Nissan Leaf Electrical Problems

Owners have filed 529 complaints about electrical system problems with the Nissan Leaf — 48% of all Leaf complaints. The worst model years are 2019 (178), 2020 (123) and 2022 (62). Problems typically start around 35,000 miles. 4 related recalls have been issued.

529complaints
2019worst year
35ktypical miles
4related recalls
8crashes
9fires

Electrical complaints by model year

’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’262915186181341917812332625232
Electrical complaints per model year, Nissan Leaf.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
20262100%—
2025343%9,000 miles
2024240%—
2023523%34,000 miles
20226265%60,000 miles
20213257%40,000 miles
202012374%40,000 miles
201917868%90,000 miles
20181928%38,000 miles
2017424%62,000 miles
20161336%22,000 miles
20151816%31,000 miles
2014618%42,000 miles
20131822%8,000 miles
20121526%12,000 miles
20112931%20,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • 12V/24V/48V battery
    8
  • Propulsion system › Traction battery
    2
  • Propulsion system › Traction battery › Thermal management › Fan
    1

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    5448%
  • 25k–50k
    2825%
  • 50k–75k
    1413%
  • 75k–100k
    1110%
  • 100k–150k
    44%
  • 150k+
    11%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the message "Service EV" was displayed. The local dealer was contacted, and a service appointment was scheduled for the following day. The contact stated that while driving into the dealer parking lot, the audible warning "Caution Fire" activated. The contact immediately parked the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 8,750.

2025 Leaf · 9,000 miles · Mar 2026

On Saturday, June 20, I was driving my son to soccer. We stopped at a stoplight. When the light turned green, I pressed the accelerator and we went forward. However, when I took my foot off the accelerator, the car continued to accelerate. Luckily it slowed down when I pushed on the break. But every time I took my foot off the break the car continued to accelerate. I did not have a good place to pull over to the side. So at the next stop light, I turned the car completely off. I turned it back on again, but the same thing happened. I arrived at the soccer field and parked the car for the remainder of the day, which was several hours. It did not do that again that evening. …

2025 Leaf · Jun 2026

I pulled into a parking spot and to ensure I stopped when I wanted to, I braked. The car accelerated, smashing into a building. I always drive in eco mode and generally use the e-pedal which was on at the time. I'm not sure if either or a combination of those may have been a factor in what happened. The car is available for inspection upon request. I was fine, but very shaken. The car is driveable, but the front bumper is mangled and the left blinker no longer works. The headlights are functional. The charger panel releases and I can pry it open, though it no longer pops up. No airbags were deployed. The car was going slow enough, there seems to be no damage to the building. I'm concerned what could happen when we drive into our garage or, worse, if there is a car or pedestrian in front of our car and rather than braking the car accelerates. …

2023 Leaf · Mar 2024 · crash

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds on multiple occasions, the battery warning light illuminated, and an unknown warning message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where diagnostic testing was performed; however, the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,900.

2023 Leaf · 12V/24V/48V battery · 34,000 miles · Sep 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated which indicated that the VDC sensor had independently activated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. The contact disabled the VDC and the vehicle was driven to the contact's intended destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. Independently activated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,800.

2022 Leaf · 448,000 miles · Oct 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electric System). The contact stated that a week after purchasing the vehicle, the same type of battery was replaced for an unknown reason. The contact stated that after quick charging to 97% and almost seven months later, while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power, and a turtle icon was displayed. The contact added that the message "Slow Down - Overheating" was displayed. The vehicle was taken close to the residence and turned off to allow it to cool down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

2022 Leaf · 60,000 miles · Jul 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The vehicle was taken to a charging station, and while driving at 5 MPH, entering the driveway, the battery burst into flames. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V700000 (Electrical System). The police department was on the scene. The fire department attempted to extinguish the fire, but the battery continued to ignite. The fire marshal from Minnesota was contacted for assistance to resolve the matter, and the fire department had taken the battery to a gravel pit. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

2021 Leaf · 60,000 miles · Aug 2025 · fire

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer, where it remained for a month. The dealer replaced an unknown battery component. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was seldom driven for short distances after the incident, due to safety concerns. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. Nucar Nissan of Norwood (525 Boston Providence Hwy, Norwood, MA 02062) and Quirk Nissan (600 Southern Artery, Quincy, MA 02169) were contacted and confirmed that the recall remedy was not yet available. …

2021 Leaf · 25,000 miles · Aug 2025

Related recalls (4)

Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery

NHTSA recall 26V-188 · Mar 25, 2026 · 51 vehiclesPark outside

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

NHTSA recall 25V-655 · Sep 30, 2025 · 19,077 vehicles

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

NHTSA recall 24V-700 · Sep 19, 2024 · 25,704 vehicles

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.

Electrical system › Software

NHTSA recall 14V-138 · Mar 25, 2014 · 989,701 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA investigations

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA investigation DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V-063

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.

Frequently asked questions

Which Nissan Leaf years have electrical problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2019 (178), 2020 (123), 2022 (62), 2021 (32) and 2011 (29) model years. Electrical complaints make up 68% of all complaints for the 2019.

Is there a recall for Nissan Leaf electrical problems?

Yes — 4 recalls, including 26V-188 (traction battery, Mar 25, 2026); 25V-655 (software, Sep 30, 2025); 24V-700 (software, Sep 19, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.

At what mileage do Nissan Leaf electrical problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles; 73% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the 12v/24v/48v battery (8 mentions), followed by the propulsion system › traction battery (2).

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.