Nissan Leaf Problems, Recalls and Mobile Repair
1,092 owner complaints and 18 safety recalls are on file with NHTSA for 2008–2024 Leaf models. Here is what owners report most, which years drew the most complaints, and which fixes a mobile mechanic can do where the car sits.
NHTSA data pulled September 2026.
The most reported Leaf problems
The systems named most often in NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 Nissan Leaf models, and whether a mobile mechanic can usually help. A complaint can name more than one system.
| System | Complaints | Share | Mobile mechanic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 516 | 47% | Often in the driveway |
| Brakes | 242 | 22% | Usually on the spot |
| Fuel system | 135 | 12% | Diagnose first |
| Airbags | 91 | 8% | Dealer or recall |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 59 | 5% | Usually a shop |
| Throttle and cruise control | 55 | 5% | Diagnose first |
| Driver-assist systems | 54 | 5% | Dealer or recall |
| Engine | 48 | 4% | Diagnose first |
Symptoms owners describe
Complaints are reports owners file with NHTSA, the federal vehicle-safety agency. NHTSA does not verify each one, and a year or model that sold more cars usually gets more complaints, so treat the counts as a map of what to check, not a reliability score. Data pulled from NHTSA's public complaint and recall databases in September 2026.
Complaints by model year
The 2019 Leaf drew the most complaints (259). Newer years have had less time on the road, so their counts are still growing.
Nissan Leaf recalls
18 safety recalls cover 2008–2024 Leaf models. The most recent 12 are below.
| Reported | Campaign | Model years | System | What can happen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-10 | 25V655000 | 2021–2022 | Electrical system | A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire. |
| 2024-09 | 24V700000 | 2019–2020 | Electrical system | A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire. |
| 2024-02 | 24V071000 | 2018–2022 | Driver-assist systems | A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-07 | 23V494000 | 2018–2023 | Throttle and cruise control | Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-05 | 23V362000 | 2023 | Brakes | A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-04 | 23V296000 | 2013–2017 | Equipment | Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2023-02 | 23V048000 | 2018–2023 | Equipment | Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 2020-09 | 20V570000 | 2020 | Wipers, windows and mirrors | Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 2020-07 | 20V412000 | 2020 | Driver-assist systems | The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. |
| 2019-09 | 19V654000 | 2018–2019 | Driver-assist systems | The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. |
| 2017-04 | 17V253000 | 2015–2017 | Airbags | In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers. |
| 2016-06 | 16V436000 | 2016 | Airbags | If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. |
Plus 6 older recalls. Check your VIN for the full list.
Safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work. Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls on your exact car. "Park it" means NHTSA and the maker say not to drive the vehicle until it is fixed.
What Leaf owners told NHTSA
“Additionally, the 12 volt battery would not charge, and the doors would not unlock to open.”
“Additionally, the 12 volt battery would not charge, and the doors would not unlock to open.”
“When applying brakes, at a point in the pedal travel the vehicle deceleration goes from too little to vastly too much.”
“The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the front end started shaking and vibrating due to a suspension failure.”
What a mobile mechanic can do on a Leaf
An electric Leaf has no oil, spark plugs or exhaust, but it still has a 12-volt battery, brakes, tires, suspension, wipers and cabin filters – and a mobile mechanic can handle most of that where the car is parked.
The high-voltage battery, drive unit, charging hardware, software and driver-assist calibration go to the brand's service center. Recall repairs are free there. Electric cars: what a mobile mechanic can and can't do
Common jobs on any car
| Job | Repair shop average | Mobile mechanics we list | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake pads, per axle | $335–394 | $125–215 | Pads and rotors: $310–390 mobile, $549–629 at a shop |
| Wheel bearing / hub | $346–504 | Quoted after a look | Per wheel. Too few published mobile prices to show a range |
Repair shop average: RepairPal national estimates, parts and labor before tax (updated Sep 3, 2026); pads and rotors from Kelley Blue Book (Jun 2026). Mobile: the middle half of prices that 90 mechanics listed on MobileMechanics.ai publish on their own websites (checked Oct 2026); some are labor only, so ask whether parts are included. Prices vary by vehicle and city; the mechanic quotes after looking. How we got these numbers
We have no published price range for EV 12-volt batteries yet – ask for a written quote.
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Nissan Leaf recalls and news
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Nissan Leaf: questions
What are the most common Nissan Leaf problems?
In NHTSA owner complaints for 2008–2024 models, the systems named most often are the electrical system, brakes, fuel system. The 2019 model year drew the most complaints (259).
How many recalls does the Nissan Leaf have?
NHTSA lists 18 safety recalls covering 2008–2024 models. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to your car.
Are Nissan Leaf recall repairs free?
Yes, safety recall repairs are done free by the brand's dealers. A mobile mechanic cannot do recall work, but can fix most other problems where the car is parked.
Can a mobile mechanic work on a Nissan Leaf?
Yes, on the parts shared with any car: the 12-volt battery, brakes, tires, suspension, wipers and filters. High-voltage, charging and software work goes to the brand's service center. Find a mobile mechanic in your city.
Where this data comes from
- NHTSA – vehicle safety complaints (public complaint database)
- NHTSA – recalls lookup by VIN
- NHTSA – Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC)
Complaint and recall records for Nissan Leaf model years in range, retrieved September 2026. Owner quotes are short excerpts from public NHTSA complaint records, lightly cased for reading.