2013 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.
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Common 2013 Nissan Leaf problems
The Nissan Leaf is a popular electric vehicle, but like any car, it has its share of common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues with the 2013 Nissan Leaf, based on complaints from owners:
- Electrical Problems: The 2013 Nissan Leaf is known for having some electrical issues, particularly with the battery. Some owners have reported premature battery failure, which can lead to a reduced range and the need for frequent battery replacements. While this isn't a common problem, it can be a significant one if it occurs.
- Air Bag Sensor Failure: Another issue that has been reported by some 2013 Nissan Leaf owners is air bag sensor failure. This can be a serious safety concern, as the passenger sensors play a crucial role in determining which airbags to deploy in the event of a collision. If the sensor fails, it may not deploy the appropriate airbags, which could lead to injuries.
- Brake Problems: The 2013 Nissan Leaf has also had some reported brake problems. Some owners have reported issues with the brake pads wearing out prematurely or the brakes locking up during use. While these issues are usually easy to fix, they can be expensive to repair and can impact the overall safety of the vehicle.
- Premature Tire Wear: Another common problem with the 2013 Nissan Leaf is premature tire wear. Some owners have reported that their tires wear out faster than expected, which can be a significant expense over time.
- Climate System Issues: The climate system in the 2013 Nissan Leaf has also been reported to have some issues. Some owners have reported problems with the heating and cooling system, including the AC compressor, blower motor, condenser, evaporator, and heater system. These issues can impact the comfort of the vehicle and may require expensive repairs.
It's worth noting that while these problems have been reported by some 2013 Nissan Leaf owners, they are not necessarily common. Many owners of the 2013 Nissan Leaf have reported few or no issues with their vehicles. However, if you're considering purchasing a 2013 Nissan Leaf, it's important to be aware of these potential problems and to have any issues addressed promptly by a qualified mechanic.
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 will a 2013 Nissan LEAF battery last?
How often should you replace your 2013 Nissan Leaf battery? Every 3 to 5 years, but you should have your battery tested normally for drops in voltage to make hopeful it's operating at a high level. Car batteries naturally carry 12 to 13 volts unless you have a high-performance battery.
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.
Does the Nissan Leaf have battery problems?
More Leaf owners with battery problems say Nissan has abandoned them. As more Nissan EV owners come forward to say they feel abandoned by the automaker and its failure to supply replacement batteries for the Leaf, one lawyer with a firm specializing in class actions says there might be a case.
2013 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
- Unknown or other problems
- Seat belts problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2013 Nissan Leaf vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2013 Nissan Leaf
The NHTSA has received 79 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2013 Nissan Leaf. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2013 Nissan Leaf vehicles.
2024-05-23
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-09
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP9DC
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a whistling sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure was unofficially diagnosed as a failed air condition hose or a failed air condition line connector. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, however, the contact declined to pay the diagnostic fee. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to have the vehicle diagnosed by the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.
2023-11-30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-30
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP9DC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The car suddenly lost power during freeway driving. The brake system appeared compromised. Turning off 12v accessories - which includes safety critical functions such as the defrost blower - was necessary to restore functionality. This is caused by a defective DC-DC converter that fails to properly charge the 12V battery, risking and repeatedly causing sudden loss power, loss of braking, and loss of safety critical functions. This is not the result of damage to the DC-DC converter or other such damage. This is proven by the fact that activation of the wipers triggers the DC-DC converter to temporarily raise the charging voltage to a level sufficient to restore power and charge the 12v battery. Due to defective programming of the DC-DC converter, the power provided to the 12v battery and system quickly returns to unsafe low levels. The DC-DC converter has a sense line that senses the voltage of the 12v battery, but the programming of the converter is defective such that it does not actually maintain the battery at a healthy level. This is a commonly reported and discussed issue on Nissan Leaf ownership forums. Reprogramming of the DC-DC converter is necessary, but not available from Nissan. This issue also causes early degradation of 12v batteries, and replacement of the 12v does not cure the issue. The most recent occurrence of loss of power was 11/30/23, but it has happened repeatedly in the past.
