The world's best-selling electric car for good reason. Practical, affordable, and generally reliable. Main concerns are battery degradation (no active cooling causes faster capacity loss than competitors), Rapidgate throttling on long trips, and notorious 12V battery drain issues from telematics. The 40 kWh battery is covered by an 8-year/160,000 km warranty dropping to 9 bars (around 75% capacity). Mechanical simplicity means low maintenance costs, but high-voltage component failures (onboard charger, inverter, DC-DC converter) are expensive. Check battery health bars and verify unintended acceleration recall completed.
Battery degradation (faster than competitors)€0 (warranty) - €8,000
No active cooling causes accelerated capacity loss, especially in hot climates or with frequent DC fast charging · more· less
The Leaf uses passive air cooling instead of liquid cooling, causing faster degradation than competitors. First health bar (displayed on dash) typically drops around 82-85% capacity after 15-18% degradation. Studies show real-world degradation averaging 2-3% per year, with higher rates in hot climates or with frequent fast charging. Battery capacity below 9 bars (around 75%) is covered under 8-year/160,000 km warranty. Out-of-warranty replacement costs €8,000-16,000. To minimize degradation: avoid leaving battery at 100% for extended periods, keep charge between 40-70% when parked, limit DC fast charging frequency, and park in shade during summer.
12V auxiliary battery drain€150 - €800
Telematics modem drains 12V battery within 48-72 hours in areas with poor cell signal · more· less
The Leaf's telematics system continuously attempts to connect to cellular networks. In areas with poor signal, it can drain the 12V battery in 2-3 days. Symptoms include inability to start, accessory malfunctions, and brake system warnings. Battery replacement costs €150-250. If DC-DC converter has also failed from repeated deep discharges, repair costs €800-2,000. Solution: disable data modem through vehicle menu settings, or use a battery maintainer if car sits for more than a week. Important: leaving car plugged in after charging completes does NOT charge 12V battery and actually drains it.
Rapidgate (DC fast charging throttling)€0 (software update)
Battery overheats during highway trips with multiple fast charges, reducing charging speed from 50kW to 15kW · more· less
Due to lack of active battery cooling, the 40 kWh Leaf cannot maintain fast charging speeds on long trips. After 1-2 hours of highway driving followed by DC charging, especially in temperatures above 25°C, charging speed drops dramatically. First charge: 35-40kW, second: 26kW, third: 15-19kW as battery temperature enters red zone. A software update in 2019 improved this slightly but did not eliminate the issue. Rapidgate makes the Leaf unsuitable for road trips requiring multiple fast charges. To minimize: charge night before trip (cool battery), drive at moderate speeds to reduce heat generation, allow cooling time between charges.
Onboard charger (OBC) failure€1,000 - €3,200
OBC fails causing inability to charge via AC (home/public AC chargers), while DC fast charging still works · more· less
The onboard charger converts AC power to DC for battery charging. Common failure at 60,000-100,000 km. Symptoms: car won't charge from home EVSE or AC charging stations, but DC fast charging (CHAdeMO) still works. Some failures caused by power outages while connected to certain charging stations. Dealer replacement: €2,600-3,200. Independent specialists or used parts: €1,000-1,500. In some cases, failed components (capacitors) can be replaced for under €100, but charger must be removed from vehicle. Covered under EV system warranty for 5 years/100,000 km on newer vehicles.
Brake actuator/e-Pedal system issues€350 - €3,000
Brake pedal goes soft/spongy, e-Pedal malfunction warnings, often linked to weak 12V battery · more· less
Leafs built November 2012-February 2016 had known brake actuator issues with multiple recalls for firmware updates. Symptoms include spongy brake pedal, warning lights, and e-Pedal system shutting off. Many brake issues resolve after replacing weak 12V battery (€150-250). If actuator replacement needed: used parts €350, dealer service €2,500-3,000. Important: physical brakes can seize if e-Pedal used exclusively - exercise brakes weekly. 2023 recall affected 758 US vehicles for premature brake line failure. Verify all brake-related recalls completed before purchase.
DC-DC converter failure€800 - €2,000
Charges 12V battery from traction battery - failure causes start problems, electrical malfunctions · more· less
The DC-DC converter charges the 12V battery from the high-voltage traction battery. When it fails, the 12V system voltage drops (should be 13.5-14V when driving, but stays at 12V or lower). Symptoms: new 12V battery dies quickly, intermittent electrical issues, loss of heating/AC/radio while driving, car won't shift into gear. Diagnosis: measure 12V voltage while driving - if it doesn't rise above 12.5V, DC-DC converter has failed. Repair requires replacing power delivery module (PDM). Cost: €800-2,000 depending on whether full PDM or just DC-DC unit is replaced. Often happens after repeated 12V deep discharge cycles.
Charging port door latch failure€100 - €1,500
Electric release stops working or latch won't close properly, sometimes caused by rodent damage · more· less
Common issue where charging port door won't open electrically (button beeps but door stays closed) or won't latch shut. Causes include: accumulated grime on latch mechanism (clean and lubricate with lithium grease - €0 DIY), stuck solenoid actuator (€350-775 dealer repair), or wiring damage from rodents attracted to soy-based insulation (€400-1,500). Manual release available: open hood, locate lever behind charge port, push with screwdriver. Many cases resolve with cleaning and lubrication rather than part replacement.
