Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2017 Nissan LEAF
Our scoring places the 2017 Nissan LEAF at 7.0/10 overall, which translates to a Good rating for this ev. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Performance at 5.6/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional ev — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We score reliability at 7.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.3/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 5.6/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.8/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $23,016–$29,512, 110 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan LEAF sits in the budget-friendly tier of the ev market. The 7.1/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Our take: The 2017 Nissan LEAF is a passable ev but not a standout one. Weaknesses in technology and performance hold it back from being a strong recommendation. It may suit buyers with specific needs it serves well, but we'd encourage comparing at least two or three higher-scored alternatives before deciding.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
How It Ranks Among EVs
The 2017 Nissan LEAF ranks #243 of 268 evs in the Carivo database — better than 10% of the segment. Its 7.0/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.6/10. Its $23,016 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $52,750 by about 56%.
$0 — 2 campaigns on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which LEAF Year Should You Buy?
Across the LEAF model years we've scored, the 2017 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
Exceptional fuel efficiency at 110 MPG — among the best in its class
✗ Where it falls short
Reliability scores are mid-pack; some owners report higher-than-expected maintenance needs
Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
Tech suite is functional but lags behind segment-best options; some features cost extra
NHTSA Recalls — 2017 Nissan LEAF (2 on record)
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Air bags 13/04/2017 · 17V253000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
Equipment / Other / Owners/service/other manual 26/04/2023 · 23V296000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2013-2017 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…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2017 Nissan LEAF that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2017 Nissan LEAF
Is the 2017 Nissan LEAF reliable?
We rate the 2017 Nissan LEAF's reliability 7.0/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan LEAF have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2017 Nissan LEAF worth buying?
It scores 7.0/10 overall, ranking #243 of 268 evs in our database (better than 10% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2017 Nissan LEAF cost?
The 2017 Nissan LEAF starts at $23,016 and ranges up to $29,512 across trims (MSRP when new). At 110 MPG, expect roughly $477/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which LEAF years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest LEAF years we've rated are 2016 (6.8/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.3/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2017 Nissan LEAF have?
The documented issues for the 2017 Nissan LEAF are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Air bags, Equipment (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Nissan LEAF
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More Nissan Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
Representative photo — may show another model year