2016 Nissan Leaf Battery Size
The 2016 Nissan Leaf uses a BCI Group 51R battery, rated about 410-500 cold cranking amps (Flooded).
Key takeaways
- Battery: BCI Group 51R, 410-500 CCA, Flooded.
- Replace with the same Group 51R.
- In cold weather, choose a battery at or above 500 CCA.
- It comes with a flooded battery; you can upgrade to AGM in the same group size.
- Battery type (OEM)
- Flooded
- Cold cranking amps (CCA)
- 410-500
- Terminal position
- Reversed-terminal layout (R)
- Dimensions (L×W×H)
- 238×129×223 mm
EV - this is the 12V auxiliary battery (traction pack separate). Always confirm against your owner's manual or current battery label.
The right battery for your 2016 Nissan Leaf
Match the group size (Group 51R) and aim for at least 410 CCA - more in cold climates. A standard flooded battery is fine, or upgrade to AGM for longer life. A battery is heavy to ship, so buying in person can win once you count free install and the core-charge refund - but to compare prices and reviews:
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Shop the Group 51R batteryWhat does a 2016 Nissan Leaf battery cost?
| Typical price | $80-200 |
| Typical service life | 3-5 years |
| Cost per year | ~$16-67 |
| Core charge | ~$22 (refundable) |
Expect roughly $80-200 for a standard flooded battery in Group 51R, which is what this car takes. Over a typical 3-to-5-year service life that works out to about $16-67 a year. You can fit an AGM in the same Group 51R size if you want the longer service life, and it will cost roughly $125-320 instead. It is an upgrade, not a requirement.
That is typical for Nissan: only 5% of the 2015-and-newer Nissan vehicles we hold specs for use AGM, so you are usually in the cheaper flooded bracket with this brand.
See the full breakdown of what car batteries cost - by type, by make, and what the extras actually add.
Do you need to register the battery?
This car came with a flooded battery and no smart charging system to satisfy, so there is nothing to register. Disconnect, swap, reconnect. You may need to reset the clock and radio presets, and that is the extent of it.
What Group 51R means
A BCI group number describes the battery's physical size and terminal layout, not its power. It is what guarantees the battery drops into the tray and the cables reach the right posts. A Group 51R case measures roughly 238 × 129 × 223 mm. Reversed-terminal layout (R).
Group 51R is a mainstream size, fitted to 4.9% of the vehicles we hold specs for and ranked 7th of 30. Any parts store will have it on the shelf.
How many cold cranking amps?
Aim for 410 CCA at minimum. Cold cranking amps measure how much current the battery can deliver at 0°F, which is the one moment a battery is really tested. The 410-500 range reflects the different batteries fitted across this vehicle's trims and options. Going above the OEM rating is safe and does no harm - the starter draws what it needs and no more, so a higher-CCA battery is not "too strong" for the car. It is worth paying for if you park outside in a cold climate, and largely wasted money if you do not. Going below 410 is the one thing to avoid, because that is where hard winter starts come from.
How long it should last
A standard flooded battery typically lasts 3 to 5 years. Heat is what kills batteries, not cold - cold just exposes one that was already failing, which is why so many die on the first freezing morning after a hot summer. Short trips that never fully recharge it shorten its life too. Once this battery passes its third year, get it tested annually rather than waiting to be stranded.
The warning signs are worth knowing because they are easy to miss: cranking that sounds slower than it used to, headlights that dim at idle and brighten when you rev, or a car that starts fine every day until the first cold morning and then does not. A battery rarely warns you twice.
Frequently asked
What size battery does a 2016 Nissan Leaf take?
The 2016 Nissan Leaf uses a BCI Group 51R battery, rated around 410-500 cold cranking amps.
Does the 2016 Nissan Leaf need an AGM battery?
No - it comes with a flooded battery from the factory. You can usually upgrade to AGM in the same Group 51R size, but it isn't required.
How many cold cranking amps (CCA) does it need?
Aim for roughly 410-500 CCA. Choosing at or above the OEM rating is fine; going below can cause hard starts in cold weather.
Where is the battery located on a 2016 Nissan Leaf?
Check the engine bay first - that is where most vehicles carry the battery. Be aware that some models put it in the trunk or under a seat instead (many BMW and Mercedes-Benz models, plus the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, among others), so if the engine bay has none, look there or in your owner's manual. Reversed-terminal layout (R).
How much does a 2016 Nissan Leaf battery cost?
Expect roughly $80-200 for a standard flooded battery in Group 51R, which is what this car takes. Over a typical 3-to-5-year service life that works out to about $16-67 a year. You can fit an AGM in the same Group 51R size if you want the longer service life, and it will cost roughly $125-320 instead. It is an upgrade, not a requirement.
Does a 2016 Nissan Leaf battery need to be registered?
This car came with a flooded battery and no smart charging system to satisfy, so there is nothing to register. Disconnect, swap, reconnect. You may need to reset the clock and radio presets, and that is the extent of it.
How long should a 2016 Nissan Leaf battery last?
A standard flooded battery typically lasts 3 to 5 years. Heat is what kills batteries, not cold - cold just exposes one that was already failing, which is why so many die on the first freezing morning after a hot summer. Short trips that never fully recharge it shorten its life too. Once this battery passes its third year, get it tested annually rather than waiting to be stranded.
Other vehicles that use Group 51R
See all cars that take a Group 51R battery →Group 51R is one of the most common battery group sizes in the US.
More verified specs for your 2016 Nissan Leaf
Other vehicles that use a Group 51R battery
Group 51R is a common size, so the same battery fits many other vehicles - including: