2011 Nissan Leaf Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Nissan Leaf has a Complaint Index of 67, ranking 6th worst out of 16 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Owners most often reported airbag issues (37% of complaints) and brake problems, with no recalls filed for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #6 of 16 Leaf years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 95
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 99
- 106 city / 92 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2011 Nissan Leaf problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags35 (37%)
- Electrical System29 (31%)
- Brakes22 (23%)
- Structure & Body10 (11%)
- Engine7 (7%)
- Fuel System5 (5%)
- Other5 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (3%)
- Steering1 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe brake pedals that fail to respond or suddenly lock up while braking hard from highway speeds, sometimes leading to a crash.
- Some drivers report the brakes feeling unresponsive at low speeds, causing collisions with other vehicles.
- Several owners describe the Leaf going into accessory mode instead of drive when the start button is pressed without the brake pedal depressed enough, especially on a slope.
- Battery capacity loss is reported after a relatively low number of miles, with some owners losing a capacity bar within around 7,200 to 22,000 miles, more pronounced in hot climates.
- One owner reported unexpected acceleration while parking that did not slow down when the brake was applied.
2011 Nissan Leaf recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2011 Nissan Leaf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 106 MPG
- Highway
- 92 MPG
- Combined
- 99 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $750
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Leaf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Nissan Leaf reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2011 Leaf a Complaint Index of 67, the 6th worst of 16 model years, with 95 complaints and a Caution verdict. Airbags and electrical system issues were the top-reported problem areas.
- Does the 2011 Nissan Leaf have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2011 Nissan Leaf.
- What is the biggest problem area for the 2011 Nissan Leaf?
- Airbags account for 37% of complaints, followed by the electrical system at 31% and brakes at 23%, according to NHTSA data.
- How does the 2011 Leaf compare to other Leaf years?
- The 2011 Leaf's Complaint Index of 67 is worse than years like 2017 (13) and 2024 (7), which earned Best verdicts, but better than 2019 (100) and 2015 (80), which are rated Avoid.
- What was the typical mileage when 2011 Leaf owners reported problems?
- Median mileage at failure was 27,862.5 miles overall, with brake complaints reported at a median of 12,000 miles and airbag complaints at 59,100 miles.