VehicleVerdict

2023 Nissan Leaf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2023 Nissan Leaf sits mid-pack among Leaf years: 30 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 71, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Other leads the complaint categories with 8 reports (27% of the total).

30

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2023 compare to other Leaf years?

Leaf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 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, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Leaf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Nissan Leaf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other827%
Speed Control723%
Driver Assistance413%
Visibility & Wipers310%
Electrical System310%
Brakes27%
Fuel System13%
Steering13%
Transmission13%

Does the 2023 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

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

23V494000Speed ControlJuly 17, 2023 · 66,159 units

Defect

Nissan 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.

Consequence

Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (VCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A6.

23V362000BrakesMay 22, 2023 · 758 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 LEAF vehicles. The right-hand brake tubes may have been damaged during production and could corrode, possibly causing a hole in the brake line and a brake fluid leak.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the right-hand brake tube, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC976.

23V048000OtherFebruary 2, 2023 · 64,732 units

Defect

Nissan 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 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 April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Soon after I leased this Leaf, I noticed shifting interference. It grew steadily worse over the 3 or so months I kept the Leaf. Toward the end of that time period, it took a great deal of maneuvering of the shift knob to get into the correct direction. It would flip back from position before it…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 15, 2023 · crash

“After backing up and then putting the car in Drive, without warning the car accelerated uncontrollably accelerted, spun around twice and struck another vehicle before stopping.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · May 8, 2024 · crash

“The car (2023 Nissan Leaf SV Plus) was being driven down an urban street during daylight hours and in good weather (no precipitation). The car was being driven in the middle lane, between the right lane and the left turn lane, and at slow speed, as it had been stopped for a stop light. There was a…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 4, 2022

“Backup camera image intermittently goes out and just shows a mostly black image. It appears to match a previous recall that does not yet cover our model year (2023): 24V071000. The image can sometimes be restored by slamming the hatchback shut, but it is not a permanent fix. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · April 6, 2026

“I pulled into a parking spot and to ensure I stopped when I wanted to, I braked. The car accelerated, smashing into a building. I always drive in eco mode and generally use the e-pedal which was on at the time. I’m not sure if either or a combination of those may have been a factor in what…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 2, 2024 · crash

2023 Nissan Leaf — common questions

Is the 2023 Nissan Leaf reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 30 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Leaf year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2023 Leaf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (8 complaints), speed control (7 complaints), driver assistance (4 complaints).

Does the 2023 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Nissan Leaf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

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.