2012 Nissan Leaf Problems, Recalls & Reliability
71 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2012 Nissan Leaf, alongside 0 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 27/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Brakes & stability leads the reports, typically around 20,000 miles.
Typical
Where 2012 sits among all Leaf years
What owners report
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 45 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 20,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 9,000 and 39,500 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 2012 Nissan Leaf.
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 22V063000.
Technical service bulletins
129 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and wheels & tires — are on file for the 2012 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 2012 Nissan Leaf reliable?
The 2012 Nissan Leaf drew 71 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 27/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Leaf problems?
The top reported problems for the 2012 Nissan Leaf are brakes & stability (22 complaints), electrical (16), and airbags (11).
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Leaf problems show up?
Owners most often report 2012 Nissan Leaf problems around 20,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 9,000 and 39,500 miles.
Does the 2012 Nissan Leaf have recalls?
No recall campaigns are on file for the 2012 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.