Makes›Nissan›Leaf›2021

2021 Nissan Leaf

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class: Midsize Cars
Body styles: 5dr Hatchback
Engines: Electric motor
Transmission: 1-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: EV
EV range: 226 mi · 8 h on 240 V
Length: 176.4 in
Curb weight: 3,439 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 22 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 Nissan Leaf is a midsize car powered by electricity and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 176 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,439 lb.

The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 226 miles and takes about 8 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 57 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 Leaf — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Leaf →

Trims, performance & features

Powertrain–Electric motor

Transmission1-speed automatic

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SVSLS

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Blind-spot interventionStandard

Rear automatic brakingStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Lane centeringStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

LED headlightsYes

Built in: Smyrna, Tennessee

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2021 Leaf configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
5dr Hatchback	176.4 in	70.5 in	61.4 in	106.3 in	60.6 / 61 in	3,439 lb	58/42

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 (40 kW-hr battery pack) EV	110 kW DCPM	Automatic (A1)	Front-Wheel Drive	149 mi · 30.4264 kWh/100mi	–	$700	–
Leaf (62 kW-hr battery pack) EV	160 kW DCPM	Automatic (A1)	Front-Wheel Drive	226 mi · 31.3048 kWh/100mi	–	$700	–
Leaf SV/SL (62 kW-hr battery pack) EV	160 kW DCPM	Automatic (A1)	Front-Wheel Drive	215 mi · 32.283 kWh/100mi	–	$750	–

10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

10/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

27.4 MPG2021 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2021 Nissan LEAF (40 KWh Battery) 5 HB FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	5★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	10.7%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

StandardLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2021 Nissan LEAF (40 KWh Battery) 5 HB FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2021 Nissan LEAF (40 KWh Battery) 5 HB FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2021 midsize cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2021 Nissan Leaf (this car)	226 mi	★★★★★	4
2021 Toyota Corolla	52 MPG	★★★★★	1
2021 Honda Civic	36 MPG	★★★★★	4
2021 Nissan GT-R	18 MPG	Not rated	1
2021 Toyota Prius	56 MPG	★★★★★	0
2021 Subaru Impreza	32 MPG	★★★★★	2
2021 Hyundai Elantra	54 MPG	★★★★★	7

Recalls (4)

Electrical System › Propulsion System › Charging › Module › Software · Sep 30, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V655000 · 19,077 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
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 Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 4, 2025.

Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Feb 2, 2024

NHTSA campaign 24V071000 · 57,914 vehicles

Problem: 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."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23D7.

Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 17, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V494000 · 66,159 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
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 · Feb 2, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V048000 · 64,732 vehicles

Problem: 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."
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 April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Nissan Leaf is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

57Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

2Involved a crash

5Involved a fire

1Injuries reported

30,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Electrical System32

Unknown Or Other13

Fuel/Propulsion System10

Visibility/Wiper6

Engine6

Power Train3

Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings2

Air Bags2

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Nissan Leaf buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Electrical System — 32 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Fuel/Propulsion System — 10 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.
Visibility/Wiper — 6 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 30,000 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 226 miles.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 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
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
2016 Leaf	107 mi	175.2 in	★★★★★	4	36
2015 Leaf	84 mi	175.2 in	★★★★★	4	109
2014 Leaf	84 mi	175.2 in	★★★★★	6	31

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →