Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, transmission, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Nissan Ariya: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Nissan Ariya. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | AWD, FWD | 272–304 mi range |
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
EV system shutdown, car won't move
4,149–20,000 miles
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Nissan Ariya, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden loss of drive power is the main pattern. The charge reading drops from a healthy level to 0%, a "Service EV System" or "EV System Off" warning appears, and the car slows or shuts down, sometimes at highway speed. Some cars restart normally after sitting a few minutes. Others need tows, repeat dealer visits, or a software update. Other reports describe the car slipping into neutral at low speed, screens and lights flashing while driving, and an overcharged 12-volt battery venting gas in a garage. A few filings concern software updates the dealer could not install.
Power loss on the road dominates here too. The charge reading falls to 0%, a reduced-power or limp mode caps speed, and "Service EV System" or malfunction warnings appear. Turning the car off for a few minutes often clears it, but some owners report repeat episodes. Other reports describe the shifter refusing reverse until a restart, the car creeping backward in drive, and a clicking noise at stops. One crash involved sudden acceleration while parking. One transmission failure is reported at about 77,000 miles.
Brake failures show up in two forms. In one, the car rolls forward with the brake pedal pressed, shortly after delivery. In the other, braking performance drops at about 18,500 miles, and the dealer finds badly worn rear pads and damaged rear rotors, recommending full rear brake assembly replacement at about $3,800. Both reports describe a real collision risk, though neither car crashed. With only 2 complaints, no broad pattern is clear yet.
Sudden shutdown at speed is the main report. The car loses all power, drops into neutral, and slows from highway speed, leaving the driver to cross lanes to reach an exit. In that case it happened twice in five months. A separate report describes lost motive power at about 40 mph, smoke from the front compartment, and no warning light, with an independent shop calling for engine replacement. Both reports carry a clear loss-of-control risk.
Driver-assist and control faults drive these reports. Lane assist stops detecting hands on the wheel, triggers a retake-control alert, and stays engaged after a brake tap, which nearly caused a crash on a congested highway. Another report lists steering wheel buttons that stop responding and doors that lock and unlock on their own. That owner says the dealer and Nissan have not resolved the problems. Only 2 complaints are on file.
Excerpts from complaints Ariya owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The car was unable to move when started up and displayed a warning that said "Service EV system." The car is within the initial 3 year warranty and has under 20,000 miles.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
While coming to a complete stop using manual braking the vehicle appeared to lose power. The infotainment system went black and reset. The car itself did not need to be restarted and the manual brakes were still responsive. Additionally there is a recurring loud popping/cracking noise during normal driving (not charging).
Filed with NHTSA, September 2023
The car spontaneously shut down. "EV OFF" displayed on the screen. I was in the middle of the road and unable to turn on the car or shift into neutral to push it off the road. I had to wait over an hour for a tow while in the road. This appears to be an increasing problem as many owners are reporting the same issue on the Nissan Ariya electric SUV Discussion Group page on Facebook.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2023
Happened to me and my wife few times to try to put the vehicle in reverse gear and the car starts warning us to put the shifter in P and no matter what it does not go into gear. After ignition cycle it will operate properly, but that could be a safety issue at certain scenarios. The car doors are fully closed when this happens.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
My car had an 80% charge and I was going 75 MPH on a major highway. for the second time in five months the Ariya inexplicably shut off, went into neutral. I had to navigate three lanes to get off the nearest exit. The car immediately lost all power and decelerated from 75 miles a The car immediately lost all power and decelerated from 75 MPH to 25 before I could get to the nearest exit.This is so unacceptable. I do not feel safe in this car.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 has the most owner complaints of the 3 Ariya years we cover, about 6.0 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the first model year of the Ariya's first generation (2023 on). First years of a redesign often carry teething problems that Nissan fixes in later years, so the checks above matter more than usual.
Should you avoid the first year of a redesign? See the 45-car study.
Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Ariya vehicles. The inverter software may misdiagnose an error, which can shut down the EV system, resulting in a loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the vehicle's inverter software version and update the software, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R24A8.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Ariya vehicles. O-rings inside the electric front traction motor may have been damaged during assembly, which can result in an internal oil leak and an unexpected loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front traction motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R24A3.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Ariya vehicles. The inverter software may detect a short circuit and shut down the EV system, resulting in a loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the inverter software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23C6.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Ariya vehicles. The steering wheel bolt may have been tightened incorrectly or not installed.
Risk: A steering wheel with a loose or missing bolt can detach from the steering column, causing a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised to contact their dealer for transport and immediate repair if the steering wheel feels loose when gently rocking the wheel forward and back with their hands. Dealers will replace the steering wheel bolt, free of charge. Nissan began notifying owners on March 2, 2023 via phone and will follow up with owner notification letters beginning on March 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC956.
Cars shoppers compare with the Nissan Ariya, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
