2011 Nissan Leaf Owner Complaints

Car throws a B1018 DTC, which is for the passenger seat occupancy sensor. The seat occupancy sensor failing poses a major safety risk, as it causes the airbags to not deploy properly in the event of a crash. This is a very well known issue for the 2011-2012 LEAF, and the only option Nissan gives to fix this is a full seat replacement, which is cost prohibitive at over $3000. Previously, a recall was issued for 2013-2016 LEAFs for a similar issue, but the 2011-2012 was not included in that recall.

NHTSA ID

11655282

Incident

Apr 17, 2025

Air bag sensor fault, passenger seat warning on dashboard. Confirmed sensor failure at repair shop. Notified by Nissan that sensors are DISCONTINUED parts. No alternative solution suggested. This means all airbags in this vehicle are disabled. Car has less than 40,000 miles and has years of service life left. How is Nissan allowed to discontinue supply of an essential safety component?

NHTSA ID

11650398

Incident

Aug 30, 2024

Please see thread: [XXX] My 2011 Nissan Leaf's OCS has failed randomly. I pulled the code via an Bluetooth OBD reader and the LeafSpy Pro app installed on my phone: B1018-00 09 AIR BAG Occupant Sens [Unit Fail] SRC-41. I took the car to a local dealership and was quoted over $4k for a full seat replacement with no ETA as the part is on back order. There is no option to simply replace the OCS alone and there is no workaround from Nissan to re-enable the passenger airbag without paying the $4k for the new seat. Opened a case with Nissan Consumer Affairs who advised they could do nothing for me. The repair is more expensive than the value of the vehicle. Because Nissan offers no workaround other than paying $4k for a new seat, consumers are incentivized to bypass the airbag sensor using a 3rd-party box (see here [XXX] rather than properly repair it. This is a safety issue and Nissan should do the right thing in making the repair affordable or making an official way to bypass the sensor/enable the airbags. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11602884

Incident

Jun 25, 2024

When applying brakes, at a point in the pedal travel the vehicle deceleration goes from too little to vastly too much. This makes the vehicle challenging to drive in traffic without colliding into the vehicle in front and not stopping so quickly as to cause the trailing vehicle to collide. The dealer has confirmed the behavior. There is a TSB to supposedly address the problem, and a receipt is attached of that TSB software update being applied. However, this has not changed the behavior. This is at least partially a software issue, since the vehicle blends physical brakes with EV regenerative braking.

NHTSA ID

11591749

Incident

Dec 16, 2023

Supplemental air bag warning light started blinking on 9/24/2023. It blinks regardless of whether the front passenger seat is occupied. The OCS sensor for the passenger seat failed. This should have been covered by a recall. The dealer wants over $3,000.00 to replace the seat cushion. I declined the repair. Dealer assured me that driver air bag isn't affected, so I'll operate the car without a front passenger. Dealer Estimate: Denied Repair Step Step Total: $3,687.14 Correction: inspected system, dtc b1018 for occupant sensor unit failure is present. Cleared dtc, when sitting in passenger seat, dtc came back on. Inspected continuity to passenger seat occupant sensor and found ok at this time. Diagnosis says replacement of passenger occupant sensor assembly (lower seat assembly) Labor: $588.00

NHTSA ID

11546502

Incident

Sep 24, 2023

Vehicle doesn't slow down when taking foot of the acceleration pedal. Same both power settings. It will continue to move at slow speed on level ground. It behaves as though the minimum pedal.motor speed is too fast. My concern.is that it might get very fast without any pedal. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11532380

Incident

Jul 14, 2023

My airbag sensor light went off for no reason. I took it into the dealership and was told that it would cost $3,700 to get it repaired/replaced since the seat needs to be removed. I am concerned that this safety issue is not taken care of and have read that many 2011 Leaf's are having this same issue.

NHTSA ID

11528019

Incident

Jun 14, 2023

On 05/28/23 while i was trying to park my 2011 Nissan Leaf in a parking lot, the car accelerated unexpectedly and hit a pole and fence and scratched an already parked car. Applying break did not slow down my car. I own this car since 2011 and never had an experience like this.

NHTSA ID

11525249

Incident

May 28, 2023

The airbag warning light has come on. An independent shop and the dealer say the repair is $4500 or more -- greater than the value of the vehicle, because Nissan only sells the complete passenger seat as a repair part, and requires the airbag be paired with the car at the dealer. I ask that this situation be resolved by Nissan making just the seat cushion available as a repair part, as they have for recalls of airbags on other model year cars. The SAFETY problem is that Nissan's refusal to sell a repair part, leads to a FISCAL INCENTIVE TO BYPASS THE AIRBAG. See also NHTSA #: 08V-521

NHTSA ID

11524494

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

Air bag occupant sensor in front passenger seat failure causing air bag system shut off. DTC Code: B 1018 Description: Air Bag Occupant Sensor (Unit Fail). Well documented common failure of this critical safety component on the Nissan Leaf Forum. Sensor is not available to replace the defective part and a recall campaign was issued by Nissan, but doesn't cover 2011-2012 models. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The system scan revealed the DTC Code. Code returns after code clearing. Component has not been inspected by manufacturer. Air Bag Warning indicator lamp and Air Bag Off X 2 lamp illuminated.

