NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The lithium-ion battery may overheat when the vehicle is charged using Level 3 quick charging.
This page covers 7 recalls, 152 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2020 Nissan Leaf.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Electrical system complaints dominate what 2020 Leaf owners report, with the high-voltage battery at the center of most concerns. The most widespread pattern involves owners being advised to avoid DC fast charging (Level 3) due to battery overheating risk, which many describe as severely limiting the vehicle's practical range and day-to-day usability. Beyond the charging restriction, owners frequently report erratic range estimates, particularly at highway speeds or in hilly terrain, with the displayed range dropping sharply in ways that don't match actual battery state. Several owners also report that battery capacity has degraded to the point where dealers have confirmed replacement is warranted under warranty, though some describe long waits for parts availability. Propulsion system complaints, the second-largest named category, largely overlap with these same battery behavior concerns rather than representing a separate mechanical failure pattern.
152
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2020 Nissan LEAF has 7 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk in vehicles equipped with a Level 3 quick-charge port, where the high-voltage battery can overheat during fast charging, and an unintended acceleration issue where shifting driving modes after disengaging cruise control can cause the car to surge forward unexpectedly.
Three recalls cover rear visibility. The rearview camera image can drop out while the car is in reverse, leaving the driver with a blank screen when backing up. A separate issue involves the camera wiring harness, which can sustain damage that causes the image to go distorted or disappear entirely. These camera problems are distinct faults, though the result in each case is the same: the driver loses the view behind the vehicle while reversing. The rear window glass also carries a recall, as it may not stay properly bonded to the body and can separate from the vehicle while driving, creating a hazard for other road users. There is also a documentation recall: the owner's manual contains incorrect instructions for operating the defroster, which can lead to reduced defrosting performance and a partially obscured windshield in cold or humid conditions.
At a glance
What can fail
The lithium-ion battery may overheat when the vehicle is charged using Level 3 quick charging.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will update the battery software at no cost to prevent overheating during Level 3 charging.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera harness can become damaged, causing the rearview camera display to show distorted or no image.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rearview camera and harness if damaged, or apply protective tape and reroute the harness if undamaged.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The vehicle may accelerate unintentionally when you change the driving mode (from D to B, turn on e-Pedal, or select ECO mode) after turning off cruise control.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module at no cost to fix the acceleration issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Owner's Manual has incorrect defroster operation instructions that can reduce defroster performance under certain conditions.
What the fix does
Nissan will mail an addendum with corrected defroster operating instructions at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear window glass may not stay properly secured to the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear window glass at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue may cause the rearview camera image to disappear from the display while backing up, which violates Canadian safety requirements.
What the fix does
Nissan will mail you instructions to visit a dealer, who will update the head unit software to fix the issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The backup camera image may disappear from the display when the vehicle is in reverse, blocking your view of what's behind you.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the backup camera software at no cost to restore the camera display function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
