2021 Nissan Leaf: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Nissan Leaf: 4 recalls, 56 owner complaints and up to 111 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment, Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #23V048000 · 2023 · 64,732 vehicles
What's wrong: Nissan north america, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems."
Why it matters: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will mail an addendum with updated instructions on how to operate the defroster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 1, 2023.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #23V494000 · 2023 · 66,159 vehicles
What's wrong: Nissan north america, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 leaf vehicles. The vehicle May accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed ("d" to "b"; e-pedal "on"; or "eco" mode) after disengaging the cruise control.
Why it matters: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (vcm), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #24V071000 · 2024 · 57,914 vehicles
What's wrong: Nissan north america, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2022 leaf vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "rear visibility."
Why it matters: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024.
Electrical, Electrical Vehicle recall #25V655000 · 2025 · 19,077 vehicles
What's wrong: Nissan north america, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021-2022 leaf vehicles equipped with a level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery May overheat during level 3 charging.
Why it matters: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The fix: Owners are advised not to use level 3 quick charging until the remedy is completed. Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 16, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (32): the most common themes are electrical failure (21), fire / smoke (9), stalls / loses power (4).
- Other / unknown (13): the most common themes are electrical failure (5), fire / smoke (4).
- Fuel & propulsion (9): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), fire / smoke (4).
- Visibility/Wiper (6): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
The 2021 Nissan Leaf has 56 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 17 Leaf model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 65). Complaints peaked in 2026 (24 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 27,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (167 complaints, 6 recalls), 2022 (95 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric (110 kW DCPM) | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 123e | 99e | 111e | Electricity |
| Electric (160 kW DCPM) | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 118e | 97e | 108e | Electricity |
| Electric (160 kW DCPM) | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 114e | 94e | 104e | Electricity |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Nissan Leaf.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Nissan Leaf have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Nissan Leaf. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Nissan Leaf problems?
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (32), other / unknown (13), fuel & propulsion (9).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Leaf get?
EPA ratings run up to 111 mpg combined, across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Nissan Leaf repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.