YearToAvoid

2012 Nissan Leaf Brakes Problems

Brakes account for 23 of 57 complaints (40%) filed on the 2012 Nissan Leaf, with 5 crashes and 5 injuries reported and a median failure mileage of 19,700. NHTSA lists no related recalls for this issue.

Brakes complaints
23
40% of 57
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
19,700 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe the brakes locking up unexpectedly during moderate or hard pedal application, sometimes bringing the car to a sudden full stop in the roadway.
  • Several drivers report the ABS continuing to apply full braking force even after the brake pedal was released, preventing the driver from modulating speed to avoid a rear-end collision.
  • Some owners report a soft or sinking brake pedal when shifting out of park, causing the car to roll forward before the brakes finally engage.
  • A few complaints describe the brake pedal feeling soft with reduced stopping power, followed by a sudden failure to slow the car as expected, in one case leading to a rear-end crash at 40 mph.
  • Other owners report the car rolling backward on an incline after being put in park, and a sudden, unrepaired brake failure that left the vehicle undriveable.
  • Some describe brakes grabbing suddenly at low speed, causing the car to lurch to a stop unpredictably.

When 2012 Nissan Leaf brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 17, 2012, latest Jun 27, 2023.

2012 Nissan Leaf brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Jul 2012Aug 2013Sep 2014Aug 2015Jun 2016Nov 2018Aug 2021
23 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2012 to Jun 2023; peak Jun 2013 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Nissan Leaf

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Leaf model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20101 (100%)
  2. 201122 (23%)
  3. 201223 (40%)
  4. 201332 (40%)
  5. 201418 (53%)
  6. 201585 (77%)
  7. 201616 (44%)
  8. 20172 (12%)
  9. 201820 (30%)
  10. 201910 (4%)
  11. 20203 (2%)
  12. 20211 (2%)
  13. 20228 (9%)
  14. 20232 (10%)
  15. 20240 (0%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are brake complaints on the 2012 Nissan Leaf?
Brakes make up 23 of the 57 total complaints filed for the 2012 Leaf, or 40% of all complaints for that year.
Is there a recall for 2012 Nissan Leaf brakes?
No. NHTSA's data for this component and year lists no related recalls.
At what mileage do brake problems tend to appear on the 2012 Leaf?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints is 19,700 miles.
Have brake issues on the 2012 Leaf caused crashes or injuries?
NHTSA complaint data for this component and year lists 5 crashes and 5 injuries, with no fires reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.