Archived model-year dossier
2018 Nissan Leaf
The 2018 Nissan Leaf is the second-generation Leaf, a full redesign with a 147-horsepower motor, a 40-kWh battery and a Nissan-claimed range of about 150 miles. Four recalls apply, including a 2023 campaign for unintended acceleration with cruise control. Kelley Blue Book puts resale value at about $8,850, and real range depends on battery health.
Configurations1
Model/option labels1
Combined efficiency112 MPG/MPGe
Electric range151 mi
Decision answers3
What changed on the 2018 Nissan Leaf
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says the Leaf entered its second generation for 2018 completely redesigned, with a more powerful electric motor, longer range and more technology. The powertrain is a 40 kWh battery pack powering a motor with 147 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and a Nissan-claimed range of 150 miles, and Nissan's ProPilot Assist system became available. MotorTrend's first drive preferred the new design and the extra power and range. The EPA rates it 112 MPGe combined and $700 a year in electricity on fueleconomy.gov (opens in a new tab).
Recalls and complaints
NHTSA lists four recalls. 23V494 covers 2018 to 2023 Leafs that may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed after disengaging the cruise control; the modes involved are D to B, e-Pedal on and ECO. 24V071 covers 2018 to 2022 Leafs where damage to the camera harness can distort or lose the rearview image. 19V654 is a rear camera campaign shared with other Nissan models, and 23V048 corrects incorrect defroster instructions in the owner's manual.
NHTSA holds 66 owner complaints on the 2018 Leaf: service brakes 19, electrical system 18, forward collision avoidance 13, fuel and propulsion 12, vehicle speed control 12 and unclassified 7. VinSpectorAI (opens in a new tab) counts 61 complaints, 9 crash-related, with the brake system the top issue. Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) rates a 2018 with 48,000 to 60,000 miles as a medium risk of major repair. Test the brakes carefully on a used one.
Battery health and what a 2018 Leaf costs
The battery is the value driver. Recurrent (opens in a new tab) says used ranges for older Leaf models from 2013 to 2018 span 64 to 176 miles, so the range you get depends on how the car was used and charged, and it stresses checking battery health before buying.
Kelley Blue Book (opens in a new tab) puts a 2018 Leaf's resale value at $8,850 and its trade-in value at $5,575, in the 75th to 100th percentile for depreciation among 2018 hatchbacks. The practical question for any 2018 is what a battery report shows before you agree to a price.
Trim-by-trim specifications
The 2018 Nissan Leaf: 3 trims compared.
Kelley Blue Book specifications, one row per trim.
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Seats | Basic warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | AC Electric Motor | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | FWD | 147 | 236 | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| SL | AC Electric Motor | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | FWD | 147 | 236 | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| SV | AC Electric Motor | Single-Speed Fixed Gear | FWD | 147 | 236 | 5 | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
| Trim | Curb weight | Length | Height | Wheelbase | Ground clearance | Turning circle | Front headroom | Front legroom | Tires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 3,433 lb | 176.4 in | 61.4 in | 106.3 in | 5.9 in | 34.8 ft | 41.2 in | 42.1 in | P205/55R16 |
| SL | 3,508 lb | 176.4 in | 61.4 in | 106.3 in | 5.9 in | 36.1 ft | 41.2 in | 42.1 in | P215/50R17 |
| SV | 3,468 lb | 176.4 in | 61.4 in | 106.3 in | 5.9 in | 36.1 ft | 41.2 in | 42.1 in | P215/50R17 |
Equipment by trim
Which 2018 Nissan Leaf trim has what.
