RoadVitals

2023 Nissan Leaf

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
+3 complaints in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Jul 17, 2023
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
7

Overview

Our database contains 23 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2023 Nissan Leaf, most frequently naming the driver assistance, electrical and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 60 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical517.9%
  • Visibility310.7%
  • Brakes310.7%
  • Fuel system27.1%
  • Powertrain (other)27.1%
  • Steering13.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Jul 17, 2023
66,159 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Nissan North America, Inc.Manufacturer number R23A6View on NHTSA.gov

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

May 22, 2023
758 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Nissan North America, Inc.Manufacturer number PC976View on NHTSA.gov

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Feb 2, 2023
64,732 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Nissan North America, Inc.Manufacturer number R22C5View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 27, 2026
Crash reported

On 10/24/2026 at approximately 6:10 PM, I was driving this 2023 Nissan Leaf SV Plus (under 20,000 miles) southbound on I-575 in Woodstock, GA, with Intelligent Cruise Control and e-Pedal both engaged. When traffic ahead slowed, the vehicle did not slow down. I applied the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not decelerate as expected, and it struck the rear of the vehicle ahead. No warning I am aware of preceded the event. Earlier on the same drive, the vehicle also did not slow as expected when I braked for a yellow light, until I pressed the brake pedal very hard. No injuries. The vehicle sustained significant front-end damage. Police report: Woodstock PD Case WO26-003692. The vehicle is being preserved for inspection, including Event Data Recorder download. I will submit diagnostic and EDR results when available.

NHTSA ID
11773945
Incident
Oct 24, 2026
Electrical
Filed Oct 20, 2026

I am requesting information regarding the scope of Nissan's high-voltage battery safety recall 25V-655 (Nissan campaign R25C8) and whether early-production 2023 Nissan LEAF vehicles have been evaluated for the same potential defect. Vehicle information: Vehicle: 2023 Nissan LEAF SV Plus VIN: [XXX] Assembly plant: [XXX] Manufacture date: September 2022 Battery: 60+ kWh lithium-ion Battery ID reported by LeafSpy: N5M10318 Current mileage: Approximately 36,000 miles According to Nissan's XXX recall filing, Nissan identified 19,077 affected 2021–2022 LEAF vehicles using its production records. My vehicle was manufactured at the same Smyrna facility approximately four months after the currently identified recalled vehicle production period. I am concerned about whether the high-voltage battery installed in my vehicle may share cells, components, or manufacturing characteristics with the affected battery population. On XXX, I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs to request clarification. Nissan established Case #XXX. During subsequent correspondence, Nissan repeatedly stated that the information I requested was unavailable. On October 8, Nissan specifically advised that it needed three additional business days to consult appropriate technical experts and promised a detailed response. However, its XXX and XXX responses provided no technical findings and did not confirm whether my vehicle's battery-production records had been reviewed. Nissan instead reiterated that recalls are VIN-specific. I understand that my vehicle is not currently identified as part of recall [XXX]. My concern is whether Nissan has adequately evaluated the early 2023 LEAF production population for the same safety condition. I respectfully request clarification on the following questions: Has Nissan provided NHTSA with findings regarding its investigation of 2023–2024 LEAF vehicles for the battery condition associated INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11772361
Incident
Oct 7, 2026
Electrical
Filed Oct 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds on multiple occasions, the battery warning light illuminated, and an unknown warning message displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where diagnostic testing was performed; however, the contact was informed that the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,900.

NHTSA ID
11771193
Incident
Sep 1, 2026
Mileage
33,900 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 4, 2026

My Nissan Leaf entered turtle mode on the freeways 8 times over the course of about a week and a half. This causes the car to slow itself down, and severely limit acceleration. The first time was on August 16th, 2026. This is incredibly dangerous, especially on the interstate. No one expects a car to be going 35mph on I-10, or any highway, therefore, this could have easily caused a severe rear end accident. I took it to Nissan of Mission Hills in Los Angeles for inspection after the first 4 times, they claimed that they couldn’t touch it without permission from corporate, and the next day said everything is fine. Due to severe safety concerns, I didn’t want to be driving it any longer and had to give it up for bank repossession. I have attached the photo of the slip from the dealer that did not fix the issue and a photo of the warning light.

