2012 Nissan Leaf Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Leaf.

20112013
Complaints
71
per 10K Sold
69.0
US Sales
10,297
Crashes
9
Fires
0
Injuries
6
Fatalities
Recalls
0

Worst 2012 Nissan Leaf Problems

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

#122 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:22,324 mi
Crash-related:5
#214 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:16,689 mi
Crash-related:2
#311 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:39,118 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Nissan Leaf.

Brakes
22
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
Avg Miles
22,324
Electrical Faults
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
16,689
Airbags
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
39,118
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Other:Owners/Service/Other Manual
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hybrid Propulsion System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Leaf. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Nissan Leaf Years

2012 Nissan Leaf — FAQ

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

Is the 2012 Nissan Leaf reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Nissan Leaf has 71 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 22 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Nissan Leaf?
Top reported problems: Brakes (22 complaints, avg 22,324 mi); Electrical Faults (14 complaints, avg 16,689 mi); Airbags (11 complaints, avg 39,118 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 2012 Nissan Leaf?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 24,576 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Nissan Leaf?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Nissan Leaf include 9 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 6 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 2012 Nissan Leaf have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2012 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 2012 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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