2020 Nissan Leaf problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Nissan Leaf, most often about electrical system. There are 6 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
167
Recalls
6
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Median mileage
12,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 123 of 167 complaints (74%).
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (35) and transmission & drivetrain (14) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 12,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
  • The 2020 Nissan Leaf has 6 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 2nd of 16 Nissan Leaf model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 35% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (255).

2020 Nissan Leaf problems by category

  • 123 complaints
  • 35 complaints
  • Other / Unknown · 1 crash
    23 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    14 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 1 crash
    12 complaints
  • Engine
    8 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    3 complaints
  • Brakes
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    2 complaints
  • Suspension
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Airbags
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Electrical system120
Fuel/propulsion system35
Unknown or other23
Power train14
Engine8
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking5
Service brakes3
Back over prevention3

When problems happen (mileage)

6Under 10k310k–30k430k–60k260k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 Nissan Leaf complaints that list mileage.

2020 Nissan Leaf recalls (6)

  • Recall 24V700000Sep 19, 202425,704 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:CHARGING:MODULE:SOFTWARE · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2020 LEAF vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick charging port. The lithium-ion battery may overheat during Level 3 charging.

    Risk: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 3, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R24B2, P4A38, and P5A22.

  • Recall 24V071000Feb 2, 202457,914 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2022 LEAF vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23D7.

  • Recall 23V494000Jul 17, 202366,159 vehicles
    VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The vehicle may accelerate unintentionally if the driving mode is changed ("D" to "B"; e-Pedal "On"; or "ECO" mode) after disengaging the cruise control.

    Risk: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (VCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A6.

  • Recall 23V048000Feb 2, 202364,732 vehicles
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL · VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 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 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

    Risk: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan will mail an addendum with updated instructions on how to operate the defroster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.

  • Recall 20V570000Sep 22, 2020150 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.

    Risk: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.

  • Recall 20V412000Jul 17, 20206,157 vehicles
    BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 LEAF electric vehicles. Under certain circumstances, the images for the back-up camera can disappear while in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. This recall began August 31, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

    Pedestrian alert sounds

    NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…

Recent 2020 Nissan Leaf complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 6, 2026COElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    I purchased this 2020 Nissan Leaf S Plus on September 22, 2020 for $39,104. The vehicle was fully functional when I delivered it to Nissan's authorized service center to comply with NHTSA Recall 24V-700. Following the software update performed by Nissan's technician, the vehicle would not operate. It has remained inoperable since that date. Nissan provided a rental vehicle, which I am currently using. I did not cause this damage. I complied fully with Nissan's recall…
    NHTSA complaint #11769440 · source
  2. Filed Sep 30, 2026AZElectrical System
    In XXX, my 2020 Nissan Leaf experienced a catastrophic battery failure while plugged into a Level 3 DC fast charger at the Nissan dealership where the vehicle was originally purchased. During the charging session, the high-voltage traction battery severely overheated, physically expanded/swelled, and tripped a major vehicle fault sensor. The dealership confirmed the battery was permanently damaged and rendered the vehicle entirely inoperable. Initially, Nissan corporate…
    NHTSA complaint #11768046 · source
  3. Filed Sep 24, 2026PAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    Vehicle: 2020 Nissan Leaf SV, VIN [[XXX]], ~55,000 miles Recall: R24B2 / NHTSA campaign 24V700000 (battery may overheat during Level 3 charging — fire risk) I brought my vehicle to Conicelli Nissan (Conshohocken, PA) for the R24B2 recall software update.The vehicle has been held at the dealership since on or about XXX with the recall remedy incomplete; the dealer says it cannot proceed without Nissan's approval (dealer case XXX). I opened case XXX with Nissan Consumer…
    NHTSA complaint #11766659 · source
  4. Filed Sep 1, 2026CAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    We were asked by Nissan corporate to bring in the vehicle for a safety recall related to the battery. The Nissan dealership updated the battery software then gave the vehicle back to us. However, as soon as we drove away the dash lit up with warning lights. We were on the freeway so we pulled over. It was a dangerous situation. We called the dealership and they required us to bring the car back. So we slowly and carefully drove the car a few miles back to the dealership. In…
    NHTSA complaint #11761248 · source
  5. Filed Aug 26, 2026NHFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    My 2020 Nissan LEAF is subject to open safety recall 24V700 / R24B2 for a high-voltage lithium-ion battery defect that poses a fire risk during Level 3 quick charging. On [XXX], I brought the vehicle to an authorized Nissan dealer for the recall remedy. Three days later, on [XXX], while driving from New Hampshire to Connecticut, the vehicle displayed a "Service EV" warning and entered a reduced-power (limp) state on the highway, creating a hazardous condition in traffic. A…
    NHTSA complaint #11759797 · source
  6. Filed Aug 17, 202680,000 miNYElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V700000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that 100 miles of using the ED system, the power reduced message was displayed. The contact stated that the battery became disabled. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after a week. The manufacturer was contacted, and a…
    NHTSA complaint #11757377 · source
  7. Filed Aug 16, 2026IDElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    SAFETY COMPLAINT / INCIDENT DESCRIPTION Vehicle presented to Dennis Dillon Nissan on June 20 2026 for a factory high voltage battery recall software update intended to fix Level 3 fast charging safety risks. The software update rendered the vehicle completely inoperable by disabling standard Level 2 charging. The vehicle has been held in continuous dealer custody for 58 consecutive days without a working repair. Nissan failed to disclose that the recall patch could brick a…
    NHTSA complaint #11757287 · source
  8. Filed Aug 10, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain
    Regarding Nissan Safety Recall 24V-700 / Campaign R24B2. After the recall remedy was performed on my 2020 LEAF in June I experienced the "Service EV System" message during normal highway driving on 8/1/26. I have an invoice from the dealership that documented logged safety recall code P33ED along with EV system codes P317E-97 and P3180-97. The dealership improperly cleared the recall safety codes, charged me a diagnostic fee, and released a vehicle that is subject to an…
    NHTSA complaint #11756009 · source

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Other 2020 Nissan models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology