2018 Nissan Leaf Safety Report

2018 Nissan Leaf plagued by unintended acceleration complaints and multiple recalls, lacks NHTSA crash test ratings.

61Complaints
4Recalls
55/100Reliability Score
9Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
4Injuries
Most reported components: Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (7)Electrical System (5)Vehicle Speed Control (4)Structure (4)Unknown Or Other (3)Power Train,Electrical System,Engine (2)Fuel/Propulsion System (2)Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System (2)Forward Collision Avoidance (2)Steering (2)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Nissan Leaf

The 2018 Nissan Leaf presents a mixed safety picture, with a notable pattern of unintended acceleration complaints despite a lack of formal crash test ratings from NHTSA. With 61 total complaints, 9 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries reported, the vehicle has several areas of concern. A significant number of complaints, particularly under 'SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' (7 complaints) and 'VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL' (4 complaints), describe incidents of sudden, unintended acceleration, often leading to crashes. This is directly addressed by one of the four recalls, NHTSA Campaign Number 23V494000, which specifically targets unintentional acceleration when changing driving modes. Beyond acceleration issues, the vehicle has faced recalls for rearview camera display problems (NHTSA Campaign Numbers 23V495000 and 19V841000), which can increase crash risk by reducing driver visibility. Another recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 23V496000) addresses incorrect defroster operation instructions, potentially limiting windshield visibility. Other common complaints include issues with the electrical system (5 complaints), particularly related to power loss and battery discharge, and structural concerns like premature subframe rust. The absence of NHTSA crash test ratings (Overall, Frontal, Side, Rollover are all N/A) makes it difficult to assess the vehicle's passive safety performance in a collision. In summary, while the 2018 Nissan Leaf has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, the complaint data reveals a concerning trend of unintended acceleration, which has been linked to multiple crashes and injuries. The four recalls address critical safety components like the rearview camera and vehicle speed control, indicating proactive measures by Nissan. However, potential buyers should be aware of these documented issues and the lack of comprehensive crash test data.

Reliability Score

The 2018 Nissan Leaf receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2018 Nissan Leaf

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Nissan Leaf:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Unintended Acceleration
Vehicle unexpectedly accelerates, often when changing driving modes or at low speeds, leading to crashes. Addressed by recall 23V494000.		 High Common various miles
Rearview Camera Malfunction
Distortion or loss of rearview camera display image, increasing crash risk. Covered by recalls 23V495000 and 19V841000.		 Medium Occasional various miles
Electrical System Power Loss
Vehicle loses motive power, shuts down, or experiences rapid battery discharge, often at highway speeds.		 High Occasional 29000-77000 miles
Premature Subframe Rust
Front subframe rusts prematurely, leading to inspection failures and structural concerns.		 High Occasional 27000-30000 miles
Automatic Emergency Braking (Aeb) Malfunction
AEB system activates unexpectedly at highway speeds or fails to work, causing sudden braking or collision risk.		 High Occasional various miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Nissan Leaf:

Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance 11% of complaints

Frequent complaints about unintended acceleration and AEB malfunctions, leading to crashes.

Electrical System 8% of complaints

Issues include sudden power loss, rapid battery discharge, and various warning lights.

Vehicle Speed Control 7% of complaints

Problems with unintended acceleration, particularly when changing driving modes, addressed by a recall.

Structure 7% of complaints

Reports of premature subframe rust and other structural integrity concerns.

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 3% of complaints

Rearview camera display issues, including distortion or loss of image, subject to multiple recalls.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Nissan Leaf

Is the 2018 Nissan Leaf safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 Nissan Leaf has 61 complaints, including 9 crashes and 4 injuries. A significant concern is unintended acceleration, which is also the subject of a recall (23V494000). The vehicle lacks NHTSA crash test ratings, making a full safety assessment difficult. While recalls address some issues, potential buyers should be aware of the reported problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Nissan Leaf?

The most reported issues for the 2018 Nissan Leaf include unintended acceleration (7 complaints under 'SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE' and 4 under 'VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL'), electrical system failures (5 complaints) leading to power loss or rapid battery discharge, and premature subframe rust (4 complaints under 'STRUCTURE'). Rearview camera malfunctions are also a recurring issue, addressed by two recalls.

Has the 2018 Nissan Leaf been recalled?

Yes, the 2018 Nissan Leaf has been subject to 4 recalls. These include recalls for unintended acceleration (23V494000), rearview camera display issues (23V495000, 19V841000), and incorrect defroster operation instructions in the owner's manual (23V496000).

Are there issues with the 2018 Nissan Leaf's battery or electrical system?

Yes, there are 5 complaints related to the 'ELECTRICAL SYSTEM' and 2 under 'FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM' that describe issues such as rapid battery discharge, sudden loss of motive power, and the vehicle shutting down at highway speeds. Some complaints mention 'Service EV System, No Power' messages and power distribution module failures.

What should I know about the 2018 Nissan Leaf's crash test performance?

NHTSA has not provided specific crash test ratings for the 2018 Nissan Leaf. The 'Overall', 'Frontal', 'Side', and 'Rollover' ratings are all listed as 'N/A'. This means there is no official government crash test data available to assess its performance in various collision scenarios.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the significant complaints regarding unintended acceleration and electrical system failures, coupled with a lack of NHTSA crash test ratings, potential buyers should proceed with caution and thoroughly inspect any used 2018 Nissan Leaf, ensuring all recalls have been addressed.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Nissan Leaf

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Nissan Leaf. The data includes 61 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.