2012 Nissan Leaf problems and recalls

The 2012 Nissan Leaf has no recalls on file. Owners have filed 57 complaints, most often on the Service Brakes.

57
Complaints
0
Recalls
6
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
6
Injuries
84.7
Severity index

Severity index 84.7 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 84.7p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 31 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 76% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Service BrakesService Brakes: 22 complaints (38.6%)22 39%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 15 complaints (26.3%)15 26%Air BagsAir Bags: 11 complaints (19.3%)11 19%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 4 complaints (7.0%)4 7%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 3 complaints (5.3%)3 5%Seat BeltsSeat Belts: 3 complaints (5.3%)3 5%EngineEngine: 2 complaints (3.5%)2 4%SeatsSeats: 2 complaints (3.5%)2 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
SERVICE BRAKES2238.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1526.3%
AIR BAGS1119.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL47.0%
VISIBILITY/WIPER35.3%
SEAT BELTS35.3%
ENGINE23.5%
SEATS23.5%

Complaints filed per year

06122012: 42013: 122014: 72015: 52016: 42017: 22018: 32019: 62020: 32021: 22022: 22023: 42024: 12025: 12026: 1 (partial year)12131214151617181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20124
201312
20147
20155
20164
20172
20183
20196
20203
20212
20222
20234
20241
20251
2026 (year to date)1
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (6 against 7).

Other Nissan Leaf model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.