Nissan · Leaf · 2012
2012 Nissan Leaf
0
Recalls
57
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Nissan Leaf has no recalls and 57 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: service brakes (17 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2012 Nissan Leaf page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is service brakes with 17 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2012 Nissan Leaf currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 57 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are service brakes (17), electrical system (9), air bags (9).
- Vehicle
- 2012 Nissan Leaf
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 57
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
11.0% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Owner Complaints
57 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Nov 2, 2025
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 affai...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jan 14, 2025
Lithium batteries Depletion
AIR BAGS
Jul 12, 2024
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 repla...
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AIR BAGS
Aug 26, 2023
My Nissan Leaf is showing a warning sign that front passenger side airbag is disabled. I see that this is a common complaint from many 2011-12 Nissan Leaf owners. I would like to add my name to the list of owners who had a similar complaint and please update if you make Nissan do...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Aug 17, 2023
Car stops completely due to a defective battery should be recalled by dealer manufacturer
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
Feb 1, 2023
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
AIR BAGS
Dec 1, 2022
The passenger occupancy sensor has failed and as a result the passenger airbag is now permanently off, as indicated on the console. The dashboard airbag and general error lights are now constantly flashing as well. The dealer indicated the failure is the mat in the seat, OBD code...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEATS
Jul 10, 2022
I believe my newly purchased 2012 Nissan LEAF is suffering from the same passenger-side airbag faulty sensor problem that has been documented in NHTSA case id: 11234415. I am experiencing the same flashing warning lights when I operate the vehicle. There are no signs of damage ...
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SERVICE BRAKES
Jan 12, 2022
When applying the brakes at low speed the brakes grab suddenly causing the car to lurch to a stop. The problem is intermittent, and therefore difficult to predict, but occurs frequently. This behavior is an ongoing hazard to the driver and passengers while also increasing the ris...
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SERVICE BRAKES
Aug 27, 2021
As I am approaching a stop, and the car is under ~15mph, and I touch the brakes, the will grab strongly and slam the car to a stop; people in the car lurch forward, and the driver behind me is surprised by the sudden stop and has to slam on their brakes. I notice there are 2 cam...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 57 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Nissan Leaf Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Leaf have?
The 2012 Nissan Leaf has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2012 Nissan Leaf?
NHTSA has received 57 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Nissan Leaf.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2012 Nissan Leaf?
The 2012 Nissan Leaf received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Leaf?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Nissan Leaf are service brakes (17 reports), electrical system (9 reports), air bags (9 reports).
Does the 2012 Nissan Leaf have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2012 Nissan Leaf. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.