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2018 Nissan LEAF S

The 2018 Nissan LEAF S is a 147-hp electric sedan with a single-speed reducer and front-wheel drive. It starts at $29,990 MSRP and is rated at 112 mpg combined.

It makes 147 horsepower at 3,282 rpm and 236 lb-ft of torque at 0–3283 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 124 mpg city and 101 mpg highway (112 mpg combined).

The LEAF measures 176.4 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,433 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainElectric
Price
MSRP$29,990
MSRP with Destination$30,885
Destination Charge$895
Engine
Engine TypeAC synchronous electric motor (EM57)
Horsepower147 hp @ 3,282 rpm
Torque236 lb-ft @ 0–3283 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Differential TypeABLS (Active Brake Limited Slip)
Transmission
TransmissionSingle-speed reducer
Final Drive8.193
Fuel Economy
City124 MPG
Highway101 MPG
Combined112 MPG
Recommended FuelElectricity
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut w/ coil springs
Rear SuspensionTorsion beam with integrated stabilizer bar
Front Stabilizer Barintegrated (MacPherson strut)
Rear Stabilizer Barintegrated (torsion beam)
Turning Diameter34.8 ft
Brakes
Front Brake Caliperssingle piston
Front Brake Disc11.14 x 1.1 in vented
Rear Brake Disc11.5 x 0.63 in vented
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16 in
Wheels Rear16 in
Tires Front205/55R16
Tires Rear205/55R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length176.4 in
Width70.5 in
Height61.4 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Front Track60.6 in
Rear Track61.2 in
Ground Clearance5.9 in
Approach Angle16.3°
Departure Angle25°
Cargo Volume23.6 ft³
Curb Weight3,433 lbs
Weight Distribution (F/R)58% / 42%
Interior
Headroom Front41.2 in
Headroom Rear37.3 in
Legroom Front42.1 in
Legroom Rear33.5 in
Shoulder Room Front54.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear52.5 in
Hip Room Front51.7 in
Hip Room Rear50 in

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Tested, but no star ratings were published (2018 Nissan Leaf BEV 5 HB FWD).

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan LEAF. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Feb 2, 2024 · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

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."

Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 24V071000

Jul 17, 2023 · VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Consequence: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 23V494000

Feb 2, 2023 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

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."

Consequence: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 23V048000

Sep 12, 2019 · BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

NHTSA campaign 19V654000

67 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan LEAF

Owner Complaints

67 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan LEAF (9 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Electrical System19
Service Brakes19
Forward Collision Avoidance13
Fuel/Propulsion System13
Vehicle Speed Control12
Engine7
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 14, 2026 · Electrical System, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“I purchased this EV in 2021 with ~30k miles on it. On cold days ~20 degrees, the battery would drop rapidly under a load (going uphill, high speeds, etc) It would continue to drop until you were not…”
Aug 3, 2026 · Service Brakes
“vehicle brakes went out on the driver during normal operation.”
Jul 31, 2026 · Service Brakes
“vehicle was being driven like normal with no warning lights or icons. vehicle was bring driven at 35 miles an hour when suddenly the ABS fault message appeared on the dash, the dash started beeping…”
Jul 16, 2026 · Electrical System
“This is the second high-voltage traction battery failure on this vehicle. The original HV battery failed and was replaced by Nissan under warranty at an authorized dealer on XXX, at approximately…”
Jul 11, 2026 · Electrical System, Fuel/Propulsion System
“Car was fast charged on July 9th. 2026. After fast charging from 13% to 80%, and driving for a few miles, the overheating warning came on and car was forced to stop on the side of a busy highway until…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2018 NISSAN LEAF. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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