2021 Nissan Leaf Safety Report
2021 NISSAN LEAF Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Nissan Leaf
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 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 (44) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Electrical System | Compare electrical system 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Nissan Leaf | 138 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Nissan Leaf | 216 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Nissan Leaf | 61 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Nissan Leaf | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Nissan Leaf | 35 | 4 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Leaf | 105 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Nissan Leaf Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 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.
Electrical System
18 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyVisibility/Wiper
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Nissan onlyElectrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Nissan onlyEngine,Fuel/Propulsion System
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System issues Nissan onlyService Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Nissan Leaf
Reliability Score
The 2021 Nissan Leaf receives a reliability score of 85 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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Nissan Leaf
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Nissan Leaf
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Nissan Leaf:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-Voltage Battery The high-voltage battery can develop excessive lithium deposits, leading to a fire hazard. This issue has been recalled multiple times. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Vehicle Speed Control The vehicle speed control system has malfunctioned in some cases, potentially causing the vehicle to shut off unexpectedly. |
Medium | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Electrical System Electrical system issues, including propulsion system and traction battery problems, are frequent and can lead to vehicle shutdowns. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility And Wiper System Visibility and wiper system issues have been reported, affecting passenger wiper functionality and back-up camera performance. |
Medium | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Nissan Leaf:
44% of reported issues are related to the high-voltage battery.
23% of reported issues are related to the electrical system.
5% of reported issues are related to the vehicle speed control system.
4% of reported issues are related to the visibility and wiper system.
Recall Details for the 2021 Nissan Leaf
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Nissan Leaf by NHTSA:
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2022 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.
Consequence: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use Level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed October 24, 2025. A second notice will be sent once the remedy becomes available, anticipated within the 2026 calendar year. Owners may contact Nissan's Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissa...
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Nissan Leaf
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Nissan Leaf with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 3 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
As described in recall 25V-655, lithium deposited have accumulated in the HV battery of my 2021 Nissan Leaf. I haven't used L3 charging since I received the recall notice, but the car often won't charge even on L1 charging. The state of health of the HV battery is still 86% but the internal resistance of the HV battery is down to 44% due to the lithium deposits. The local Nissan dealership won't t...
The high-voltage battery on my 2022 Nissan Leaf is subject to Recall 25V655. The recall notice states that the battery cells can develop excessive lithium deposits, which increases electrical resistance and can cause rapid battery heating during Level 3 fast charging. Nissan instructs owners not to use Level 3 charging at all until a “remedy” is available. The issue is that the remedy described by...
The battery has had a recall since October 2025 with no repair update at all. The battery degeneration has cause serious issues and has almost left me stranded multiple times. I haven’t been able to charge at most charging stations due to the limiting of fast chargers and it is very time consuming when I do.
See attached document for complaint. I purchased a certified pre-owned Nissan Leaf SV Plus on [XXX] specifically for the larger battery capacity and the ability to use a DC fast charger, as this would allow me to drive my electric vehicle wherever I needed to go, including regular trips to Seattle from Mount Vernon. I was notified by Nissan in September 2024 that, due to the possibility that the ...
Car is under a recall-no level 3 charging due to risk of fire since October of 2025 with no remedy in place. The car is not able to be used as advertized-cannot travel outside of 200 miles from my home as level 3 charging is not possible and level 2 charging not feasible for travelling. Of note-the battery in my car is a NEW battery -it was replaced in December of 2025 due to repeated prior fail...
I want to be clear about why I opened this case. Per Nissan’s own recall documents, the software update does not repair the defective battery cells, it only detects the issue and may disable the vehicle to prevent a thermal event. Level 3 charging remains unusable, and the underlying defect is still present. Because of this, I am requesting a repurchase or a replacement vehicle. If they say the s...
Nissan has yet to effectively respond to NHTSA recall 25V-655 concerning a fire hazard when fast charging particular Leaf models including the 2021 model year that I own. As a temporary solution Nissan strongly recommends not to fast charge (Level 3 charge) until a solution is provided (anticipated by Dec. 31 2025). Nissan Customer Service has been unable to respond to my query for a revised...
The high-voltage battery on my 2021 Nissan LEAF is subject to Recall 25V-655/R25C8. The recall notice states that the battery cells can develop excessive lithium deposits, which increase electrical resistance and can cause rapid battery heating during Level 3 fast charging. Nissan instructs owners not to use Level 3 charging at all until a “remedy” is available. I have attempted to have the car f...
Brakes problem: During rain season the moisture can get into the brake system. When backing up, the brakes feel partially seized, and make squeeze sound. The problem is more serious when pulling the parking brake during overnight parking. Somehow the sound is coming out of front brakes. The sound will diminish after break several times during normal breaking. Forward Collision warning system: The...
