Nissan LEAF problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most significant documented LEAF problems are batteries that can overheat during DC quick charging on 2019–2022 cars (recalls 24V700 and 25V655) and a 2018–2023 software issue that can cause unintended acceleration after leaving cruise control. First-generation LEAFs have air bag sensor and cold-weather brake booster recalls.

CarWhere lists 17 documented LEAF issues, including 17 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source. Recall entries come from NHTSA's recall dataset on the DOT open-data portal, which may not list every campaign, so run the specific VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup.

LEAF generations at a glance

Nissan LEAF generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
First generation2011–2017Owner's manual defroster instructions are wrong (2013–2017) (recall 23V296) · Brake booster relay may freeze in extreme cold (recall 16V119) · Passenger air bag inflator may not deploy properly (recall 17V253) · Passenger air bag may switch off with an adult seated (recall 16V244) · Passenger air bag connector may come loose (recall 16V436) · Occupant sensor software may read the passenger seat as empty (recall 14V138) · Inverter may fail and shut the car down (recall 14V263)
Second generation2018–2025Battery may overheat during DC quick charging (2021–2022) (recall 25V655) · Battery may overheat during DC quick charging (2019–2020) (recall 24V700) · Car may accelerate after changing drive mode out of cruise (recall 23V494) · Rearview camera harness damage can distort the image (recall 24V071) · Owner's manual defroster instructions are wrong (2018–2023) (recall 23V048) · Right-hand brake tubes may corrode and leak (recall 23V362) · Back-up camera image may disappear in reverse (recall 20V412) · Back-up camera settings can hide the rear image (recall 19V654)
Third generation2026 onwardHigh-voltage battery module may short (fire risk) (recall 26V188) · Rear seat belt locking retractors may release early (recall 26V425)

First generation LEAF problems (2011–2017)

Owner's manual defroster instructions are wrong (2013–2017) (recall 23V296) (2013–2017)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2011–2017)
Years:
2013–2017
Powertrain:
Electric

The owner's manual for 2013–2017 LEAFs gives incorrect defroster instructions that can reduce defrosting in some conditions. Nissan mails an addendum with corrected instructions. NHTSA lists 94,343 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Windshield slow to clear following the manual's steps

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing receipt of the owner's manual addendum

NHTSA recall: 23V296 (2023-04-26) · 94,343 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [11]

Brake booster relay may freeze in extreme cold (recall 16V119) (2013–2015)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2011–2017)
Years:
2013–2015
Powertrain:
Electric

In very cold weather the relay in the electronic brake booster of 2013–2015 LEAFs may freeze, so more pedal effort is needed to stop. Dealers reprogram the brake control unit software free of charge. NHTSA lists 46,859 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Hard brake pedal in very cold weather

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the brake control software update

NHTSA recall: 16V119 (2016-02-29) · 46,859 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [12]

Passenger air bag inflator may not deploy properly (recall 17V253) (2015–2017)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2011–2017)
Years:
2015–2017
Powertrain:
Electric

A manufacturing error in the passenger front air bag inflator of certain 2015–2017 LEAFs and some Sentras can keep the air bag from deploying properly. Dealers replace the inflator free of charge. The 30,038 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the LEAF.

Symptoms

  • No warning signs before a crash

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the passenger inflator replacement

NHTSA recall: 17V253 (2017-04-13) · 30,038 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [13]

Passenger air bag may switch off with an adult seated (recall 16V244) (2013–2016)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2011–2017)
Years:
2013–2016
Powertrain:
Electric

The occupant classification system in 2013–2016 LEAFs and many other Nissans can misread an adult passenger and switch off the passenger front air bag. On the LEAF, dealers replace the classification control unit free of charge. The 3,296,947 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the LEAF.

Symptoms

  • Passenger air bag OFF light with an adult in the seat

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the OCS control unit replacement

NHTSA recall: 16V244 (2016-04-26) · 3,296,947 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [14]

Passenger air bag connector may come loose (recall 16V436) (2016)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2011–2017)
Years:
2016
Powertrain:
Electric

On certain 2016 LEAFs and Sentras the wiring connector for the passenger air bag may disconnect, so the air bag may not deploy. Dealers check the connector and replace the air bag module and harness if needed, free of charge. The 4,355 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the LEAF.

