In a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to an embodiment of the invention, a nonaqueous electrolyte contains: a tertiary carboxylate ester represented by the following general formula (1) in an amount of a range of 3% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less based on the total mass of the nonaqueous solvent: ##STR00001## where R1, R2, R3, R4 represent a (C1 to 4) alkyl group, respectively, and one or more acid anhydride selected from succinic anhydride, glutaric anhydride, and glycolic anhydride in an amount of a range of 0.1% by mass or more and 5% by mass or less based on the total mass of the nonaqueous electrolyte. By containing such a constitution, in other words, by containing a nonaqueous solvent capable of stabilizing the coating film of the negative electrode, a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery in which not only can satisfactory cycle performance and retention characteristics be obtained, but also the overcharging performance is largely improved, can be provided.