2022 Nissan Leaf problems

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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.

2022 Nissan Leaf

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Common 2022 Nissan Leaf problems

Based on the information from the sources provided, here are some common problems reported by owners of the 2022 Nissan Leaf:

  • Limited Interior Features: Compared to other EVs, the Nissan Leaf's interior is described as plain and lacking futuristic elements. It does not offer features like a white interior, full-length sunroof, or advanced touchscreen controls found in some competitors.
  • Charging Infrastructure: Some owners have raised concerns about the limited range of the Nissan Leaf, making long road trips challenging due to the need for frequent charging stops. This can be a drawback for those who rely on their vehicles for extended travel.
  • Battery Overcharging: There have been instances where owners experienced issues with the 12-volt battery in the 2022 Nissan Leaf, potentially due to overcharging. This recurring problem has led to the replacement of the 12-volt battery multiple times for some users.
  • Audio System Quality: Complaints have been made about the audio system in the Nissan Leaf, particularly the Bose branded system, which some users find lacking in terms of bass and depth. This can be disappointing for those who value high-quality sound in their vehicles.
  • Brake Feel: Another reported issue is related to the brake feel in the Nissan Leaf, with some users finding it more akin to a golf cart than a sporty sedan. This aspect of the driving experience may not meet the expectations of drivers looking for a more dynamic feel.

These common problems highlight areas where the 2022 Nissan Leaf could be improved to enhance the overall ownership experience for users.

2022 Nissan Leaf engine

What is the problem with Nissan Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf may have been the world's best-selling EV at one time, but the specs on the 2024 version suggest it might be on its way out. The 2024 Nissan Leaf will be slightly more expensive despite not updating its two biggest problems: a dismal, 149-mile range; and outdated CHAdeMO charging port.

How long will a 2022 Nissan LEAF last?

2022 Nissan LEAF Battery and Charging

New for 2022 is the standard quick charge port that can get you to 80% charge in 40-45 minutes, depending again on your choice of model. Your battery is rated to last about 10 years or 100,000 miles, but there are steps you can take to lengthen its lifespan.

Why is Nissan discontinuing the Leaf?

LONDON -- Nissan is stopping European production of its Leaf battery-electric compact car as it prepares for the replacement model, expected in 2025. The Leaf was one of the first commercially available BEVs globally, but European sales have fallen steeply as newer competitors offer greater range and better technology.

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.

2022 Nissan Leaf complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2022 Nissan Leaf.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2022 Nissan Leaf recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2022 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.

Negative 2022 Nissan Leaf car reviews

  1. Thad White 2025-09-14

    The price of this entry-level electric vehicle is fair, and it comes with a driving range of 220 miles per full charge. With the clean air and tax rebate, it's a great buy compared to many other competitors. However, we had a nightmare experience owning it. Our typical commute is about 100 miles a day, and with gas prices at an all-time high, we were saving money each time we drove the car. Unfortunately, the car broke down within 6 months and sat in the shop for about 1 and a half months to fix. We had to tow it into the shop twice and fix a minimum of 10 things to get it running again. With that aside, the cargo room practicality is very reasonable with a big trunk and folding seats. The seats aren't as comfortable as some other Japanese brands, and the on-board infotainment screen is unresponsive and laggy. Apple Carplay is hit or miss, and according to the dealership serviceman, there are no fixes; simply not using Carplay will be the fix. Compared to some other new EVs in the market, everything seems lacking. Overall, if you just want to save gas and get some good incentives, this will satisfy that aspect. However, if you are looking for more, I don't recommend the Leaf or Nissan based on my current experience.

  2. Haleigh Durgan 2024-08-20

    The car has a decent range, especially if you have the PLUS model. The higher trim will get you more features and there’s enough room for both front and back passengers, as well as a decent size trunk similar to a small SUV. As with typical EVs, it has many pros such as being torquey, quiet, and low maintenance. However, the infotainment system is outdated and slow, and gives errors quite often. The handling and brake feel are not great, and the one pedal drive may not be for everyone. The build quality is lacking and you may find imperfections throughout the body and trims. Overall, it is a reliable car that will get you from point A to point B.

  3. Lorenza Heidenreich 2024-08-03

    I strongly advise against this vehicle. The road noise is unbearable, despite the lack of engine noise. Additionally, the battery usage is equivalent to that of an 8-cylinder gasoline engine, which can be costly. It is important to ensure a battery charge of at least 98% before leaving home, as charging stations are scarce and quick charging stations are difficult to find. At a rate of .35 per minute, charging costs can quickly accumulate. In my opinion, a gasoline engine would be a more reliable choice.

