2015 Nissan Leaf Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/31/2026

The electrically-driven intelligent brake unit failed on my 2015 Nissan Leaf. The brakes became inoperative: when pressing the brake pedal there is a loud compression/grinding noise and the pedal goes nearly to the floor with little braking force. The failure appeared suddenly after charging the vehicle; it had been working normally before. The vehicle had to be towed to a Nissan dealership. The dealer diagnosed codes U1000 and U110D stored in the ABS module for lost communication with the intelligent brake module, performed an inspection, and confirmed the intelligent brake unit failed. The dealer quoted $5,131.10 to replace the unit, which approaches the value of the vehicle. This is the same electrically-driven intelligent brake system that was the subject of safety recall 16V119000; the NHTSA VIN lookup shows zero unrepaired recalls for this vehicle, indicating the recall remedy was previously completed, yet the unit failed catastrophically anyway. This failure mode is widely reported by other Leaf owners. Loss of braking without warning is a serious safety risk. The vehicle and failed component are available for inspection at the dealership.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/13/2026

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while reversing at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The brake and master warning lights were illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions; however, the contact stated that the vehicle recently failed to return to normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake module booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V119000 (Service Brakes); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/01/2026

The car was parked in a parking lot, and when we turned it on and pulled out of the space, the brake light, ABS light, and other warning lights came on and the brakes went soft. We pulled back into the space and tried again, thinking it was a fluke and heard a strange noise coming from the car when it started. Again the lights came on and the brakes did not work. We had it towed to our normal mechanic and then to the dealership when the mechanic was unable to figure out what was wrong. The brakes looked to be in good repair. The Nissan dealership was unable to reproduce the problem and found only old codes in the system. The codes listed on the receipt were FFD high key cycle counts, C118A, U1000 (ABS, EV/HEV), P3195, B29C1 However, after I saw similar complaints related to the battery in this car and told them about it, they found that the 12V battery was leaking. They replaced the battery and flushed the brake line to be safe, but did not charge us the diagnostic fee since they were unsure if they fully fixed the issue. I had recently felt like the brakes took more pressure than normal (all the way to the floor) to stop on the highway once recently and so did my husband but we both thought we were imagining things. 2 years ago we had a similar issue happen but the mechanic just sent us back home after not being able to find anything. The codes on the receipt from 2024 are not very legible but I think they say "41000Gn Comm Circuit" "C118A EAS System" and "41100 Electronic Back Return."

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 04/22/2026

This is the third time my brakes have failed while driving, which seems to have something to do with the 12-volt battery. At least at first, I disconnected my 12-volt battery and reconnected it; this fixed the issue, at least for a while. The other day, I was driving down a road near my house and the brakes failed right before I came around a bend. I had to quickly press the e-brake to slow down, or I would have run right off the road. This is definitely a dangerous issue. Please issue a recall for this because I've noticed many other people complaining about the same issue—the same sound, feeling, and symptoms. It appears the brakes are malfunctioning due to a communication error, or a low voltage issue to the brake computer systems?

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 04/01/2026

Visor on driver side fall down on face causing blockage. Paint is pealing off of vehicle.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/05/2025

Was driving the car in a neighborhood setting only going 20 mph, ABS light turned on the dashboard, traction control light or some other light regarding traction came on as well, brakes failed. Had to use parking brake to stop the vehicle.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/03/2025

While driving normally, yellow brake warning lights came on but I arrived home without incident. Next time I drove, the warning lights were all off, but suddenly the brakes failed almost completely. I pushed the pedal to the floor and heard a grinding/clicking sound, and barely any stopping power. I was only going 25 mph, and was able to stop after 5 seconds of high foot pressure. At the same time, red brake warning light came on. I was able to get the car home very slowly, and strangely I had adequate braking power for the remainder of the short trip (although red and yellow brake warning lights remain on). I am happy to provide the car for inspection. This was extremely dangerous to the nearby pedestrians because I could not have stopped the vehicle had one been crossing in front of me. Had this happened at highway speeds, my passenger and I would have been in great danger, as would have other vehicles.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/22/2025

My Intelligent Brake Unit failed. I was slowing down at a major intersection to stop. The ABS system activated and the brakes did not respond appropriately. The pedal went soft. Multiple lights on the dashboard lit up. My two year old child was in the vehicle with me, and we are still recovering from this traumatic experience. I considered the car disabled and had it towed to a mechanic. I then brought it to a Nissan dealership who identified that the entire intelligent brake unit needs replacing for $5,500, which is more than half of what I paid for the vehicle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 01/24/2024

My 2015 Nissan Leaf is suffering from advanced battery degradation. The car would only charge to 55 miles per charge. The car also has only 85,000 miles only. Nissan refused to address or fix the issue as the car was past the 7 year warranty (even though the book says 8 year warranty). Battery should still go to 150 miles per charge. Dealership claimed degradation from charging at super chargers. Car has only ever been charge at home as it is only driven 2 - 3,000 miles per year. Car stopped in the middle of the highway. Police had to come move to the side of the road. No one was injured although many could have been.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/28/2025

I was driving about 30mph and suddenly out of nowhere my brakes went out. They went out for about 1 second and some lights went out - then I slammed on the brakes, skidded to a halt and stopped in the. middle of the road, nearly crashing. We took it to the garage and they ran two codes and told us to take it to the dealer. The dealer quoted us about $8,000 and said it needed to "replace electrically driven brake control unit AND e-harness (engine room harness) (240123nh1d)". This makes the car dangerous to drive due to failures beyond our control or regular maintenance. This is a car failure and should be covered by a recall. It is simply not safe to drive. Looking online, this has happened to other Nissan Leafs of the same year/model as well.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/10/2025

I was driving my vehicle and the brakes suddenly stopped working. Upon failure, the ABS warning light as well as the braking system warning lights came on. I had to use my emergency brake to stop the vehicle. I had my vehicle towed to Nissan. The Nissan dealership mechanic said it was a Master Cylinder Brake Controller malfunction. It is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. The cost to repair the brake system exceeds the value of the car. This put my safety at risk because I could not safely stop my vehicle. I was minutes away from merging onto the freeway. Had I been traveling at high speeds without any braking system, my life and others would have been at risk.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/16/2024

Driving normally when the brake light, abs light, and traction control light came on.Brakes were unresponsiveness unless brake pedal was fully depressed causing a the ABS brakes to engage. This caused difficulty stopping and was required to use parking brake to slow down. Restarted vehicle several times but problem persisted. Nissan dealership stated that the intelligent braking system needed to be replaced as that is what their computer stated as all the codes indicated that the module was defective. Codes and diagnostic report attached.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 09/03/2024

Unintended Acceleration: Vehicle continue to accelerate even after the gas pedal is released or not slow down as expected.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/12/2024

The intelligent braking system control unit failed. The car is available for inspection, it is at the dealership for repair. I was driving downhill, towards a busy intersection and without any warning, there was no braking when I pushed the brake pedal. It was my two young children and myself in the car, we drove straight through a crosswalk (luckily empty), and towards a very busy intersection (luckily slightly uphill so we were able to stop in time). I cannot imagine what could have happened if losing our brakes would have happened any other time. We could have easily been injured or killed, as well as someone else. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer. The vehicle has been inspected by the local dealer and service center, same one the vehicle was purchased from. No warnings, messages, or other symptoms whatsoever. Afterwards, the ABS warning lights did come on.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/20/2023

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Leaf. While in the driveway of the residence, the contact started the vehicle with his foot on the brake pedal; however, the vehicle rolled. The contact depressed the brake pedal to the floor, but the vehicle continued rolling until it struck a rock wall. The failure occurred without warning. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. There were no injuries sustained. There was no Police report filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with an electrical failure, and that the brake booster had failed. The vehicle was not repaired due to a dealer not being in the area where the contact resides. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V119000 (Service Brakes) as a possible solution however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/22/2024

Brakes did not engage when depressing the brake pedal. No warning lights in the dash. Car was used a few hours prior with no issues. No other warnings of the failure occurred before or during my attempt to brake, aside from the lack of braking action. Occurred at a stop sign cross traffic, I turned into oncoming traffic, cutting off the other car but avoiding a collision. I confirmed the brakes did not work at the subsequent stop light, used parking brakes to stop at the side of the road. Minimal braking action seem to be present when I fully depress the brake pedal. Brakes worked normally the next day. Dealer service center states the intelligent brake control unit needs to be replaced for $5000, which is around the current value of the vehicle.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/15/2023

