2015 Nissan Leaf Reliability - Consumer Reports
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2015
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
GREEN CHOICE

Nissan Leaf

Unlock Ratings
Nissan's LEAF holds the distinction of being the first widely available and affordable all-electric car. Overall, it's a civilized vehicle with very low running costs. It's very quiet, rides comfortably and is easy to enter and exit. The main drawbacks are its limited driving range of only about 75 miles per charge and long recharge times. This makes it best used as a commuter car or an urban runabout.
Alerts
There are 3 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.
GREEN CHOICE
2015
New 2022
Used 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011

Nissan Leaf

Reliability

We expect the 2022 Leaf will be more reliable than the average new car. This prediction is based on data from 2019 and 2020 models. Select the used car model year to see reported issues with those similar past models.

Overall Reliability
Most Common Trouble Spots
Common Trouble Spot
Common Trouble Spot
See all 2015 Potential Trouble Spots
The 2015 Nissan Leaf has been recalled 3 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
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Overall Reliability Verdict
NA
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POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
Engine Major
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Engine Minor
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Engine Cooling
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Transmission Major
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Transmission Minor
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Drive System
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Fuel System
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Electric System
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Climate System
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Suspension
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Brakes
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Exhaust
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Paint/Trim
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Body Integrity
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Body Hardware
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Power Equipment
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In-car Electronics
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Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2021 vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.

Learn more about car Reliability.

Owner Reported Trouble Spots

The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2015 Nissan Leaf owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

Body Hardware

Power or manual windows, locks and latches, tailgate, hatch or trunk, doors or sliding doors, mirrors, seat controls, safety belts, sunroof, convertible top.

What Owners Say

Doors or sliding doors

"Loose trim piece can interfere with passenger door closing"

Anonymous, CA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)

"passenger door latch is badly aligned, thelatch on the car body seems a little high and hits the door frame before being forced into the latch mechanism. Noisy and not smooth door closing results"

Anonymous, GA (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)

"Dents in door and rocker panel noticed after taking delivery"

Randy H., WA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)

"Handle on rear passenger side door frequently sticks out"

Corwin Z., CA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)
Glass defects

"Raised area in glass leading to damaging wiper blading and not wiping cleanly"

Randy H., WA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)

"Problem with glass resulting in damaging wiper blades. Even after replacing windshield, new wipers still streak and make noise"

Anonymous, WA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)
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Climate System

Blower (fan) motor, A/C compressor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate control, refrigerant leakage, electrical failure.

What Owners Say

A/C compressor

"A belt broke causing the compressor not to work. Repaired by dealer at minimal cost."

Anonymous, CA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)
Blower (fan) motor

"The blower fan would not shift from dash to floor - sticking the AC system in dash-only."

Anonymous, AZ (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)
Heater system

"Problem started in November, It took three visits to the dealership for the problem to be fixed in February."

Anonymous, MD (2015 Nissan Leaf SV Electric)

"With the heater turned all the way up we could not get any heat at all"

Terry D., IA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)
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In-car Electronics

CD or DVD players, radio, speakers, GPS, communication system (e.g., OnStar), display screen freezes or goes blank, phone pairing (e.g. Bluetooth), voice control commands, steering wheel controls, portable music device interface (e.g., iPod/MP3 player), backup or other camera/sensors.

What Owners Say

Display screen freezes up

"Car repeatedly calls my cell phone when blue tooth connected. Everything is frozen when it does this"

Anonymous, MD (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)
Display screen goes blank

"The display screen goes blank. The navigation system and radio do no work, but the backup camera still does work. This is an intermittent problem that has happened several times over the last week. It is an hour drive to the dealership and there is no guarantee it will act up when we get there, so we are in the hoping it will fix itself faze."

Gerry P., BC (2015 Nissan Leaf SV Electric)
External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

"Manufacturers enabled phone pairing but not mp3 player pairing. This is an annoying feature. This is the lowest prices model and it has missing a lot features that come standard in equivalent priced vehicles. The lack of automatic headlights, the quality of good headlights, good wipers, and electronics make me think twice about buying again. The poor quality of headlight to me is a safety issue"

Anonymous, MD (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)
Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

"The car keeps calling my phone which freezes all navigation, music, etc... It is profoundly annoying"

Anonymous, MD (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)
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Paint/Trim

Paint (fading, chalking, cracking, or peeling), loose interior and exterior trim or moldings, rust.

What Owners Say

Loose exterior trim or moldings

"the 'plastic' panels are poorly color matched (white) to the paint and the rear bumper seems a quarter inch too narrow for the metal body it is attached to"

Anonymous, GA (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)

"Damaged rocker panel from the factory"

Anonymous, WA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)
Loose interior trim or moldings

"Passenger door sill trim molding falls off"

Anonymous, CA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)

"Threshold molding was not properly installed during manufacturing -- service department corrected"

Anonymous, GA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)
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Brakes

Antilock system (ABS), parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, rotors, pulsation or vibration, squeaking, brake failure or wear.

What Owners Say

Antilock system (ABS)

"Complete sudden brake failure due to failure of ABS unit. Replaced ABS unit under warranty resulting in complete repair"

Wayne C., CA (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)

"In cold weather the ABS froze and brakes would not operate correctly"

George H., MO (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)
Squeaking

"Brakes squeaked slightly, as if wet, but nearly all the time. Fixed when ABS unit was replaced"

Wayne C., CA (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)

Suspension

Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

What Owners Say

Shocks or struts

"The rear shock was leaking"

Anonymous, GA (2015 Nissan Leaf S Electric)

"Rear shock leaked hydraulic fluid while under warranty. Nissan replaced the shock."

Anonymous, (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)

Body Integrity

Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, loose or cracked seals and/or weather-stripping, air and water leaks.

What Owners Say

Squeaks or rattles

"We hear a squeak in the suspension when the car hits a bump in the road in a certain way. The squeak does not happen every time the car hits a bump so it is has been difficult for the dealer to diagnose it and fix it"

Anonymous, CO (2015 Nissan Leaf SV Electric)

Drive System

Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, 4WD/AWD components, driveline vibration, traction control, electronic stability control (ESC), electrical failure.

What Owners Say

Electrical failure

"The entire system went down after an telematics update. After they finally were able to correct the issue (two attempts), the brakes failed. The car has been in the shop for three weeks and is still in the shop for the brakes"

Scott H., TX (2015 Nissan Leaf SL Electric)

Exhaust

Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, leaks.

What Owners Say

Other/unsure

"There was a recall for the airbag seat sensor."

Christopher P., RI (2015 Nissan Leaf SV Electric)

Engine Major

Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbo or supercharger, timing chain or timing belt.

Fuel System

Check engine light, sensors (includes O2 or oxygen sensor), emission control devices (includes EGR), engine computer, engine computer, fuel cap, fuel gauge/sender, fuel injection system, fuel pump, fuel leaks, stalling or hesitation.

Engine Minor

Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, oil leaks.

Power Equipment

Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, remote engine start, alarm or security system

Transmission Minor

Gear selector or linkage, leaks, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission.

Engine Cooling

Radiator, cooling fan, antifreeze leaks, water pump, thermostat, overheating.

Electric System

Alternator, starter, hybrid battery and related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, distributor or rotor failure, spark plugs and wires failure.

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No Data Available
Recalls
PROVIDED BY
AIR BAGS
Apr 13, 2017
In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
What should you do:
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 17V253000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 30038
Hide Recall Details
AIR BAGS
Apr 26, 2016
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
What should you do:
Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 16V244000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 3296947
Hide Recall Details
SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 29, 2016
If the brake relay fails, longer distances or additional brake effort would be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Read Recall Details
Summary:
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.
What should you do:
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
For more information:
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 16V119000
Potential Number of Units Affected: 46859
Hide Recall Details
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