  4. Freeman Dibbert 2024-07-16

    While it may not be the fastest charger and has limited range, this car is perfect for getting around town.

  5. Demarcus Rice 2024-06-21

    The LEAF is a great car to drive, performing well with room for improvement in its range. However, the cost for replacement parts is shockingly high. Recently, I had to replace my headlight and the dealer quoted me $3500 for a new assembly. Fortunately, I found one on E-bay for $400 of the same quality. The same goes for a new charge cable, with the dealer quoting me $3000, but I found one on Amazon for $400. This seems to be a common issue with Nissan dealers in Canada, and it's disappointing that they resort to charging such exorbitant prices for replacement parts. It's a shame because I enjoyed driving the LEAF, but I won't be purchasing another Nissan EV due to this issue.

Positive 2022 Nissan Leaf car reviews

  1. Guillermo Bernhard 2025-10-02

    We bought a Nissan SL Plus a few months ago and it's been a great car! We only need to charge it about once a week, and the 225-mile range is perfect for our needs. Installing the level 2 charger (which was included) was a breeze after we upgraded our garage outlets. The interior is very comfortable and offers great visibility. The media and dashboard are simple to use and feel more like a traditional car. Even the EV-related menus are easy to navigate. While the back seat isn't exactly limo-sized, it's good enough for ad hoc travelers and our furry friends. Plus, the back seats do fold down, despite what some reviews may say. The rear storage is what you'd expect from a compact car. Overall, we would definitely buy this car again. Nissan offers an affordable and reliable option.

  2. Omari Beatty 2025-09-08

    I got the leaf back in November and it's been a great investment. I drive 50 miles a day round trip, but I don't have to worry about gas prices because I charge at work. Plus, I get to use the carpool lane solo, which saves me 15 minutes in my commute each way. Recently, I even received my rebate check! At first, I was a bit paranoid about keeping up the charge, but now I'm used to it. The car has some power too when you hit the gas. Overall, it's definitely worth it. While it may not be the prettiest car, it reliably gets me from point A to point B. Even now, in September 2022, I still feel the same way.

  3. Isadore Boyle 2025-08-26

    Just a heads up, the battery life is limited to around 200 miles on a full charge, so it's important to plan ahead and know where you can get battery refills. I totally get it, I'm retired too so I don't put on a lot of miles myself. 😊

  4. Claude Koelpin 2025-08-20

    Hi there! I just wanted to share my experience with my 2012 Leaf that I bought in 2015. I got it at a great price from a local used car lot and I still love driving it after 5 years. However, I recently decided to upgrade because battery technology has advanced so much. I shopped around and even considered a Tesla, but I couldn't find a better quality vehicle at the price I got with my 2020 SL Plus. With three times the range and all the new tech, I'm looking forward to enjoying this car for years to come. Once you drive an EV, you never want to go back. The driving experience is just so much more refined. After that, ICE vehicles just feel like antiques. Thanks for listening!

  5. Nathanial Weber 2025-07-13

    We were on a 3-month waiting list when an SV Plus came in for someone in the wrong color; silver. Since silver was our preference, we jumped on it. To have the 'privilege' of purchasing it, I had to immediately put $500 down to hold it for the next day. The dealer was very nice and clear about things, and it feels like I have a new friend. They were always upfront about the charges. While I didn't like paying over MSRP, I understand supply & demand. Not naming them here, but they got a top review from me. The Leaf qualifies for a federal $7500 tax credit. What we've found is that we really like to drive the Leaf as much as possible. It's more fun to drive and we like the economy of it. The dog fits easily in the back. The Leaf feels effortless in its stronger acceleration and is smoother over the road and quieter inside. The Outback does many things better than the Leaf, has better interior design, ground clearance, traction, and can handle long trips, but for daily driving my wife, my 16-year-old son, and I all prefer the Leaf. We sort of fight over who gets to use it each day.Much quieter under acceleration, but at all other times as well. We really like the steering. The e-pedal has become fun to use and after a brief resistance by my wife, we all use it now. It's great that it's free to charge (level 2) at the YMCA while we're working out. Charging at home is easy and far cheaper than gas. It's been so easy to keep charged that after 3 months we still haven't put in the level 2 plug! Yeah, we don't have long commutes and we only bother topping it up every 3-5 days or so. It's never been below 45% charge. I usually stop charging between 80% and 90%. We went to the gym, did some errands, and came back home with more charge than when we left. That being said, it could have been even better, but there were some disappointing design decisions by Nissan. The SV Plus is the middle 2022 trim level, and in 2023 I think it's the highest because they simplified the lineup. Despite all the things in the list of dislikes below, we still really enjoy using it. That might not be true compared to any other EV though. The #1 worst idea is continuing to use the soon-to-be-abandoned CHAdeMO high speed charging port when Nissan knows that the CCS type is taking over. This is going to end up as a class-action lawsuit if they don't make an adapter soon. They know it's happening because their next-gen Ariya EV uses CCS. Nissan abandoned the standard they were the champion of, and now it will be like Betamax vs VCR, so all Leaf owners (even 2023) are going to be really upset because nobody is going to continue to install those chargers for highway trips. The Porsche seems to have done a better job than its competitors in this regard. However, the Leaf has some room for improvement. For instance, the hump in the center of the back seats makes it uncomfortable for passengers to sit in the center rear seat. Additionally, the Leaf lacks front storage space and has front-wheel drive, which may not be the best engineering choice for an EV. The rear windows also do not go all the way down, which is a bit disappointing. Furthermore, the rear seats do not fold flat, which limits the cargo area. Finally, the glossy black plastic in places you touch always looks bad. Matte faux carbon fiber on the dash where you never touch looks better even if you do touch it. The center armrest is also not designed well and the storage under it is too small. The glove compartment is small and takes up a lot of dash space because the door and edges are too thick. Overall, the Leaf has some areas for improvement, but it is still a decent car.If you plug in your car, you can start charging remotely, but it's recommended to start charging the moment you plug in. Unfortunately, you cannot remotely stop charging or set a percentage charge stop limit in the car menu. However, you can set a stop timer. The fog lights emit warm white light, while the other lights emit cooler white light. It would be better if they matched or if the fog lights were yellow, which is the right color for their function. The external cameras have low quality, or maybe it's the display. The rear camera is grainy in low light and has a poor image. In contrast, the rear camera on my Outback looks better and brighter in dim light than what I can see with my own eyes. The Leaf needs a decent rear camera. Nissan offers factory all-weather floor mats, but they don't have them for the rear cargo area. Even the dealer didn't know this, and I paid for all 5 mats. They were shocked when the cargo mat that arrived was carpet. Since my poodle likes to swim, carpet back there wasn't going to work. They had to get a rubber one from Weathertech. The navigation system is unresponsive, with too much delay on the touchscreen when dragging or zooming the map, so we never use it. It only has wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Not using wireless in 2022 is disappointing. I'd rather just prop my phone up and use that, so the whole built-in system just doesn't ever get used. If it's going to be that bad, maybe they should provide a nice place to clamp a phone. All that being said, the car fulfills its main function as a fun, quiet, useful, and economical daily car.

Leave your review of 2022 Nissan Leaf

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2022 Nissan Leaf problems:

Potential leaf owner here. Any major concerns to be aware of? : r ...
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 ... The biggest problem is that the LEAF is the only EV that does not have a liquid cooling system for the battery. This means that if you use ...

2022 Nissan Leaf Reliability - Consumer Reports
2022 Nissan Leaf Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/nissan/leaf/2022/reliability/

Owner Reported Trouble Spots · EV Battery · Electric Motor · Climate System · Steering And Suspension · Brakes · In-car Electronics · Drive System · Body ...

I'm likely buying a 2022 Used Nissan Leaf this week or next as a ...
I'm likely buying a 2022 Used Nissan Leaf this week or next as a ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/leaf/comments/18577vi/im_likely_buying_a_2022_used_nissan_leaf_this/

Nov 27, 2023 ... Issues? None known. The only regular service items are tire rotation every 7500 miles and cabin air filter every 15,000. If you buy your tires ...

2022 Nissan LEAF Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2022 Nissan LEAF Problems | Kelley Blue Book
https://www.kbb.com/nissan/leaf/2022/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2022 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've been driving the Nissan Leaf for over a year — and it's not aging ...
I've been driving the Nissan Leaf for over a year — and it's not aging ...
https://www.tomsguide.com/opinion/ive-been-driving-the-nissan-leaf-for-over-a-year-and-its-not-aging-well-at-all

Jun 11, 2022 ... Other little things seem indicative of the Leaf's age. 2022 Nissan Leaf parked on street ... They're generally pretty minor problems, but they are ...

Other years of Nissan Leaf

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Leaf 2023
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3

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Leaf 2010
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Leaf 2011
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23

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Leaf 2012
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Leaf 2014
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2022 Nissan Leaf photo