2012 Nissan Leaf Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 26%of 57 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Nissan Leaf, 26% of the 57 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When I drive the car into my driveway on a slight incline and I get out of the car while its in drive and the car is on, the car remains stable and does not move. The car is extremely quiet. If I plug the charger into the car, the car immediatelty drops out of drive and into neutral causing the car to roll backward.”
NHTSA complaint #10538157, filed 2013-08, 12,000 miles“My 2012 Nissan LEAF has a battery charge indicator on the dash that does not truly reflect how much actual driving range mileage is left. In fact, it is so faulty that it is referred to online as the gom or guess-o-meter. I believe this is a safety hazard as I have no accurate way of knowing if I will be left stranded in the middle of oncoming traffic on an expressway, a busy highway, a back road detour, or simply miles away from any charging station. The first time I realized how serious this problem was I had to call a tow truck to come and get me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10663841, filed 2014-12, 105 miles“This is an all electric vehicle. When applying the brakes at slow speeds the vehicle pulsates. This is a problem with the regenerative braking system since it doesn't happen when the vehicle is fully charged and not regenerating through the braking system.”
NHTSA complaint #11112177, filed 2018-07, 20,000 miles“Drove car into driveway with slight incline, pressed button to engage car into park, got out of vehicle, plugged in car to charge it. Walked up 2 steps to house, car rolled back nearly striking 9 year old. Rushed to the car to try to stop it. Car stopped when rolled back across street and into neighbors yard / rock. Tore charging station off the exterior of the house. Caused breaker to trip and ruined the unit completely.”
NHTSA complaint #10538155, filed 2013-08, 12,000 miles“Car does not drive the number of miles the electric charge states and dealership reports. The vehicle is dangerous cause to drive at posted speed limits of major highways the charge is used up very quickly like 3 times whatever speed you are driving if over 50 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10503451, filed 2013-03, 9,800 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10242055Aug 16, 2023AV CONTROL UNIT EXCHANGE AND MAP SD CARD REPLACEMENT 8This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10227267Nov 22, 20223G TELEMATICS HARDWARE DEACTIVATION SERVICE INFORMATION The APPLIED VEHICLES that come equipped with a factory installed SOS switch, located near the overhead map lamp, also come…
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 43% |
| 2024 | 2 | 40% |
| 2023 | 5 | 23% |
| 2022 | 62 | 65% |
| 2021 | 32 | 56% |
| 2020 | 123 | 74% |
| 2019 | 178 | 68% |
| 2018 | 19 | 28% |
| 2017 | 4 | 24% |
| 2016 | 13 | 36% |
| 2015 | 18 | 16% |
| 2014 | 6 | 18% |
| 2013 | 18 | 22% |
| 2012 | 15 | 26% |
| 2011 | 29 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Leaf
22 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Leaf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology