I borrowed a leaf from a co-worker to drive overnight. I parked in my driveway (not by a plug) and plugged the 110v charger into an extension cord to charge the battery. I awoke at midnight to a strong burned plastic/ozone type smell in my bedroom, which is above the garage. I went to the garage and found the extension cord was overheating, melting the plastic insulation from the wiring. I…
2011 Nissan Leaf electrical problems
moderate 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 27 electrical complaints filed for the 2011 Nissan Leaf, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Electrical accounts for 28% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 6 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Battery capacity has dropped 1 bar. Nissan case number [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
I believe the battery was rigged into running low right after the warranty ran out
Had electrical trouble with your 2011 Nissan Leaf?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2011 Nissan Leaf?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 7,200 and 38,000 miles, with the median around 20,206. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,200; a quarter make it past 38,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Nissan/Leaf.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.