2012 Nissan Leaf problems
The Nissan Leaf (Japanese: 日産・リーフ, Hepburn: Nissan Rīfu), stylized as "LEAF," is a battery-electric powered compact car manufactured by Nissan, produced since 2010 across two generations. It has been offered exclusively as a 5-door hatchback. The term "LEAF" serves as a backronym to leading environmentally-friendly affordable family car.
The Leaf was unveiled on 1 August 2009 as the world's first mass market electric and zero-emission vehicle. Among other awards and recognition, it received the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car of the Year, the 2011 World Car of the Year, and the 2011–2012 Car of the Year Japan. A second-generation Leaf was introduced in October 2017. The Leaf's range on a full charge has been steadily increased from 117 km (73 miles) to 364 km (226 miles) (EPA rated) by the use of larger battery packs and several minor improvements.
Global sales across both generations totalled 577,000 by February 2022. As of September 2021, European sales totalled more than 208,000, and as of December 2021, over 165,000 had been sold in the U.S., and 157,000 in Japan. The Leaf was the world's all-time top selling plug-in electric car until it was surpassed in early 2020 by the Tesla Model 3.
Social links
Common 2012 Nissan Leaf problems
The Nissan LEAF, an electric vehicle (EV) introduced in 2010, is known for its ease of maintenance compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines. However, it has faced several common problems, particularly in its early model years.
- Battery Degradation: Early model years of the Nissan LEAF, including the 2011-2015 models, have been notorious for poor battery life due to the absence of liquid cooling in their batteries.
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System Issues: There have been cases where 2011-2017 LEAFs had faulty automatic braking systems caused by outdated software. This problem, common in various Nissan vehicles of the same era, can cause the brakes to apply out of nowhere, even when there isn't an obstacle ahead.
- Power Inverter Failure: In some 2014 LEAFs, the inverter has been identified as a common cause of shutdowns without any warning. Nissan issued a recall (14V263000) for select model year vehicles due to this issue.
- Diminished Range During Low Temperatures: For some 2013 LEAFs, low temperatures can set back their driving range by as much as 47%, according to a report by the Norwegian Automobile Federation.
- Electrical Problems: The Nissan Leaf's electrical system is crucial due to its electric powertrain. If the battery isn't working correctly, there's a significant problem. Usually, this issue can be fixed by replacing the battery. However, this doesn't address the underlying cause of premature battery failure. If the vehicle has a premature battery failure, there may be few options to rectify the situation other than replacing the battery more frequently.
- Air Bag Sensor Failure: Another common problem with the Nissan Leaf is that the passenger sensors start to fail. This can be a serious safety concern since the passenger sensor tells the vehicle which airbags to deploy based on where people are sitting in the vehicle. The failure can be difficult to detect because it's often a silent failure.
- Brake Problems: There are also a couple of different brake problems commonly associated with the earlier release years of the Nissan Leaf. The most common problem is that the brake pads wear out early or that the brakes start locking when used. Both of these issues can make the vehicle more expensive to own, and brake failure while driving can be a serious problem.
In conclusion, while the Nissan LEAF offers several advantages as an EV, it has faced several common problems, particularly in its early model years. These issues include battery degradation, AEB system failures, power inverter problems, diminished range in cold temperatures, electrical problems, airbag sensor failures, and brake issues.
What is the most common problem of Nissan Leaf?
Most Common Nissan LEAF Problems
- Nissan LEAF Battery Degradation.
- Problems with the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System.
- Power Inverter Failure.
- Diminished Range During Low Temperatures.
How long does a 2012 Nissan LEAF battery last?
As more models become electric, drivers need to know this information. The Nissan LEAF battery should be changed every 3-5 years.
Are old Nissan Leaf reliable?
Find your perfect car today through our carefully selected partners. “I've owned a Leaf for eight years and have run one for more than a decade now. They are very reliable but the battery does degrade faster than more modern electric cars, so make sure you check the condition on the dashboard bars. ”
What is the disadvantage of Nissan Leaf?
