This page covers 7 recalls, 81 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Nissan Leaf.
115 MPGe combined
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake complaints dominate the 2013 Leaf's owner reports, with drivers describing sudden and significant losses of stopping power while moving, in some cases reporting that the parking brake was the only thing that slowed the car. Several owners describe a warning light appearing alongside the brake failure, and a few note that braking ability seemed tied to the car's electrical load, with power loss events appearing to compromise brake function at the same time. Electrical system complaints are the second most reported area, covering charging equipment problems and unexpected power loss while driving. A smaller cluster of complaints involves the airbag system. The brake failure pattern is the most consistent thread: multiple owners describe the pedal becoming ineffective with little or no warning while driving at normal road speeds.
81
Total Complaints
11
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Nissan LEAF has 7 recalls, the most serious being a frozen brake relay in very cold weather that makes the brake pedal harder to push and extends stopping distances.
Recalls 1, 3, and 5 all describe the same underlying problem: when the car sits in freezing temperatures for an extended period, a relay inside the electronic brake booster can ice up, requiring noticeably more foot pressure to slow the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash. Two separate recalls also cover the passenger seat occupant detection sensor, which can malfunction and permanently suppress the front passenger airbag, leaving that seat unprotected in a crash. On the visibility side, the defroster may fail to clear the windshield in temperatures below -10°C when the fan is set to maximum speed as the owner's manual directs, and the manual itself contains incorrect defroster instructions that contribute to reduced performance under those conditions.
At a glance
What can fail
The Owner's Manual contains incorrect defroster operation instructions that may reduce defroster performance under certain conditions.
What the fix does
Nissan will mail an addendum with corrected defroster operating instructions at no cost to owners.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In temperatures below -10° C, the defroster may fail to work properly when operated at maximum fan speed as described in the owner's manual, preventing windshield defrosting.
What the fix does
Nissan will mail owners an owner's manual addendum with correct defroster settings for temperatures below -10° C.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A brake system relay may freeze when the car sits in very cold temperatures for extended periods. This can cause brake warning lights to remain on after starting and make the brake pedal feel hard, potentially increasing stopping distance while driving.
What the fix does
Nissan will send an explanatory letter about the brake warnings and extend the warranty on relay repairs by 4 years or 80,000 km.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat's occupant detection system may incorrectly identify an adult as a child or miss an occupied seat. This can cause the passenger airbag to stay off during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram or replace the occupant detection and airbag control units to ensure proper airbag operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In cold weather, the relay inside the electronic brake booster can freeze after the vehicle sits parked for a long time. This increases how hard you have to push the brake pedal and lengthens stopping distance.
What the fix does
A certified dealer will update the software in the Intelligent Brake Control Unit to prevent the relay from freezing.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In very cold temperatures, the relay in the electronic brake booster may freeze, making it harder for you to slow down the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software at no charge to restore normal braking function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger airbag's occupant detection sensors may have been made out of specification, causing the system to malfunction and permanently disable the passenger airbag.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the occupant detection sensors and replace them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
