2013 Nissan Leaf Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Nissan Leaf has a Complaint Index of 53, ranking 8th worst of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area, making up 40% of its 81 complaints, and NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 53/100
- #8 of 16 Leaf years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 81
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 115
- 129 city / 102 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2013 Nissan Leaf problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes32 (40%)
- Electrical System18 (22%)
- Airbags17 (21%)
- Other11 (14%)
- Engine7 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (9%)
- Fuel System4 (5%)
- Seat Belts4 (5%)
- Steering4 (5%)
- Structure & Body4 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the brakes suddenly failing to engage at speeds around 25-50 mph, sometimes resulting in rear-end collisions.
- Some describe pumping the brake pedal multiple times at low speeds after hitting bumps before the brakes would respond.
- One owner reported brakes locking on after moderate pressure and not releasing even after lifting off the pedal.
- A charging port reportedly melted with visible fumes while the vehicle was plugged in at a charging station.
- One owner described a loud pop and the vehicle jerking to the right before hitting a curb and deploying the side airbags, later linked to a tie rod/suspension defect.
- One driver reported the steering became difficult to turn while reversing at the same time the brakes failed to respond.
2013 Nissan Leaf recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V296000Apr 26, 2023Other94,343 vehicles
Equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 LEAF vehicles. The Owner's Manual instructions for defroster operation are incorrect and may result in reduced defroster performance under specific conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Risk: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will mail an addendum with updated instructions on how to operate the defroster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.
- NHTSA 16V244000Apr 26, 2016Airbags3,296,947 vehicles
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
- NHTSA 16V119000Feb 29, 2016Brakes46,859 vehicles
Service brakes
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.
Risk: If the brake relay fails, longer distances or additional brake effort would be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2013 Nissan Leaf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 129 MPG
- Highway
- 102 MPG
- Combined
- 115 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $650
- 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.
2013 compared with other Leaf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Nissan Leaf reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2013 Leaf a Complaint Index of 53, ranking it 8th worst among the 16 model years with data, and it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Leaf years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Nissan Leaf?
- Brakes account for 40% of complaints (32 of 81), followed by the electrical system at 22% and airbags at 21%, according to NHTSA complaint data.
- Does the 2013 Nissan Leaf have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 16V119000 covers 2013-2015 Leaf vehicles where the electronic brake booster relay could malfunction in very cold temperatures.
- How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Leaf have?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2013 Nissan Leaf, covering brakes, airbags, and other components.
- How does the 2013 Leaf compare to other years?
- The 2013 Leaf's Complaint Index of 53 is worse than the 2012 (47), 2014 (33), and 2017 (13) model years, but better than 2015 (80), 2019 (100), and 2020 (93).