NHTSA ID

11480818

Incident

Aug 23, 2022

Passenger airbag sensor is not working. When car is turned on and driving, the dashboard continually displays a red flashing warning light indicating an airbag malfunction. There is also a message that the passenger air bag is off. Newer Nissan Leaf models have had the same problem and have been recalled, but not the 2011 year. It should be recalled. Estimated cost to fix is $3000. Seat bottom was replaced in 2016.

NHTSA ID

11473727

Incident

Jul 13, 2022

Airbag light comes on when it should not. Vehicle disables the passenger airbag because it has code B1018. Airbag should not disable when an adult is sitting in the passenger seat. Code can be reset, but will come back any time someone sits in the passenger seat, regardless of size.

NHTSA ID

11464595

Incident

May 12, 2022

The air bag sensor unit failed. The car only has 5271 miles on it and it was stored in a warm garage since 2011. This failure isn't due to use so it must be a manufacturing defect.

NHTSA ID

11437896

Incident

Oct 20, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that the Telematics Control Unit, which locates the nearest charging station, was inoperable and could not be upgraded. Additionally, the 12 Volt battery would not charge, and the doors would not unlock to open. The windows would not roll up, and the gear shifter would not shift out of park into neutral. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. However, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11434534

Incident

Sep 25, 2021

Mileage

40,000 mi

2011 NISSAN LEAF VEHICLES IS DEFECTIVE AND AFFECTS THE PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG. I HAVE A FAULTY OCS SYSTEM FOR THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR AND I WILL NEED TO SCRAP THE CAR RATHER THAN PAY THE 4-6 THOUSAND DOLLAR COST OF A NEW PASSENGER SEAT.M I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RESET THE ODBC CODE BUT NOW ITS NOT ALLOWING ME TO DO THAT ANYMORE

NHTSA ID

11413946

Incident

Dec 20, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

WHEN I ACCELERATED FROM A STOP ON A CITY STREET TO TURN LEFT ON MY WAY HOME THE ENGINE LOST POWER EVEN AS I PUSHED THE ACCELERATED PEDAL MORE TILL THE CAR ALMOST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL ACCELERATION POWER AFTER I PREPARED TO PULL OVER OUT OF TRAFFIC. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON.

NHTSA ID

11413725

Incident

Apr 24, 2021

Mileage

44,000 mi

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON AND DRIVING, THE DASHBOARD CONTINUALLY DISPLAYS A RED FLASHING WARNING LIGHT INDICATING AN AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. THERE IS ALSO A MESSAGE CONTINUOUSLY DISPLAYING THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF. NEWER NISSAN LEAF MODELS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT NOT THE 2011 YEAR. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. ESTIMATED COST TO FIX IS $3000.

NHTSA ID

11406264

Incident

Dec 15, 2020

Mileage

49,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING. PASSENGER AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED. DEALER FIX IS A NEED A NEW PASSENGER SEAT AT A COST OF $3,000+. CURRENT FAULT CODE IS B1018. OCCUPANT SENSOR UNIT FAIL. SEAT IS PERFECT AND NO ONE SITS ON IT - IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. THIS IS A KNOWN IISSUE

NHTSA ID

11385388

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

2011 NISSAN LEAF HAS CODE B1018 OCCUPANT SENS(UNIT FAIL) FOLLOWING A CUP OF WATER SPILLED ON FRONT SEAT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT TIME. ONLY PROPOSED REMEDY IS TO REPLACE FRONT SEAT AND SENSOR FOR ~$2,624. 2013-2016 LEAF WERE RECALLED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 16V244000; PLEASE EXPAND RECALL TO 2011 & 2012 NISSAN LEAF.

NHTSA ID

11374557

Incident

Oct 1, 2020

Mileage

62,000 mi

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING. PASSENGER AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED. DEALER FIX IS A NEED A NEW PASSENGER SEAT AT A COST OF $3,000+. CURRENT FAULT CODE IS B1018. OCCUPANT SENSOR UNIT FAIL. NO DAMAGE TO SEAT OR CUSHION. IT JUST STOPPED WORKING. SAFETY ISSUE. SAFETY RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED.