Lows Lacks range, DC fast-charging limited to 50 kW, cheaper competitors offer more range. Verdict The Nissan Leaf is an easy way to get into an electric vehicle, but its lack of range and slow charging make it tough to live with.
2012 Nissan Leaf car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Leaf problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Electrical system problems
- Air bags problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Nissan Leaf vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2012 Nissan Leaf
The NHTSA has received 55 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Nissan Leaf. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2012 Nissan Leaf vehicles.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-12
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP4CT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Dealer is Mike Erdman Nissan Merritt Island Fl 32953 Airbag warning light flashing red on console. Paid $260 for diagnostic check on July 21, 2024. They cannot fix it as an airbag sensor on the passenger side seat is malfunctioning and the entire passenger side seat must be replaced and part is not available or is no longer in stock. They MAY be able to locate an entire seat Nissan Leaf 2012 somewhere, but if they do (and they said probably not) it will cost $4000.00. The seat is no longer made by Nissan and after market seats would not meet safety standards (they said). There is a published complaint list of well over 2000 Nissan Leaf owners regarding 2011 and 2012 Leaf owners who say there should be a safety recall as this issue has been known by Nissan and the 2013 and later models had safety changes installed for this issue but no safety recall was made for 2011 and 2012 models. I believe a safety recall to fix this issue is imperative.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-26
- VIN: JN1AZ0CPXCT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: My Nissan Leaf is showing a warning sign that front passenger side airbag is disabled. I see that this is a common complaint from many 2011-12 Nissan Leaf owners. I would like to add my name to the list of owners who had a similar complaint and please update if you make Nissan do a recall for this issue.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-17
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP1CT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: Car stops completely due to a defective battery should be recalled by dealer manufacturer
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-01
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP1CT
- Components: AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The brakes on the vehicle jerk alot when going under 15, causing everyone in the vehicle to get jerked forward multiple times and are touchy resulting in almost being in an accident. Airbag sensor for front passenger also no longer works and Nissan refuses to repair any defect
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-01
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP8CT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: The passenger occupancy sensor has failed and as a result the passenger airbag is now permanently off, as indicated on the console. The dashboard airbag and general error lights are now constantly flashing as well. The dealer indicated the failure is the mat in the seat, OBD code B1018, and there is no repair for this failure. I see there are mutiple complaints online about this same problem on 2011-2012 LEAFs, and that NHTSA had opened an investigation. Do I have some recourse here? I am concerned to have people ride in the vehicle with no airbag.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-10
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP0CT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
- Summary: 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.]
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-12
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP3CT
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: When applying the brakes at low speed the brakes grab suddenly causing the car to lurch to a stop. The problem is intermittent, and therefore difficult to predict, but occurs frequently. This behavior is an ongoing hazard to the driver and passengers while also increasing the risk of a rear end collision if someone is following too closely.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-27
- VIN: jn1az0cp0ct
