2018 Nissan LEAF

The 2018 Nissan LEAF, marking the start of the second generation, records 63 complaints—a moderate figure that stands in contrast to the sharp escalation seen in the 2019 model (251 complaints) and the elevated 2020 model (158 complaints). Across the generation, the complaint trend shows a spike in the second year, suggesting that the 2018 model may have avoided some of the early production or design issues that surfaced more prominently later. Its 4 recalls and 1 investigation are consistent with the generation’s pattern, while the 121 TSBs indicate that Nissan actively documented and addressed numerous service-level concerns, which could benefit a used buyer if those bulletins were applied. The top complaint areas—Service Brakes/Forward Collision Avoidance (7), Electrical System (5), Vehicle Speed Control (4), and Structure (4)—point to potential issues with advanced driver-assistance and EV systems, though the data does not specify root causes. With 9 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint, the 2018 LEAF does not exhibit an alarming safety trend relative to the generation, but these figures warrant a thorough pre-purchase inspection. Overall, the 2018 LEAF is a relatively stable choice within the second generation, but a buyer should confirm that all recalls and relevant TSBs have been completed, especially those related to brakes and electrical components.