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Electrical systemPart report

2018 Nissan Leaf Electrical system Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
28%of 67 total for the year
Median mileage
38,225miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Nissan Leaf, 28% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,225 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving the vehicle, without warning the car stopped itself simulating a slamming on the brakes affect. There was no warning, the car just stopped. After the car stopped, an error appeared on the screen saying power supply failure. To avoid accident, serious injury or death do not drive. Contact dealer for service. The car stopping suddenly is very dangerous, if there was another car behind me, or if I was on the freeway, I would have gotten rear ended.”

NHTSA complaint #11208166, filed 2019-05, 21,150 miles

“The control panel touchscreen display in the Nissan LEAF (2018) has a denial of service vulnerability that can be used to lock up the screen. Once locked, the touch screen can no longer be used even if the car is turned off and on. The only way to unlock the screen is by removing and re-inserting the sd card containing the mapping data. This seems to arise from the sos functionality locking the touchscreen and not turning off when the car does. To replicate: 1. …”

NHTSA complaint #11308645, filed 2020-02, 2,000 miles

“Car was fast charged on July 9th. 2026. After fast charging from 13% to 80%, and driving for a few miles, the overheating warning came on and car was forced to stop on the side of a busy highway until the engine cooled off. While there is an active recall for a similar problem (24V700), my car is not included and we were not notified.”

NHTSA complaint #11749783, filed 2026-07

“I was traveling north on Freeway 57 at approximately 70mph. The dash lit up red with 12v and charging warnings. Power was shut off and car went into Neutral and warned me to pull over. This is an incredibly busy freeway and I was in the far left lane. I barely made it to the shoulder coasting before car started shuttering and jerking and stopped rolling. I could have been killed.”

NHTSA complaint #11706074, filed 2025-12

“I was traveling home from work at approximately 60MPH (speed limit) and I experienced a rapid drop in the state of charge from ~60% to ~25% in 15-20 seconds. I slowed the vehicle to 55MPH and it recovered most of the state of charge. When accelerating to 60MPH a few miles later I experience the same behavior and was forced to maintain 55MPH. I was forced to turn off the electric cabin heater, heated seats, and heated steering wheel as well. …”

NHTSA complaint #11631699, filed 2024-12

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025343%
2024240%
2023523%
20226265%
20213256%
202012374%
201917868%
20181928%
2017424%
20161336%
20151816%
2014618%
20131822%
20121526%
20112931%

Other parts of the 2018 Nissan Leaf

Brakes
19 complaintsForward collision avoidance
13 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 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