 2025 lightest at 1.2.
Does the Leaf get more complaints than the Toyota Prius?
No: 4.7 complaints per production run for the Leaf against 13.3 for the Toyota Prius.
How many Leaf complaints involve a crash?
5% of 928 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 11 involved a fire.
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