Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 79/100 (GOOD)

2025 Nissan Leaf Reliability Report

The 2025 Nissan Leaf stands good for reliability, but owners report serious electrical faults, including unintended acceleration.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

13.7per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$748

EV Range

149–212 mi

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity69/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs80/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact100/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity75/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Last second-generation year and the strongest of the five scored Leaf years, with no recalls but three serious electrical complaints.

Top Issues to Watch

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)
STRUCTURE (1)

Generation & Refresh (US)

Final Year

2025 is the last model year of the Second generation (ZE1; 2017).

Final-year models are typically the most refined version of a generation.
2 years after the last refresh (2023).
2nd generation Leaf (US).

What this means for buyers

Final-year models are usually the most polished version of a generation, but resale value may dip as buyers anticipate the next redesign.

2018: Second generation (ZE1; 2017) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2025: This Model Year

2025 is the last model year of the Second generation (ZE1; 2017).

Should You Buy the 2025 Nissan Leaf?

Reliability for this final second-generation Leaf is good. It sits close to average among 2025 sedans and ranks as the best of the five Leaf model years we score. Federal recall records show no recalls. One cost matters: independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs for the Leaf at $748, against $471 for its class.

Owners filed 7 complaints, and three of them involve the electrical system. Those three are serious. One owner describes the car continuing to accelerate after lifting off the pedal, slowing only under braking, with the problem returning after a restart. Another saw a "Service EV" message, then an audible "Caution Fire" warning at 8,750 miles, and the cause had not been found. A third reports smoke filling the cabin during Level 3 charging, with occupants coughing.

Because no recall exists, a clean recall search proves little. Ask the seller for repair records covering the electrical system and charging. Ask whether any warning messages have appeared, and have a dealer look into any open concern before you buy.

See also the 2021 Nissan Leaf for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Infrequent unscheduled repairs
+Low major repair risk (10%)
+No recalls issued

Cons

−Above-average repair costs for its class
−Above-average complaint rate for Sedan
−ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Car keeps accelerating after the driver lifts off the pedal (3 complaints)

Compare 2025 Nissan Leaf With

2025 Subaru Legacy

Reliability: 80/100

Excellent

Common Problem Categories

Other

HIGH RISK

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)

See detailed breakdown by component ↓

Recall Overview

recalls on record

No recalls are on record for the 2025 Nissan Leaf — uncommon, and a strong signal of manufacturing quality.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

13.7

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 2

LowAvgHigh

Moderate

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

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

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2025 Nissan Leaf? Check its history first

Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2025 Nissan Leaf, and 0 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

2025 Nissan Leaf NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Not Available)Advanced Belt Feature (Not Available)Seat Belt Pretensioners (Not Available)Seat Belt Load Limiters (Not Available)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Not Available)Seat Belt Reminder System (Not Available)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Not Available)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Info Not Available)Unattended Child Reminder Direct Sensing System (Info Not Available)LATCH Locations (Not Available)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

149–212 mi range

Fuel cost: $700/yr

Fuel only

30.426–30.782 kWh/100mi · 8–11 hrs @ 240V

Based on EPA fuel-cost estimates. Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2025 EPA label cycle.

Electric trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	Range	kWh/100mi	Fuel Cost
LEAF	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (A1)	149 mi	30.4	$700
LEAF SV	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (A1)	212 mi	30.8	$700

Used Buying Checklist

Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2025 Nissan Leaf.

Drive in stop-and-go traffic and confirm the car slows down when you lift off the accelerator.
Turn the car off and restart it, then check again that it stops accelerating once you release the pedal.
Watch the dash at startup and while driving for a "Service EV" message or any fire caution warning.
Run a Level 3 charging session and check the cabin for visible smoke or a burning smell.
Ask for dealer records of any visits for Service EV warnings, fire warnings, or unintended acceleration, and what was repaired.
Run the VIN through federal recall records and confirm all open recalls have been completed.

2025 Nissan Leaf Common Problems by Component

7 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3)UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1)VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1)STRUCTURE (1)WHEELS (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

Leaf electrical problems across all model years

The car keeps accelerating after the driver lifts off the pedal. It slows only under braking, and the problem can come back after a restart. Other reports describe a "Service EV" message followed by an audible "Caution Fire" warning at 8,750 miles. Owners also report visible smoke filling the cabin during Level 3 charging, with occupants coughing. These failures carry serious risk. Unintended acceleration can lead to a crash, and the fire warning and the smoke while charging point to a possible fire hazard. In the fire-warning case, the cause had not yet been found.

3 complaints total

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

2025-02-12

When the outside temperature is below freezing, the heater runs for about 10 minutes and then starts blowing nothing but cold air. This is not just an inconvenience and discomfort, but leads to distracted driving which could result in an accident. Lately the temperature has sometimes dipped below 0 degrees F, and the car is almost undrivable. This problem has been widely discussed on the Leaf owners' forum online and was just acknowledged by my service representative at Valley Nissan in Longmont, CO. There were no warning lamps or other indications of the problem before or after.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

2025-02-10

While quickly shifting the car from drive to reverse the car will suddenly go full throttle in reverse with no pedal input. This is very easy to get it to do

STRUCTURE (1 complaints)

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

2024-11-21

Door latch hits door striker

WHEELS (1 complaints)

WHEELS

1 complaint

2024-09-26

Leased new vehicle, after approximately 900-miles, started to hear knocking sounds during acceleration and deceleration. Checked wheel lug nuts and all were loose and passenger side wheel lock was missing. Torque spec at factory needs to be reviewed. Contacted the dealership, Tynan’s Nissan in Aurora, CO.

Best & Worst Nissan Leaf Years

Best Nissan Leaf Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

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(selected)	79/100	+9	Good	0	7
2021	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 2025 Nissan Leaf reliable?

Mostly yes. Its reliability standing is good, close to average among 2025 sedans, and the best of the five Leaf years we score. Federal recall records list none. The weak spot is a small group of serious electrical complaints, and yearly repair costs run above its class.

What are the most common problems with the 2025 Nissan Leaf?

Electrical faults lead the complaints, with 3 of the 7 filed. Owners describe unintended acceleration, a "Service EV" message followed by a "Caution Fire" warning, and smoke in the cabin during Level 3 charging. These carry serious risk, including a crash or possible fire.

Does the 2025 Nissan Leaf have unintended acceleration problems?

Owners have reported it. In one complaint the car kept accelerating after the driver lifted off the pedal and slowed only under braking. The problem can come back after a restart. The data shows few such reports, but the risk of a crash makes it worth asking about.

Has the 2025 Nissan Leaf been recalled?

No. Federal recall records list zero recalls for this model year. Owners still filed complaints about electrical faults, so the lack of a recall does not mean those problems are absent. Ask for repair records, not only a recall search.

How much does the 2025 Nissan Leaf cost to repair?

Independent repair-cost data estimates $748 a year for the Leaf across the model, compared with $471 for its class. That is well above average, so budget for higher upkeep even though the reliability standing is good.

Don’t buy a 2025 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 2025 Nissan Leaf

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2025 Nissan Leaf does best on recall impact (100/100) and worst on complaint severity (69/100). 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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