Brake pedal goes to the floor with no braking power. Grinding sounds, then finally brakes engage, but feels like the emergency brake. Super dangeraous, happened on the freeway. Checked 12v battery, based on what I read on line, battery had and still has strong charge. Next day, brakes work just fine. No problems. Happened again on highway a few days later, again, no braking power until just at the end, cant drive the car at any speed now, battery still fine. No cold weather here (unlike the many other 2015 leaf owners reporting the same issue. All dash warning lamps come on. Again, car drives fine the next day. Nissan denies any recall being needed, despite the hundreds of reports of similar dangerous problems.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/28/2022

I was driving with one passenger going at very low speed. I began to turn into parking area and suddenly the car accelerated at an alarming speed. I applied total pressure on the brake to no avail, it did not override the acceleration. I steered into the back of another parked vehicle. The impact pushed the large heavy vehicle down into a ditch and deployed the airbags for both myself and passenger. 911 was called, Police arrived, tow trucks. My vehicle was totalled, and insurance now has the claim. If this has occurred on a highway or busy city street, many lives would have been at risk.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/16/2022

Brakes fail cause as a wreck while parking

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 12/05/2018

I WAS DRIVING FOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I WAS GOING 45 MPH. I WAS TWO CAR LENGTHS BEHIND HIM. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. I THEN SLAMMED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN, BUT I ENDED UP REAR ENDING HIM. IT FELT LIKE MY CAR WAS ON ICE, BUT THE ROADS WERE CLEAR. IT WAS 29 DEGREES OUTSIDE.

AIR BAGS — Filed 02/12/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 NISSAN LEAF. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END THREE VEHICLE COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS ONE INJURY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT SUFFERED FROM BACK PAIN AND PAIN TO THE RIGHT HAND AND THUMB PAIN. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/07/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A BRICK WALL. THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. ..UPDATED 01/13/16 *BF UPDATED 05/03/18*JB

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/05/2015

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2015 NISSAN LEAF ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2015 3 WEEKS LATER ON OCT 5TH, 2015 BRAKES FAILED ON THIS BRAND NEW CAR WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. AS A RESULT I ENDED UP HITTING A TRUCK IN THE REAR END AT 55 MPH. INURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT AND 2015 NISSAN LEAF WAS TOTALED. I CALLED THIS INTO NISSAN AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A SERVICE NOTICE FOR THIS CAR FOR BRAKE FAILURE. THIS WAS NEVER DISCLOSED TO ME AND THE DEALER HAD NOT PERFORMED THIS SERVICE WORK ON THE CAR PRIOR TO SELLING IT TO US. PLEASE REPORT AND HAVE ALL BRAKE ISSUES WITH THE 2015 NISSAN LEAF INVESTIGATED.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 11/13/2015

IT WAS EARLY MORNING OF NOV 13 FRIDAY AROUND 5:30 AM, I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE THE HOUSE TO WORK. I BACKED UP THE CAR ABOUT 10-15 FT AWAY FROM ORIGINAL PARKING POSITION AND STOPPED BECAUSE I FORGOT SOMETHING IN THE HOUSE. AT THAT TIME MY FOOT WAS STILL ON BREAK PEDAL HOWEVER, AS SOON AS I CHANGED TO DRIVE MODE, THE CAR MOVE FORWARD QUICKLY EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK PEDAL. I PRESSED HARDER ON THE PEDAL TO STOPPED THE CAR UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY HIT THE FILING CABINET, SHOE RACK AND PENETRATED THE HOUSE WALL. IT WAS A TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE FOR ME. MY HUSBAND ARRIVED HOME COUPLE OF HOURS LATER. HE ASSESSED THE CAR AND CAME INTO CONCLUSION THAT THE BREAK PEDAL IS TOTALLY REACHING THE FLOOR. WE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY ON THE SAME DAY.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/23/2015

AS I TURNED INTO A PARALLEL PARKING SPOT AND APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR NEVER SLOWED. MY CAR HIT THE PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF ME.