VehicleVerdict

2016 Nissan Leaf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Nissan Leaf sits mid-pack among Leaf years: 49 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 71, with 4 recalls and one closed investigation.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 15 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

49

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Leaf years?

Leaf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Leaf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Nissan Leaf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1531%
Electrical System1327%
Fuel System816%
Transmission36%
Engine36%
Airbags36%
Steering24%
Body & Structure12%
Other12%

Does the 2016 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.

16V436000AirbagsJune 15, 2016 · 4,355 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag.

Consequence

If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 9, 2016. 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY 2016 LEAF SL WAS DAMAGED IN A FAIRLY LOW SPEED COLLISION DURING HEAVY OFFICE RUSH TRAFFIC (AROUND 7:30AM IN THE MORNING). WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY STOPPED, I ALSO BRAKED HARD. AT THAT TIME I HEARD ABS LIKE SOUND BUT THE CAR DID NOT ACTUALLY STOP, IT KEPT ON GOING AND HIT THE CAR IN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 19, 2018 · crash

“TL* THE CONSUMER OWNED A 2016 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE ASLEEP AT THEIR RESIDENCE, THEY WERE AWOKEN BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO INFORMED THEM THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. NO INJURY WAS SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 2, 2019 · fire

“While climbing the incline section of the San Mateo Bridge in the fast lane, the Leaf shifted itself into Neutral and would not shift back into Drive. With no power, driver was forced to change lanes to the right with no power, but luckily made it over the top and down the decline to pull over.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · November 27, 2023

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · September 7, 2016

“Goes into neutral in a matter of seconds while driving at highway speeds and goes into turtle mode while on highway. A scan of the vehicle showed a number of low battery voltage codes (P0AA0, P3180, P3182, P08AF) stored when the battery was disconnected. Nissan gave no ETA on battery replacement.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 10, 2024

2016 Nissan Leaf — common questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Leaf reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 49 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Leaf year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2016 Leaf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (15 complaints), electrical system (13 complaints), fuel system (8 complaints).

Does the 2016 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Nissan Leaf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 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 2016 Nissan Leaf?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.