2018 Nissan Leaf Safety Report
2018 NISSAN LEAF Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Nissan Leaf
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Nissan Leaf. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (61) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 10 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance | Compare service brakes,forward collision avoidance issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2025 | Compare against the 2025 Nissan Leaf with 6 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Nissan Leaf before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Leaf Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Leaf years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Nissan Leaf | 216 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Nissan Leaf | 138 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Nissan Leaf | 35 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Nissan Leaf | 44 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Leaf | 105 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Nissan Leaf | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Nissan Leaf Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Nissan Leaf, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyVehicle Speed Control
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Nissan onlyStructure
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyPower Train,Electrical System,Engine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Electrical System,Engine issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Nissan Leaf
Reliability Score
The 2018 Nissan Leaf receives a reliability score of 92 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
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:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control The vehicle speed control system has been reported to have occasional issues, causing the dash to light up with warnings. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System The power distribution module has failed in some vehicles, leaving the driver stranded with no way to continue driving. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Service brakes have been reported to function well, but the forward collision avoidance system has occasional issues. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Wipers Front windshield wipers may fail in light ice or snow, leading to poor visibility. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k 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:
Issues with the vehicle speed control system have been reported, causing the dash to light up with warnings.
Problems with the power distribution module have been reported, leaving the driver stranded.
Service brakes have been reported to function well, but the forward collision avoidance system has occasional issues.
Front windshield wipers may fail in light ice or snow, leading to poor visibility.
Recall Details for the 2018 Nissan Leaf
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Nissan Leaf by NHTSA:
Summary: 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 R23D...
Summary: 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.
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The Owner's Manual instructions for defroster operation are incorrect, and may result in reduced defroster performance under specific conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
Consequence: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will mail an addendum with updated instructions on how to operate the defroster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible an...
Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Nissan Leaf
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Nissan Leaf with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 8 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 4 reported injuries or fatalities.
This vehicle is equipped with a feature known as "e-pedal" also known as one-pedal driving which is quite common on EVs. When this mode is activated, the accelerator pedal acts as a speed command (vs. power) and when the pedal is not depressed, the vehicle applies brakes until it comes to a standstill. Recently, the system has demonstrated a fault condition, where the Vehicle Control Module (VCM) ...
On 1/6/2026, as I slowed down as I was turning into my parking lot. I had Eco and e-pedal ON for regenerative braking. As I was turning into the parking lot, the car suddenly accelerated, went over the curb, across the street, over another curb before finally stopping after colliding with a structure. I was driving slowly and distinctively recall braking. This sudden unintended acceleration put s...
The front windshield wipers on this car fail in light ice or snow. They've broken every winter I've owned this car (four years). This results in me driving around without front windshield wipers until I can get it fixed, watching the weather forecast and hoping I don't get caught in rain or snow. It happens despite my best efforts not to use the wipers in freezing weather unless absolutely nece...
I was traveling north on Freeway 57 at approximately 70mph. The dash lit up red with 12v and charging warnings. Power was shut off and car went into Neutral and warned me to pull over. This is an incredibly busy freeway and I was in the far left lane. I barely made it to the shoulder coasting before car started shuttering and jerking and stopped rolling. I could have been killed.
Vehicle failed inspection due to a rusted out front subframe which seems premature for a 7 year old vehicle with 27,599 miles on it. According to local mechanic, they've seen this issue with many Nissan Leaf models. This is a critical piece of the vehicle hence it failing inspection due to rust. The vehicle has not (yet) been inspected by the local dealership to confirm the issue and there were no...
After four years of owning this vehicle purchased new, the passenger side seatbelt warning light came on the dash. It indicated the seatbelt was not buckled while no one was sitting in the passenger seat. When buckled the light went out. Brought it to the attention of Nissan, Service every year when they would clear the code and it would be good for a month or two, and the light would come back on...
On [XXX], I was slowly pulling into my driveway, took my foot off the accelerator and turned the steering wheel slightly to the right as the driveway is L shaped. Suddenly, the car sped up towards the garage door. I looked down quickly to see if I’d somehow pressed the accelerator by accident but I had not. I slammed on the brakes as hard as I could but the car kept going and smashed into the gara...
After hard acceleration then releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle does not slow as expected and, at times, will actually continue to accelerate. The vehicle will slow as expected when the brake is applied, but will again gradually accelerate when the brake is released. If slowed to a stop, the vehicle may begin to accelerate once the brake is released. This issue does not occur after ...
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that after his wife had parked in a parking garage, the vehicle was restarted and driven in 17-degree Fahrenheit weather when the vehicle lost motive power. The "Service EV System, No Power" message was displayed. The contact's wife pulled over and had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The contact stated that the battery had previously been re...
Vehicle randomly shuts down when car is underload traveling at highway speed up an incline and with the climate on. Diagnostics are showing multiple cells that are bad in the main battery manufacturer is stating that it is normal wear and it is normal. I’ve only had the car for 300 miles. It was a previously owned car that was supposed to carry an eight year warranty on the drivetrain and battery....
