2021 Nissan Leaf: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, wipers and visibility, and transmission. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021- Owner complaints
- 51
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes reported
- 2
- 1 injury
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/8 checked
2021 Nissan Leaf: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/4
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
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.
Which Leaf is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Nissan Leaf. 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 | FWD | 226 mi range |
- With a full charge, the range estimate on the dash should land near the EPA figure of 226 miles. A much lower number on a mild day can mean a worn battery; ask for a battery health report.
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Nissan Leaf, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Electrical29No crashes
The high-voltage battery catches fire in 3 of these reports. One fire starts shortly after charging, and another while the car sits parked at a dealer. Firefighters describe battery fires that burn or smoke for hours and keep reigniting. Most other complaints describe an open battery recall. Owners say they were told not to use Level 3 CHAdeMO fast charging and have waited months for a remedy, with parts unavailable. Owners also report shrinking range, failed battery cells, and cars that won't charge even on Level 1. Several say they were nearly stranded.
Wipers and visibility4No crashes
The heater and defroster stop working in deep cold after a dealer software update, according to owners. Below about 17 degrees Fahrenheit, the windshield fogs over and stays that way for about 10 minutes until heat arrives. Owners say the dealer called this intended behavior. Owners also report rear camera trouble: a grey screen below about 32 degrees, or an image that drops out until the tailgate is opened and closed. One owner was told the wiring harness repair was no longer covered.
Transmission3No crashes
The car can die completely while driving, and the drive motor then locks the wheels so the car cannot be rolled for towing. That failure happened at 33,258 miles. Another reported fault: pressing Start and shifting too quickly leaves the car in Neutral instead of Drive or Reverse. On a steep hill, a driver who lifts off the brake could roll into traffic or people. One complaint covers the battery recall, which owners say blocks DC fast charging and makes long trips impractical.
Airbags22 crashes
The airbags fail to deploy in serious crashes, according to both complaints. One crash is a frontal collision into a stopped vehicle and a barrier. In the other, the car is spun by a truck into concrete barriers and totaled, and one person is injured. The owner also says the car's warning systems failed. Both reports appear to come from the same owner and describe separate crashes.
Fuel system2No crashes
The battery pack loses capacity, and owners tie the loss to the open battery recall. One owner describes severe degradation and voltage sag and fears a fire during charging or driving. Both complaints focus on the ban on Level 3 fast charging. Owners say there is no repair and no firm timeline, so the car can't safely recharge on longer trips and drivers risk being stranded.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Leaf owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Vehicle showed a message "Service EV system - Unable to restart after power off". Took to my local Nissan dealer on Oct/21 and had the car serviced and message cleared. On my way back home from dealer, same message showed up again and shut off the car. Next morning the same message remained on dashboard and was unable to start the vehicle. Through an internet research, the same issue is happening with Nissan Leaf all over the world (Japan, UK, etc)
Filed with NHTSA, October 2022
I want to be clear about why I opened this case. Per Nissan’s own recall documents, the software update does not repair the defective battery cells, it only detects the issue and may disable the vehicle to prevent a thermal event. Level 3 charging remains unusable, and the underlying defect is still present. Because of this, I am requesting a repurchase or a replacement vehicle. If they say the software will “fully correct the condition”
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
The resolution for recall 22V-048 provided by Nissan is unacceptable. In order how to properly run the defroster for conditions you have refer to manual or supplement manual. I would expect just turn on defrost and not worry if it going to work in the weather condition I am driving in.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
The rear view camera picture on the display is grey and does not display any video signal at temperatures below about 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Backing up without the rear view camera picture causes a safety hazard.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2025
9.3.2021 Freeway comes to a complete stop. Front end collision into vehicle in front at an angle to avoid full collision and into the barrier on Passenger side. NO AIRBAGS deployed! Police Report Filed.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2022
How the 2021 compares with other Leaf years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 5 Leaf years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Electrical2973
- Wipers and visibility43
- Transmission37
- Airbags21
- Fuel system28
Where the 2021 fits in the Leaf's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the fourth model year of the Leaf's second generation (2018–2025).
Nissan updated the Leaf for 2023, so a 2021 does not have those changes.
What changed for 2023 (not on a 2021)
- Slight EPA range reduction to 240km (149 miles) for the 40 kWh version and 341km (212 miles) for the 62 kWh version.
Recalls to confirm (4)
Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
25V655000ElectricalOct 2025
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2022 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.
Risk: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use Level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 16, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R25C8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 4, 2025.
24V071000Backup cameraFeb 2024
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2022 LEAF vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23D7.
23V494000Acceleration and cruise controlJul 2023
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The vehicle may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed ("D" to "B"; e-Pedal "On"; or "ECO" mode) after disengaging the cruise control.
Risk: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (VCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A6.
23V048000EquipmentFeb 2023
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The Owner's Manual instructions for defroster operation are incorrect, and may result in reduced defroster performance under specific conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems.".
Risk: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will mail an addendum with updated instructions on how to operate the defroster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.
Also looking at these instead of a Leaf?
Cars shoppers compare with the Nissan Leaf, with their own 2021 checklists.
2021 owner complaints, side by side
- Subaru Legacy31
- 2021 Nissan Leaf51