NHTSA ID

11341967

Incident

Jul 20, 2020

Mileage

87,344 mi

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2011 NISSAN LEAF VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. I QUICKLY NOTICED THAT MY BATTERY CAPACITY WAS AT 5 BARS AND THE VEHICLE HAS 73300 MILES. I ALSO NOTICED THE EV SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND LET THEM KNOW THAT I WAS GOING TO NEED A NEW BATTERY BUT WANTED TO KNOW THE HISTORY OF THE VEHICLES BATTERY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE DEGRADATION OF THE VEHICLES BATTERY WOULD FALL INTO THE SEVERE CATEGORY AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS IN BETWEEN OWNERS AT THE TIME NO ONE TOOK IT IN FOR A BATTERY REPLACEMENT. CURRENTLY IN 2020 THE 2011 VEHICLE IS AT 5 BARS MEANING THAT IF THE BATTERY ONLY LOST ONE BAR IN THE LAST YEAR THE BATTERY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE LOST MORE THAN 50% CAPACITY WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE 8 YR/100,000MILES EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ME WITH ANY VEHICLE BATTERY INFORMATION ALTHOUGH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEALER DID CONFIRM THAT THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT LAST YEAR. THEY THEN QUOTED ME $6600 FOR A BATTERY REPLACEMENT. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND A LETTER FROM NISSAN WHICH STATES THAT THE VEHICLE WARRANTY WOULD BE EFFECTIVE FOR 2011 MODELS WITH IMPLEMENTATION STARTING SOMETIME IN SPRING OF 2013. NISSAN SO FAR IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE BATTERY OR ASSIST IN THE REPAIR ALTHOUGH THE WARRANTY WOULD HAVE COVERED THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE HAS COME CLOSE TO TURNING OFF WHILE I'VE BEEN ON THE ROAD. I AM AFRAID OF MY CARS BATTERY DYING WHILE I'M ON THE ROAD. IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324686

Incident

May 14, 2020

Mileage

73,300 mi

AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES INDICATING AIR BAG SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. IT CAN BE RESET BY RECYCLING THE CAR ON/OFF 3 TIME WITHIN CERTAIN TIME LIMITS. THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AGAIN WITHIN ABOUT 5-20 MILES OF DRIVING. SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER NISSAN LEAFS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. NISSAN DEALER WANTS $250 AND CHANGE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEN TELL ME WHAT THE SOLUTION IS, BUT EVERYBODY ALREADY KNOWS THE SOLUTION IN A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SENSOR. THE NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS OFFICE INSISTS THAT I PAY THE DIAGNOSIS FEE DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DASH BOARD LIGHT ALREADY DIAGNOSES THIS PROBLEM, WHICH ALONG WITH THE KNOW HISTORY OF NISSAN LEAF CLEARLY POINTS TO THE KNOWN PROBLEM. NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS SAYS "WE WILL CONSIDER GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE" - AFTER I PAY THE DIAGNOSIS, BUT LATER IN THE CALL NOTED THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO IT IS CLEAR NO GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE IS BEING CONSIDERED. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER (HAYWARD) TELLS ME THAT HE HAS HAD A NUMBER OF LEAFS IN WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING AND IT COULD BE "ANYTHING FROM A LOOSE CONNECTOR TO THE WIRING HARNESS," WHICH INTERESTINGLY IS A SET OF POSSIBILITIES THAT EXCLUDES THE SENSOR/SEAT REPLACEMENT WHICH IS THE WELL KNOWN FIX. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE. THANKS.

NHTSA ID

11311406

Incident

Feb 25, 2020

Mileage

108,000 mi

THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL PROGRAM. NISSAN HAS NOT HELPED AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO EMAILS OR QUESTIONS ON TWITTER. AT LOW SPEEDS THE BRAKES WILL SPORADICALLY ENGAGE AND DISENGAGE WITH REGENERATIVE BRAKING ENABLED. THEY WILL SOMETIMES CATCH WHICH CAUSES SUDDEN STOPPING OR SKIDDING IN HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. THEY WILL ALSO NOT ENGAGE UNTIL THEY ARE PRESSED EXTREMELY HARD WHICH WILL ALSO CAUSE SUDDEN BRAKING AND CAN BE HAZARDOUS IN TRAFFIC OR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. I'VE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO REACH NISSAN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE, BUT THEY DO NOT RESPOND. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT TIMES.

NHTSA ID

11298175

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

Mileage

60,000 mi

PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS SHUT OFF. DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID I NEED A NEW PASSENGER SEAT AT A COST OF $3,182. CURRENT FAULT CODE IS B1018.

NHTSA ID

11290303

Incident

Oct 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH DOWN A MOUNTAIN, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT BRAKING ABILITY AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE HILL DESCENT ASSIST FAILED TO ENGAGE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VALLEY NISSAN OF STAUNTON (297 LEE JACKSON HWY, STAUNTON, VIRGINIA 24401, (540) 213-9600) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING WAS NOT RESPONSIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ADDITIONAL TESTING SHOULD BE PERFORMED ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11288434

Incident

Jan 1, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi