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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-NISSAN-LEAF
2016 · nissan

nissan Leaf problems

1 safety recall. 35 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
14 reports · avg $450
severe
electrical
11 reports · avg $850
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 Leaf · electrical
We were driving the car on a highway (the 405 in Los Angeles) in the midafternoon on December 21. We were going uphill and in the flow of traffic. I'd say the speed was about 60-65. The car was functioning well. Then, the driver accelerated to pass a car and suddenly the car…
12/24/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11498756.0
2016 Leaf · electrical
DECEMBER 07, 2016 I BOUGHT NISSAN LEAF 2016 IN JUNE 30, 2016. ON NOVEMBER 29, 2016, IT JUST STOPPED AND NOT GOING IN REVERSE OR FORWARD, JUST STAY ON NEUTRAL AND PARK. IT HAS TWO RECALLS ISSUED BY TRANSPORT CANADA (# 2016179 AN # 2016302). NISSAN CANADA NEVER SEND MY ANY…
12/07/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10933775.0
2016 Leaf · other
BATTERY DEGRADATION OCCURRING MUCH QUICKER THAN REASONABLY EXPECTED. DETAILS FOLLOW. CAR PURCHASED IN JUNE 2016. AFTER DRIVING A TOTAL OF 6,150 MILES UNDER CONDITIONS OF MODERATE TEMPERATURE, CONSERVATIVE DRIVING (NOT EXCEEDING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, USING ECO MODE AS…
11/21/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11047839.0
2016 Leaf · brakes
I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE BRAKES NOT WORKING, BUT I HAVE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES THAT OTHERS ARE REPORTING. I'VE LEARNED TO NOT FOLLOW CLOSE AT ALL. MINE IS ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS THAT I'VE NOTICED THE LACK OF BRAKES. SEEMS RANDOM, CANNOT DETERMINE A SPECIFIC SPEED OR…
11/18/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11152331.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V436000 15/06/2016

Nissan North America, Inc

If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 9, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Leaf reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Nissan Leaf is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Nissan Leaf?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 14 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Nissan Leaf has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Nissan Leaf?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 35 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 14 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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