Model year guide

2021 Nissan LEAF

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Nissan LEAF is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 607 on record.

2021 Nissan LEAF at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints56
Combined104–111 MPGe

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Nissan LEAF recalls 4

Electrical System:propulsion System:charging:module:software NHTSA Campaign #25V655000 · manufacturer #R25C8 · 30/09/2025

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.

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. Owners may contact Nissan's Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R25C8. Vehicle Id…

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera NHTSA Campaign #24V071000 · manufacturer #R23D7 · 02/02/2024

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."

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. Owner…

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #23V494000 · manufacturer #R23A6 · 17/07/2023

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.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (VCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A6.

Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual NHTSA Campaign #23V048000 · manufacturer #R22C5 · 02/02/2023

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."

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. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 7 Oct 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Nissan LEAF common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Back Over Prevention
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2021 Nissan LEAF efficiency & running costs

Combined104–111 MPGe
City118 MPGe
Highway97 MPGe
Est. annual energy cost$717
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (A1)
Electric range149–226 mi
Charge time (240V)11 hours
Passenger volume92 cu ft
Cargo volume24 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$8,417 less

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Nissan LEAF costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Energy (5 yrs)$3,585
Energy only$3,585
Per mile$0.05

How this is estimated: energy is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2021 Nissan LEAF vehicles on record

Other Nissan LEAF model years

2021 Nissan LEAF — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Nissan LEAF have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2021 Nissan LEAF. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Nissan LEAF?

Across all 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, fuel/propulsion system, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan LEAF get?

The 2021 Nissan LEAF has U.S. EPA estimates of 104–111 MPGe combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.