2011 Nissan Leaf Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Leaf.

20102012
Complaints
117
per 10K Sold
120.9
US Sales
9,674
Crashes
7
Fires
0
Injuries
7
Fatalities
Recalls
0

Worst 2011 Nissan Leaf Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#135 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:62,629 mi
#228 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:26,641 mi
Crash-related:1
#316 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:24,779 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2011 Nissan Leaf.

Airbags
35
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
62,629
Electrical Faults
28
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
26,641
Brakes
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
24,779
Seat-Related Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
49,672
Unintended Acceleration
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
24,833
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Other
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2011 Nissan Leaf. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Nissan Leaf Years

2011 Nissan Leaf — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2011 Nissan Leaf reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2011 Nissan Leaf has 117 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Airbags with 35 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2011 Nissan Leaf?
Top reported problems: Airbags (35 complaints, avg 62,629 mi); Electrical Faults (28 complaints, avg 26,641 mi); Brakes (16 complaints, avg 24,779 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2011 Nissan Leaf?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 41,827 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2011 Nissan Leaf?
NHTSA complaints for the 2011 Nissan Leaf include 7 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2011 Nissan Leaf have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2011 Nissan Leaf as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2011 Nissan Leaf?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Leaf reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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