Does the 2013 Nissan Leaf have a brake problem?

Yes. NHTSA lists 32 brake complaints for the 2013 Leaf, which is 40% of all complaints filed for that model year, including 7 crashes and 1 injury.

Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Leaf brakes?

Yes, recall 16V119000 covers 2013-2015 Leaf vehicles built between November 19, 2012 and July 31, 2015. It addresses a relay inside the electronic brake booster that can be affected by very cold temperatures; dealers reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software free of charge.

At what mileage do 2013 Leaf brake problems usually happen?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 36,000 miles at the time of the reported brake failure.

Are the brake failures dangerous?

NHTSA complaint data for this brake issue on the 2013 Leaf includes 7 crashes and 1 injury among the 32 complaints filed.

2013 Nissan Leaf Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 32 brake complaints for the 2013 Nissan Leaf, 40% of all complaints filed for the year, with 7 crashes and 1 injury reported. A related recall (16V119000) addresses a brake booster relay issue in cold temperatures. Median mileage at failure is 36,000 miles.

Brakes complaints: 32; 40% of 81
Crashes reported: 7
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 1
Median mileage: 36,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

Owners describe pressing the brake pedal firmly and getting no stopping power, sometimes resulting in a rear-end collision.
Some report the pedal going straight to the floor with little or no resistance during a sudden stop.
Others describe brakes intermittently failing to engage at low speed, especially after hitting bumps, requiring multiple pumps to work.
A few owners report the opposite problem: brakes locking on and not releasing even after taking their foot off the pedal.
Several complaints describe brake failure accompanied by a mechanical moaning sound or ABS ceasing to function during a hard stop.
One owner reported the brakes failing on three separate occasions, with a warning light appearing before the failures.

When 2013 Nissan Leaf brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 24, 2013, latest Jan 13, 2025.

32 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2013 to Jan 2025; peak Nov 2017 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2013 Nissan Leaf

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.

Brakes complaints by Leaf model year

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

20101 (100%)
201122 (23%)
201223 (40%)
201332 (40%)
201418 (53%)
201585 (77%)
201616 (44%)
20172 (12%)
201820 (30%)
201910 (4%)
20203 (2%)
20211 (2%)
20228 (9%)
20232 (10%)
20240 (0%)
20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Nissan Leaf have a brake problem?: Yes. NHTSA lists 32 brake complaints for the 2013 Leaf, which is 40% of all complaints filed for that model year, including 7 crashes and 1 injury.
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Leaf brakes?: Yes, recall 16V119000 covers 2013-2015 Leaf vehicles built between November 19, 2012 and July 31, 2015. It addresses a relay inside the electronic brake booster that can be affected by very cold temperatures; dealers reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software free of charge.
At what mileage do 2013 Leaf brake problems usually happen?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 36,000 miles at the time of the reported brake failure.
Are the brake failures dangerous?: NHTSA complaint data for this brake issue on the 2013 Leaf includes 7 crashes and 1 injury among the 32 complaints filed.