2011 Nissan Leaf Problems, Recalls & Reliability
117 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 Nissan Leaf, alongside 0 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 39/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Airbags leads the reports, typically around 59,100 miles.
Below average
Where 2011 sits among all Leaf years
What owners report
“Airbag light flashing. Passenger air bags are disabled. Dealer fix is a need a new passenger seat at a cost of $3,000+. Current fault code is b1018. Occupant sensor unit fail. No damage to seat or cushion. It just stopped working. Safety issue. Safety recall should be implemented.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Leaf
“I believe the battery was rigged into running low right after the warranty ran out”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Leaf
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 87 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 32,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 10,219 and 52,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls
No recall campaigns on file for the 2011 Nissan Leaf.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 22V063000.
Technical service bulletins
131 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and wheels & tires — are on file for the 2011 Nissan Leaf. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2011 Nissan Leaf reliable?
The 2011 Nissan Leaf drew 117 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 39/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).
What are the most common 2011 Nissan Leaf problems?
The top reported problems for the 2011 Nissan Leaf are airbags (35 complaints), electrical (29), and brakes & stability (20).
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan Leaf problems show up?
Owners most often report 2011 Nissan Leaf problems around 32,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 10,219 and 52,000 miles.
Does the 2011 Nissan Leaf have recalls?
No recall campaigns are on file for the 2011 Nissan Leaf. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check the VIN before buying.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.