The Power Distribution Module failed in my 2018 Nissan Leaf at 77k miles. It left me stranded with no way of getting home. The Power Distribution Module is supposed to last 10 years 100k miles but Nissan warranty only has is warranted to 60k miles. The dealership said the PDM only lasts around 70k miles however it is $5k to fix which is half of what the car is worth. They are unwilling to do a goo...
I did not have an incident(accident), I noticed issues with my car, that seem to be prevalent with other Nissan Vehicles. This report is mostly proactive. I took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and repair however was unable to come to a conclusion due to multiple inspection charges done by dealer but no fixes. Issue 1. Airbag Fault Warning Light on the dash. Turns on when I start the car...
Car was descending towards Kailua on the [XXX] on Oahu, HI. Dash lit up with warnings and acceleration and brake pedals stopped working. Brake pedal went to the floor with erratic pulsing sensation and very little brake power. Driver drove car into jersey wall to slow and stop vehicle. Battery state was 60% and battery was replaced under warranty about 1 year ago. While waiting for tow, powered ...
I was traveling home from work at approximately 60MPH (speed limit) and I experienced a rapid drop in the state of charge from ~60% to ~25% in 15-20 seconds. I slowed the vehicle to 55MPH and it recovered most of the state of charge. When accelerating to 60MPH a few miles later I experience the same behavior and was forced to maintain 55MPH. I was forced to turn off the electric cabin heater, heat...
The incident occurred at a stop sign where I was waiting behind one other vehicle. The vehicle ahead of me accelerated from the stop sign to turn into traffic, but abruptly slammed on their brakes. I had began accelerating up to the stop sign and was unable to stop before impacting the car in front of me. As soon as I saw the vehicle was braking, I immediately slammed on the brake pedal. Braking d...
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, there was a rapid battery discharge. There was no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
Enel X Way recently announced that they were terminating operations in North America. With that in mind my Juicebox level 2 charger now becomes a dumb charger with no app functionality to turn down the amps produced by the charger. The Juicebox model I have is a plug-in version rated at 32 amps max. My service panel/circuit breaker is only rated to 30 amps. With a constant 32 amps on a 30 amp circ...
Twice now - both times on the South Bound Richmond Bridge, the Automatic Emergency Braking lights came on and slammed on my brakes for me, as if I was about to crash when I was going 65 mils per hour, no one in front or behind me and no traffic, accident or reason. I almost lost control of the vehicle and would have caused an accident had anyone been closer to me.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated while driving on several occasions at various speeds with the cruise control activated, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle lunged forward. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V494000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. Th...
Our 2018 Nissan Leaf experienced an error message when we tried to start it saying "Warning Service EV System No Power". Mileage: 29,862. It would go into neutral, but not into drive. We called GEICO to have it towed to dealership Leith Nissan on [XXX]. On [XXX], John Day from Leith Nissan called to request permission to install a new 12V battery. I approved the cost of replacing the battery. They...
Showing 20 of 61 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2018 Nissan Leaf
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Nissan Leaf
Has the 2018 NISSAN LEAF been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 NISSAN LEAF has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 NISSAN LEAF have?
The 2018 NISSAN LEAF has 61 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 9 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
The 2018 NISSAN LEAF does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 NISSAN LEAF involve service brakes,forward collision avoidance (7 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints), vehicle speed control (4 complaints). Other affected components include structure, unknown or other, power train,electrical system,engine.
How many crash reports does the 2018 NISSAN LEAF have?
There are 9 crash reports associated with the 2018 NISSAN LEAF out of 61 total complaints (14.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 NISSAN LEAF have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2018 NISSAN LEAF out of 61 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 NISSAN LEAF.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 NISSAN LEAF. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 NISSAN LEAF is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 61 complaints, 4 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 NISSAN LEAF are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (7 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5 complaints), 3. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (4 complaints), 4. STRUCTURE (4 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE is the single most-reported problem area with 7 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
Be aware of potential issues with the vehicle speed control system and the power distribution module. Regular maintenance can help prevent these problems. The 2018 NISSAN LEAF has 61 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
The 2018 NISSAN LEAF receives a reliability score of 92/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 61 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 10 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Vehicle Speed Control and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2018 NISSAN LEAF?
Known issues with the 2018 NISSAN LEAF include: Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical System, Service Brakes, Wipers. These are based on patterns found across 61 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2018 Nissan Leaf?
Common issues include problems with the vehicle speed control system, electrical system, service brakes, and front windshield wipers.
Can the e-pedal feature cause unexpected behavior?
Yes, the e-pedal feature can cause unexpected behavior, especially when regenerative braking is engaged.
What should I do if my vehicle randomly shuts down?
Check the vehicle's diagnostics for any issues and consult a professional for further assistance.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential issues with the vehicle speed control system and the power distribution module. Regular maintenance can help prevent these problems.
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.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16