Most common 2020 Nissan Leaf problems
Share of the 167 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Leaf complaints by model year
Best Leaf years: 2017, 2024, 2014. Years to avoid: 2019, 2020, 2022, 2015, 2011. Compare all years →
2020 Nissan Leaf recalls (6)
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Charging › Module › Software
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.
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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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."
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.
Vehicle speed control
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.
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.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
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.
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.
Visibility › Glass, side/rear
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.
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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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."
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2020 Nissan Leaf:
Pedestrian alert sounds
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.
What 2020 Nissan Leaf owners say
Electrical system all 123 →
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the power reduced mode warning light illuminated, and the battery drained abnormally quickly. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle drove slowly. The vehicle was taken to a charging station, and another motorist at the charging station informed the contact of a recall for similar vehicles. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer confirmed an open recall, and the contact was informed that the parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the failure was persistent. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired. …
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 control module (VCM) had failed and was replaced several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was difficult to start. The contact also stated that the rear driver's side seat belt was locked and inoperable. The Local dealer, Edison Nissan (401 US-1, Edison, NJ 08817), and an unknown dealer were contacted for the recall repairs and informed the contact that a technician for the Nissan Leaf was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 35 →
I have previously had an issue with low resistance of the high voltage battery. This resulted in the car giving a warning code that prevents the restart of the vehicle once it's turned off. This is itself potentially leaves a driver in an unsafe location if they are in an isolated place since you are also unable to charge. I took it to the dealer multiple times and it took them almost a month to determine the vehicle did have an issue, that it needed 8 modules out of around 24 total replaced. These modules were replaced and the vehicle was returned to me. In spite of this the vehicle when under 50% capacity still exhibits erratic range and capacity readouts when under heavy load. The vehicle has been returned to the dealer and is under investigation again because it is unsafe to drive in this condition. …
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally submit a complaint regarding an unresolved safety recall affecting my 2020 Nissan Leaf, currently with approximately 30,000 miles. The recall in question addresses a battery overheating risk associated with Level 3 fast charging (CHAdeMO), which Nissan has acknowledged and advised owners to avoid until a solution becomes available-scheduled for November 2024. I have contacted my local dealership, Flow Nissan of Fayetteville (4559 Raeford Rd, Fayetteville NC, 28304 - Tel: [phone]), multiple times requesting assistance during this period. Unfortunately, the service department informed me that no temporary solution or loaner vehicle could be provided, stating that Nissan National has yet to authorize support. As a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, this situation poses a serious hardship. …
Transmission & drivetrain
Vehicle: 2020 Nissan Leaf Issue: Level 3 DC Fast Charging (CHAdeMO) disabled due to known defect Odometer: ~68,000 miles Description: My 2020 Nissan Leaf is affected by a known defect that disables Level 3 DC fast charging (CHAdeMO). Nissan initially acknowledged the issue and planned a fix for November 2024, but that fix has now been delayed until Q3 2025. This delay means I will be without fast charging capability for nearly a full year, despite this being a key advertised feature of the vehicle. Fast charging is essential for longer trips, rural travel, and emergency use - its absence significantly reduces the car's practicality and range flexibility. Nissan has not offered any interim solution or compensation. The prolonged delay creates a risk of EV drivers being stranded or unable to reliably plan travel, especially in areas with limited Level 2 infrastructure. …
My 2020 Nissan Leaf is affected by recall R24B2 / NHTSA recall 24V-700 involving the high-voltage battery and Level 3 DC fast charging system (CHAdeMO). Nissan and NHTSA instructed owners not to use Level 3 quick charging because the battery may rapidly overheat and potentially create a fire risk. The recall remains incomplete and the remedy is still unavailable. This issue has existed for a prolonged period and materially impacts the vehicle's usability, charging capability, long-distance travel capability, and safety confidence. The vehicle's Level 3/DC fast charging capability was effectively removed or severely restricted due to the recall. Nissan dealerships confirmed the recall status and lack of available repair remedy. The issue was documented during service visits and remains unresolved. The battery system and charging system are available for inspection upon request.
2020 Nissan Leaf engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Single-speed | FWD | 123 / 99 / 111 MPGe | 149 mi |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Nissan Leaf a good car?
Based on 167 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Leaf rates avoid: 3.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Leaf at the same age. It is one of the Leaf years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Nissan Leaf?
The electrical system — 123 complaints, 74% of all complaints for this model year, most often about 12v/24v/48v battery. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (35) and transmission & drivetrain (14).
How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Leaf have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2020 Nissan Leaf, the most recent from September 19, 2024 (software). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Leaf?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2024 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2020, 2022, 2015 and 2011. See the full Nissan Leaf years comparison.
At what mileage do 2020 Nissan Leaf problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 12,000 miles; 80% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.