Std is standard, Opt is optional, a dash means Kelley Blue Book lists it as not available.
| Equipment | S | SL | SV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety | |||
| Anti-theft alarm | Std | Std | Std |
| Blind-spot alert | – | Std | Opt |
| Child door locks | Std | Std | Std |
| Child-seat anchors | Std | Std | Std |
| Forward collision warning | – | Std | – |
| Forward collision warning with automatic braking | Std | Std | Std |
| Driver-attention monitor | – | Std | – |
| Hill-start assist | Std | Std | Std |
| Pedestrian detection with automatic braking | – | Opt | Opt |
| Rearview camera | Std | Std | Std |
| Surround-view camera | – | Std | – |
| Electronic stability control | Std | Std | Std |
| Traction control | Std | Std | Std |
| Technology | |||
| Text-message reader | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth audio streaming | Std | Std | Std |
| Bluetooth | Std | Std | Std |
| Hands-free calling | Std | Std | Std |
| Navigation system | – | Std | Std |
| Premium audio system | – | Std | – |
| Real-time traffic information | – | Std | Std |
| Satellite radio | Std | Std | Std |
| Apple CarPlay or Android Auto | Std | Std | Std |
| Steering-wheel audio controls | Std | Std | Std |
| Touchscreen | – | Std | Std |
| Voice recognition | – | Std | Std |
| Comfort | |||
| Heated front seats | Opt | Std | Opt |
| Heated steering wheel | Opt | Std | Opt |
| Heated mirrors | Opt | Std | Opt |
| Power driver's seat | – | Std | Opt |
| Leather seats | – | Std | – |
| Leather-wrapped steering wheel | – | Std | Std |
| Tilt steering wheel | Std | Std | Std |
| Cup holders | Std | Std | Std |
| Folding rear seat | Std | Std | Std |
| Exterior and convenience | |||
| Alloy wheels | – | Std | Std |
| Fog lights | – | Std | Std |
| Rear spoiler | Std | Std | Std |
| 12-volt power outlet | Std | Std | Std |
| Power windows | Std | Std | Std |
| Remote keyless entry | Std | Std | Std |
| Proximity keyless entry | Std | Std | Std |
| Push-button start | Std | Std | Std |
| Cruise control | Std | Std | Std |
| Integrated garage-door opener | – | Std | Opt |
| Rear-window defroster | Std | Std | Std |
Complete certification table
1 configuration records.
| EPA ID / label | Engine / technology | Drive / transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39860Leaf | Electric motor / not listedEV | Front-Wheel DriveAutomatic (A1) | Electricity | 125 | 100 | 112 | 151 mi |
Model-specific answer center
3 answers for this exact family-year.
Q01What changed on the 2018 Nissan Leaf versus the 2017 Nissan Leaf?
Model year
Against the 2017 Nissan Leaf: Midpoint electric range moved from 107 to 151 miles. Federal recall campaigns on file went from 2 for the 2017 to 4 for the 2018.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov certification records for both model years
Q02How do the 2018 Nissan Leaf trims differ from one another?
Trims
All 3 trims share the AC Electric Motor making 147 hp. The SL has alloy wheels, blind-spot alert, forward collision warning and 15 more as standard equipment over the S.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Q03What size wheels does the 2018 Nissan Leaf have?
Wheels and tires
The 2018 Nissan Leaf's wheel diameter is 16 inches on the S and 17 inches on the SL and SV. Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications. The 2017 model year has the same figure.
Source: Kelley Blue Book vehicle specifications
Live NHTSA evidence
Current federal safety records for 2018 Nissan Leaf.
Exact-vehicle evidence desk
Check the exact vehicle, not just the model name.
Recalls, build data and service applicability are determined at VIN level, not by model name.
01 · NHTSASafety ratings, recalls, complaints and manufacturer communicationsExact model-year search → (opens in a new tab)02 · NHTSACheck open safety recalls by 17-character VINOfficial VIN remedy status → (opens in a new tab)03 · vPICDecode manufacturer-submitted vehicle attributesInternal VIN tool →04 · EPAQuery another year, make, model and option1984–current browser →
FuelEconomy.gov data source (opens in a new tab) · Methodology
Other model years
Compare the Nissan Leaf across model years.
Ownership desk
Problems and maintenance decisions worth checking next.
Seasonal and storageStarting and inspecting a vehicle after long storageRoutine →Warning lightsCheck-engine light: steady versus flashingDepends →Warning lightsTire-pressure light flashing, then staying onSoon →Engine and coolingEngine overheats at idle but cools while movingStop driving →Engine and coolingCoolant level keeps dropping with no obvious puddleSoon →Brakes, tires and steeringBrakes squeak: when it is normal and when it is notDepends →