Question 1

Is the Nissan Leaf reliable?

Accepted Answer

The Nissan Leaf has 1,387 NHTSA complaints, or 118.5 per 1,000 vehicles. Its crash involvement rate is moderate. The most common issue is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Source: VinItel

Question 2

What Nissan Leaf years should I avoid?

Accepted Answer

Avoid the 2019, 2020 model years of the Nissan Leaf — these have significantly more NHTSA complaints than other years. The 2019 model year alone has 285 complaints. Source: VinItel (vinitel.com)

Question 3

What is the best year for the Nissan Leaf?

Accepted Answer

Among Nissan Leaf model years with enough on-road history, the most reliable years are 2017 (23 complaints), 2023 (27 complaints), 2014 (45 complaints). Source: NHTSA complaints database via VinItel.

Question 4

What are common Nissan Leaf problems?

Accepted Answer

The most common Nissan Leaf problems reported to NHTSA are: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (451 complaints, 1.8% crash rate); SERVICE BRAKES (225 complaints, 15.1% crash rate); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (147 complaints, 6.1% crash rate); FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (113 complaints, 3.5% crash rate); AIR BAGS (92 complaints, 9.8% crash rate). Source: VinItel

Question 5

Should I buy a used Nissan Leaf?

Accepted Answer

Used Nissan Leaf buyers should: 1) Check our years-to-avoid list for this model. 2) Verify the specific VIN for accident history, title issues, and odometer rollbacks. The most reliable model years to look for: 2017, 2023, 2014. Free VIN check at vinitel.com.

Year	Generation	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Details
2011	—	117	7	—	View 2011View→
2012	—	71	9	—	View 2012View→
2013	—	120	17	2	View 2013View→
2014GOOD	—	45	5	3	View 2014View→
2015	—	138	9	—	View 2015View→
2016GOOD	—	49	1	2	View 2016View→
2017GOOD	—	23	3	—	View 2017View→
2018	—	111	19	3	View 2018View→
2019AVOID	—	285	8	3	View 2019View→
2020AVOID	—	198	3	—	View 2020View→
2021	—	70	6	5	View 2021View→
2022	—	120	12	—	View 2022View→
2023GOOD	—	27	10	—	View 2023View→
2024TOO NEW	—	5	0	—	View 2024View→
2025TOO NEW	—	7	0	—	View 2025View→

Nissan Leaf Reliability

Which Years to Buy & Avoid

Avoid These Years

Average

Better Years

Too New

A model's reputation is just the start.

Complaints by Model Year

Common Nissan Leaf Problems

Year-by-Year Breakdown

Buying a Nissan Leaf?

Component	Complaints	Crash %
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	451	1.8%
SERVICE BRAKES	225	15.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	147	6.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	113	3.5%
AIR BAGS	92	9.8%
POWER TRAIN	52	5.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	51	39.2%
ENGINE	42	4.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER	39	0.0%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING	22	27.3%