Makes›Nissan›Leaf›2023

2023 Nissan Leaf

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2023 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: 212 mi · 8 h on 240 V
Length: 176.4 in
Curb weight: 3,439 lb
NHTSA rating: Not rated
Recalls: 3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Lots of standard safety tech5 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 16 similar 2023 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2023 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 212 miles and takes about 8 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 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2023

Longest EV range down from 226 to 212 miles

Compared with 2022; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2022 Leaf →

Trims, performance & features

Powertrain–Electric motor

Transmission1-speed automatic

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SSV

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringStandard

Blind-spot interventionStandard

Rear cross-traffic alertStandard

Rear automatic brakingStandard

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Adaptive cruise controlStandard

Parking assistStandard

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startStandard

Built in: Smyrna, Tennessee

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 2 2023 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 EV	TBD	Automatic (A1)	Front-Wheel Drive	149 mi · 30.4264 kWh/100mi	–	$700	–
LEAF SV EV	TBD	Automatic (A1)	Front-Wheel Drive	212 mi · 30.7824 kWh/100mi	–	$700	–

10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

10/10EPA greenhouse gas score

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

27 MPG2023 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2023 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2023 Nissan Leaf.

Similar 2023 midsize cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2023 Nissan Leaf (this car)	212 mi	Not rated	3
2023 Toyota Corolla	50 MPG	★★★★★	4
2023 Honda Civic	36 MPG	Not rated	5
2023 Nissan GT-R	18 MPG	Not rated	0
2023 Toyota Prius	57 MPG	★★★★★	4
2023 Subaru Impreza	32 MPG	★★★★★	2
2023 Hyundai Elantra	54 MPG	★★★★★	4

Recalls (3)

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · May 22, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V362000 · 758 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 LEAF vehicles. The right-hand brake tubes may have been damaged during production and could corrode, possibly causing a hole in the brake line and a brake fluid leak.
Risk: A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the right-hand brake tube, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC976.

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 2023 Nissan Leaf is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

22Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

6Involved a crash

0Involved a fire

0Injuries reported

8,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Unknown Or Other8

Vehicle Speed Control8

Electrical System4

Visibility/Wiper3

Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking2

Service Brakes2

Power Train2

Fuel/Propulsion System2

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2023 Nissan Leaf buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Vehicle Speed Control — 8 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
Visibility/Wiper — 3 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 8,000 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 212 miles.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2023 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
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
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 →