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ProblemsByVin File / 2018-NISSAN-LEAF
2018 · nissan

nissan Leaf problems

0 safety recalls. 61 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.

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Critical
0
Severe
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Moderate

Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
13 reports · avg $850
severe
brakes
12 reports · avg $450
severe
cruise control
9 reports · avg $600
severe
steering
5 reports · avg $700
severe
body
4 reports · avg $1,500
moderate
airbags
3 reports · avg $1,100
severe
powertrain
3 reports · avg $2,500
severe

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2018 Leaf · cruise control
NISSAN LEAF WITH PRO-PILOT ASSIST PACKAGE. INTERMITTENTLY THE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT FOR AUTOMATIC FORWARD EMERGENCY BRAKING AND/OR LANE KEEP ASSIST WILL FLASH INDICATING SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OVASSIONS AND AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE…
12/27/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11163616.0
2018 Leaf · electrical
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…
12/19/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11706074.0
2018 Leaf · visibility
The front windshield wipers on this car fail in light ice or snow. They've broken every winter I've owned this car (four years). This results in me driving around without front windshield wipers until I can get it fixed, watching the weather forecast and hoping I don't get…
12/19/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11706140.0
2018 Leaf · powertrain
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…
12/19/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11631699.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Common questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Leaf reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 61 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 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 2018 Nissan Leaf?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 13 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 2018 Nissan Leaf?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 61 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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 16 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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