2021 Nissan Leaf Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Nissan Leaf has 55 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 73, ranking 5th worst out of 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Electrical System problems, including battery fires during charging, dominate at 60% of complaints, backed by four recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 Leaf years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 55
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 108
- 118 city / 97 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2021 Nissan Leaf problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System33 (60%)
- Other13 (24%)
- Fuel System9 (16%)
- Engine6 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras6 (11%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
- Brakes1 (2%)
- Lane Departure1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Battery packs have ignited into fire during or shortly after Level 3 quick charging, in some cases with no warning lights before the fire started.
- Owners report an "EV system" service warning that leaves the vehicle unable to restart after the power is turned off.
- The charging port hood has flown open while driving on the highway.
- The forward emergency braking (FEB) system light has switched on and off repeatedly during a drive.
- Some owners say the shift control can slip into Neutral instead of Drive or Reverse if the start button is pressed and the shifter moved too quickly.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in two separate collisions.
2021 Nissan Leaf recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V655000Sep 30, 2025Electrical System19,077 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:charging:module:software
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2022 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.
Risk: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use Level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 16, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R25C8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 4, 2025.
- 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.
2021 Nissan Leaf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 118 MPG
- Highway
- 97 MPG
- Combined
- 108 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.
2021 compared with other Leaf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Nissan Leaf reliable?
- NHTSA lists 55 complaints for the 2021 Leaf and a complaint index of 73, which ranks 5th worst among the 16 model years covered. It carries a Caution verdict relative to other Leaf years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Nissan Leaf?
- The Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 60% of complaints (33 of 55), including battery fires reported at a median mileage of 35,000.
- Does the 2021 Nissan Leaf have a battery fire recall?
- Yes. Recall 25V655000 covers 2021-2022 Leaf vehicles with a Level 3 quick charging port; NHTSA says the lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging. Owners are advised not to use Level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed.
- How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Leaf have?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2021 Leaf, covering the electrical system/battery, the rearview camera harness, unintended acceleration during driving-mode changes, and incorrect defroster instructions.
- How does the 2021 Leaf compare to other Leaf years?
- With a complaint index of 73, the 2021 Leaf ranks worse than years like 2017 (index 13, Best) and 2024 (index 7, Best), but better than 2019 (index 100, Avoid) and 2015 (index 80, Avoid).