Motor inverter failure€1,500 - €12,000
Rare but catastrophic - controls motor power, causes complete loss of drive · more· less
Motor inverter failure is rare but expensive. Converts DC battery power to AC for the motor. Symptoms: power loss, unusual noises, fault codes, complete inability to drive. Dealer replacement cost €9,000-12,000 for complete motor/inverter/gearbox stack. Independent EV specialists can replace for €1,500-2,500 using salvaged parts. Some reported failures turn out to be loose connections or corroded terminals rather than actual inverter failure - always get second opinion before authorizing expensive repair. ZE1 inverter part numbers: 291A0-5SA1A/B (110kW), 291A0-5SN0A/1A (160kW).
Reliable mechanically, but battery degradation is unavoidable
The Leaf's electric drivetrain is simple and proven. Most issues are either minor (charging port latch, 12V battery) or manageable with preventive care (battery degradation, Rapidgate). High-voltage component failures are rare but expensive. The lack of active battery cooling is the Leaf's biggest weakness - expect faster degradation than liquid-cooled EVs. Budget €100-200/year for eventual battery capacity loss and potential 12V system issues.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete service records from Nissan or certified EV specialist. Verify annual safety inspections completed.
Tires
Check tread depth (minimum 3mm), age (not older than 6 years), and uneven wear patterns indicating alignment issues.
12V battery voltage test
With car off: should read 12.4-12.8V. With car on (not charging): should rise to 13.5-14V. If it stays below 13V while on, DC-DC converter may have failed.
Test drive
Minimum 30 minutes including varied speeds and regenerative braking. Listen for unusual motor whine, test all electrical systems.
Charging test
Test both AC charging (home EVSE or public AC) and DC fast charging if possible. Verify charging starts within 30 seconds.
Specific for this vehicle
Battery health bars check (CRITICAL)
Turn on car and check dash display. Should show 12 bars when new. 11 bars = ~15-18% degradation. 10 bars = ~22-25% degradation. 9 bars = warranty threshold (~25-30% loss). Ask seller for LeafSpy report showing actual SOH percentage. Anything below 85% SOH represents significant degradation.
LeafSpy OBD scan
Use LeafSpy app with OBD adapter to check battery State of Health (SOH), individual cell voltages, degradation rate, and fault codes. Critical data: SOH should be >85%, cell voltage differences <50mV, no battery module errors.
Verify unintended acceleration recall completed
Recall R23A6 affects all 2018-2023 Leafs (66,077 vehicles). Vehicle could accelerate unintentionally when changing drive mode after disengaging cruise control. Requires VCM reprogram. Check with Nissan dealer using VIN.
Test charging port door
Press button to open - should release smoothly. Close and verify it latches securely. Listen for solenoid click. Test manual release (hood open, lever behind charge port).
Check for 12V battery drain
If possible, measure parasitic drain with car off. Should be 30-60mA. Anything above 500mA indicates problem (often telematics modem). Ask seller if car has sat for more than a week without driving - if 12V battery died, this is red flag.
Test e-Pedal and regenerative braking
Enable e-Pedal and test one-pedal driving. Should provide strong deceleration when lifting accelerator. Also test physical brake pedal - should be firm, not spongy. Warning lights for e-Pedal malfunction indicate actuator issues.
Inspect high-voltage cables and connectors
Look for orange cables under hood and underneath car. Check for damage, corrosion, or moisture around connectors. Any damage to high-voltage system is expensive to repair.
Check for battery cell failure warnings
Look for "power limited" warnings, AC/DC charging faults, insulation warnings, reduced range, thermal alerts. These indicate bad battery cell/module requiring replacement under warranty (or €16,000+ out of warranty).
Verify warranty coverage remaining
Battery warranty is 8 years/160,000 km from original registration date. Calculate remaining coverage. If battery has already been replaced under warranty, ask for documentation and verify new battery warranty start date.
Battery cell manufacturing defects (recall varies by region)Check with dealer
Contact Nissan Netherlands dealer with VIN to verify all recalls completed. The unintended acceleration recall (R23A6) is mandatory and affects all 2018-2023 models. Some battery pack recalls apply only to specific production batches or regions (US/Canada) - verify if your vehicle is affected.
Warranty Status
Vehicle warranty3 years/100,000 km (likely expired)
Battery capacity warranty8 years/160,000 km (may still apply)
EV system components5 years/100,000 km (check if expired)
The battery warranty covers capacity loss below 9 bars (approximately 75% of original capacity) for 8 years or 160,000 km from original registration date. This does NOT cover normal degradation above 9 bars. All 2018 models are now outside the vehicle warranty but may still have battery warranty coverage. Verify exact warranty expiration dates with Nissan using the VIN. Battery replacements under warranty receive new 40 kWh packs regardless of original size (30 kWh models upgraded to 40 kWh).
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.