2023-09-30
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-16
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP2DC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The Nissan Leaf has a 6,600 watt charger that is attached to the top of the 26,000 watt electrical motor. A 30 Amp Nissan charging cord connects the 220 volt electrical outlet (dryer) to the Leaf via a Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1772 Plug. Unknown to me a desert rat had chewed the insulation down to the wires of the charging cord, leaving the wires bare. The desert rat was not electrocuted because the onboard charger safety system in the vehicle turns off the 220 volts AC before it reaches the car using the control box that is part of the the charging cable. But when I plugged the J1772 Plug into the Leaf Nissan's "safety system" sent 220 volts form the dryer plug to the Nissan Leaf creating an electrocution hazard where the rat removed the insulation. I saw a series of sparks and felt the electricity through my electric car safety gear rubber Crocs. Nissan's "safety system" ensures that there is NO arc of electric current when you unplug the J1772 connector. Unfortunately for me and possibly for tens of thousands of other EV drivers Nissan did not envision a rat eating the wire and causing the system to momentarily electrocute a person attempting to charge their car. Nissan 220 volt charging cord no longer charges the Leaf and the Leaf's entire charging system on top of the motor in no longer operational. I suspect the two, 220 volt wires in the Nissan charging cable shorted to the two safety wires (pilot and proximity wires) which is has about 1/16 of an inch separation, and fired Nissans onboard charger. The cost to replace Nissans onboard charging system is about $7,000 for parts and labor. What does Nissan LEAF’s EV warranty coverage include? Your confidence gets a boost with Nissan LEAF’s New Electric Vehicle Limited Warranty. Coverage includes — but is not limited to — Motor, Inverter Unit, VCM, Reduction Gear, DC/DC Converter, Onboard Charger, Onboard Charger Connector, and Trickle Charge Cable. [*]
2023-07-02
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-01
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP6DC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Warning light is flashing and the airbag warning light is flashing. I took it to the dealership and they tell me this is not covered under a recall notice but I have hear other Nissan Leafs do have a recall notice for airbags. It is expensive to fix. Is there a mistake and it is covered under a recall notice?
2023-05-23
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-18
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP8DC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I was driving and wanted to slow the vehicle to turn on a side street. I pressed the brake and nothing happened. The vehicle did not slow down at all. I pushed harder, still nothing. The brakes completely failed to work. Due to this brake failure, I was unable to make the turn I wanted to make because I was going too fast. I continued going straight, and because the road was slightly uphill, the vehicle eventually stopped and I was able to ease off the road when the vehicle had slowed sufficiently. Fortunately, there were no injuries or accidents. After the vehicle had stopped I looked to see if it was low on brake fluid. It was not. The brake fluid level was at manufactures specification. After I had stopped I did notice several warning lights on the dash, including ABS and other symbols I don't know the meaning of. (I'd have to read the vehicle owner's manual to figure out what they mean). I have not taken the vehicle anywhere to be repaired yet. I thought that maybe the NHTSA might want to inspect it before it was looked at by a mechanic or manufacturer.
2023-05-12
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-05
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP5DC
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: The left curtain and driver seat airbags were spontaneously deployed while driving. The driver seatbelt pre-tensioner was engaged and locked. There was no collision or abrupt motion. My wife sustained minor abrasions to her left arm and swerved to the right shoulder of the road. The car would not shift into drive and was towed. The cause is unknown and without warning.
2023-04-24
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-01
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP5DC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: SRS Airbag light has been flashing for about a year. Code reader shows B00A0 0009 code indicating a problem with the OCS / Occupancy sensor. I believe this puts all passengers in the front seat at risk since the airbag may not operate in an accident. The car is available for inspection. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer or others.
2022-05-05
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2013-05-07
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP2DC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Due to a manufacturing issue certain 2011-2019 LEAF vehicles' lithium-ion battery bonding plates may not meet Nissan internal standards and may fail. Unfortunately the recommended servicing facility does not service electric vehicles. The next nearest facility is beyond the range of the now degraded lithium ion battery. This makes it impossible to drive the vehicle to a servicing facility so that to affect this voluntary recall will require a tow both ways. Nissan refuses to address this issue and I am concerned first regarding the seriousness of this repair and secondly my out of pocket expense to affect this repair.
2020-09-28
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-09-17
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP6DC
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FRONT END STARTED SHAKING AND VIBRATING DUE TO A SUSPENSION FAILURE. UPON INSPECTION, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WAS OUT OF POSITION. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000.*DT *TR
2020-08-04
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-20
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP8DC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON AND DEALER SAYS IT IS A CONTROL MODULE OR THE AIRBAG IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR AND I HAVE READ WHERE THIS PROBLEM IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE LAST YEAR AND I 'AM WORRIED IT MAY NOT ACTIVATE DURING A ACCIDENT.
