VehicleVerdict

2015 Nissan Leaf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 141 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Leaf year — the 2015 model ranks #3 of 17 Leaf years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 59% of all reports (83 of 141), far ahead of electrical system at 20. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

141

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

9

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other Leaf years?

Leaf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted312 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 117 complaints2012: 71 complaints2013: 120 complaints2014: 45 complaints2015: 141 complaints2016: 49 complaints2017: 27 complaints2018: 112 complaints2019: 312 complaints2020: 214 complaints2021: 76 complaints2022: 131 complaints2023: 30 complaints2024: 5 complaints2025: 10 complaints2026: 4 complaints
Leaf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Leaf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Nissan Leaf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes8359%
Electrical System2014%
Other96%
Airbags86%
Speed Control86%
Engine32%
Transmission32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Fuel System21%
Seats11%

Does the 2015 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V296000OtherApril 26, 2023 · 94,343 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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."

Consequence

Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.

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 May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.

17V253000AirbagsApril 13, 2017 · 30,038 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

16V244000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 3,296,947 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

16V119000BrakesFebruary 29, 2016 · 46,859 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.

Consequence

If the brake relay fails, longer distances or additional brake effort would be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I WAS DRIVING FOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I WAS GOING 45 MPH. I WAS TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND HIM. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I THEN SLAMMED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, BUT I ENDED UP REAR ENDING HIM. IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS ON ICE, BUT THE ROADS WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 5, 2018 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN LEAF. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 27, 2015

“URBAN STREETS, DRIVING AT 30-40MPH AS POSTED, AT STOPS SEVERAL TIMES THE VEHICLE FELT AS ONE WOULD WHEN SKIDDING ON GRAVEL OR ICE, WHICH CAUSED ME TO HIT THE BRAKE HARDER, THEN THE CAR STOPPED IN A JERKY, FAST WAY.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 9, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 NISSAN LEAF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END THREE VEHICLE COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 12, 2016 · crash

“I was driving with one passenger going at very low speed. I began to turn into parking area and suddenly the car accelerated at an alarming speed. I applied total pressure on the brake to no avail, it did not override the acceleration. I steered into the back of another parked vehicle. The impact…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 28, 2022 · crash

2015 Nissan Leaf — common questions

Is the 2015 Nissan Leaf reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 141 complaints put the 2015 model at #3 of 17 Leaf years. It is one of the Leaf years to avoid.

What are the most common 2015 Leaf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (83 complaints), electrical system (20 complaints), other (9 complaints).

Does the 2015 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 Nissan Leaf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2015 Nissan Leaf under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Leaf years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Leaf years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2015, 2022, 2013, 2011, 2018. The cleanest record among Leaf years belongs to 2010.

How safe is the 2015 Nissan Leaf?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 Nissan Leaf earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.