2021 Nissan Leaf problems and recalls

57% of owner complaints on the 2021 Nissan Leaf related to the Electrical System (31 of 54).

54
Complaints
4
Recalls
2
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
1
Injuries
69.5
Severity index

Severity index 69.5 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 69.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 29 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 68% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 31 complaints (57.4%)31 57%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 13 complaints (24.1%)13 24%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 8 complaints (14.8%)8 15%EngineEngine: 6 complaints (11.1%)6 11%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 6 complaints (11.1%)6 11%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 3 complaints (5.6%)3 6%Power TrainPower Train: 3 complaints (5.6%)3 6%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 3 complaints (5.6%)3 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3157.4%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1324.1%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM814.8%
ENGINE611.1%
VISIBILITY/WIPER611.1%
BACK OVER PREVENTION35.6%
POWER TRAIN35.6%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE35.6%

Complaints filed per year

011222021: 12022: 42023: 82024: 52025: 142026: 22 (partial year)21222324252622
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20211
20224
20238
20245
202514
2026 (year to date)22
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 5.4x those in 2021 to 2022 (27 against 5).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
23V04800002/02/2023EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUALNissan 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 re
23V49400017/07/2023VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNissan 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.
24V07100002/02/2024BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERANissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2022 LEAF vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standar
25V65500001/10/2025ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERYNissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2022 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.

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 2026-09-04. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.