2021 Nissan Leaf Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Leaf.

20202022
Complaints
70
per 10K Sold
49.2
US Sales
14,237
Crashes
6
Fires
5
Injuries
3
Fatalities
Recalls
4

Worst 2021 Nissan Leaf Problems

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

#127 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:31,000 mi
Fires:3
#28 complaints

Fuel System

#36 complaints

Wipers & Visibility

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Nissan Leaf.

Electrical Faults
27
complaints
Crashes
Fires
3
Avg Miles
31,000
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Backup Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Nissan Leaf. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Nissan Leaf

4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~207,882 vehicles.

25V655000Electrical System:propulsion System:charging:module:software · Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
~19,077 affected

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.

24V071000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~57,914 affected

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."

23V494000Unintended Acceleration
~66,159 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The vehicle may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed ("D" to "B"; e-Pedal "On"; or "ECO" mode) after disengaging the cruise control.

23V048000Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
~64,732 affected

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The Owner's Manual instructions for defroster operation are incorrect, and may result in reduced defroster performance under specific conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Other Nissan Leaf Years

2021 Nissan Leaf — FAQ

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

Is the 2021 Nissan Leaf reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2021 Nissan Leaf has 70 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 4 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 27 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Nissan Leaf?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (27 complaints, avg 31,000 mi); Fuel System (8 complaints); Wipers & Visibility (6 complaints). 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 2021 Nissan Leaf?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 31,000 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Nissan Leaf?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Nissan Leaf include 6 crash-related reports, 5 fire reports, 3 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 2021 Nissan Leaf have any recalls?
Yes — 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 207,882 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 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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