2023 Nissan Leaf Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2023 Nissan Leaf has a complaint index of 40, ranking 10th out of 16 model years, with a Good verdict. NHTSA logged 20 complaints, 3 recalls, and 6 crashes, with Engine issues (mostly unintended acceleration) the top problem area at 40% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #10 of 16 Leaf years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 20
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 110
- 122 city / 98.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2023 Nissan Leaf problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (40%)
- Other8 (40%)
- Electrical System3 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (15%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (15%)
- Brakes2 (10%)
- Fuel System2 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (10%)
- Steering1 (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 vehicle unexpectedly accelerating forward or backward at low speed, sometimes while shifting out of park or reverse, resulting in collisions with parked or nearby vehicles.
- Some describe losing control after sudden unintended acceleration in parking areas, with airbags not deploying and the vehicle needing to be towed.
- Several drivers say the forward collision warning system flashes falsely with nothing in the road ahead, including one case linked to an overheating sensor code.
- Owners mention the backup camera intermittently showing a black screen, similar to a known issue on other model years, sometimes fixed temporarily by slamming the hatchback.
- One owner reported the EV system going dead with a dashboard warning of no power service, requiring repeated attempts over an extended time to restart the car.
- A windshield reportedly cracked from the inside without any external impact.
2023 Nissan Leaf recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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 23V362000May 22, 2023Brakes758 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 LEAF vehicles. The right-hand brake tubes may have been damaged during production and could corrode, possibly causing a hole in the brake line and a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right-hand brake tube, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC976.
- 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.
2023 Nissan Leaf fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 122 MPG
- Highway
- 98.5 MPG
- Combined
- 110 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.
2023 compared with other Leaf years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Nissan Leaf reliable?
- Compared to other Leaf model years, 2023 rates Good, with a complaint index of 40 that ranks 10th out of 16 years tracked.
- What are the most common problems with the 2023 Nissan Leaf?
- NHTSA complaints point mostly to the Engine area, accounting for 40% of complaints and including reports of unintended acceleration, followed by Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, and Visibility & Wipers issues, each at 15%.
- Does the 2023 Nissan Leaf have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2023 Leaf: one for unintended acceleration risk during drive-mode changes, one for right-hand brake tubes that may corrode and leak, and one addressing incorrect defroster instructions in the owner's manual.
- At what mileage do 2023 Leaf problems tend to show up?
- The median mileage at failure for Engine complaints, the top problem area, is 7,000 miles.
- How does the 2023 Leaf compare to other years like 2019 or 2017?
- The 2023 Leaf's complaint index of 40 is far lower than the 2019 Leaf's index of 100 (Avoid) but higher than the 2017 Leaf's index of 13 (Best).