2016 Nissan Leaf Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 36%of 36 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Nissan Leaf, 36% of the 36 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“The consumer owned a 2016 Nissan LEAF. The consumer stated that while asleep at their residence, they were awoken by the police department who informed them that their vehicle was engulfed in flames. No injury was sustained. The fire department was contacted and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. No medical attention was needed. First insurance was contacted and the vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. No dealer was contacted. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was opened. An investigation was also started. …”
NHTSA complaint #11301153, filed 2020-01, 22,000 miles“My battery lost 2 of my 12 range bars and Nissan does not see any of this as an issue, october 06, 2016 - 110 mile range march 04, 2017 - august 28, 2017 - 76 mile range ' 1 bar loss october 23, 2017 - 65 - 72 mile range ' 2 bar loss I can no longer make my commute after 1 year of usage. …”
NHTSA complaint #11042126, filed 2017-11“On Friday, November 1, at about 3 pm, the brakes failed pulling away from the curb in a forward direction after loading equipment into the vehicle. Really stomping the brakes as though they had a fluid problem did get them to engage. I think the problem occured again backing out of my driveway prior to Monday the 4th when I fixed the problem. Again, really slamming the brake peddle got the brake to engage. You may look at the vehicle if you wish. On Friday, I was at a large senior center party and there were many pedestrian with limited mobility near the exit. …”
NHTSA complaint #11623624, filed 2024-11“On March 8, 2023, my 2016 NISSAN LEAF main EV battery failed at 75% charge power going up an incline on the freeway. The car shut down in the center lane with no warning at 60mph and could not be moved or shifted to be driven off the freeway. The car is available for inspection. My safety and the safety of others was put at EXTREME risk. I could have been killed or rear ended. I called 911 for the highway patrol and a county or city tow truck got me off the freeway. Previously, the main EV battery was diagnosed by the dealer as dropping in capacity to 8 bars in December 2022. …”
NHTSA complaint #11511218, filed 2023-03Related 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.
- 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.
- 10231857Feb 10, 2023NAVIGATION SYMPTOMS WHEN SD CARD IS MISSING OR WRONG CARD INSTALLED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 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…
- 10213684Apr 5, 2022SERVICE INFORMATION FOR FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE WITH DTCS STORED IN ECM SERVICE INFORMATION If a fuel level sensor has been diagnosed as sending an incorrect level signal, and one…
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 2016 Nissan Leaf
16 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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