Home · 2020 Nissan Leaf Plus · Complaints

What 158 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Nissan Leaf Plus

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (158)Crash / fire / injury (1)Electrical system (117)Fuel system (31)Transmission & drivetrain (12)Driver assistance (7)Engine (7)Backup camera & sensors (5)Brakes (3)Visibility & wipers (3)Speed control (2)Suspension (2)

12 of 158 complaints match · Transmission & drivetrain · clear filters

May 15, 2026Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11738000

Feb 26, 2026Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemFuel system

Looking to get some kind of compensation or repurchase from Nissan for this long unresolved vehicle recall.

NHTSA ODI 11720778

Dec 21, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

On November 5, 2025 our 2020 Nissan LEAF (42,701 miles) experienced rapid loss of battery capacity under normal driving/temperatures (80F.) Vehicle defaulted to "turtle mode" temporarily, an unsafe condition. Were able to replicate condition on subsequent days. Took vehicle to Cedar Park Nissan for evaluation. Technicians concluded that the traction battery had one or more defective cells and recommended battery pack replacement. Vehicle is inoperable. Started complaint with Nissan customer assistance. Dealer and Nissan refused use of a loaner vehicle, despite offering no timeline on repairing/replacing the battery pack. The defect in our vehicle's battery cells may lie in the battery chemistry and be related to issues associated with damage from DC fast charging (recall 24V-700.) Our vehicle has seen little or no fast charging, being charged mostly on Level 1 or Level 2.

NHTSA ODI 11706392

Oct 29, 2025Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

Vehicle was taken to Nissan to perform "initial remedy" recall P5A22 on 10/24/25 to address recall R24B2. Vehicle was taken from dealer and was driving on 10/27/2025 and experienced a dramatic slow down/turtle mode with "Service EV System Power Reduced" error message.

NHTSA ODI 11696456

Sep 25, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

I am unable to travel long distances in my 2020 Nissan Leaf due to the pending recall, which states that rapid charging may cause a fire in the car due to overheating of the primary lithium battery. Fast charging is the only workable charging method for traveling long distances in the Nissan Leaf. This failure to correct the problem has rendered my Nissan Leaf useless and valueless.

NHTSA ODI 11689615

Sep 24, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

There is a safety recall for the traction battery that is over a year old. I cannot use the car as intended because fast charging is not available. I am constantly worried about the battery catching fire as I hear more reports of this happening. Nissan has not reached out to me about this recall and there is no indication of when a fix will be available. Nissan is not taking this recall seriously and needs to settle it ASAP! It has now been a year since the recall was announced. I am entering my travel season for work again and cannot use my car.

NHTSA ODI 11689337

Sep 23, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

It has been a YEAR with no ability to quick charge my car. This is ridiculous, they need to put in a new battery and be done with this. It renders the car useless for many trips! Why aren't you doing anything about this?

NHTSA ODI 11689079

Aug 9, 2025Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Nissan, the manufacturer, has failed to remedy a safety recall, 24V-700, for my vehicle in a timely manner. A September 19, 2024 submission report states that Recall Number R24B2 will be remedied by November 2024. Now the Nissan website "NISSAN IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING A REMEDY PLAN THAT IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE by March 2025". It is now August 2025 and no remedy has been established. This is a safety concern and a fire hazard and must be promptly addressed.

NHTSA ODI 11679566

Jul 22, 2025Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Nissan issued recall R24B2 on my Leaf 9 months ago. The recall warns my car could catch on fire when fast charging, but offers no remedy other than "don't fast charge it". Nissan keeps announcing remedy dates and missing them (October 2024, March 2025, now Q3 2025). I cannot drive my vehicle on a tri longer than one charge without the fast charge capability I was sold and bought - AND I am very concerned about the fire danger - there have been multiple incidents of Leaf's catching fire because of this recall. Nissan dealer and Consumer Affairs will offer no remedy, no buyback and no work-around. Is there any way NHTSA can help here?

NHTSA ODI 11675266

Jun 27, 2025Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

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. Requested Action: I request that NHTSA monitor or investigate this issue, including the timeline and handling of the recall or repair. DC fast charging is a critical safety and usability feature for EVs, and prolonged manufacturer delays in addressing defects like this should not be acceptable. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11669807

Feb 13, 2025Transmission & drivetrain

While attempting to drive on icy pavement and “rocking” the vehicle forward and back, the motor accelerates uncontrolled without pressing the accelerator and would not stop when the brake pedal was pressed and released. It would only stop when the brake pedal was held depressed. I do not have a photo, but I do have a video which cannot be uploaded since it’s not a photo file. I would be happy to provide if requested.

NHTSA ODI 11642564

Jul 30, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

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 to be getting louder.

NHTSA ODI 11535310

Working with the data? Download all 158 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2020 Nissan Leaf Plus verdict →