Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 70/100 (GOOD)

2021 Nissan Leaf Reliability Report

The 2021 Nissan Leaf has a good reliability standing, but battery fire reports and charging limits are the main concern.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

35.8per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$748

EV Range

149–226 mi

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity54/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact71/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity84/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Good standing and a 5-star crash rating, with fewer complaints and recalls than 2020, though owners report battery fires and fast-charging limits.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (29)
VISIBILITY/WIPER (4)
POWER TRAIN (3)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 4)

2021 is year 4 of the Second generation (ZE1; 2017).

Redesigned for the 2018 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
A refresh arrives in 2023.
2nd generation Leaf (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2018: Second generation (ZE1; 2017) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2021: This Model Year

2021 is year 4 of the Second generation (ZE1; 2017).

2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2021 Nissan Leaf?

Good is the standing here, and it is close to average against other 2021 sedans. Among the Leaf's scored model years, this one is among the stronger. The 2020 is worse, with 159 complaints and 6 recalls, against 51 complaints and 4 recalls for 2021. The federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars. Repair costs run high, though: $748 a year model-wide, against $471 for the class.

Electrical problems make up 29 of the 51 complaints. Three reports describe high-voltage battery fires, one soon after charging and one in a car parked at a dealer. Firefighters say these fires burn for hours and reignite. Owners say they were told not to use Level 3 CHAdeMO fast charging and waited months for parts. Others report shrinking range and cars that would not charge at all. One owner says the car died while driving at 33,258 miles, and the drive motor locked the wheels so it could not be rolled for towing.

Before buying, ask for the full recall history and proof that any open work was finished. Ask whether the car has fast-charging limits, and test the heater, defroster and rear camera in cold weather.

Compared to the 2025 Nissan Leaf, which scored 9 points higher. See also the 2020 Nissan Leaf for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (10%)

Cons

−Above-average repair costs for its class
−Moderate recall count
−Above-average complaint rate for Sedan

Compare 2021 Nissan Leaf With

2021 Subaru Legacy

Reliability: 75/100

Good

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

4 manufacturer recalls issued

Other

HIGH RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (29)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2021 Nissan Leaf. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

35.8

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 16.7

LowAvgHigh

High

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

★★★★★

NHTSA 5/5 Stars

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2021 Nissan Leaf Recall Details

4 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Nissan Leaf. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

25V6550002025-10-01

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Consequence

A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

24V0710002024-02-02

BACK OVER PREVENTION

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."

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

23V4940002023-07-17

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Consequence

Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2021 Nissan Leaf? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2021 Nissan Leaf, and 4 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2021 Nissan Leaf NHTSA Safety Ratings

Overall Safety Rating

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Driver: 5/5Passenger: 4/5

Rollover risk: 10.7%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Torso/Pelvis (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Knee (Driver, Front Passenger)Additional Air Bags (N/A)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (No)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Not Available)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Not Available)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Nissan LeafRepair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$748

vs $471 avg for alternative fuel vehicles

vs $652 avg for all vehicles

Repair Frequency

0.2

unscheduled repair visits per year

Severe Repair Probability

10%

chance of a major repair

Annual Cost Comparison

Leaf

$748

Category Avg

$471

All Vehicles

$652

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Electric

149–226 mi range

Fuel cost: $700–$750/yr

Fuel only

30.426–32.283 kWh/100mi · 8–11 hrs @ 240V

Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2021 EPA label cycle.

Electric trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	Range	kWh/100mi	Fuel Cost
Leaf (40 kW-hr battery pack)	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (A1)	149 mi	30.4	$700
Leaf (62 kW-hr battery pack)	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (A1)	226 mi	31.3	$700
Leaf SV/SL (62 kW-hr battery pack)	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (A1)	215 mi	32.3	$750

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2021 Nissan Leaf.

Run the VIN for open recalls and get written proof of any completed battery recall remedy.
Have a dealer report battery state of health, and check the range shown at full charge.
Ask for records of battery cell replacements or charging faults, and walk away if cells keep failing.
If you depend on DC fast charging, plan around Level 2 charging until a battery remedy is confirmed.
Shift into Reverse several times, open and close the hatch, and confirm the camera image stays clear and steady.
Test the heater and defroster on a cold morning and time how long the windshield takes to clear.
Press Start, shift right away, and confirm the display shows Drive or Reverse, not Neutral, before releasing the brake.

2021 Nissan Leaf Common Problems by Component

51 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (29)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6)VISIBILITY/WIPER (4)POWER TRAIN (3)FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2)AIR BAGS (2)ENGINE (1)SERVICE BRAKES (1)Other (3)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

29 complaintsSafety-related

Leaf electrical problems across all model years

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.

