Nissan Leaf Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Nissan Leaf years to avoid based on NHTSA data are 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2022, each with a Complaint Index of 80 or higher and a rank among the worst years. 2017, 2024, and 2025 rank as the best years, with Complaint Index scores of 13, 7, and 20.
Avoid 2015Avoid 2019Avoid 2020Avoid 2022Best 2017Best 2024Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 1,102
- Recall campaigns
- 18
- Crashes reported
- 65
- Fires reported
- 12
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Leaf Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Leaf problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | No verdict | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | — | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 60 | 95 | 5 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 99 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Good | 47 | 57 | 6 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 99 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Caution | 73 | 81 | 11 | 1 | 5 | Brakes | 115 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Good | 33 | 34 | 3 | 2 | 6 | Brakes | 114 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 80 | 110 | 8 | 0 | 4 | Brakes | 114 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Good | 27 | 36 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Brakes | 113 | 4★ |
| 2017 | Best | 13 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Airbags | 112 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 53 | 66 | 9 | 1 | 4 | Brakes | 112 | — |
| 2019 | Avoid | 100 | 259 | 4 | 2 | 5 | Electrical System | 108 | — |
| 2020 | Avoid | 87 | 165 | 1 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | 108 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Caution | 67 | 55 | 2 | 5 | 4 | Electrical System | 108 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 93 | 94 | 7 | 0 | 4 | Electrical System | 108 | — |
| 2023 | Good | 40 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 3 | Engine | 110 | — |
| 2024 | Best | 7 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 110 | — |
| 2025 | Best | 20 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 110 | — |
Leaf years to avoid: what went wrong
2019 Nissan Leaf Index 100 · 259 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2019 Leaf tops the worst-year ranking with a Complaint Index of 100 and 259 total complaints. Electrical System problems dominate at 68% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 86,000 miles, largely tied to battery overheating during Level 3 quick charging. Fuel System issues follow at 13%. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this year, including a 2024 battery software update campaign and a 2023 unintended acceleration fix.
2019 electrical system problems →2019 fuel system problems →
2022 Nissan Leaf Index 93 · 94 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Leaf ranks 2nd worst with a Complaint Index of 93. Electrical System issues account for 65% of complaints at a median 60,000 miles, tied to the same Level 3 quick-charge battery overheating pattern seen in 2019 and 2020. Fuel System complaints make up 21% more. NHTSA lists 3 recalls, including a 2025 battery software update and the earlier camera harness and acceleration recalls.
2022 electrical system problems →2022 fuel system problems →
2020 Nissan Leaf Index 87 · 165 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2020 Leaf ranks 3rd worst with a Complaint Index of 87 and 165 complaints. Electrical System problems make up 73% of complaints at a median 29,000 miles, again centered on Level 3 quick-charge battery overheating. Fuel System complaints add 21% more. NHTSA lists 3 recalls, including the same battery software campaign as the 2019 model and a rearview camera harness recall.
2020 electrical system problems →2020 fuel system problems →
2015 Nissan Leaf Index 80 · 110 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2015 Leaf has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 4th worst of 16 model years. Brakes account for 77% of complaints, with owners describing brake pedals that went to the floor without stopping the car, at a median mileage of 32,500 miles. Electrical System issues made up 16% of complaints at a median 31,000 miles. NHTSA lists 3 recalls tied to this year, including an airbag inflator campaign and a defroster instruction correction.
Most common Nissan Leaf problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System522 (47%)
- Brakes243 (22%)
- Other169 (15%)
- Fuel System136 (12%)
- Engine102 (9%)
- Airbags92 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain61 (6%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras50 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers42 (4%)
- Structure & Body30 (3%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Nissan Leaf should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2022 Nissan Leaf model years rank worst, with Complaint Index scores of 80, 100, 87, and 93 respectively.
- What is the best year for a Nissan Leaf?
- The 2017, 2024, and 2025 Leaf rank best based on NHTSA data, with Complaint Index scores of 13, 7, and 20 and few reported problems.
- Is the 2019 Nissan Leaf reliable?
- The 2019 Leaf has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any Leaf model year and 259 total complaints, mostly Electrical System issues tied to battery overheating during Level 3 quick charging, at a median 86,000 miles.
- Does the Nissan Leaf have a battery recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall campaigns 24V700000 and 25V655000 cover 2019-2022 Leaf vehicles with Level 3 quick-charging ports where the lithium-ion battery may overheat during fast charging.
- What is the most common problem area for the Nissan Leaf overall?
- Across all 1,102 complaints and 16 model years, the Electrical System is the top problem area at 47% of complaints, followed by Brakes at 22% and Fuel System at 12%.