2012 Nissan Leaf electrical system problems
15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2012 Nissan Leaf — 26% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Feb 21, 2026
“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 or tampering with the…”
filed Jul 13, 2022
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NTB13-027D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NTB10-066C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 21, 2024
Electrical System problems in other Leaf years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Leaf | 3 | 16% |
| 2022 Leaf | 58 | 65% |
| 2021 Leaf | 31 | 60% |
| 2020 Leaf | 118 | 74% |
| 2019 Leaf | 169 | 67% |
| 2018 Leaf | 18 | 27% |
| 2016 Leaf | 13 | 36% |
| 2015 Leaf | 16 | 15% |
| 2014 Leaf | 6 | 18% |
| 2013 Leaf | 18 | 22% |
| 2011 Leaf | 29 | 31% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2012 Nissan Leaf
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.