Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | typical | 2 | Electrical | Few |
| 2025 | 7 | typical | — | Electrical | Average |
| 2024 | 5 | −57% | — | Electrical | Good |
| 2023 | 22 | typical | 3 | Acceleration | Average |
| 2022 | 96 | 3.4× | 4 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2021 | 56 | 1.3× | 4 | Electrical | Average |
| 2020 | 167 | 3.6× | 6 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2019 | 260 | 5.0× | 5 | Electrical | Avoid |
| 2018 | 67 | 1.4× | 4 | Brake | Average |
| 2017 | 17 | −69% | 2 | Electrical | Good |
| 2016 | 36 | −39% | 4 | Brake | Average |
| 2015 | 110 | 2.3× | 4 | Brake | Avoid |
| 2014 | 34 | −43% | 6 | Brake | Good |
| 2013 | 81 | 1.7× | 5 | Brake | Caution |
| 2012 | 57 | −14% | — | Brake | Average |
| 2011 | 95 | 1.8× | — | Airbag | Caution |
* Complaints compared with the median Leaf year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Nissan Leaf problems
Latest Nissan Leaf recalls
Seat belts › Rear/other › Retractor
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear outboard seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 28, 2026.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
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.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and should not charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery modules, as necessary, free of charge.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Charging › Module › Software
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.
Remedy: 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.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Charging › Module › Software
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.
Remedy: 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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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."
Remedy: 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.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Nissan Leaf should you avoid?
2019, 2020, 2022, 2015, 2011 and 2013 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Leaf years at the same age, led by electrical system problems in the 2019.
What is the best year for the Nissan Leaf?
2017 has the fewest complaints compared with other Leaf years at the same age, followed by 2024 and 2014. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Nissan Leaf problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the electrical system (529), brakes (240) and fuel & propulsion system (139). Electrical complaints peak in the 2019 model year.
How many recalls has the Nissan Leaf had?
20 recalls across 2011–2026. The model year with the most is 2014. See all Nissan Leaf recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.