VehicleVerdict

2019 Nissan Leaf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 312 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Leaf year — the 2019 model ranks #1 of 17 Leaf years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 54% of all reports (167 of 312), far ahead of other at 48.

312

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2019 compare to other Leaf years?

Leaf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted312 complaints2010: 1 complaints2011: 117 complaints2012: 71 complaints2013: 120 complaints2014: 45 complaints2015: 141 complaints2016: 49 complaints2017: 27 complaints2018: 112 complaints2019: 312 complaints2020: 214 complaints2021: 76 complaints2022: 131 complaints2023: 30 complaints2024: 5 complaints2025: 10 complaints2026: 4 complaints
Leaf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Leaf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Nissan Leaf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System16754%
Other4815%
Fuel System3311%
Driver Assistance144%
Visibility & Wipers134%
Transmission124%
Brakes103%
Engine83%
Speed Control41%
Seat Belts21%
Airbags10%

Does the 2019 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

24V700000Electrical SystemSeptember 19, 2024 · 25,704 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

24V071000Driver AssistanceFebruary 2, 2024 · 57,914 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

23V494000Speed ControlJuly 17, 2023 · 66,159 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

23V048000OtherFebruary 2, 2023 · 64,732 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

19V654000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

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

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“On 7/19/2024 while charging the car at Chargepoint Johns Creek, I heard a "clunk" sound as if something had popped off from beneath the body of the Leaf. At the same time, the charging emergency stopped. Smoke started to come out from under the Leaf. There was a smell as if something was melting,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 19, 2024 · fire

“ON FRIDAY 5/22/2020 AT 8:59 PM A 2019 NISSAN LEAF WAS IN MOTION DRIVING AT LESS THAN 7 MILES PER HOURS WHEN THE MAIN SCREEN DISPLAYED: 'WARNING: SERVICE EV SYSTEM POWERED REDUCED'. WITHIN SECONDS, THE OPERATOR STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK A PHOTO OF THE SCREEN. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OPERATOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · May 22, 2020 · fire

“NHTSA Recall Number24V-700 It has been over 1yr since the recall was issued for fire risk on the Nissan leaf and still no fix is available. Nissan continues to ask users to not charge with level 3 charging which in my leaf was an expensive option. Limits my ability to use my car for longer trips.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 1, 2024

“ The Incident happened on a bright afternoon while I was entering our two car parking garage in our home ; steering wheel steered to the utmost right to enter the right parking space in our garage. I was driving an almost dead battery (8% charge remaining and 13 miles left) and the 2019 model…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 8, 2022 · crash

“Backup camera fails to display when in reverse. Dangerous reduced visibility of surroundings while reversing vehicle. Called dealership and they confirmed that my VIN is not on the recall list, but I am having the issue! They said I would be charged service to repair this federal safety…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 1, 2022

2019 Nissan Leaf — common questions

Is the 2019 Nissan Leaf reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 312 complaints put the 2019 model at #1 of 17 Leaf years. It is one of the Leaf years to avoid.

What are the most common 2019 Leaf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (167 complaints), other (48 complaints), fuel system (33 complaints).

Does the 2019 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 Nissan Leaf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2019 Nissan Leaf under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Leaf years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Leaf years to avoid are 2019, 2020, 2015, 2022, 2013, 2011, 2018. The cleanest record among Leaf years belongs to 2010.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.