Hatchback · EV
Nissan Leaf 2011–2017 (1st gen, ZE0)
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- Take the quiz
- Price
- $29,000–$36,000
- Range
- 107 mi
- Strength: Excellent running costs
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Watch-out: Below-average value retention
- Watch-out: Below-average driving fun
How it scores for you10 scores
A cheap-to-run, safe city EV whose short 107-mile range, steep depreciation, and brake complaints outweigh its practical hatchback space.
Recalled about as often as cars of the same model years; 1 of its 5 recalls was serious. About 7% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted -3 points for its wider reputation.
4-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 4, rollover 4).
About $650 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 97% of cars we track.
23.6 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 69% of other hatchbacks we track.
Five seats, four doors, 23.6 cu ft cargo (30 folded) is adequate for a compact hatchback, roughly segment-typical.
Instant EV torque and low center of gravity give decent low-speed pep, but only 107 hp, modest handling focus, and eco-tuned tires make it uninspiring to drive.
Early EV was innovative for its time with electric drivetrain, but by modern standards limited infotainment and driver aids; 107-mile range is short.
Quiet electric operation and easy city driving, but firm eco setup and basic seats make it segment-typical at best.
EVs have typically lost value the fastest.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls10 recalls
10 recalls · 5 common complaint areas across 2015–2017
- Brakes — 64 complaints (2015)
- Recall — Airbags (2017)
- Electrical — 18 complaints (2015)
2017
- RecallAirbags17V253000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
- RecallEquipment: other: owners/service/other manual; visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system23V296000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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
2016
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification16V244000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano
- RecallAirbags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module; electrical system: wiring16V436000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag.
- RecallAirbags17V253000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
- RecallEquipment: other: owners/service/other manual; visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system23V296000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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
- Complaint clusterBrakes15 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME intermittently AT FIRST ... NOW permanently AND CANNOT BE DIAGNOSED BY NISSAN. IHAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ON THE FWY AT 60MPH, THE DASH LIGHTS FOR ALL BRAKE COMPONENETS CAME UP WITH TIRE AS WELL...ALMOST ALL WARNINGS LIT UP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD
- Complaint clusterElectrical11 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
On Friday, November 1, at about 3 pm, the brakes failed pulling away from the curb in a forward direction after loading equipment into the vehicle. Really stomping the brakes as though they had a fluid problem did get them to engage. I think the problem occured again backing out of my driveway prior
2015
- RecallBrakes16V119000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.
- RecallAirbags: sensor: occupant classification16V244000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano
- RecallAirbags17V253000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
- RecallEquipment: other: owners/service/other manual; visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system23V296000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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
- Complaint clusterBrakes64 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The brake and master warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions; however, the contact stated that
- Complaint clusterElectrical18 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The electrically-driven intelligent brake unit failed on my 2015 Nissan Leaf. The brakes became inoperative: when pressing the brake pedal there is a loud compression/grinding noise and the pedal goes nearly to the floor with little braking force. The failure appeared suddenly after charging the veh
- Complaint clusterAirbags8 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
HAS THE RECALLS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF YET
- Complaint clusterCruise control6 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Unintended Acceleration: Vehicle continue to accelerate even after the gas pedal is released or not slow down as expected.
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other5 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Visor on driver side fall down on face causing blockage. Paint is pealing off of vehicle.
Cost to own$16,400 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$29,000–$36,000
Estimated used price, by model year
$650/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
126
Highway MPG
101
Combined MPG
114
Electric range
107 mi
Horsepower
107 hp
Doors
4
Length
175.2 in
Width
69.7 in
Height
61.0 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,265 lb
Cargo volume
23.6 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
30 cu ft
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