NHTSA ID
11762055
Incident
Aug 16, 2026
Filed Jun 16, 2026

The image displayed on the dashboard when backing up is, occasionally, blank. This only happens sporadically. When it does happen, it is annoying and dangerous.

NHTSA ID
11744473
Incident
May 21, 2026
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jun 12, 2026

The vehicle has experienced approximately ten+ incidents while driving at freeway speeds on dry roads where the traction-control indicator illuminated and the vehicle unexpectedly lost power. During these events, the vehicle would not accelerate normally despite accelerator input, and vehicle speed decreased significantly. The incidents occurred under normal driving conditions and were not associated with any apparent loss of traction. The vehicle was inspected by a Nissan dealership, but the concern could not be reproduced and no root cause has been identified. A case has been opened with Nissan North America. I am reporting this because unexpected loss of propulsion at highway speeds creates a potential safety hazard. The speed decreases from 70mph to around 30-40mph on the freeway suddenly.

NHTSA ID
11743717
Incident
Jun 10, 2026
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Apr 6, 2026

Backup camera image intermittently goes out and just shows a mostly black image. It appears to match a previous recall that does not yet cover our model year (2023): 24V071000. The image can sometimes be restored by slamming the hatchback shut, but it is not a permanent fix.

NHTSA ID
11729340
Incident
Apr 6, 2026
Filed Nov 18, 2025

Heat from HVAC system stops working at temperatures below 20 degrees F. It starts blowing cold air and cannot keep up with the cold, to the point that it becomes dangerously cold in the car, especially for my young children.

NHTSA ID
11700046
Incident
Jan 3, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB14-032G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WIRING HARNESS REPAIR INFORMATION This bulletin is no longer active. For future reference, see the HRK mobile app and the Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC). Please discard previous versions of NTB14-032.

NTB26-048

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2018-2025 LEAF; HVAC REPROGRAM INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign on certain specific model year 2018- 2025 LEAF vehicles to inspect the current HVAC part number and, if applicable, reprogram the HVAC. This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts or labor. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Nissan has assigned identification number P6A16 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communication and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign. DEALER RESPONSIBILITY Dealers are to repair vehicles falling within range of this campaign that enter the service department. This includes vehicles purchased from private parties, vehicles presented by transient (tourists) owners, and vehicles in a dealer’s inventory.

NTB26-048

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAMPAIGN BULLETIN HVAC Defrost Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign

NTB09-131C

STRUCTURE:BODY

CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

NTB09-131C

STRUCTURE:BODY

CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

NTB15-049CC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION HINT: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 4G network compatible TCU. TCUs compatible with 3G network only are no longer supported. SERVICE INFORMATION The APPLIED VEHICLES that come equipped with a factory installed SOS switch, located near the overhead map lamp, also come equipped with a wireless communication device called a Telematics Communication Unit (TCU). With an active NissanConnect® Services subscription, the TCU communicates with the NissanConnect® Services Data Center to provide various security and convenience services. This bulletin contains important service procedures that must be performed properly in order to set-up and maintain the telematics system for the APPLIED VEHICLES. · A table has been provided on the next page that lists the steps required to successfully configure a TCU after it has been replaced. · A CHECK-OFF SHEET has been provided on page 20 to print and check off steps as they are performed. Staple the completed CHECK-OFF SHEET to the repair order.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan Leaf by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026320—
2025700—
2024500—
2023Viewing233066.0
2022974170.2
2021594172.1
20201686165.3
20192615167.0
2018684168.2
2017172164.6
2016364153.5
20151114162.0
2014346363.3
2013815362.5
2012570349.4
2011950342.2
2010100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.