Symptoms

  • Air bag warning light

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the air bag connector inspection

NHTSA recall: 16V436 (2016-06-15) · 4,355 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [15]

Occupant sensor software may read the passenger seat as empty (recall 14V138) (2013–2014)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2011–2017)
Years:
2013–2014
Powertrain:
Electric

Occupant classification software in 2013–2014 LEAFs and several other models could read an occupied passenger seat as empty and turn off the passenger air bag. Dealers update the software free of charge. The 989,701 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the LEAF.

Symptoms

  • Passenger air bag OFF light with an adult in the seat

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the OCS software update

NHTSA recall: 14V138 (2014-03-25) · 989,701 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [16]

Inverter may fail and shut the car down (recall 14V263) (2014)

Safety recall
Generation:
First generation (2011–2017)
Years:
2014
Powertrain:
Electric

A motor control circuit board problem in a small batch of 2014 LEAFs can make the inverter fail and shut the car down. Dealers replace the inverter free of charge. NHTSA lists 196 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Car shuts down while driving
  • EV system warning

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the inverter replacement

NHTSA recall: 14V263 (2014-05-16) · 196 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [17]

Second generation LEAF problems (2018–2025)

Battery may overheat during DC quick charging (2021–2022) (recall 25V655) (2021–2022)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2018–2025)
Years:
2021–2022
Powertrain:
Electric

On 2021–2022 LEAFs with the Level 3 quick-charge port, the lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging and start a fire. Owners are told not to use Level 3 charging until dealers update the battery software, free of charge. NHTSA lists 19,077 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • No warning signs before a crash

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the battery software update

NHTSA recall: 25V655 (2025-10-01) · 19,077 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [3]

Battery may overheat during DC quick charging (2019–2020) (recall 24V700) (2019–2020)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2018–2025)
Years:
2019–2020
Powertrain:
Electric

On 2019–2020 LEAFs with the Level 3 quick-charge port, the lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging, creating a fire risk. Dealers update the battery software free of charge in a phased recall. NHTSA lists 25,704 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • No warning signs before a crash

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the battery software update

NHTSA recall: 24V700 (2024-09-20) · 25,704 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [4]

Car may accelerate after changing drive mode out of cruise (recall 23V494) (2018–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2018–2025)
Years:
2018–2023
Powertrain:
Electric

On 2018–2023 LEAFs, switching driving mode (D to B, e-Pedal on, or ECO) after disengaging cruise control may make the car accelerate unintentionally. Dealers reprogram the vehicle control module free of charge. NHTSA lists 66,159 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Unexpected acceleration after cancelling cruise and changing mode

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the VCM reprogramming

NHTSA recall: 23V494 (2023-07-17) · 66,159 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [5]

Rearview camera harness damage can distort the image (recall 24V071) (2018–2022)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2018–2025)
Years:
2018–2022
Powertrain:
Electric

Damage to the camera wiring on 2018–2022 LEAFs can distort or blank the rearview camera image. Dealers inspect and replace the camera and harness, or tape and reroute the harness, free of charge. NHTSA lists 57,914 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Flickering, distorted or missing camera image

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the rearview camera harness inspection

NHTSA recall: 24V071 (2024-02-02) · 57,914 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [6]

Owner's manual defroster instructions are wrong (2018–2023) (recall 23V048) (2018–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2018–2025)
Years:
2018–2023
Powertrain:
Electric

The owner's manual for 2018–2023 LEAFs gives incorrect defroster instructions that can reduce defrosting in some conditions. Nissan mails an addendum with corrected instructions. NHTSA lists 64,732 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Windshield slow to clear following the manual's steps

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing receipt of the owner's manual addendum

NHTSA recall: 23V048 (2023-02-02) · 64,732 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [7]

Right-hand brake tubes may corrode and leak (recall 23V362) (2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2018–2025)
Years:
2023
Powertrain:
Electric

Certain 2023 LEAFs may have right-hand brake tubes damaged in production that can corrode through and leak brake fluid. Dealers inspect and replace the tube as needed, free of charge. NHTSA lists 758 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Brake warning light
  • Fluid under the right side

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the brake tube inspection

NHTSA recall: 23V362 (2023-05-22) · 758 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [8]

Back-up camera image may disappear in reverse (recall 20V412) (2020)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2018–2025)
Years:
2020
Powertrain:
Electric

In certain circumstances the back-up camera image on 2020 LEAFs can disappear while in reverse. Dealers update the camera software free of charge. NHTSA lists 6,157 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Camera image drops out in reverse

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the camera software update

NHTSA recall: 20V412 (2020-07-17) · 6,157 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [9]

Back-up camera settings can hide the rear image (recall 19V654) (2018–2019)

Safety recall
Generation:
Second generation (2018–2025)
Years:
2018–2019
Powertrain:
Electric

On many 2018–2019 Nissans, including the LEAF, the camera display settings can be adjusted so the rear image disappears and stays off the next time the car is in reverse. Dealers update the camera software free of charge. The 1,228,830 figure covers every vehicle in the campaign, not just the LEAF.

