Nissan Leaf years to avoid
The Nissan Leaf years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2015, 2022, 2013, 2011, 2018 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation. The 2010 is the cleanest year on record.
1,501
Total complaints
20
Recall campaigns
2010–2026
Years covered
7
Years to avoid
Complaints by model year
Leaf years to avoid
| Year | Why | Complaints | vs avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | High complaint rate | 320 | |
| 2020 | High complaint rate | 222 | |
| 2015 | High complaint rate | 144 | |
| 2022 | High complaint rate | 137 | |
| 2013 | High complaint rate | 120 | |
| 2011 | High complaint rate | 117 | |
| 2018 | High complaint rate | 117 |
Every Leaf year
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2025 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 30 | 3 | |
| 2022avoid | 137 | 4 | |
| 2021 | 79 | 4 | |
| 2020avoid | 222 | 6 | |
| 2019avoid | 320 | 5 | |
| 2018avoid | 117 | 4 | |
| 2017 | 27 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 50 | 4 | |
| 2015avoid | 144 | 4 | |
| 2014 | 45 | 6 | |
| 2013avoid | 120 | 5 | |
| 2012 | 71 | 0 | |
| 2011avoid | 117 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
Common questions
What are the worst Nissan Leaf years?
Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Leaf years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2015, 2022, 2013, 2011, 2018. The cleanest year on record is 2010.
What is the best year for the Nissan Leaf?
By complaint volume, 2010 has the cleanest NHTSA record among Leaf years with enough data to compare.
How many recalls does the Nissan Leaf have?
Across all model years, the Leaf has 20 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,501 consumer complaints on file.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.