KnownCarProblems2020 Nissan Leaf Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 167 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Nissan Leaf, most often about the electrical (74% of complaints, typically around 29,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Leaf model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2020 Nissan Leaf problems
Electrical
123 complaints · 74%Half of these problems showed up before 29,000 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, propulsion system.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 24v700000 (electrical system); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown warning light illuminated. The local dealer was…
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, within minutes, the battery percentage indicator began to dramatically reduce from 100 percent down to 20 percent. The message to charge the vehicle immediately was displayed. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the…
Fuel system
35 complaints · 21%Other or unspecified
23 complaints · 14%"automatic braking system failed to engage" on a offramp lane from freeway 5 southbound to crown valley parkway off ramp while traveling approximately 25mph I rear ended a vehicle that was at dead stop and that vehicle rear ended a second vehicle. California highway patrol was called and report was documented which is…
Transmission
14 complaints · 8%Engine
8 complaints · 5%Driver assistance
7 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, warnings.
"automatic braking system failed to engage" on a offramp lane from freeway 5 southbound to crown valley parkway off ramp while traveling approximately 25mph I rear ended a vehicle that was at dead stop and that vehicle rear ended a second vehicle. California highway patrol was called and report was documented which is…
Backup camera
5 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: camera system.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notifications of NHTSA campaign numbers: 24v700000 (electrical system), 24v071000 (back over prevention) and 23v494000 (vehicle speed control); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle…
Visibility and wipers
3 complaints · 2%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Nissan Leaf recalls
Electrical: software
Risk: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Visibility and wipers: glass, side/rear
Risk: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
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 march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2020 Nissan Leaf
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Leaf?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (123 complaints, typically around 29,000 miles); fuel system (35 complaints); other or unspecified (23 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Leaf have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 19, 2024 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Nissan Leaf?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Leaf model year since 2000, with 167 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.