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: As I am approaching a stop, and the car is under ~15mph, and I touch the brakes, the will grab strongly and slam the car to a stop; people in the car lurch forward, and the driver behind me is surprised by the sudden stop and has to slam on their brakes. I notice there are 2 campaigns for this issue, one just before my VIN, and one after my VIN, but it looks to be the same problem. It is dangerously strong and difficult to control.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-25
- VIN: JN1AZ0CPXCT
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: multiple times when I have been driving, the accelerator pedal has stayed in the depressed position when I remove my foot from the pedal after going up to about 35 MPH When I brake, the accelerator pedal stays in the depressed position and the vehicle resumes acceleration as soon as I remove my foot from the brake. Today the only way I was able to get it back to a normal position was to pull over and turn the car off.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-01
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP8CT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* 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.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-03-03
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP4CT
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ON 3/3/20 I RETURNED TO ALLIED PARK AND FLY LOT IN SAN JUAN. MY CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN FROM THE LOT, IT HAD SUDDEN FAILURE OF BRAKES. CAR WAS TOWED TO ADRIEL NISSAN IN TOA BAJA, MAR4, WHERE IT REMAINS, UNREPAIRED AS OF TODAY. THE DEALER HAS NOT CONTACTED ME SINCE 3/13, WHEN IT CLOSED, UNDER ISLAND COVID 19 SHUTDOWN. SUDDEN FAILURE OF ABS BRAKE SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A CAR WITH ONLY 42,000 MILES! I FEEL NISSAN SHOULD COVER ABS REPAIR COSTS.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-01-15
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP7CT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: TL* 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. *JS
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-05
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP1CT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, AND THE DEALER HAS TOLD US THE ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR $4,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-11-11
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP7CT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES (CONTINUOUSLY FLASHING) AND CONTINUES TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING. ON 11/22/2019 THE NISSAN DEALER REPORTED THAT THE SEAT OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION MODULE HAS FAILED AND IS REPORTING A TROUBLE CODE B1018. THE REPAIR INVOLVES REPLACING THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $3938. THE COST TO REPAIR IS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS KNOW ISSUE WITH LATER MY NISSAN LEAF AND IS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-03-07
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP1CT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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😭😥
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-16
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP5CT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: B1018 PASSENGER SEAT SENOSR NEEDS REPLACEMENT NISSAN SAYS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THERE 10 YEAR 100,000 MILE WARRANTY. WILL COST $3900.00 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT. WHAT IS COVERED UNDER THE AIR BAG WARRANTY? THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-03-30
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP0CT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR (OCS) HAS FAILED. ONLY REPAIR OFFERED BY NISSAN IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CUSHION SEAT ASSEMBLY, WHICH INCLUDES A SIDE AIRBAG AND SEAT HEATER, FOR OVER $4000 - THIS IS APPROXIMATELY THE VALUE OF THE CAR ON THE USED MARKET! A SIMILAR FAILURE FOR LATER MODEL YEARS (2013-2016) RESULTED IN A MANDATORY RECALL. USING PARTS IN A CRITICAL SAFETY SYSTEM THAT BARELY SURVIVE PAST THE CAR WARRANTY SHOULD BE CRIMINAL.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-01-30
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP3CT
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE
- Summary: A CASE#33557927 WAS REPORTED TO NISSAN LEAF CONSUMER RELATION AND A CAR WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP AT LONG BEACH NISSAN(PHONE #562-264-400) TO REPORT A BATTER THAT IS NOT HOLDING CHARGE AND RECENTLY THE CAR BEGIN TO LURCH FORWARD. NISSAN WAS ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. NISSAN CORP SHOULD CORRECT THE BATTERY AND SAFETY ISSUE. SO FAR, THEY HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONAL AND DOES NOT TAKE ANY OWNERSHIP TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I REQUEST AN EMAIL AFTER THE CASE WAS OPENED AND THEY NEVER SEND ME THE EMAIL. THIS ISSUE INVOLVE SAFETY AND BATTERY NOT HOLDING CHARGE. THE BATTERY IS STILL UNDER DEFECTIVE WARRANTY. NISSAN WANTS TO PUT THE VEHICLE ON PUBLIC ROAD THAT IS NOT SAFE. NHTSA BOARD WOULD AGREED WITH ME THAT NISSAN ACTED IRRESPONSIBLY SHOULD THEY GO FORWARD WITH NOT FIXING THE BATTER AND THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD ISSUE.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-11-10
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP7CT
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: BRAKES GRAB AND LURCH THE CAR TO A STOP. THIS OCCURS ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC AND THUS IS DANGEROUS. A DRIVER FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND WILL BE SURPRISED BY THE VERY RAPID DECELERATION. IT HAPPENS OFTEN, ALWAYS AT SPEEDS BELOW ABOUT 10 - 15 MPH, BUT NOT EVERY TIME I BRAKE, AND IT IS UNPREDICTABLE. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED ON BLOGS. I HAVE INFORMED MY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON MANY OCCASIONS. ABOUT 6 YEARS AGO NISSAN RELEASED A FIRMWARE PATCH, WHICH WAS INSTALLED IN MY CAR. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGES THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM BUT DOESN'T HAVE A SOLUTION. IT'S ALMOST CERTAINLY A SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE ISSUE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-01-18
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP5CT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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. *LD *JS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-07-18
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP3CT
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-04-20
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JN1AZ0CPXCT
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AS EXPECTED. THE CONTACT FULLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE ABS FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AS EXPECTED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT AND THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR BACK PAIN, BUT NO MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THEM ABOUT SIMILAR BRAKE ISSUES. THE MANUFACTURER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER, BUT NOTIFIED ANOTHER DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,264.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-02-22
- VIN: JN1AZ0CP3CT
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN LEAF. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND CONTINUED TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS RESET. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR AND CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO DAYS LATER. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,470.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-02-15
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I HAVE OBSERVED THE TRANSIENT GRABBY BRAKE SYNDROME IN MY LEAF DURING COLD WEATHER MONTHS IN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS. I COMPLAINED TO MY NISSAN DEALERSHIPS SERVICE DEPARTMENT A COUPLE TIMES ABOUT IT, BUT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE REPLICATED AT THE TIME. I ALSO NOTICED ON THE ENERGY SCREEN THAT THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING WAS CYCLING BETWEEN 10 AND 20 % COINCIDENT WITH THESE BRAKE INTENSITY PULSATIONS. IT ONLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM LIGHTLY BRAKING WITH VERY STEADY LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I SUSPECT A POSSIBLE CAUSE TO BE THE SENSOR THAT DETERMINES BRAKE PEDAL POSITION FOR THE REGEN BRAKING MAY BE DEFECTIVE OR NON-LINEAR AT SOME PORTION OF THE TRAVEL, OR THE REGEN BRAKING PROGRAM MAY HAVE A PROBLEM, OR THE HYDRAULIC BRAKING SYSTEM HAS A FAULTY COMPONENT AND THE REGEN SYSTEM IS JUST RESPONDING TO THE CYCLING BETWEEN HARD AND LIGHT BRAKING. IN ANY EVENT THIS PROBLEM MAY BE FEEDING OTHER BRAKING PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT HERE, SO SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY NISSAN TO FIND A FIX SO AS TO PREVENT INJURIES OR FATALITIES.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-05-15
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: NHTSA MUST PASS REGULATIONS REQUIRING VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS TO DRASTICALLY IMPROVE A-PILLAR OBSCURATION ANGLE! THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT OF MANY MODERN VEHICLES THAT MUST HAVE BEEN A FACTOR IN MANY ACCIDENTS, THE EXTENT TO WHICH IS PROBABLY UNQUANTIFIED & LARGELY UNKNOWN DUE TO THE FACT THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE ONLY REMEDY IS FOR THE DRIVER TO MOVE HIS HEAD FROM SIDE TO SIDE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE STARTS FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO ASCERTAIN THAT THERE ARE NO PEOPLE OR VEHICLES HIDING IN OR TRANSITING THE A-PILAR BLOCKAGE. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM IN THE INDUSTRY, AS PROVEN BY THE PAPER PUBLISHED BY PIPKORN BENGT OF AUTOLIV RESEARCH (SWEDEN) ENTITLED SAFETY & VISION IMPROVEMENTS BY EXPANDABLE A-PILLARS (UNDATED), WHICH IS IN THE NHTSA DATABASE/WEBSITE, WHERE A 25% IMPROVEMENT IN A-PILLAR OBSCURATION ANGLE IS DEMONSTRATED BY THE USE OF EXPERIMENTAL EXPANDABLE A-PILLARS. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ALREADY INJURED OR KILLED BY THIS COMMON MODERN CAR DEFECT WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE KNOWN, WITH THE UNFORTUNATE DRIVERS BEING DISBELIEVED WHEN THEY SAY THEY NEVER SAW ANYONE/THING DUE TO THE OBSCURE NATURE & KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. IN MY LAST EXPERIENCE WITH IT, THE WORST CASE SCENARIO OCCURRED (EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT INJURY/DEATH WAS AVOIDED). I WAS MOVING AT ABOUT 10MPH IN A PARKING LOT & AN OLDER WOMAN WAS WALKING AT ABOUT 1MPH TOWARD MY CAR FROM THE LEFT AT JUST THE RIGHT DISTANCE/SPEED. MY WIFE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HAVING A BETTER LEFT VIEW, STARTED YELLING AT ME 'STOP - ARE YOU GOING TO RUN OVER THAT LADY'. I SAID 'WHAT LADY?' REALIZING IN A COUPLE SECONDS THAT IT SHE MUST BE BEHIND MY WINDOW PILLAR, I MOVED MY HEAD ABOUT 6 INCHES TO THE RIGHT, & THERE SHE WAS! SHE JUST APPEARED OUT OF THIN AIR! I NEVER SAW EVEN A TINY BIT OF HER BEFORE. SHE WAS LOOKING AT ME WITH DISBELIEF ON HER FACE. WHAT IF IT WERE A CHILD?
Negative 2012 Nissan Leaf car reviews
Positive 2012 Nissan Leaf car reviews
-
I used to own a 3rd gen Prius before this vehicle, but I must say I prefer the drive of this one. The power train is more responsive, and the car is much quicker at low speeds (although it's no quicker at higher speeds). I live in NY state and have driven this car through a winter now. Despite the challenges of winter driving, I still manage to get an average of low 3's miles/kWh. The 3.9 miles/kWh that EPA claims are quite optimistic. The heat and highway driving can reduce the range, but I still manage to get about 87 miles per $4.00 in electricity at 3.2 miles/kWh and 75% charge efficiency (120V charging).
-
There's really no point in complaining about how far it will go, as it's primarily an in-town car. Interestingly, this was the last year that it was made in Japan, and even after 7 years, it still doesn't have a single rattle or squeak. If battery prices come down, I'd love to keep it and drive it for another 10 years!
-
What a fantastic piece of machinery! I can't find a single fault with the Nissan LEAF. Nissan has truly outdone themselves with this car. The technology is top-notch and it drives like a dream. The handling is superb and the brakes are excellent too. I wholeheartedly recommend this car in every way. I can't wait to drive the LEAF every day!
-
What a fantastic vehicle! It has excellent acceleration from a stop, a quiet and smooth ride, and great handling. Not to mention, it's a real head-turner! Over 15 years and 180,000 miles, my total cost of ownership comes to about $45,000. That's only 25 cents per mile, which is lower than any conventional vehicle. Plus, with 4 miles per kWh in the city, it's like getting 150 MPG at only 11 cents per kWh! And if I can get metered service for night charging at 7.5 cents per kWh, it goes up to over 200 MPG city! Driving this vehicle is an absolute blast, with great pickup from a stop.
-
This car is a lot of fun to drive, especially if you can afford it. It has plenty of pick-up, and we were able to drive home at over 80 mph. It's perfect for commuting to work and back, with an approximate round trip distance of 100 miles on a single charge. If you use economy mode, you can get more miles out of it, but you'll sacrifice pick-up and go. However, going downhill or on flat terrain (not uphill) can help you save miles instead of using them up on economy mode. Charging from empty costs approximately $2.50, so make sure you don't get ripped off when getting your home charger (see suggested improvements). I highly recommend visiting Gina or Ken at Performance Nissan, where you'll get an honest and fair deal without getting ripped off.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Nissan Leaf problems:
2012 Used Nissan Leaf Issues : r/leaf
Dec 9, 2020 ... The biggest issue is the battery only being 7 bars. You basically bought a car with the battery almost completely worn out. That's why you are ...
