2013 Nissan Leaf problems
Owners have filed 120 complaints about the 2013 Nissan Leaf with NHTSA. Service brakes account for 26.7% of them — the clear leader, ahead of electrical system at 15%.
Complaints120
Crashes17
Fires2
Injuries6
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes 26.7% · 32
Electrical system 15.0% · 18
Air bags 14.2% · 17
Unknown or other 8.3% · 10
Vehicle speed control 4.2% · 5
Steering 3.3% · 4
Visibility/wiper 3.3% · 4
Seat belts 3.3% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 17 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire and 6 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the Nissan Leaf in this data, 2013 draws comparatively few complaints; 2019 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 12 in the last three years against 25 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 29,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that the brakes failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that there was brake fluid leakage. The vehicle received unknown repairs and the brake fluid was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,500. The vin was unavailable. Service brakes · reported at 15,500 miles
Shortly after starting the car and as I began to accelerate forward, several warning indicators pertaining to the brake system illuminated and the normal brake pedal no longer appeared to function upon being depressed. The car was able to be brought to a stop with the use of the emergency brake pedal but the failure of the main brakes could have easily lead to a crash. Service brakes · reported at 37,000 miles
There is an ongoing issue with the Leaf's brakes grabbing to quickly when at low speeds and approaching a stop during cold conditions. It causes the car to jerk. It also creates an issue with the traffic behind us as there have been several times when the vehicles behind almost crash into us as they do not expect the car to break so suddenly. Service brakes · reported at 14,300 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…