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shut off. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer, where it remained for a month. The dealer replaced an unknown battery component. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was seldom driven...
I am submitting this letter as a formal safety complaint concerning NHTSA Recall No. 25V655000, which affects my 2021 Nissan LEAF SV and results in the continued restriction of DC fast charging due to a reported fire risk, without an available or timely remedy. Under this recall, Nissan has restricted the vehicle’s ability to safely utilize DC fast charging. While I understand and support actions...
I currently have a recall on my Nissan 2021 Leaf SV Plus. There is an issue with the level 3 charging which can result in fire to the vehicle. As a result, I’m unable to rapid charge. Nissan has failed to remedy the issue or offer any attempts to fix this recall. I’m unable to charge my vehicle at this time.
*High Voltage Battery defect/failure - this is what was believed to be the issue when it was towed to the dealership. What is left of it is available for inspection at the dealership for now, however the insurance may take it to a salvage yard since the fire department finished their investigation. *While at the dealership after they spent the day trying to recreate what happened they parked it a...
Vehicle battery drains significantly after being charged, passenger wiper will not work impairing visibility, back up camera blurs and fails, bright lights would not turn on, I was in a huge rain storm unable to see. Inability to use level 3 charger is disallowing me to be able to use vehicle due to amount of time to charge and battery drain has caused me to be broken down requiring a tow twice du...
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that occasionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shifted in Turtle Mode, preventing the vehicle from exceeding 30 MPH. The contact stated that there was a message for the EV...
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact had not experienced a failure; however, ...
The dealership without our knowledge or approval did an update on our car last November that makes the heater and more importantly defroster not work when it's colder than about 17F degrees outside. This causes the vehicle to fog up all over including the windshield making it dangerous to drive. After about 10 minutes it finally starts working. We've told them about it numerous times and even s...
Around New Years this year, I was driving downhill, my car went from about 60/70% UNKNOWN to about 12%. This was for about 30 seconds until it went back up. This range drop was both dangerous but also caused emotional distress on my behalf as I worried whether or not I could make it to a charger. At the Nissan Dealer Service Dept, the "technician allegedly wasn't able to verify the issue with the...
I can’t charge the car. I live in a city without a garage. I 100% need level 3 ChadEMO charging to use this car. Please pressure the automaker to fix it or buy back the vehicle as I cannot use the car. This is unacceptable from Nissan. Lemon!
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while charging the Lithium battery, the message that the battery had overheated was displayed. While driving on the freeway, the battery rapidly lost charge without warning. The vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH before stalling in the middle of the road. The contact ran across a four-lane highway to safety. The vehicle was later towed to the ...
Showing 20 of 44 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 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 2021 Nissan Leaf
Has the 2021 NISSAN LEAF been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 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 2021 NISSAN LEAF have?
The 2021 NISSAN LEAF has 44 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
The 2021 NISSAN LEAF received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 NISSAN LEAF involve electrical system (18 complaints), unknown or other (5 complaints), visibility/wiper (4 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,engine,fuel/propulsion system, engine,fuel/propulsion system, service brakes,forward collision avoidance.
How many crash reports does the 2021 NISSAN LEAF have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2021 NISSAN LEAF out of 44 total complaints (4.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 NISSAN LEAF have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2021 NISSAN LEAF out of 44 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 NISSAN LEAF.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 NISSAN LEAF. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 NISSAN LEAF is acceptable with caveats. It has 44 complaints, 4 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 NISSAN LEAF are: 1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (18 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (5 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY/WIPER (4 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints), 5. ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (1 complaints). ELECTRICAL SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 18 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
Be aware of the high-voltage battery recall and ensure your vehicle is up to date with the latest software and hardware updates. The 2021 NISSAN LEAF has 44 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
The 2021 NISSAN LEAF receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 44 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include High-Voltage Battery and Vehicle Speed Control.
What are the known issues with the 2021 NISSAN LEAF?
Known issues with the 2021 NISSAN LEAF include: High-Voltage Battery, Vehicle Speed Control, Electrical System, Visibility and Wiper System. These are based on patterns found across 44 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2021 Nissan Leaf?
Common issues include high-voltage battery problems, electrical system failures, and vehicle speed control malfunctions.
Is the high-voltage battery recall a serious issue?
Yes, the high-voltage battery can develop excessive lithium deposits, posing a fire hazard.
What should I do if I have a recalled Nissan Leaf?
Contact your local Nissan dealership to schedule a recall fix as soon as possible.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of the high-voltage battery recall and ensure your vehicle is up to date with the latest software and hardware updates.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Nissan Leaf
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Nissan Leaf. The data includes 44 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Nissan Leaf an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
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