Research · Midsize Cars

2012 Nissan LeafRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 57 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Leaf. Most complaints involve service brakes (22) and electrical system (15). The EPA rates it 99 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
99mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
57
Top: service brakes
Fuel cost / yr
$750est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Nissan Leaf as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

57 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2012 – Feb 2026
  1. Service brakes22
  2. Electrical system15
  3. Air bags11
  4. Vehicle speed control4
  5. Visibility/wiper3
  6. Seat belts3
  7. Engine2
  8. Seats2
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Leaf model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201195
201257
201381
201434
2015110
201636
201714
201867
2019260
2020167
202159
202296
202322
20245
20257
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes

22 reports5 crashes
“The brakes on the vehicle jerk alot when going under 15, causing everyone in the vehicle to get jerked forward multiple times and are touchy resulting in almost being in an accident. Airbag sensor for front passenger also no longer works and Nissan refuses to repair any defect”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 27, 2023Air bags, Service brakesODI 11529118

Electrical system

15 reports2 crashes
“High voltage battery keeps shorting out stalling while driving on interstate almost got hit by 18 wheeler a few times it's a very unsafe car to drive and I keep smelling something like an odor from the battery I've been trying to get help to do the door ship Nissan consumer affairs and seem to be getting nowhere and they're letting me drive a car with a high voltage battery problem that obviously has a short in it help me”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2026Electrical systemODI 11719541

Air bags

11 reports
“Dealer is Mike Erdman Nissan Merritt Island Fl 32953 Airbag warning light flashing red on console. Paid $260 for diagnostic check on July 21, 2024. They cannot fix it as an airbag sensor on the passenger side seat is malfunctioning and the entire passenger side seat must be replaced and part is not available or is no longer in stock. They MAY be able to locate an entire seat Nissan Leaf 2012 somewhere, but if they do (and they said probably not) it will cost $4000.00. The seat is no longer made by Nissan and after market seats would not meet safety standards (they said). There is a published complaint list of well over 2000 Nissan Leaf owners regarding 2011 and 2012 Leaf owners who say there should be a safety recall as this issue has been known by Nissan and the 2013 and later models had safety changes installed for this issue but no safety recall was made for 2011 and 2012 models. I believe a safety recall to fix this issue is imperative.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 23, 2024Air bagsODI 11603953
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
Electric motor
Transmissions
Automatic (A1)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity
EV range
73 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Leaf
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
1069299$750—
  • Leaf
    Auto (A1)
    106 city · 92 hwy · $750/yr
    99
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Nissan Leaf 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 6171
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi6–12 monthsEVs wear tires faster (weight, torque)
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–4 yearsRegen braking spares the pads, not the fluid
Battery coolantPer manualPer manualIntervals vary widely by maker
12V battery—3–5 years
  • Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–4 years
  • Battery coolantPer manual
    Per manual
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Leaf questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Leaf have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Leaf problems?

Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (22), electrical system (15), air bags (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Nissan Leaf get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Leaf at 99 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2012 Nissan Leaf?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Nissan Leaf 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026