2023 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 2023 Nissan Leaf problems
Common Problems with the Nissan Leaf 2023
The Nissan Leaf 2023 has been reported to have several issues, primarily related to its climate system, charging, infotainment system, and battery pack. Here are the details of these problems based on complaints from owners of this car:
- Charging Issues: Several charging-related problems have been reported by Nissan Leaf 2023 owners. These include issues with home charging, compatibility with some public chargers, inability to fully charge, problems with the charge connection, and issues with the charge port door. These charging issues can significantly impact the usability and convenience of the electric vehicle.
- Infotainment System: The infotainment system of the Nissan Leaf 2023 has been reported to have problems such as the information screen going blank occasionally. This can affect the driver's ability to access important information while driving, potentially impacting safety and convenience.
- Electric/Hybrid Battery Pack Failure: Some Nissan Leaf 2023 owners have reported issues with the electric/hybrid battery pack, including failure, replacement, malfunction, or cooling problems. These issues can significantly impact the range and reliability of the electric vehicle.
- Suspension and Brake Issues: Nissan Leaf 2023 owners have reported problems with shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage, power steering, wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension, driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, and electrical failure. These issues can affect the handling, safety, and overall driving experience of the vehicle.
- Windows, Locks, and Latches: Nissan Leaf 2023 owners have reported issues with windows, locks, and latches, including problems with doors, sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls, seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect, paint, loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust, and other related problems. These issues can affect the appearance, convenience, and safety of the vehicle.
- Cruise Control, Clock, Warning Lights, and Other Electrical Issues: Nissan Leaf 2023 owners have reported problems with cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, and wireless charging pad. These issues can affect the convenience, safety, and overall driving experience of the vehicle.
- Squeaks, Rattles, Wind Noises, Seals, and Weather Stripping: Nissan Leaf 2023 owners have reported issues with squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals, and weather stripping, which can affect the comfort and overall driving experience of the vehicle.
- Electric Drive Failure: Nissan Leaf 2023 owners have reported issues with electric drive failure, replacement, or malfunction, which can significantly impact the range and reliability of the electric vehicle.
It is important to note that these issues are based on complaints from owners of the Nissan Leaf 2023 and may not represent the overall reliability of the vehicle. Consumer Reports expects the 2024 Leaf will have about average reliability when compared to the average new car, based on data from 2021, 2022, and 2023 models, plus the Nissan brand scores.
What is the problem with the Nissan Leaf 2023?
2023 Nissan LEAF Recalls
(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.
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.
What are the downsides of the 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.
2023 Nissan Leaf complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2023 Nissan Leaf.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2023 Nissan Leaf recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2023 Nissan Leaf.
- 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.
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 LEAF vehicles. The right-hand brake tubes may have been damaged during production and could corrode, possibly causing a hole in the brake line and a brake fluid leak.
- Consequence: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the right-hand brake tube, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC976.
- 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 2023 Nissan Leaf car reviews
Positive 2023 Nissan Leaf car reviews
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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. Although we had to pay over MSRP, I understand supply & demand. I won't name 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. That's all. The Leaf feels effortless in its stronger acceleration and is smoother over the road and quieter inside. Although the Outback does many things better than the Leaf, such as having better interior design, ground clearance, traction, and being able to handle long trips, 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, and the center armrest is not designed well. Despite these issues, the phone slot is decent and the passenger front window works well. 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.
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I've had it for almost 3 months and I'm really happy with my choice. The seats are super comfortable and I haven't experienced any back pain while driving. Plus, there's no wind noise like other trams, so the ride is really quiet and feels safe on the road. I also love that it uses pedal 1 and is fun to recover energy. Overall, it's definitely great value for money!
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I'm really glad to hear that you're enjoying your Leaf! It sounds like it's a smooth, quiet, quick, and powerful ride, not to mention fun. Plus, with your after-hours charging rate at just .0487 cents/kWh, it won't cost you much at all to charge it.
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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. 😊
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I’ve only had it for a month but so far it’s been great. With the Nissan Rebates, State and Federal rebates I ended up paying only $21k plus tax. UPDATE: 20,000 miles and still feels like new. No creeks or rattles. Just plug it in and go.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2023 Nissan Leaf problems:
Problem with Nissan Connect Leaf 2023 | Inside EVS Forum
... problems with Nissan Connect EV and Services on a Leaf SV plus 2023 ... Nissan Connect EV and Services on a Leaf SV plus 2023 ... known issue. Not ...
2023 Nissan LEAF Refresh: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly ...
Apr 13, 2022 ... Lots of little things, like door handles, suspension parts, CV joints, and power lock actuators have failed for me. Talking to a couple of ...
So many problems... | My Nissan Leaf Forum
Dec 8, 2022 ... I haven't had any heater issues (although it is a common failure point in all leafs, especially 2011/2012) and touch screen failures are ...
Is the Nissan Leaf a reliable vehicle? : r/electricvehicles
Jan 23, 2022 ... This is a problem specifically with the leafs, and basically means their batteries lost capacity much more quickly than most cars. A 2011 leaf ...
Nissan VIN Lookup: Safety Recall & Service Info | Nissan USA
Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by offering repairs, replacement or a refund to owners of the problem vehicle. Rear Visibility System Recall ...
Other years of Nissan Leaf
Are you having problems with your 2023 Nissan Leaf?
Charles Kuhic 2025-01-08
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.
Lucas Stracke 2024-06-06
The car has a decent range, especially if you have the PLUS model. The higher trim offers more features and there is enough room for both front and back passengers, as well as a decent size trunk similar to a small SUV. As with most EVs, it is torquey, quiet, and low maintenance. However, the infotainment system is outdated and slow, often giving errors and making it difficult to navigate. The handling and brake feel leave something to be desired, and the one pedal drive may not be for everyone. The build quality is lacking and there may be some imperfections throughout the body and trims. Overall, it is a reliable car to get you from point A to point B.
Garrett Lueilwitz 2024-05-02
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.
Terrill Raynor 2024-04-09
While it may not be the fastest charger and has limited range, this car is perfect for getting around town.