Skip to content
Forward collision avoidancePart report

2018 Nissan Leaf Forward collision avoidance Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
19%of 67 total for the year
Median mileage
675miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2018 Nissan Leaf, 19% of the 67 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 675 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“When the brakes are applied moderately at around 40mph to slow down, and if a wheel go on top of some bumps or pot holes, car seems to loose braking power, brake padel drop about 1 inch, have to pedal hard to get the brakes back. At one time I saw a message on dashboard not available which I was not able to read and confirm, as this happened in a panic situation. This is occational but has happened to be 4 - 5 times now. …”

NHTSA complaint #11092600, filed 2018-05, 40 miles

“I was driving alone at 4:20pm at about 30 MPH, with no other cars or pedestrians around when the brakes suddenly activated, and the accelerator went to idle. The braking lasted about one second and did not stop the car completely. This occurred on a city street. These events have been happening several times a month.”

NHTSA complaint #11394518, filed 2021-02, 19,000 miles

“Was driving at approx. 30 MPH alone on a local highway with no traffic around, no pedestrians or obstructions in the road, when the accelerator disengaged and the brakes came on. The braking only lasted about one to two seconds and did not stop the car. A triangular warning sign appeared on the dash during the braking, and went off when the brakes released. I believe the problem is a malfunction of the forward collision warning system.”

NHTSA complaint #11391083, filed 2021-02, 18,000 miles

“While driving forward, the vehicle suddenly, unexpectedly and violently applies the brakes without any driver input whatsoever! There are no other vehicles or pedestrians in the vicinity at the time. This sudden braking problem began on or about 5/15/18 and happened on several occasions after that. Twice while entering the underground parking garage at an office building and twice while driving on a city street. Vehicle has been at the local Nissan dealer for over a week but neither the dealership nor the manufacturer apparently has any idea how to fix the problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11103747, filed 2018-06, 675 miles

“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

Related service bulletins

Forward collision avoidance: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202329%
202233%
202147%
202074%
201931%
20181319%
201716%

Other parts of the 2018 Nissan Leaf

Brakes
19 complaintsElectrical system
19 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 28, 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