2016 Nissan Leaf
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Hatchback S/Sv, 4dr Hatchback Sl
- Engines
- Electric motor
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- EV
- EV range
- 107 mi · 6 h on 240 V
- Length
- 175.2 in
- Curb weight
- 3,265–3,397 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Short EV rangeUp to 107 miles on a charge (EPA) — plan around charging.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Nissan Leaf is a midsize car powered by electricity and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 175 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,265 lb (4dr Hatchback S/Sv).
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 107 miles and takes about 6 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.
What changed for 2016
- Longest EV range up from 84 to 107 miles
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Leaf →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Hatchback S/Sv | 175.2 in | 69.7 in | 61 in | 106.3 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,265 lb | 56/44 |
| 4dr Hatchback Sl | 175.2 in | 69.7 in | 61 in | 106.3 in | 60.6 / 60.2 in | 3,397 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf (24 kW-hr battery pack) EV | 80 kW DCPM | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 84 mi · 29.6496 kWh/100mi | – | $650 | – |
| Leaf (30 kW-hr battery pack) EV | 80 kW DCPM | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 107 mi · 29.9829 kWh/100mi | – | $650 | – |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Nissan Leaf.
Similar 2016 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Nissan Leaf (this car) | 107 mi | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Honda Civic | 35 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Hyundai Elantra | 31 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2016 Ford Focus | 34 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
Recalls (4)
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual · Apr 26, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V296000 · 94,343 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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."
- Risk
- Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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 May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A1.
Air Bags · Apr 13, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V253000 · 30,038 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jun 15, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V436000 · 4,355 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 LEAF vehicles manufactured February 24, 2016, to March 23, 2016, and Sentra vehicles manufactured February 9, 2016, to March 4, 2016. The wiring harness connector may disconnect from the dual-stage passenger air bag.
- Risk
- If the wiring harness disconnects, the passenger air bag may not to deploy during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness connector for proper engagement and, if necessary, replace the passenger air bag module and main body harness, free of charge. The recall began on August 9, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification · Apr 26, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V244000 · 3,296,947 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
- Fix
- Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.
Not every 2016 Nissan Leaf is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Nissan Leaf buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 16 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 11 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 8 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 20,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 107 miles.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Leaf. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Leaf years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Leaf | 303 mi | 173.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 3 |
| 2025 Leaf | 212 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 7 |
| 2024 Leaf | 212 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2023 Leaf | 212 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 22 |
| 2022 Leaf | 226 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 96 |
| 2021 Leaf | 226 mi | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 57 |
| 2020 Leaf | 226 mi | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 167 |
| 2019 Leaf | 226 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 260 |
| 2018 Leaf | 151 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 67 |
| 2017 Leaf | 107 mi | 175.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 17 |
| 2015 Leaf | 84 mi | 175.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 109 |
| 2014 Leaf | 84 mi | 175.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 31 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →