10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,554 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Nissan Leaf electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Nissan Leaf Owner Comments

problem #13

Aug 172023

Leaf

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car stops completely due to a defective battery should be recalled by dealer manufacturer

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #12

Jul 102022

Leaf

  • miles
I believe my newly purchased 2012 Nissan LEAF is suffering from the same passenger-side airbag faulty sensor problem that has been documented in NHTSA case id: 11234415. I am experiencing the same flashing warning lights when I operate the vehicle. There are no signs of damage or tampering with the passenger-side seat. I will do my best to make the vehicle available for inspection upon request. I am worried that the faulty senor, if unfixed, might be shutting off the whole airbag deployment safety system. If it is doing that, Nissan MUST recall these vehicles for repair! A previous owner took the vehicle to the dealership that originally sold the car and their service center reported that the problem was a known issue. [NOTE: Date of Incident in this report refers to date of purchase of the vehicle, NOT the date that the problem began to occur. I do not have that information available to me.]

- Mililani, HI, USA

problem #11

Jul 012020

Leaf

  • 59,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that the electric battery was unable to be recharged, making the vehicle inoperable. The contact stated that with the remaining charge in the battery, the vehicle was driven to the local dealer coral springs Nissan located 9350 West atlantic blvd, coral springs, fl 33071, who diagnosed that the onboard charger was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

problem #10

Jan 152020

Leaf

  • 14,340 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that the battery box was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to king windward Nissan located at (45-568 kamehameha hwy, kaneohe, hi 96744, (808) 439-6901) and was informed that an inspection was performed and found ev battery case and bolts showed severe rust and that the mechanic was unable to remove bolts from the case. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 14,340.

- Kailua, HI, USA

problem #9

Mar 072019

Leaf

  • miles
Since I bought this car it has never gotten a full charge. Even when I turn off all the timers and charge for 2 days I can only go 50 miles tops and the power battery bar only goes to 5 bars. I just bought this car and I'm scared to pay more for a new battery. As it might as well be purchasing a new car😭😥

- Northridge, CA, USA

problem #8

Jan 182018

Leaf

  • miles
Nissan Leaf. Consumer writes in regards to a number of concerns: Electronic key problems, failed night lights in the driver door controls and mileage issues.

- Port Townsend, WA, USA

problem #7

Jul 182018

Leaf

  • 20,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is an all electric vehicle. When applying the brakes at slow speeds the vehicle pulsates. This is a problem with the regenerative braking system since it doesn't happen when the vehicle is fully charged and not regenerating through the braking system.

- Alton, NH, USA

problem #6

Nov 162011

Leaf

  • 105 miles
My 2012 Nissan Leaf has a battery charge indicator on the dash that does not truly reflect how much actual driving range mileage is left. In fact, it is so faulty that it is referred to online as the gom or guess-O-meter. I believe this is a safety hazard as I have no accurate way of knowing if I will be left stranded in the middle of oncoming traffic on an expressway, a busy highway, a back road detour, or simply miles away from any charging station. The first time I realized how serious this problem was I had to call a tow truck to come and get me. I left my home with 39 miles of charge on the range indicator. It was a cool day so the climate control was off. I drove seven miles and my car ran out of charge leaving me alone and frightened in an unfamiliar area. I am a 70 year old widow. After receiving a tow home, I charged the car and then took it to the dealer for a battery test. The dealer told me that the battery was fine and that the problem must be my driving style. Since then, I have not taken the car more than a few miles from my home at a time. I have had the battery tested periodically and voiced my concern to Nissan but to no avail. I contend that if a gas driven auto had an inaccurate fuel indicator that caused vehicle operators to lose power without any warning then the ntsb would want to know about it. I believe that my Nissan has a comparable problem. I have owned this car for three years now and have less than 4,600 miles on the odometer. I am afraid to take it anywhere lest I have only one third of real drive time than is displayed on the battery drive range and charge indicator. My guess-O-meter is a real safety concern for me and I would appreciate your advice and input in this regard.

- Merritt Island, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 262014

Leaf

  • 22,890 miles
Brake system failed and ignition started and thrusted car forward. It seemed like the brake got soft and then would not function. This incident caused the car to damage private property and caused major damage to front end of the vehicle.

- San Pablo, CA, USA

problem #4

Aug 232013

Leaf

  • 12,000 miles
When I drive the car into my driveway on a slight incline and I get out of the car while its in drive and the car is on, the car remains stable and does not move. The car is extremely quiet. If I plug the charger into the car, the car immediatelty drops out of drive and into neutral causing the car to roll backward.

- Kingston, MA, USA

problem #3

Aug 212013

Leaf

  • 12,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Drove car into driveway with slight incline, pressed button to engage car into park, got out of vehicle, plugged in car to charge it. Walked up 2 steps to house, car rolled back nearly striking 9 year old. Rushed to the car to try to stop it. Car stopped when rolled back across street and into neighbors yard / rock. Tore charging station off the exterior of the house. Caused breaker to trip and ruined the unit completely.

- Kingston, MA, USA

problem #2

Mar 182013

Leaf

  • 9,800 miles
Car does not drive the number of miles the electric charge states and dealership reports. The vehicle is dangerous cause to drive at posted speed limits of major highways the charge is used up very quickly like 3 times whatever speed you are driving if over 50 mph.

- Tomballl, TX, USA

problem #1

Jan 132013

Leaf

  • 70 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph in eco- mode, she noticed the battery mileage count suddenly decreased from 77 miles to 55 miles after driving approximately a mile. The contact stated after charging the vehicle overnight, the battery did not completely charge. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated there was not a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70.

- Seattle, WA, USA

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