Battery capacity loss (no active cooling)
usually 40,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Fewer capacity bars, lower range; worse in hot climates
Fix: Check battery health (SOH) before buying
free / recall
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Nissan Leaf
2010–now
1
engines covered
3
known faults
45,725
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
6
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Nissan Leaf has been built since 2010.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 3 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Battery capacity loss (no active cooling): it usually appears at 40,000–200,000 km and costs free / recall to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 50–100 thousand km this model most often failed on: tyres and wheels (7.8 %), suspension (6.4 %), lights, wipers and visibility (6.4 %). It fails more often than an average car of the same age and mileage on: suspension, tyres and wheels.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (Nissan Leaf) | Electric | None (EV) | — |
Faults by engine
Electric (Nissan Leaf)
Rapid-charge throttling (30 / 40 kWh)
usually 0–200,000 km · Wear part
model years 2016–2022 only
Signs: Slow DC charging after consecutive charges
Fix: Plan long trips around it
free / recall
12V battery
usually 80,000–200,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Car won't power on
Fix: Replace
€100–250
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the Electric (Nissan Leaf) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre rotationWheels | every 10,000 km | €20–45 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Drive unit oil checkTransmission | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Brake pads (regen-assisted)Brakes | usually at 80,000–160,000 km | €60–150 |
| Tyres (set of 4, EV-rated)Wheels | usually at 30,000–50,000 km | €450–900 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 45,725 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 1.0 % | 4.1 % | 9.1 % | 10.5 % | 8.3 % |
| Suspension | 0.7 % | 6.4 % | 15.1 % | 16.8 % | 15.4 % |
| Steering | 0.1 % | 0.7 % | 2.6 % | 2.8 % | 2.1 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 4.1 % | 7.8 % | 9.7 % | 10.1 % | 10.7 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 3.9 % | 6.4 % | 10.7 % | 13.3 % | 15.0 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.1 % | 0.3 % | 0.6 % | 0.7 % | 1.9 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 390 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (6). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Other Juke (F16) Qashqai (J12) and Leaf (ZE1) VIN Scan17/06/2024 · R/2024/234
- Electronics / software A potential concern affecting the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) logic of some vehicles has been identified whereby in specific and rare circumstances after switching off the cruise control function there is a possibility of unintended acceleration.28/07/2023 · R/2023/215
- Gearbox The welded joint on the actuator plate within the reducer may be of poor quality and the park lock may not engage02/11/2020 · R/2020/294
- Lights Headlamp auto aim function may not operate19/07/2017 · R/2017/173
- Engine / loss of power Engine push start switch may malfunction04/08/2015 · R/2015/133
- Steering Loss of steering control19/01/2015 · R/2014/171
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026