Nissan

LEAF

Midsize Cars · model years 2011 to 2025

See all 10 LEAF trims All Nissan cars

The verdict

Best year: 2025. complaints: 7, below this model's typical 46; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3.

Worst year: 2015. complaints: 110, about 2.4x this model's typical 46; recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Nissan LEAF
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	TSBs	Top complaints
2011	1Electric	99	no data	$750	0	95	3	129	AIR BAGS 30%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25%, SERVICE BRAKES 14%
complaints: 95, about 2.1x this model's typical 46 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 5 Score: 43 of 100, where higher is better.
2012	1Electric	99	no data	$750	0	57	3	127	SERVICE BRAKES 31%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21%, AIR BAGS 16%
complaints: 57, above this model's typical 46 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 6 Score: 67 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	1Electric	115	no data	$650	5	81	3	141	SERVICE BRAKES 27%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, AIR BAGS 14%
complaints: 81, about 1.8x this model's typical 46 recalls: 5, about 1.7x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 25 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	1Electric	114	no data	$700	6	34	3	116	SERVICE BRAKES 40%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, AIR BAGS 9%
complaints: 34, below this model's typical 46 recalls: 6, about 2x this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 complaints reporting a fire: 2 Score: 47 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.4 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	1Electric	114	no data	$650	4	110	1	111	SERVICE BRAKES 57%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6%
complaints: 110, about 2.4x this model's typical 46 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 20 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	1Electric	112	no data	$650	2	17	1	72	AIR BAGS 15%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11%
complaints: 17, below this model's typical 46 recalls: 2, below this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	1Electric	112	147	$700	4	66	1	118	SERVICE BRAKES 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12%
complaints: 66, above this model's typical 46 recalls: 4, above this model's typical 3 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 42 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	1Electric	111	no data	$700	3	20	0	55	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 25%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 20, below this model's typical 46 recalls: 3, in line with this model's typical 3 Score: 79 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	1Electric	111	no data	$700	0	5	0	19	UNKNOWN OR OTHER 57%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29%, POWER TRAIN 14%
complaints: 5, below this model's typical 46 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 Score: 93 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	1Electric	111	no data	$700	0	7	0	7	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 30%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 20%, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 20%
complaints: 7, below this model's typical 46 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 3 Score: 93 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2011: 99 to 2025: 111

Owner complaints2011: 95 to 2025: 7

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Nissan LEAF to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.