2019-12-30
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-01
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP9DC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: IN 2017 I BROUGHT IN MY NISSAN LEAF TO BE SERVICED FOR A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE OCS SENSOR. BEFORE THEN, THE OCS SENSOR SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE BUT I FIGURED I SHOULD PERFORM THE SERVICE FOR SAFETY. THIS LAST YEAR THE OCS SENSOR HAS STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. NOW I HAVE A RED BLINKING LIGHT THAT WARNS THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG IS NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER, THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME $1000 TO REPLACE THE OCS CONTROL UNIT AND SENSOR. I FEEL LIKE THESE WERE PARTS THAT WERE CHANGED AS PART OF THE RECALL AND ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE SINCE THEY CRAPPED OUT AFTER A FEW YEARS.
2019-10-14
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2017-10-03
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP6DC
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: THE PASSENGER SIDE WIPER JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AT 40,000 MILES, THE DRIVER SIDE WORKS FINE.
2019-09-19
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-18
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP6DC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 2013 NISSAN LEAF BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 30MPH RESULTING IN NEAR COLLISION AND POTENTIALLY SERIOUS INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. SPEED VERY GRADUALLY SLOWED WITH ACCELERATOR PEDAL NOT DEPRESSED AND WAS ULTIMATELY BROUGHT TO COMPLETE STOP USING PARKING BRAKE. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT ABILITY TO BRAKE WHEN ACCELERATOR PRESSED LIGHTLY AFTER STOPPING. NISSAN DEALER REPORTED A FAILURE OF THE "INTELLIGENT BRAKE CONTROL UNIT" AND REPLACED AT COST OF APPROX. $3,000. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN CLEARWATER, FLORIDA AREA IN LATE AFTERNOON IN DRY WEATHER WITH TEMPERATURES AROUND 80F. TOW TRUCK OPERATOR STATED THAT WHEN THEY ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IT LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT ABILITY TO HALT AND THE OPERATOR WAS EXTREMELY FRIGHTENED AND ALMOST CRASHED.
2019-09-16
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-01-18
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP8DC
- Components: AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN LEAF. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S WIFE REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES WERE STUCK. THE VIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V119000 (SERVICE BRAKES) AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO GLENDALE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 727 S BRAND BLVD, GLENDALE, CA 91204) WHERE THEY RELEASED THE BRAKE LINES AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO UNIVERSAL CITY NISSAN (LOCATED AT 3550 CAHUENGA BLVD W, LOS ANGELES, CA 90068, (818) 769-8100) AND WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,736. *DT*JB
2019-09-11
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-09-11
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP4DC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: DANGEROUSLY LOW INCREASINGLY HIDEOUS BATTERY STORAGE. PURCHASED USED 2013 LEAF IN JUNE 2019. WAS ABLE TO CHARGE IT UP ROUGHLY TO 70 MILE RANGE AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. NOW, JUST 3 MONTHS LATER, IT ONLY CHARGES ONLY TO 62 MAX! WORSE YET, IT'S ONLY AN ESTIMATE. AND GOD FORBID YOU GO FASTER THAN 65 MILES, YOUR 'ESTIMATE' DECREASES ASTRONOMICALLY. TODAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019, TOOK TO THE DEALER TO CHECK FOR BATTERY RECALLS, BUT THE DEALER DOESN'T SEE ONE FOR THE BATTERY, ONLY THE MOUNTS. STATES THAT I HAVE ENOUGH TOP-OFF 'BARS' FOR THE BATTERY LIFE, THAT IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO RECALL. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE BATTERY SWAP/UPGRADE, HE OFFERED A PLAN WORTH OVER $10K. THIS IS BECOMING A CLASS-ACTION MATTER DUE TO STRAIGHT-UP FAULTY BATTERY, GAUGE, AND DEALER'S REFUSAL TO OWN-UP TO THEIR COMPLETELY FAULTY PRODUCT.
2019-07-29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-29
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP3DC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: THE INDICATORS LIGHTS CAN AND ARE BEING MANIPULATED (TURNED ON AND OFF) VIA REMOTE CONTROL ACCESS. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET. PLEASE TEST THIS TO ASCERTAIN IF THE NISSAN VEHICLES SAFETY INDICATOR LIGHTS CAN BE MANIPULATED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN THE DRIVER VIA REMOTE CONTROL. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE LIGHT INDICATES THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY TIRES AND I'M PROMPTED TO EXIT MY VEHICLE TO CHECK THE TIRES ON THE FREEWAY, AT A GASOLINE STATION ETC., ETC., ETC., THANK YOU.
