RoadVitals

2020 Nissan Leaf Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Aug 10, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
8%
of 160 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 Nissan Leaf submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 10, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID
11756009
Incident
Aug 7, 2026
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 15, 2026

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 ID
11738000
Incident
Sep 19, 2024
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 26, 2026

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

NHTSA ID
11720778
Incident
Feb 26, 2026
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 21, 2025

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 ID
11706392
Incident
Nov 5, 2025
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 29, 2025

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 ID
11696456
Incident
Oct 27, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 25, 2025

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 ID
11689615
Incident
Sep 25, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 24, 2025

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 ID
11689337
Incident
Sep 24, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 23, 2025

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 ID
11689079
Incident
Sep 23, 2024
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 9, 2025

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 ID
11679566
Incident
Mar 1, 2024
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 22, 2025

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 ID
11675266
Incident
Jul 15, 2025
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 27, 2025

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 ID
11669807
Incident
Oct 1, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2025

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 ID
11642564
Incident
Feb 12, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 30, 2023

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 ID
11535310
Incident
Jan 1, 2023

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .