2018 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 2018 Nissan Leaf problems
The Nissan Leaf, a popular electric vehicle, has been known for its reliability and eco-friendly features. However, like any vehicle, it is not without its common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues with the 2018 Nissan Leaf, based on complaints from owners:
- Air Bag Sensor Failure: Another common problem with the Nissan Leaf is that the passenger sensors can start to fail. This can be a severe safety concern because the passenger sensor determines which airbags to deploy based on where people are sitting in the vehicle. The problem is that it can be difficult to know when the sensor has failed because it's often a silent failure.
- Brake Problems: There are also a couple of different brake problems commonly associated with the Nissan Leaf. The most common problem is that the brake pads wear out early or that the brakes start locking when used. Thankfully, both of those problems are usually a quick fix. However, both of those problems can make the vehicle a little more expensive to own, and brake failure while on the road can be a serious problem.
- Premature Tire Wear: The Nissan Leaf's early years, including the 2018 model, have been known for premature tire wear. This can be a significant problem if you live somewhere snowy or with bad weather. However, checking your tire wear a little more often is an easy way to stay on top of this problem.
- In-car Electronics: Some owners have reported issues with the infotainment system, including problems with the audio, GPS, phone, rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, and head-up display. These issues can affect the overall driving experience and can be costly to repair.
- EV Charging: Some owners have reported issues with the EV charging system, including slow charging times and problems with the charging port. These issues can affect the vehicle's usability and can be costly to repair.
- Steering and Suspension: Some owners have reported issues with the steering and suspension system, including problems with the power steering and suspension components. These issues can affect the vehicle's handling and can be costly to repair.
- EV Battery: While not specific to the 2018 model, some owners have reported issues with the EV battery, including battery degradation and failure. These issues can be costly to repair and can affect the vehicle's range and usability.
- Drive System: Some owners have reported issues with the drive system, including problems with the electric motor and inverter. These issues can affect the vehicle's performance and can be costly to repair.
- Climate System: Some owners have reported issues with the climate system, including problems with the air conditioning and heating systems. These issues can affect the vehicle's comfort and can be costly to repair.
- Brakes: Some owners have reported issues with the brakes, including problems with the brake pads and rotors. These issues can affect the vehicle's safety and can be costly to repair.
It is important to note that while these problems are common, not all 2018 Nissan Leaf owners will experience them. Additionally, some of these issues can be addressed through routine maintenance and repairs. However, potential buyers should be aware of these common problems and consider them when making a purchasing decision.
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 2018 Nissan Leaf battery last?
between 3 to 5 years
Your 2018 Nissan Leaf battery will consistently last between 3 to 5 years, but that can vary heavily depending on weather conditions battery size, type of battery, and driving habits. Even still, just because your battery isn't completely dead, doesn't mean it's operating at optimal levels.
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.
2018 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
- Forward collision avoidance problems
- Electrical system problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Fuel/propulsion system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Nissan Leaf vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2018 Nissan Leaf
The NHTSA has received 45 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Nissan Leaf. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2018 Nissan Leaf vehicles.
2024-10-09
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-09
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP8JC
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: Enel X Way recently announced that they were terminating operations in North America. With that in mind my Juicebox level 2 charger now becomes a dumb charger with no app functionality to turn down the amps produced by the charger. The Juicebox model I have is a plug-in version rated at 32 amps max. My service panel/circuit breaker is only rated to 30 amps. With a constant 32 amps on a 30 amp circuit breaker there is a potential to start a fire at the plug socket end and/or the breaker end, at the very least the breaker might trip every time I charge. For fear of that happening, I'm reluctant to even use it. I'm filing an issue/complaint here because in recent days there have been others who have complained about Enel X Way shutting down and causing problems similar to mine according to an article I read at [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-07-22
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-22
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP8JC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Twice now - both times on the South Bound Richmond Bridge, the Automatic Emergency Braking lights came on and slammed on my brakes for me, as if I was about to crash when I was going 65 mils per hour, no one in front or behind me and no traffic, accident or reason. I almost lost control of the vehicle and would have caused an accident had anyone been closer to me.
2024-07-17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-08
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP7JC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds with the cruise control activated, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V494000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
2024-04-30
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-23
- Fire: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP4JC
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
- Summary: Our 2018 Nissan Leaf experienced an error message when we tried to start it saying "Warning Service EV System No Power". Mileage: 29,862. It would go into neutral, but not into drive. We called GEICO to have it towed to dealership Leith Nissan on [XXX]. On [XXX], John Day from Leith Nissan called to request permission to install a new 12V battery. I approved the cost of replacing the battery. They said that they were able to drive the car after the 12V battery was replaced. But then they plugged it into the charger, and got an error message "EV System No Power", and they couldn't drive it anymore. Sometime after that there was a thermal event that caused the Power Distribution Module to explode and for soot to pour out of it. These incidents are described by the technician Ryan in these videos [XXX] Nissan indicated that the electric power train is no longer under warranty. Our Q:When did you receive the car? ([XXX] repair order opened [XXX]) When did you first start working on the car? [XXX] When did the thermal event occur? (unsure of occurrence date) When did you replace the 12 volt battery? [XXX] when were you told to replace the high voltage battery? [XXX] when did you replace the high voltage battery? [XXX] Is the replacement high voltage battery a new battery or a used battery? (new battery) Has the replacement high voltage battery been maintained at a charge or is it at 0% charge? And what charge is it at now? (SOC unknown at this time) when were you told the pdm needed to be replaced? ([XXX] after HV battery was installed and further diag was performed) When did you replace the pdm? (not yet completed -- were in process but stopped due to BUS bar bolt discovery) Vehicle was left unattended with no HV warnings with service plug removed but inside vehicle with no cover over port to HV battery. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-03-29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-28
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP6JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I was driving at 65 MPH on the freeway and the car was acting/driving normally. Without any warning at all, many lights appeared on the dashboard at the same time that the car placed itself into neutral and lost all power to drive. My speed was reduced so quickly without any notice and I had no pull out lane near me, so I was forced to move across 5 lanes of traffic in rush hour speeds of 60-85 MPH traffic in order to get to safety in a pull out lane while my car was quickly losing speed at 30 MPH and below. I tried to put the car back into drive but it was impossible and the dashboard read "EV maintenance needed". Of note, my entire battery was replaced less than 6 months prior and the Nissan Peoria (AZ) dealership reported no other issues with the vehicle. Upon inspection, the dealership reported the traction motor inverter needs replacement, and again there were no indications this was failing.
2024-03-28
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-15
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP8JC
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: Front passenger seat occupancy sensor has failed resulting in an illuminated seat belt warning even when the front passenger seat is unoccupied. Workaround is either to clip the seatbelt in all the time or put a black piece of tape over the warning light. Either workaround degrades safety as the intended operation of the warning light is bypassed.
2024-02-22
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-17
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP4JC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: When I was drivimg on the highway, the battery rapidly plummeted from 50% to 5%. The car urged me to pull over. After pulling over, the battery rose back up to 50%. If I had not pulled over, the car would have entered "turtle mode," which limits the motor's power and can reduce the car's top speed to below 20mph. These low speeds are especially dangerous on interstate highways and could pose a crash risk.
2023-12-07
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-28
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP8JC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: I was pulling slowly into a parking spot. The vehicle accelerated all of a sudden on its own very fast. I slammed on the brakes and the vehicle did not stop. It ran us on a sidewalk and crashed into a pole. Luckily no one hurt. Progressive is calling the car a total loss, but they have done nothing The car is still at a parking lot near the crash. Nissan is also doing nothing. I feel that I deserve better treatment. I have a good driving record and my rates are going to go up. I have not been offered a replacement car. The car is very dangerous and I would never drive another Nissan
2023-11-16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP6JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Vehicle would rapidly suffer from a high energy drain when driving at freeway speeds. Range was reduces from 150 miles EPA, to 80-100 miles. Nissan at first said it was due to the high temperature in Arizona. A few weeks later a "Service EV System" lamp came on, and car would not start the next day after charging overnight. Car stated it was at %80 state of charge at the time. Car was towed to a Nissan service center, and Nissan service determined that some battery modules had bloated battery cells due to overheating after a week of troubleshooting. High voltage battery was replaced under warranty 3 weeks later.
2023-10-06
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-19
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP9JC
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while parking the vehicle at low speeds, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. As a result, the vehicle jumped the wheel stop, coming to a complete stop after colliding with a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who did not provide a specific diagnosis but advised the contact that a BCM reprogramming was required. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V494000 (Vehicle Speed Control), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 12,300.
2023-09-08
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-01-15
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP7JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Hello NHTSA: I purchased a 2018 Nissan Leaf from Carvana on December 29, 2022. Within a short period of time the car experienced seat belt and air bag warning lights. The car was repaired under factory warranty by HGreg Nissan in Cutler Bay Florida but continued to display warning lights. The satellite communications system was not able to be repaired. This failure deactivated certain convenience and safety features. On March 16, 2023 a warning message and display indicated there was a high voltage battery malfunction and the car needed to be repaired by the dealer, On March 20, 2023 the car was taken to the dealer. The dealer informed me that the car was unsafe to drive and would not, nor did they ever, return the car to me [with the exception of a one-week test drive that did not correct the reported issues]. On August 3, 2023 Nissan North America declared in writing that the car was a Lemon under Florida law. Nissan refunded the purchase price of the car. Both Carvana and Nissan North America have refused to fully compensate me for certain incidental expenses including auto insurance [required to kept active until title transfer] and unused monthly prepaid Carvana maintenance costs. These fees were assessed from March 20, 2023 until August of 2023. During a discussion with Nissan North America their agent disclosed that they intended to wholesale this car. My immediate concern is that a Lemon-declared car should be disclosed if it is even allowed to be resold.
2023-08-23
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-21
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP8JC
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: The malfunction warning light came on to indicate that the automatic braking system was not working. I brought the car to the dealership, which quoted me $1900 for a new sensor. I have read about accidents and near collisions due to the malfunctioning of this system and am now worried that there might be sudden braking that others have experienced. I would like to get this system fixed, but do not believe consumes should need to pay $2000 to repair a defective system.
2023-07-28
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-12
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP3JC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: On may 12, I was in a long line of cars at a red light , stopped. all of a sudden my car started moving and accelerating toward the car in front of me. When I got over the initial shock, I started stamping on the brake (2-3x) and nothing happened. I clipped the other car as I yanked the car out of line into the turn lane. I turned off the car and shook. Then I handled the insurance stuff with the other guy. I did NOT take my foot off the brake. (I reported this incident to the NTSB, BTW.) I wanted the collision center and Nissan to look at the black box, but the garage didn't and Nissan said that was no black box.
2023-06-02
SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-12
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP3JC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
- Summary: I was stopped at a light, in a long line of cars, my foot on the brake, a few feet away from the car in front of me, and the same in back. All of a sudden, the car started moving, accelerating, jerking forward. I was shocked, pushed down on the brake, nothing happened. starting pulling the car out of line because I was going to hit the car in front of me. I was pumping the brake, and NOTHING HAPPENED. Clipped the car in front's rear left bumper, wrecked my front right bumper. Finally pulled into the turn lane and finally the brakes caught. It was like someone had taken a gizmo and turned on my car (like the OnStar mess a few years ago.). Nothing like this has ever happened to me, in any car, including this one, until 5/12 at 2:00 pm. It was terrifying.
2023-05-11
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-06
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP8JC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Plastic/metal from steering wheel become dislodged/detached/warped, caused major laceration to my right ring finger when making left turn 5/6/23 4PM. Went to urgent care as a result, had to get tetanus shot.
2023-04-06
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-12-20
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP9JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-65 MPH uphill, the vehicle went into protective safe mode due to a faulty signal, and would no longer exceed 20-25 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed the contact that it was a known failure that occurred in cold weather. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,225.
2023-03-25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-04
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP1JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The PTC Heater and A/C compressor failed on my 2018 Nissan Leaf, just as the winter of 2022 was getting started. The vehicle passed prior service inspections, with no mention of issues on either of these components. The failure of the PTC heater and A/C compressor results in a "Service EV System" error message, and indication that the vehicle would not restart after powering off. When this error message appeared, the heating and defrost capabilities of the vehicle were lost. The fans would continue to blow air, but windows would fog up. I could not charge my vehicle in this error state either, so if I hadn't been close to home, I would've been in a potentially dangerous situation because it was cold out. The local Nissan dealership confirmed the error codes of P0AA6-1A (HV battery voltage system isolation) and P31E7 (restart inhibition) were present. They initially fixed this issue after nearly 5 months of the vehicle being in their shop. These codes, paired with the information I've read on the Internet, indicates others have had this issue before, and the normal repair involved replacing the traction battery (400v high-voltage battery), not these two components. The "Service EV System" came back less than 36 hours after paying for the repair. The 12v battery was also at a low voltage, which may have been related to the vehicle sitting for so long for service without being charged.
2022-11-03
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-02
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP9JC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Around 45 degree weather, while driving on the freeway, a warning light indicating the AEB had been turned off started flashing on my dashboard without any collision, jerky movements, sudden stops, or changes to settings. At the same time this happened, my electric battery mileage started to fluctuate erratically (73% to 8% to 14% back to 70% and finally to 60%). This is extremely concerning because of the car immediately brakes or if the battery dies on the freeway, it could cause a major collision.
2022-11-03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-02
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP9JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Around 45 degree weather, while driving on the freeway, my electric battery mileage started to fluctuate erratically (73% to 8% to 14% back to 70% and finally to 60%). It gave me low battery warnings two separate times. At the same time this happened, a warning light indicating the AEB had been turned off started flashing on my dashboard without any collision, jerky movements, sudden stops, or changes to settings. This is extremely concerning because of the car immediately brakes or if the battery dies on the freeway, it could cause a major collision.
2022-09-24
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-24
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP0JC
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: When the vehicle is booting up after pressing the power on button you can try to shift from P to R or D. It is very easy to do this too soon. Instead of staying in P or shifting to the desired gear it shifts to N. You can then shift to R or D without using the brake pedal. Normally you would think this is no big deal. The problem is if you are on a hill and expect to move in reverse you end up rolling forward and vice versa. This happens a lot, because I am impatient. It has not caused an issue for me yet, but I can foresee something happening from a minor collision to something horrible where a child is run over or injured. I brought it to the attention of my local dealer before my warranty expired and they said all of the Leaf vehicles do this. How does Nissan think this is acceptable? How does a dealership not report this after they are made aware of such an issue? This has been the case since I have had the vehicle since late 2018. I keep meaning to report it. I hope this has not caused any injuries.
2022-07-22
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-07-15
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP6JC
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: There is a faulty passenger airbag sensor. I see that this has been an issue in the past for older Nissan models. The dealer has inspected it and confirmed the problem. If there is no passenger in the front seat, the supplemental airbag warning light and the front passenger airbag status light stay on. If there is a passenger, the supplemental airbag warning light will turn off, but the front passenger airbag status light stays on.
2022-04-20
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-19
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP5JC
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving on the highway with a full battery charge, the vehicle battery was suddenly depleted, the car entered "turtle mode" (a reduced motor power at low charge feature), and then turned off completely moments later. This is a huge safety issue as it leaves you to coast to a stop without the benefit of power brakes or steering. This is caused by a weak cell in the high voltage battery, an issue Nissan is aware of but has chosen not to address. Currently I have no other option but to continue driving the car as is, with the risk of an accident in a situation like this continually increasing.
2022-01-15
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-15
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP6JC
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: AEB system malfunction around 25000 miles. Dealer diagnose as the front radar failed and cause the cruise control not available.
2021-10-11
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-10-11
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP4JC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Steering wheel paint chipping causes multiple lacerations on finger during turn
2021-08-19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-08-13
- VIN: 1N4AZ1CP4JC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: 2 incidents have occurred with this vehicle. The first earlier this year (2021) is that upon slowly accelerating to move closer to vehicle that moved up in a turn lane, the automatic emergency brake system engaged, abruptly stopped the vehicle and many lights lit up across the dashboard. The brakes then released and all lights on the dashboard disappeared. I was not close enough to the car ahead or at any rate of speed that should have caused this abrupt brake reaction. The 2nd incident and most dangerous happened on 8/13/21. I was slowly reversing out of a parking spot at a crowded location, when I saw a car behind my vehicle. I went to brake (not hard brake just regular), and the brakes did not work. I continued to slowly roll back towards the car behind me. I tried pressing the brakes repeatedly and it would not stop rolling backwards. I then pulled the emergency brake and the car came to a stop. No lights appeared on the dashboard. I turned the car off and powered it on again and slowly moved forward into the parking space and tried reversing again. The car was driving completely fine just after. I had a short trip home & didn't drive the rest of the evening. I didn't charge the car as there was still 85% left on the battery. The next morning, the car would not start and a message showing "Service EV System No Power" appeared on the dashboard with multiple lights lit. I called a tow truck to take it to the dealer and they found that the 12v battery was completely dead. Battery light not lit on dashboard prior to the complete outage. The dealer said it was the 12v battery that was likely the cause of these incidents and they replaced it. The brake issues could not be reproduced at the dealer after the new battery installed. Also note, that I just had the vehicle in for a multi-point inspection in June where nothing was found to be faulty. They did recommend a brake fluid exchange, so this was done as well as tire rotation.
2018 Nissan Leaf recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2018 Nissan Leaf.
2024-02-02
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2022 LEAF vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23D7.
2023-07-17
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The vehicle may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed ("D" to "B"; e-Pedal "On"; or "ECO" mode) after disengaging the cruise control.
- Consequence: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (VCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A6.
2023-02-02
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 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 April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.
2019-09-12
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Positive 2018 Nissan Leaf car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Nissan Leaf problems:
2018 Nissan Leaf Reliability? : r/leaf
https://www.reddit.com/r/leaf/comments/m7byb5/2018_nissan_leaf_reliability/
Mar 17, 2021 ... The Leaf is about the most reliable car you can buy. It has far fewer parts in the drivetrain than an internal combustion drivetrain. The only ...
2018 Leaf 2.0 Issues / Safety concerns | My Nissan Leaf Forum
https://mynissanleaf.com/threads/2018-leaf-2-0-issues-safety-concerns.25536/
Mar 26, 2018 ... This may be due, to LEAF adaptive cruise control system cannot detect fast moving objects. I have tried, 2, 3 times, and car do not seems to ...
Potential leaf owner here. Any major concerns to be aware of? : r ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/nissanleaf/comments/onayfg/potential_leaf_owner_here_any_major_concerns_to/
Jul 19, 2021 ... Battery degradation is the real problem in past leafs due to the passive air cooling, 2018 and up have been better. Battery heat up and ...
My 2018 Nissan LEAF Is Falling Apart At 66000 Miles - CleanTechnica
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/12/05/my-2018-nissan-leaf-is-falling-apart-at-66k-miles/
Dec 5, 2020 ... It seems odd that a 2-year-old car should have such a problem. About a year ago, the 12V battery died one very cold night. I went out Monday ...
2018 Nissan Leaf Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/nissan/leaf/2018/reliability/
Owner Reported Trouble Spots · In-car Electronics · Body Hardware · EV Charging · Steering And Suspension · EV Battery · Drive System · Climate System · Brakes.
Other years of Nissan Leaf
Are you having problems with your 2018 Nissan Leaf?
Frankie Gutmann 2024-10-05
I love my Leaf! The responsive, silent acceleration is amazing, and the Boise sound system is awesome. Plus, with leather seats and no need for gas or oil changes, it's a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice. The driving experience alone is enough reason to love EVs. I'm very happy with my 2023 update and still love it - zero problems!
Daren Witting 2024-09-22
Switching to an electric car like the Nissan Leaf is a breeze. While it may take some getting used to, plugging in frequently instead of stopping at gas stations is a small adjustment. However, the range of 140 +/- miles on a full charge was not quite enough for me. I would have preferred a car that gets 225 plus miles per charge. The heated steering wheel and seats are a great addition, but it's a shame that Nissan doesn't offer a sunroof option, even with the front windshield sloped higher than most. The newer Plus models that offer higher mileage are great, but they are still much more expensive than they should be. The car has more than enough space, and the power and drive are both smooth and reliable. While the finishes and detailing are only average for a car in this price range, the options for finishes are severely limited. I had a few issues with not fully charging, but I'm not sure whether those were something I did or some other issue within the Nissan electronics. Overall, I highly recommend the Nissan Leaf.
Dereck Schamberger 2024-08-19
I was initially unsure about the ride and comfort of an electric vehicle until I test drove one. I was pleasantly surprised by how roomy and comfortable the car was. Previously, I didn't enjoy driving, but now I look forward to driving my Leaf. It's a very relaxing experience. I have owned several other cars, including a Silverado Truck, FJ Cruiser, Audi, and 750il, but the Leaf surpasses them all in terms of performance and comfort. I'm so glad I made the switch to the Leaf. It's truly a great car that I enjoy owning every day.
Doyle Quitzon 2024-06-04
I'm currently on my second Nissan LEAF lease, one in 2013 and the other in 2016. One of the things I love about the LEAF is that I never have to go to gas stations, and it's also low maintenance. Unlike other electric cars that use two motors, the LEAF only has one, making the electronics in the drive train simpler with no switches between motors. There are very few maintenance items on a LEAF beyond proper tire pressure. The only issue I've had is with flat tires, but Nissan provides a tow to a dealer, or you can use a can of goop and a small compressor, both of which are provided, to fix a flat. Although the LEAF doesn't have a spare, it appears small on the outside, but the interior space is surprisingly roomy. It's perfect for local driving, and for long-range driving, I rely on an old Buick Lucerne. Although the Buick is more comfortable with a more sophisticated suspension, the LEAF drives and feels somewhat like a sports car. I rely on the LEAF for most of my driving. The fit and finish of the LEAF is excellent, and I'm considering either buying out my lease or getting a new LEAF, or both.
Geovanny Wehner 2024-05-22
I never realized how noisy the average car is until I began driving a Leaf. The acceleration in an all electric car is also a game changer. I won't go back to a gas-powered vehicle for my urban transportation needs again.