2019-07-22
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-18
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP1DC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON A WARM DAY AT ABOUT 25 MILES AN HOUR ABOUT TWO MILES FROM MY HOME, MY BRAKES BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AS I APPROACHED A STOP SIGN BEHIND ANOTHER DRIVER. THE OTHER DRIVER DIDN'T STOP IN ORDER TO AVOID BEING HIT. I TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO USE THE BRAKE, AND THE CAR DIDN'T SLOW. BEFORE COMING TO A TURN DOWN A VERY LONG STEEP HILL, I PULLED UP THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. I CALLED AAA. THE AAA TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THE BRAKES HAD FAILED, AND TOWED THE CAR TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CAR THE SAME DAY, BUT LOOKED THE NEXT DAY AND SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THEY RECOMMENDED TAKING IT TO AN ACTUAL NISSAN REPAIR SHOP, WHICH I DID. THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, BUT DID SEE THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAD BEEN REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY. I CALLED NISSANUSA AND THEY SAID OUR VIN SHOWED THAT THE CAR HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED FOR AN INTERMITTENT SERVICE BRAKE PROBLEM (ON RECALL) A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT USED, AND THAT IT CAN'T BE FIXED AGAIN FOR THAT. IT'S SCARY THAT NOBODY CAN IDENTIFY WHAT WENT WRONG THIS TIME, AND NOBODY IS WILLING TO SEE IF IT'S THE RECALL FIX ACTING UP SOMEHOW, MAYBE UNPREPARED.
2019-07-12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-07-10
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP7DC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: BATTERY CHARGED TO 55 MILE RANGE, LEFT OVERNIGHT AND DROPPED TO 39 MILES WHILE SHOWING 9 BARS. RANGE DROPS SIGNIFICANTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE BATTERY RACK IS UNDER RECALL FOR A FAULTY GROUND, BUT NISSAN CLAIMS THIS WOULD NOT AFFECT THE BATTERY PACK. THE "9 BARS" IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THIS RANGE AND THE BATTERY SHOULD NOT LOSE 25% OF ITS CHARGE OVERNIGHT.
2019-06-29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-06-24
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP0DC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: MY NISSAN LEAF WAS EXPERIENCING A SEAT BELT NOT BUCKLED AND IT WOULD LIGHT UP WHEN NO ONE WAS SITTING IN THE SEAT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THEY RESET THE SENSOR AND IT WOULD STAY FIXED FOR 2 MONTHS. I JUST TOOK IT BACK THE 3RD TIME. THE DEALER SAID THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. SINCE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, I CHOSE FOR THEM TO FIX MY VEHICLE. THE OCS SENSOR AND CONTROL MODULE WAS FAULTY. IT COST ME $652.56 TO REPAIR IT. I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WANT TO REPORT THIS ISSUE TO YOU SINCE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DO NOT WANT ANYONE DYING IN A CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING.
2019-04-09
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-04
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP7DC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I FILED THIS COMPLAINT PREVIOUSLY ON 2/4/19 - CONFIRMATION # ODI 11174255. YOU SENT ME SOME FOLLOW-UP PAPERWORK, BUT I HAVE UNFORTUNATELY MISPLACED IT. ANY WAY TO RESEND THAT PAPERWORK, SO I CAN PURSUE THIS COMPLAINT?
2019-03-29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-10-20
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP9DC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: 1.PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY WHEN CAR IS ON, STATIONARY OR MOVING, REGARDLESS OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY. 2.AIRBAG SYSTEM LIGHT BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY WHEN CAR IS ON, STATIONARY OR MOVING, REGARDLESS OF PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY. THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP HAS WORKED ON THE PROBLEM FOUR TIMES OVER TWO PLUS YEARS, ULTIMATELY UNSUCCESSFUL FOR MORE THAN A FEW WEEKS. DEALERSHIP NOW REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM CITING NISSAN CORP. RELUCTANCE TO PAY FOR REPAIR UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY, WHICH HAS EXPIRED. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS PASSENGER SEAT REPLACEMENT IS NECESSARY AT A COST TO US OF PERHAPS $2000. WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULDN'T, OR WILL DEPLOY WHEN IT SHOULD.
