2013 Nissan Leaf Reliability ReportKeepScore 65/100 · top failure points · buy or avoid
Quick Facts · 2013 Nissan Leaf
- Scores 13 points below the strongest nearby year — the 2015 Nissan Leaf earns a 78.
- The system most likely to surface first: high voltage battery pack (critical severity).
- Has 5 NHTSA recalls on record — the most notable involves the service brakes.
2013 Nissan Leaf: Buy or Avoid?
The 2013 Nissan Leaf presents a budget-friendly entry into EV ownership, but it comes with a significant caveat: rapid battery degradation, particularly in hotter climates. While the electric powertrain itself is remarkably robust, the limited and often diminishing range makes it a high-risk proposition for anything beyond hyper-localized commuting without careful pre-purchase inspection of battery health.
Biggest Strengths
- Extremely reliable electric motor and drivetrain
- Low maintenance costs for traditional wear items
- Quiet and smooth driving experience
2013 Nissan Leaf — Known Trouble Spots
The systems that break first on the 2013 Nissan Leaf. Mileage windows, repair costs, and fix-before-you-buy notes are in the full report.
Safety Recalls on the 2013 Nissan Leaf
5 recalls on record from NHTSA. Check your VIN atnhtsa.gov to see if the repair was performed.
SERVICE BRAKES
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 LEAF vehicles manufactured November 19, 2012, to July 31, 2015. During very cold temperatures, the relay inside the electronic brake booster may freeze, requiring the driver to exert more effort to slow the vehicle down.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, and Sentra, model year 2013 NV200 (aka Taxi) and Infiniti JX35 and model year 2014 Infiniti Q50 and QX60 vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the occupant classification system (OCS) software may incorrectly classify the passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
What breaks on the 2013 Nissan Leaf?
Full reliability breakdown — engine, transmission, rust, electrical. With repair costs and mileage danger zones.
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Nissan Leaf — Year-by-Year Comparison
Compare KeepScores across nearby years of the Nissan Leaf. Click any year for its full report.
Competing 2013s Worth a Look
Similar class, similar year range — ranked by KeepScore.
Relevant Products for Your 2013 Nissan Leaf
Parts and accessories matched to your 2013 Nissan Leaf
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Frequently Asked Questions
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