2018 Nissan Leaf Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Nissan Leaf has 66 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 60, ranking 7th worst out of 16 model years, with a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 30% of complaints, alongside four recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #7 of 16 Leaf years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 66
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 112
- 125 city / 100 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2018 Nissan Leaf problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes20 (30%)
- Electrical System18 (27%)
- Engine16 (24%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (20%)
- Fuel System12 (18%)
- Other8 (12%)
- Airbags5 (8%)
- Steering5 (8%)
- Structure & Body4 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (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 describe the vehicle suddenly accelerating on its own at low speeds while parking or pulling into a spot, sometimes ending in a collision.
- Several drivers report the brake pedal failing to stop the car during unintended acceleration events, with the pedal going soft or unresponsive.
- Some owners say the car applies sudden, hard braking with no driver input and no obstacle present, occurring repeatedly after delivery.
- With Nissan's e-Pedal engaged, regenerative braking sometimes disengages unexpectedly, causing the car to coast instead of slow down.
- One owner reported dash warning lights, pulsing brake pedal feel, and reduced braking power while descending a hill, requiring the car to be steered into a barrier to stop.
2018 Nissan Leaf recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V071000Feb 2, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras57,914 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2022 LEAF vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23D7.
- NHTSA 23V494000Jul 17, 2023Engine66,159 vehicles
Vehicle speed control
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The vehicle may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed ("D" to "B"; e-Pedal "On"; or "ECO" mode) after disengaging the cruise control.
Risk: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (VCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A6.
- NHTSA 23V048000Feb 2, 2023HVAC64,732 vehicles
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 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 April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.
2018 Nissan Leaf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 125 MPG
- Highway
- 100 MPG
- Combined
- 112 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $700
- 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.
2018 compared with other Leaf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Nissan Leaf reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2018 Leaf a complaint index of 60, ranking 7th worst among 16 model years, and it carries a Caution verdict relative to other Leaf years.
- What problems does the 2018 Nissan Leaf have?
- Brakes are the top complaint area at 30% of the 66 total complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 27% and engine complaints at 24%. Owners also reported collision avoidance camera problems and fuel system concerns.
- Does the 2018 Nissan Leaf have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2018 Leaf, covering the rearview camera harness, unintended acceleration tied to drive mode changes, incorrect defroster instructions, and back-up camera software.
- How does the 2018 Leaf compare to other model years?
- The 2018 Leaf's complaint index of 60 is worse than 2017 (13, Best) and 2016 (27, Good), but better than 2019 (100, Avoid), 2015 (80, Avoid), and 2020 (93, Avoid).
- What is the median mileage for brake complaints on the 2018 Leaf?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 12,000 miles for brake-related issues on the 2018 Leaf.