2019-02-26
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-15
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP6DC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A ONE-WAY STREET AT AROUND 25-30 MPH AND NEEDED TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP QUICKLY. I HIT THE BRAKES WITH ALL THE FORCE I COULD WITH MY LEG---THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP IN TIME. IT SEEMED LIKE SOME KIND OF WEIRD GLITCH BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CAR HAS ELECTRIC SUPPORT FOR THE BRAKES. AT OTHER TIMES THE BRAKES DIDN'T RESPOND IN THE CORRECT TIME. NOTE I HAD THE BRAKES INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES BY A PUENTE HILLS NISSAN AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE FINE. THERE WAS ALSO A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES WHEN THEY DISENGAGED. IT SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF TIME DELAY IN THE SOFTWARE. I ALSO READ THAT SINCE THE CAR HAS REGENERATE BRAKING IT'S LIKE THE CAR GETS CONFUSED WHEN IT SUPPOSED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND NOT SLOW DOWN FROM THE ENGINE. I HAD TROUBLE BRAKING OTHER TIMES WHEN I WORE LIGHT SHOES OR SANDALS.
2019-02-06
WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-02-06
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP3DC
- Components: WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: MY CAR'S WARNING SYSTEM INDICATORS CAN BE ACCESSED AND OR TURNED ON OR OFF VIA FOREIGN KEY FOB (OR OTHER DEVICE). FOR EXAMPLE SOMEONE PASSING BY MY CAR WHILE I'M IN MOTION DRIVING ON THE STREET OR THE PARKING LOT HAS TURNED ON THE TIRE INFLATION WARNING INDICATOR FROM OUTSIDE OF MY VEHICLE USING A FOREIGN KEY FOB OR SOME OTHER DEVICE LIKE A KEY FOB.
2019-02-04
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-01-31
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP7DC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN LEAF. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY SOFT AND TRAVELED HALFWAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EVIDENT IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MANCHESTER CITY NISSAN (30 TOLLAND TURNPIKE, MANCHESTER, CT 06042, (860) 643-4165) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V119000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. *TT *TR
2018-12-11
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-12-05
- VIN: 1N4AZ0CP6DC
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: THE RIGHT WINDSHIELD WIPER JUST STOPPED WORKING
2013 Nissan Leaf recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 2013 Nissan Leaf.
2023-04-26
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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 May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.
2016-04-26
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Consequence: If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
2016-02-29
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.
- Consequence: If the brake relay fails, longer distances or additional brake effort would be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2014-03-25
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
- Consequence: If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on April 14, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2013-03-01
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
- Consequence: If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Negative 2013 Nissan Leaf car reviews
Positive 2013 Nissan Leaf car reviews
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Hi there! It's great to hear that you're enjoying your Leaf for your daily commute. I noticed that you mentioned having a home charger, which is definitely a must-have for anyone looking to make the most of their electric vehicle. I recommend the AV Charger, which I personally installed for $1800. It's a 220 volt/30amp charger that can fully charge your car in just 3-3.5 hours, or about 26 miles per hour of charge. This information is based on my experience driving in April and May in Central NJ, and I'll be sure to follow up this winter to let you know how it performs in colder temperatures. Thanks for sharing your experience!
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This is a great option for commuting or running errands around town, especially if your total commute is 50 miles or less. However, if you need to travel further, you may experience range anxiety.
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Hey there! I totally get you - paying $250 a month for gas and $1000/month for maintenance and repairs on a gas vehicle can be a real pain. But guess what? I found a solution! I bought a used 2013 Leaf S and it was awesome (I still miss it). I have charging stations at work and my one-way commute is just about 40 miles. However, I did miss cruise control and the heating was a bit inefficient. Luckily, my local dealer had a great deal on a 2018 Leaf SV and I was able to take advantage of a tax credit. Let me tell you, it's the best vehicle I have owned in my lifetime! I can smoke gas cars from the lights, it's super maneuverable, and it has an intelligent cruise that holds lane, distance to the car in front, and speed. Plus, it even saved me when somebody cut in front of me and braked hard - the vehicle stopped itself before I was able to react! The touchscreen is a bit overloaded, but I got used to it. And surprisingly, it's more comfortable than my 2014 Explorer and has more leg room in front and rear seats. Overall, I would say it's a great car!