29 complaints total3 fires

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

6 complaints

The rear backup camera fails on and off. The screen turns pink, blue, black, or green, scrolls, or shows the image split in half, leaving a blind spot when reversing. Closing the rear hatch firmly or restarting the car often brings the picture back, so dealers sometimes can't reproduce the fault. One owner reports the failure returning after the wiring harness was replaced. The remaining complaint covers the battery recall, which owners say restricts Level 3 fast charging and has no real repair yet.

6 complaints total

VISIBILITY/WIPER

4 complaints

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.

4 complaints total

POWER TRAIN (3 complaints)

POWER TRAIN

3 complaints

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.

3 complaints total

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints)

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 complaints

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.

2 complaints total

AIR BAGS (2 complaints)

AIR BAGS

2 complaintsSafety-related

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.

2 complaints total2 crashes1 injury

ENGINE (1 complaints)

ENGINE

1 complaint

2025-10-27

Car is under a recall-no level 3 charging due to risk of fire since October of 2025 with no remedy in place. The car is not able to be used as advertized-cannot travel outside of 200 miles from my home as level 3 charging is not possible and level 2 charging not feasible for travelling. Of note-the battery in my car is a NEW battery -it was replaced in December of 2025 due to repeated prior failures -including suddenly slowing down drastically on highway which was a safety hazard. Aftee repeated efforts to get this addressed Nissan agreed to replace the battery but the repacement IS UNDER RECALL and the car is not usable for my purposes.

SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)

SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

2025-01-21

Brakes problem: During rain season the moisture can get into the brake system. When backing up, the brakes feel partially seized, and make squeeze sound. The problem is more serious when pulling the parking brake during overnight parking. Somehow the sound is coming out of front brakes. The sound will diminish after break several times during normal breaking. Forward Collision warning system: The system only alerts driver with deeps and lights on dashboard. It doesn’t enables the brake system to slow or stop the car.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

2024-05-13

Component: High Beam Assist Safety issue: The High Beam Assist system that is enabled by default with the neutral "Auto" switch on the control stalk has a faulty "light detection" system that cannot be overridden by manual driver input. The light detection system is designed to disengage high-beams when another car becomes visible, then re-engage the high-beams when the car passes. However, this system is overly sensitive and will very often disengage high beams based on street lights, reflective mail boxes, pavement reflectors, moonlight, and more. There is no available control to reliably override this disengagement. The system also prevent engagement, not just falsly triggering disengagement. For example, if you see an obstacle while using low-beams, and attempt to quick engage high-beams by pushing the control stalk, the system will not engage high-beams because the sensor falsely detected a light source. You can flick the control stalk back and forth repeatedly, and the high-beams will not engage in Auto. Reproducible: always reproducible, and reported by numerous owners in online forums Inspection: N/A Warnings: None

BACK OVER PREVENTION (1 complaints)

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 complaint

2024-04-25

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V071000 (Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the back over prevention camera failed to function. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Best & Worst Nissan Leaf Years

Best Nissan Leaf Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2021

(Current Model)

4Recalls

51Complaints

Good

Nissan Leaf Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Nissan Leaf reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	67/100	Good
2019	58/100	Mixed
2020	58/100	Mixed
2021	70/100	Good
2025	79/100	Good

Nissan Leaf Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2025	79/100	+9	Good	0	7
2021(selected)	70/100	+12	Good	4	51
2020	58/100	0	Mixed	6	159
2019	58/100	-9	Mixed	5	251
2018	67/100	—	Good	4	64

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2021 Nissan Leaf reliable?

Yes, its standing is good, and it is close to average among 2021 sedans. It ranks among the stronger of the Leaf's five scored years. The weak spots are the high-voltage battery and charging, plus repair costs above the class average.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan Leaf?

Electrical system complaints dominate, at 29 of 51. Owners report battery fires, shrinking range, failed cells, and cars that will not charge. Smaller groups cover a heater and defroster that stop working in deep cold, rear camera dropouts, and power loss while driving.

Does the 2021 Nissan Leaf have battery fire problems?

Three owner complaints describe high-voltage battery fires. One began shortly after charging and another in a car parked at a dealer. Firefighters describe fires that burn or smoke for hours and keep reigniting. Three reports is a small share of the total, but the severity is high.

How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Leaf have?

Federal records list 4 recalls. They cover the electrical system, back over prevention, vehicle speed control, and equipment and visibility. Check the VIN with Nissan or the federal recall database to see whether the work on a specific car was completed.

Is the 2021 Nissan Leaf better than the 2020?

By the records, yes. The 2020 has mixed reliability and rates worse, with 159 complaints and 6 recalls. The 2021 has 51 complaints and 4 recalls. Both counts grow with time on the road, but 2021 has had a similar chance to collect them.

Don’t buy a 2021 Nissan Leaf without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2021 Nissan Leaf

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 Nissan Leaf does best on how many systems draw complaints (84/100) and worst on complaint severity (54/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.

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