Research · Midsize Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2020 Nissan LeafRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 167 owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Leaf. Most complaints involve electrical system (123) and fuel/propulsion system (35). The EPA rates it 104–111 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
104–111mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Sep 2024
Owner complaints
167
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$700est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: traction battery

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Sep 20, 2024NHTSA 24V700000

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

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."

Back over preventionReported Feb 2, 2024NHTSA 24V071000

Vehicle speed control

Free remedy

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.

Vehicle speed controlReported Jul 17, 2023NHTSA 23V494000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

167 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system123
  2. Fuel/propulsion system35
  3. Power train14
  4. Engine8
  5. Forward collision avoidance7
  6. Back over prevention5
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Visibility/wiper3
  9. Suspension2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Leaf model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201195
201257
201381
201434
2015110
201636
201714
201867
2019260
2020167
202159
202297
202322
20245
20257
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

123 reports
“I purchased this 2020 Nissan Leaf S Plus on September 22, 2020 for $39,104. The vehicle was fully functional when I delivered it to Nissan's authorized service center to comply with NHTSA Recall 24V-700. Following the software update performed by Nissan's technician, the vehicle would not operate. It has remained inoperable since that date. Nissan provided a rental vehicle, which I am currently using. I did not cause this damage. I complied fully with Nissan's recall instructions. Nissan's own repair process destroyed the functionality of my vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11769440

Fuel/propulsion system

35 reports
“We were asked by Nissan corporate to bring in the vehicle for a safety recall related to the battery. The Nissan dealership updated the battery software then gave the vehicle back to us. However, as soon as we drove away the dash lit up with warning lights. We were on the freeway so we pulled over. It was a dangerous situation. We called the dealership and they required us to bring the car back. So we slowly and carefully drove the car a few miles back to the dealership. In their analysis, they decided the battery must be replaced. However, they no longer make that kind of battery, the stocks were on back order for up to a year, and the software update could not be reversed. So they initiated a buyback. We were not interested in selling the vehicle -- we simply wanted the recall issue fixed -- but we had no choice. The procedure for determining a buyback dollar amount has been extremely frustrating and manipulative. From our perspective, it's unlikely we'll be able to buy a working used EV for the amount they're offering. We have searched and it's difficult-to-impossible. No one informed us this situation was a possibility. We asked for a higher dollar amount,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 1, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11761248

Power train

14 reports
“Regarding Nissan Safety Recall 24V-700 / Campaign R24B2. After the recall remedy was performed on my 2020 LEAF in June I experienced the "Service EV System" message during normal highway driving on 8/1/26. I have an invoice from the dealership that documented logged safety recall code P33ED along with EV system codes P317E-97 and P3180-97. The dealership improperly cleared the recall safety codes, charged me a diagnostic fee, and released a vehicle that is subject to an active safety hold under Recall 24V-700 / Campaign R24B2. The dealership released an unsafe vehicle back to me that remains a documented thermal and fire risk. The Nissan Nissan Safety Recall 24V-700 / Campaign R24B2 states that vehicles that experience this situation after the recall remedy was performed will have the battery replaced or vehicle repurchased.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2026Power trainODI 11756009
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
Electric motor
Transmissions
Automatic (A1)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity
EV range
226 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Leaf (40 kW-hr battery pack)
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
12399111$700—
Leaf (62 kW-hr battery pack)
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
11897108$700—
Leaf SV/SL (62 kW-hr battery pack)
Auto (A1) · Front-Wheel Drive
11494104$750—
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Nissan LEAF (40 KWh Battery) 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Overall
5 / 5
Nissan LEAF PLUS (62 KWh Battery) 5 HB FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
10.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 14506Vehicle 14507
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi6–12 monthsEVs wear tires faster (weight, torque)
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–4 yearsRegen braking spares the pads, not the fluid
Battery coolantPer manualPer manualIntervals vary widely by maker
12V battery—3–5 years
  • Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–4 years
  • Battery coolantPer manual
    Per manual
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Leaf questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Leaf have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Nissan Leaf problems?

Owners filed 167 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (123), fuel/propulsion system (35), power train (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Nissan Leaf get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Nissan Leaf at 104–111 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Nissan Leaf?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Nissan Leaf 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026