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Congratulations on your new red 2013 Nissan LEAF! It's great to hear that you're really happy with it. I completely understand that practicality and comfort, including drive comfort, are important factors when choosing a car. The Nissan LEAF seems to excel in these areas, especially with its spacious interior design and snappy acceleration. Although charging every day or two may require some budgeting, it's definitely worth it to avoid planning trips to the gas station. Enjoy your new ride!
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I'm so glad to hear that you love the leaf! It's great to hear such positive feedback. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2013 Nissan Leaf problems:
2013 Nissan Leaf Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/nissan/leaf/2013/reliability/
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · Climate System. AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical ...
Is a 2013 Nissan Leaf for 6,000$ a good deal? : r/electricvehicles
https://www.reddit.com/r/electricvehicles/comments/zb043e/is_a_2013_nissan_leaf_for_6000_a_good_deal/
Dec 2, 2022 ... I've test driven it and there are no obvious flaws/problems with it, but then again I'd never driven an EV before. So would I be better off ...
2013 Nissan LEAF Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/nissan/leaf/2013/common-problems/
How reliable is the 2013 Nissan LEAF? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Leaf reliability testimonies : r/leaf
https://www.reddit.com/r/leaf/comments/te0nnd/leaf_reliability_testimonies/
Mar 14, 2022 ... Key problem areas included the motor electrics and the battery, but a variety of other faults were reported, including those with the suspension ...
Here Are The Nissan Leaf Years To Avoid - CoPilot
https://www.copilotsearch.com/posts/nissan-leaf-years-to-avoid/
Jul 21, 2023 ... Another common problem with the Nissan Leaf is that the passenger sensors start to fail. That can be a serious safety concern since the ...
Other years of Nissan Leaf
Are you having problems with your 2013 Nissan Leaf?
Brad Bartoletti 2024-11-21
If you live in an area with frequent rain or snow, this car may not be the best fit for you. The car body designers did not take into account the effects of rain or snow on the car's appearance. The spray from the tires can create an unsightly mess, and snow build-up in the wheel wells and running boards can be quite frustrating. Unfortunately, splash guards are not readily available and must be special ordered, which can take up to 4 to 5 weeks. Additionally, the car's driving range is reduced in cold temperatures, with a decrease of 10-12 miles. If you use the climate control, your range estimate may decrease by 15 to 20 miles. However, if you are looking for a car with a range of 50 to 60 miles and are willing to take the necessary precautions during winter, this car may still be a good option for you.
Alden Huel 2024-09-19
I currently lease a 2012 Leaf, which unfortunately does not come with a spare tire. It's not the best car for winter driving, especially in the snow, and I've found that using winter tires on the front helps but I'm not sure how much. When using the heat, wipers, defrost, and driving in the snow, I've noticed a decrease in range by about 30%. My commute is 26 miles uphill with a 1000 ft elevation gain, and on bad winter days, I've used up to 80% of the power to complete it. To warm up the car, I use a 120-volt space heater which works well. The 2016 model has a better range of 126 miles per charge, which is a significant improvement. However, the advertised range of 126/106 is not the actual range, but rather the mpg equivalent when compared to a gas car. It's important not to be misled by this. Additionally, the solar roof is currently only available overseas and not yet in the USA. Overall, the Leaf is a decent second car, but I'm personally waiting for the 2016 model before considering my next purchase.
Norval McLaughlin 2024-09-16
Hey there! I noticed that most of the 13' Nissan Leafs I looked at have a few issues. Just wanted to give you a heads up!
Ismael Hagenes 2024-08-14
When I first leased my 2012 Leaf, it was such a cool car that I couldn't wait to tell all my friends about it. In fact, six of my colleagues at work were so impressed that they also leased the Leaf. However, I have been experiencing some range anxiety lately, as I am only getting about 40 miles per full charge, despite the car having only about 9000 miles on it. This is quite different from the 106 miles on the new car sticker. I understand that range anxiety is a real issue, and it can be nerve-wracking when the meter starts to get near the red mark and you still have about 10 miles to go. Although I am disappointed with my experience, I appreciate Nissan's explanation that this is normal for the car. Thank you for your understanding.
Daryl Bartoletti 2024-08-07
I was thrilled to purchase my first electric car last year. Although the sticker claimed it could go 110+ miles, I found that it typically only goes about 90 miles. This range can be even lower if you drive on highways or during the winter. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience with the customer service and dealership. My front tire wore out in less than 10k miles, and even though I checked the wheel alignment and it was perfectly aligned, they refused to cover it under warranty. Overall, I would recommend buying an electric car, but I suggest avoiding Nissan.