So many problems... | My Nissan Leaf Forum
Dec 8, 2022 ... I haven't had any heater issues (although it is a common failure point in all leafs, especially 2011/2012) and touch screen failures are ...
2012 Nissan LEAF Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2012 Nissan LEAF? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
I have a Nissan Leaf with a bad battery and the manufacturer ...
Nov 2, 2022 ... ... Nissan Leaf to see if a lot of people have this problem. And hoping ... common, and I notice dealerships seem to use this to justify dismissing ...
bad heater in 2012 LEAF | My Nissan Leaf Forum
Aug 14, 2014 ... This was a fairly common problem on the 2011 and 2012 models. Maybe 5 or 10% reported it. I had it happen on our 2012 LEAF. http://www.
Other years of Nissan Leaf
Are you having problems with your 2012 Nissan Leaf?
Elias Kessler 2025-01-01
Your previous car was driven less than 5000 miles a year. The Leaf is perfect for your needs, such as going to the grocery store, church, and occasionally to Costco which is only 3 miles away from your house. Although it may not be the best for long distance freeway driving, it can accelerate to freeway speeds. Please note that freeway driving may drain your battery faster. Be sure to check for blind spots carefully. Overall, I am pleased with the car.
Freeman Cartwright 2024-11-28
In September 2012, I purchased a Nissan Leaf SL 2012. Unfortunately, the car has not been reliable for transportation to work, home, or my child's activities. Despite purchasing the special edition quick charge that was advertised to charge in 20 minutes, it actually takes 1 hour and 15 minutes for an 83% charge. This has caused me and my child to feel unsafe while driving, as I cannot drive at the speed limit and return to where I need to go. Although Nissan International (NI) has bought back many Nissan Leafs, they have not deemed mine as defective and will not repurchase the car. However, I am confident in my decision to pursue a resolution to this issue and will continue to advocate for myself and my family.
Preston Waelchi 2024-10-04
The limited range of this car is not as limiting as you might think, but it is not as good as any gas car. However, the advantages are great: low maintenance, great mileage, a super quiet ride, and great features for the money. It is worth noting that in winter, the range is greatly reduced, so when I sold it, I could go less than 40 miles.
Doug Sipes 2024-05-11
Hi there! I wanted to let you know that Nissan recently performed a computer update that affected the regeneration braking. Unfortunately, this update lowered the health status of the battery, which means that only a very small amount of regeneration braking is now possible. It seems that Nissan made this change in an attempt to make the battery last longer. I hope this information helps!
Kacey Walsh 2024-04-15
I am currently scrapping this car for parts. Although it has less than 60,000 miles on it, it's down 4 bars on a second battery. The first was replaced by Nissan. Unfortunately, I lost a bar about 4 months ago, on a battery that is about 2 years old. The bars on a Leaf are not equal in distribution, and I've lost about 25% of the total charging capacity of this car. So now, I realistically get maybe 40 to 60 or so miles to a charge. I mainly use this car to go back and forth to the beach and to run errands. The car has lost most of its value as well, and I'd be very lucky to see 5000 dollars on a car with 54,000 miles on it. However, I plan to drive this car into the ground and then donate it. I have since had the battery replaced with the New Lizard Battery, and it realistically gets about 60 to 70 miles to a charge. I have NO issues with the new battery. Although the warranty is only good till August 2017, the new battery consists of replaceable cells. I actually would have leased the car at 200/month and gotten rid of it by now. I would have walked away from the car for 7200 instead of the 17000 I've spent. Nissan's software is completely inaccurate regarding its measure of battery capacity. The Techs and Engineers insist that NISSAN is right and do not care about what I had to say. They hook it up to their diagnostic equipment and say the battery is fine and just wait till we get 8 bars and we'll replace it. I bought the car wholesale with 2000 miles on it thinking I got a deal for 17K.It's great to hear from you! I wanted to let you know that it took nearly 4 months to get it to 8 bars.