Symptoms

  • Rear camera shows no image after display settings were changed

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the back-up camera software update

NHTSA recall: 19V654 (2019-09-12) · 1,228,830 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [10]

Third generation LEAF problems (2026 onward)

High-voltage battery module may short (fire risk) (recall 26V188) (2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
Third generation (2026 onward)
Years:
2026
Powertrain:
Electric

A small number of 2026 LEAFs may have internal damage in the high-voltage battery that can short a module and start a fire. Owners are told to park outside and not charge until dealers inspect and replace modules as needed, free of charge. NHTSA lists 51 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • No warning signs before a crash

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the battery module inspection

NHTSA recall: 26V188 (2026-03-26) · 51 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [1]

Rear seat belt locking retractors may release early (recall 26V425) (2026)

Safety recall
Generation:
Third generation (2026 onward)
Years:
2026
Powertrain:
Electric

On certain 2026 LEAFs the outer rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, so a child seat may not be held properly. Dealers replace the rear outboard seat belts free of charge once the remedy is available. NHTSA lists 3,788 vehicles in the campaign.

Symptoms

  • Rear belt will not stay locked when securing a child seat

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Nissan dealer for the repair order showing the rear seat belt replacement

NHTSA recall: 26V425 (2026-07-02) · 3,788 vehicles in the campaign

Sources: [2]

Related LEAF research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.

Confirm how an LEAF was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Nissan build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Nissan build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common Nissan LEAF problems?

The most significant documented issues are recalls: battery overheating during Level 3 quick charging on 2019–2022 LEAFs, unintended acceleration after changing drive mode out of cruise control on 2018–2023 cars, rear camera faults, and occupant-sensor air bag recalls on 2013–2016 cars.

Is there a LEAF quick-charging recall?

Yes. Recall 24V700 covers 2019–2020 LEAFs and 25V655 covers 2021–2022 LEAFs with the Level 3 port, whose battery may overheat during Level 3 charging. Dealers update the battery software; for 2021–2022 cars Nissan advised against Level 3 charging until it is done.

Does the 2026 LEAF have recalls?

Yes. 26V188 covers a small number of 2026 LEAFs whose high-voltage battery may short, and 26V425 covers rear seat belt locking retractors that may release early.

Do LEAFs have a battery warranty extension?

No battery warranty extension appears in the official sources reviewed for this page. Ask a Nissan dealer to check the specific VIN's remaining coverage.

How do I check a used LEAF for open recalls?

Enter the 17-digit VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup and ask for dealer repair orders, especially the quick-charge battery software update on 2019–2022 cars.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. Recall 26V188: Park Outside: High Voltage Battery Modules May Short Circuit — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  2. Recall 26V425: Rear Seat Belts May Not Secure Child Seat/FMVSS 208 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  3. Recall 25V655: Fire Risk from Quick Charging Battery — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  4. Recall 24V700: Fire Risk from Quick Charging Battery — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  5. Recall 23V494: Unintended Acceleration — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  6. Recall 24V071: Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  7. Recall 23V048: Incorrect Information in Owner's Manual/FMVSS 103 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  8. Recall 23V362: Corrosion in Brake Line May Cause Brake Fluid Leak — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  9. Recall 20V412: No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  10. Recall 19V654: No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  11. Recall 23V296: Incorrect Information in Owner's Manual/FMVSS 103 — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  12. Recall 16V119: Brake Relay may Freeze in Cold Temperatures — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  13. Recall 17V253: Front Passenger Air Bag may Deploy Improperly — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  14. Recall 16V244: Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy due to OCS Error — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  15. Recall 16V436: Passenger Air Bag Harness Connector Disconnect — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  16. Recall 14V138: Air Bag may not Detect Passenger in Seat — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)
  17. Recall 14V263: Circuit Board Voltage may Result in Shutdown — NHTSA (via data.transportation.gov recall dataset)

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Nissan North America, Inc. or Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.. Nissan and the model names are trademarks of their owners.