2020 Nissan Leaf problems and recalls

73% of owner complaints on the 2020 Nissan Leaf related to the Electrical System (120 of 164).

164
Complaints
6
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
24.6
Severity index

Severity index 24.6 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 24.6p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 101 of 103 by severity index among 2020 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 2% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2020 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 120 complaints (73.2%)120 73%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 34 complaints (20.7%)34 21%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 22 complaints (13.4%)22 13%Power TrainPower Train: 13 complaints (7.9%)13 8%EngineEngine: 8 complaints (4.9%)8 5%Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 7 complaints (4.3%)7 4%Back Over PreventionBack Over Prevention: 5 complaints (3.0%)5 3%Service BrakesService Brakes: 3 complaints (1.8%)3 2%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12073.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3420.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2213.4%
POWER TRAIN137.9%
ENGINE84.9%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE74.3%
BACK OVER PREVENTION53.0%
SERVICE BRAKES31.8%

Complaints filed per year

042852020: 22021: 52022: 32023: 82024: 92025: 852026: 52 (partial year)2021222324258526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20202
20215
20223
20238
20249
202585
2026 (year to date)52
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 10.2x those in 2020 to 2022 (102 against 10).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
20V41200017/07/2020BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERANissan 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
20V57000022/09/2020VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REARNissan 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.
23V04800002/02/2023EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUALNissan 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 re
23V49400017/07/2023VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLNissan 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.
24V07100002/02/2024BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERANissan 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 Standar
24V70000020/09/2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERYNissan 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.

Other Nissan Leaf model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 9 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-04. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.