Recalls (0)
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Leaf. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (57)
57 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 57 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 22 | 38.6% |
| Electrical system | 15 | 26.3% |
| Air bags | 11 | 19.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 5.3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 5.3% |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 3.5% |
| Engine | 2 | 3.5% |
| Seats | 2 | 3.5% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 3.5% |
How 2012 compares with other Leaf years
Best and worst Leaf years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | 95 | 0 |
| 2012 | 57 | 0 |
| 2013 | 81 | 5 |
| 2014 | 34 | 6 |
| 2015 | 110 | 4 |
| 2016 | 36 | 4 |
| 2017 | 17 | 2 |
| 2018 | 66 | 4 |
| 2019 | 259 | 5 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 5 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 Nissan Leaf 5 hb fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 99 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $750
- CO₂ tailpipe
- —
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 99 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric · Automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 106 / 92 / 99 | $750 | — |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Leaf for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Nissan Leaf FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Leaf have?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Leaf. Check a specific car with NHTSA's VIN lookup, which also covers newly announced recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Leaf problems?
Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (22), Electrical system (15), Air bags (11) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Nissan Leaf get?
EPA rates the Electric · Automatic version at 106 city, 92 highway and 99 combined mpg.
What safety rating did the 2012 Nissan Leaf get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 Nissan Leaf 5 hb fwd 5 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (11% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Leaf compare with other years?
Among the 2010–2019 Nissan Leaf model years at least five years old, the 2010 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2019 the most (259). The 2012 drew 57. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.