VehicleVerdict

2020 Nissan Leaf problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 214 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Leaf year — the 2020 model ranks #2 of 17 Leaf years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: electrical system issues account for 55% of all reports (117 of 214), far ahead of fuel system at 31. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

214

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Leaf years?

Leaf NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Leaf years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Nissan Leaf problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System11755%
Fuel System3114%
Other2210%
Driver Assistance136%
Transmission126%
Engine73%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Brakes31%
Suspension21%
Speed Control21%
Body & Structure10%
Airbags10%

Does the 2020 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

6 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.

20V570000Visibility & WipersSeptember 22, 2020 · 150 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

20V412000Driver AssistanceJuly 17, 2020 · 6,157 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“We have an open recall for the DC fast Charging for the last year. I use my car for work and often need to fast charge and haven’t been able to and so have to use another vehicle. This has caused a lot of stress and problems for work over the last year and Nissan have failed to address. I am also…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 24, 2024

“Driving on [XXX] to Denver, when it gets to about 55% it jumps to less than 10% triggering an alarm to recharge. And by the time I get to the nearest charger, it’s about 1%. When I stop at traffic light it goes back up. Just started this recently. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 6, 2024

“"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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 22, 2020 · crash

“"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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 22, 2020 · crash

“Makes clicking sound when changing from Park to Drive mode or Drive to Park, Park to Reverse, etc. The click is loud enough to hear with windows closed. The clicks are also heard when starting to accelerate or when decelerating. I first noticed this a few months ago, but these clicking sounds seem…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 1, 2023

2020 Nissan Leaf — common questions

Is the 2020 Nissan Leaf reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 214 complaints put the 2020 model at #2 of 17 Leaf years. It is one of the Leaf years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Leaf problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (117 complaints), fuel system (31 complaints), other (22 complaints).

Does the 2020 Nissan Leaf have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Nissan Leaf. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 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.

How safe is the 2020 Nissan Leaf?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Nissan Leaf earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.