2016 Nissan Leaf Problems
Compared with other Nissan Leaf years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
26/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.6× that of a typical Nissan Leaf year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 13 of its 36 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Brakes (16 complaints, median 20,000 mi).
- 4 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles, 19 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 114 MPGecombined, Electric FWD · 126 city / 101 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Nissan Leaf (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2016 Nissan Leaf. The part named most often is brakes, with 16 complaints (44% of the total), followed by electrical system (13) and fuel system (8). 19 of the complaints include a mileage, and 84% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 20,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 99 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 39 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 10 Nissan Leaf model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 26 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes16 44%
- Electrical system13 36%
- Fuel system8 22%
- Air bags3 8.3%
- Engine3 8.3%
- Steering2 5.6%
- Other or unknown1 2.8%
- Body and structure1 2.8%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Brake stopped working while I was driving on san thomas expressway in santa clara city in california; I immediately switched to park and also used manual brake, eventually I managed to stop it; since it's blocking a lane, police came and towed the car to the dealership. Mileage is estimate since the car is still being repaired in the dealership.”
NHTSA complaint #11234686, filed 2019-07, 21,000 milesElectrical system: “I do not have much range. At 100% charged I'm getting a range of 64 miles. Considering the car only has 10k miles on it, that's terrible range. My car was sitting still, in park and turned on when I took this image.”
NHTSA complaint #11222684, filed 2019-06, 10,087 milesFuel system: “Using the j-1772 charge port at a shopping mall while going for a walk; on sun 5/19 as we approached the car to leave, we noticed a strong electrical smell. I disengaged the charger, inspected it and saw no issues. Our car, however showed distortion in the port at the upper right. The next morning, 5/20, I took the car to the dealer, and had the certified LEAF technician try to plug it in and check the charging. He found resistance as he tried to plug it in, looked at the distorted plastic, and said you need to replace that port it's june 1st today; the dealer said they had to contact Nissan. …”
NHTSA complaint #11217262, filed 2019-06, 29,750 milesAir bags: “The contact owns a 2016 Nissan LEAF. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v244000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10904540, filed 2016-09Mileage when problems were reported
84% of the 19 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 30,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Nissan Leaf. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf · hatchback FWD | ★★★★☆ | 5 / 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 · 10.9% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 Nissan Leaf version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); for electric versions it is the cost of electricity and the rating is in MPGe.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf (24 kW-hr battery pack) FWD | Electric | single-speed | 126 | 101 | 114 MPGe | $650 |
| Leaf (30 kW-hr battery pack) FWD | Electric | single-speed | 124 | 101 | 112 MPGe | $650 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 23V296000Apr 26, 2023Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manualCovers: Nissan Leaf 2013–2017
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…
- 17V253000Apr 13, 2017Air bagsCovers: Nissan Leaf 2015–2017, Sentra 2014, 2016–2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
- 16V436000Jun 15, 2016Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator moduleCovers: Nissan Leaf 2016, Sentra 2016
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from…
- 16V244000Apr 26, 2016Air bags › Sensor › Occupant classificationCovers: Nissan Leaf 2013–2016, Altima 2013–2016, Sentra 2013–2016 +14 more
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…
Recall details for the 2016 Nissan Leaf → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 99 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11009068Sep 19, 2024Air bags. DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR…
- 11004962May 21, 2024Electrical system. VEHICLE 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 bulletin.
- 11004961May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN 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, 2024Electrical system. CAN 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.
- 11001201Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001194Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001191Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023Steering. DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Other model years of the Nissan Leaf
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 8,750 | 0 | 5 | 111 MPGe | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 5 | — | 0 | 5 | 111 MPGe | — | Too new |
| 2023 | 22 | 7,500 | 3 | 5 | 111 MPGe | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 96 | 42,398 | 4 | 5 | 108 MPGe | 51 · Typical | Rising |
| 2021 | 57 | 27,500 | 4 | 5 | 108 MPGe | 49 · Typical | Rising |
| 2020 | 167 | 12,000 | 6 | 5 | 108 MPGe | 75 · More | Rising |
| 2019 | 260 | 30,000 | 5 | — | 108 MPGe | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 67 | 7,250 | 4 | — | 112 MPGe | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 17 | 4,400 | 2 | — | 112 MPGe | — | Stable |
| 2016 | 36 | 20,000 | 4 | 4 | 114 MPGe | 26 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2015 | 110 | 27,000 | 4 | 4 | 114 MPGe | 66 · More | Falling |
| 2014 | 34 | 21,250 | 6 | 4 | 114 MPGe | 38 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 81 | 24,000 | 5 | 4 | 115 MPGe | 67 · More | Rising |
| 2012 | 57 | 13,920 | 0 | 5 | 99 MPGe | 21 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2011 | 95 | 27,862 | 0 | 5 | 99 MPGe | 28 · Fewer | Falling |
All Nissan Leaf model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Nissan Leaf have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2016 Nissan Leaf as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Nissan Leaf is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 16 complaints (44% of the total), followed by electrical system with 13.
Has the 2016 Nissan Leaf been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Nissan Leaf do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Nissan Leaf 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
How efficient is the 2016 Nissan Leaf according to the EPA?
The EPA rates the 2016 Nissan Leaf (Leaf (24 kW-hr battery pack), Electric) at 114 MPGe combined, 126 city and 101 highway, with an estimated annual electricity cost of $650 at 15,000 miles a year. Other battery and motor versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Nissan Leaf reported?
Among the 19 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 20,000 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 30,000 miles; 84% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.