Owners have reported 9 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan Leaf. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints15
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf frequently report issues related to the electrical system, particularly involving the high-voltage traction battery and associated components. Common symptoms include unexpected loss of power, rapid battery discharge, and error messages such as "Service EV System" or "No Power." These issues often arise at various mileage points, with some reports indicating problems as early as 38,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, with one reported crash resulting from loss of braking and acceleration control. Additionally, some owners experience sudden vehicle deceleration or shutdown while driving, which could pose a risk in traffic. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for used car buyers considering this model year.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints12
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf frequently report issues with the vehicle's braking systems, particularly involving the automatic emergency braking (AEB) and the e-pedal mode. Complaints often describe the AEB system activating unexpectedly without driver input, leading to sudden braking that can occur at various speeds, including highway conditions, and sometimes resulting in crashes. Additionally, the e-pedal system, which allows for one-pedal driving, reportedly disengages unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to accelerate when drivers expect it to brake. These issues have been noted across different mileage ranges and are associated with both low-speed and highway driving. Safety implications include loss of control and collisions, as several reports involve crashes or near-crash situations due to these braking malfunctions.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf frequently report issues with sudden unintended acceleration, particularly during low-speed maneuvers such as parking or pulling into a driveway. Symptoms commonly described include the vehicle accelerating on its own despite the driver applying the brakes, which several owners have experienced leading to crashes and significant property damage. These incidents often occur with the e-pedal or Eco mode engaged, and typically involve vehicles with mileage ranging from approximately 100 to over 12,000 miles. Another reported issue involves the regenerative braking system failing to engage intermittently, requiring manual braking to stop the vehicle. Safety implications are significant, with multiple reports of crashes and loss of control, making this a critical consideration for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints5
STEERING
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf frequently report issues with the ProPilot Assist system, particularly its failure to detect stopped vehicles and unexpected acceleration towards vehicles in stop-and-go traffic. Complaints describe instances where the system does not recognize vehicles in front, leading to potential rear-end collisions unless the driver intervenes. Additionally, there are reports of physical issues with the steering wheel, such as paint chipping and dislodged materials causing lacerations. Some owners also note a grinding noise during turns, which persists even after attempted repairs. These issues sometimes occur within a few months of ownership and have resulted in at least two injuries. Safety implications include potential crashes due to system malfunctions and physical harm from steering wheel defects, which may be relevant for prospective buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf report several issues, notably involving the EZ-Pedal feature, where the brake lights do not activate when the car is stopped using this feature, leading to at least one rear-end collision. Additionally, there are complaints about the backup camera intermittently failing to display the video feed, although guidance lines remain visible. Some owners also describe a gear shifting issue when the vehicle is booting up, where the car may unexpectedly shift to neutral, posing a potential risk on inclines. Another reported problem is the failure of the Power Distribution Module around 77,000 miles, which can leave the vehicle inoperable and is costly to repair. These issues suggest potential safety hazards and significant repair expenses, which prospective buyers should consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints3
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf report issues with the airbag system, particularly involving the passenger side. Complaints frequently mention a faulty passenger airbag sensor, with the airbag warning light staying on when the seat is unoccupied and the airbag status light remaining on when occupied. One incident involved a crash where the airbags did not deploy, though no injuries were reported. Mileage for these issues ranges from 13,000 miles upward, and some owners note ongoing problems with seatbelt and occupancy sensors, requiring costly repairs. This information may be useful for potential buyers considering the vehicle's airbag reliability and associated sensor issues.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf report issues with the power train, particularly related to battery performance and unexpected shutdowns. Complaints frequently mention a rapid drop in the state of charge, especially under high load conditions or cold temperatures, which can lead to the vehicle entering turtle mode or shutting down. One owner describes a thermal event involving a fire in the Power Distribution Module, while others report the vehicle shutting down unexpectedly at highway speeds, sometimes with no fault codes registered. These issues generally appear around 29,862 miles and can pose safety risks, including loss of power and control on highways. Buyers should be aware of potential warranty disputes regarding battery and drivetrain coverage.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, specifically the automatic emergency braking (AEB) feature. Common symptoms include the malfunction warning light activating and the system failing, often diagnosed as a front radar sensor issue. These problems typically occur around 25,000 miles. Complaints highlight concerns over the high cost of repairs, with estimates around $1,900, and potential safety implications, as owners are worried about the possibility of unexpected braking or collision risks due to system failure. This information is crucial for used car buyers considering the potential costs and safety risks associated with this model's AEB system.
Owner complaints2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners report that the 2018 Nissan Leaf experiences sudden battery depletion while driving, even when the battery is initially at a high charge level. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle entering "turtle mode," which significantly reduces motor power and speed, creating a potential safety hazard on highways. Symptoms include a rapid drop in battery percentage, followed by a sudden increase after pulling over. These issues can lead to a complete loss of power, affecting power brakes and steering, and are attributed to a weak cell in the high voltage battery. Safety implications include the risk of coasting to a stop without control, particularly dangerous in high-speed traffic.
Owner complaints2
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf frequently report issues with the windshield wiper system, particularly in cold weather conditions. Complaints describe the mechanical linkage between the motor and wiper arms failing, with the ball joint disconnecting and causing the wipers to stop functioning despite the motor running. This issue has been reported to occur during both light ice and snow, as well as heavy rain, leaving drivers without wipers and posing a potential safety risk. The problem is noted to recur annually over multiple winters and has required repairs such as replacing the entire motor and linkage assembly. These failures have been documented over several years of ownership, suggesting a persistent issue that potential buyers should be aware of, especially in regions with harsh winter weather.
