FaultScore

Nissan Leaf fuel system problems

130 of the 1,497 complaints filed about the Nissan Leaf are about the fuel system — 9% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2019.

130

Complaints

9%

Share of all complaints

4

Crashes

1

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

2011 Leaf 5 3.8%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2012 Leaf 2 1.5%

Median failure at 59,000 miles

2013 Leaf 4 3.1%

Median failure at 9,400 miles

2014 Leaf 1 0.8%
2015 Leaf 2 1.5%

Median failure at 19,564 miles

2016 Leaf 8 6.2%

Median failure at 16,057 miles

2017 Leaf 3 2.3%

Median failure at 45,624 miles

2018 Leaf 12 9.2%
2019 Leaf 34 26.2%
2020 Leaf 32 24.6%
2021 Leaf 8 6.2%
2022 Leaf 17 13.1%
2023 Leaf 1 0.8%
2026 Leaf 1 0.8%

What owners said

2020 Nissan Leaf Meridian, ID

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SAFETY COMPLAINT / INCIDENT DESCRIPTION Vehicle presented to Dennis Dillon Nissan on June 20 2026 for a factory high voltage battery recall software update intended to fix Level 3 fast charging safety risks. The software update rendered the vehicle completely inoperable by disabling standard Level 2 charging. The vehicle has been held in continuous dealer custody for 58 consecutive days without a working repair. Nissan failed to disclose that the recall patch could brick a functioning EV. Loaner support was revoked prematurely forcing 850 in out of pocket rental costs. Inadequate buyback offer via Morley Companies was rejected. Factory recall update rendered vehicle useless and unsafe to operate.

NHTSA complaint #11757287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Nissan Leaf Baltimore, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Car was fast charged on July 9th. 2026. After fast charging from 13% to 80%, and driving for a few miles, the overheating warning came on and car was forced to stop on the side of a busy highway until the engine cooled off. While there is an active recall for a similar problem (24V700), my car is not included and we were not notified.

NHTSA complaint #11749783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Leaf Nashville, TN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MANUFACTURER RECALL CAMPAIGN: Nissan R24B2 / NHTSA Campaign 24V-700 VEHICLE: 2019 Nissan LEAF (13,801 original miles) SUMMARY OF SAFETY DEFECT & REMEDY FAILURE: The manufacturer's safety recall software remedy has failed to stabilize or remedy a known high-voltage battery defect under real-world driving conditions, creating a severe, immediate risk of unexpected vehicle stalling in active traffic. The vehicle was serviced for the R24B2 campaign and returned a baseline "No DTC" stationary scan at 13,801 miles. Immediately upon driving the vehicle into public traffic post-repair, the high-voltage battery pack suffered a severe energy collapse under standard road loads. I documented the failure via an 11-photograph instrument cluster log in real time over a brief 39-minute window: 05:03 PM | 13,801 miles | 100% Battery | 127 mi Range (Trip Start) 05:07 PM | 13,802 miles | 98% Battery | -- mi Range 05:09 PM | 13,802 miles | 96% Battery | 123 mi Range 05:11 PM | 13,803 miles | 94% Battery | 118 mi Range 05:23 PM | 13,807 miles | 89% Battery | 108 mi Range 05:28 PM | 13,808 miles | 87% Battery | 105 mi Range 05:31 PM | 13,809 miles | 85% Battery | 102 mi Range 05:33 PM | 13,810 miles | 84% Battery | 100 mi Range 05:42 PM | 13,813 miles | 81% Battery | 95 mi Range (Trip End) CRITICAL SAFETY HAZARDS: 1. UNEXPLAINED ENERGY DRAIN: The vehicle consumed 19% of its total battery capacity to travel a distance of only 12 miles. This drops the vehicle's functional real-world range to roughly 63 miles on a full charge. 2. INACCURATE RANGE AND RISK OF STRANDING: While the battery charge dropped by nearly 20% in 12 miles, the dashboard continued to display an inflated, mathematically impossible estimate of "95 miles remaining, creating a risk of sudden, unpredictable stranding. 3. CONSIDERED TOGETHER, this proves that the software update fails to accurately remedy or even measure the state of health and safety of the battery, and adds additional safety risks.

NHTSA complaint #11747842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Nissan Leaf San Diego, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I own a 2020 Nissan Leaf affected by recall 24V-700 (Nissan R24B2). The recall opened in September 2024 because the high-voltage battery can overheat and catch fire during Level 3 fast charging. Owners were told not to use fast charging until a remedy is available. The recall has been open since September 2024 and there is still no available remedy. Nissan has pushed the fix date repeatedly, first to November 2024, then Spring 2025, and now an unspecified point in 2026, with no firm date and no working repair at the dealer. I bought this vehicle more recently and understood there was an open recall, but a recall is supposed to mean a fix is coming, not a safety defect left unresolved for over a year and a half. In the meantime I am paying for a vehicle whose fast-charging capability I cannot safely use. This is well past any reasonable time to remedy a known safety defect. I am asking NHTSA to hold Nissan accountable for delivering an actual fix on a real timeline.

NHTSA complaint #11745152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Leaf Orange, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The vehicle has experienced approximately ten+ incidents while driving at freeway speeds on dry roads where the traction-control indicator illuminated and the vehicle unexpectedly lost power. During these events, the vehicle would not accelerate normally despite accelerator input, and vehicle speed decreased significantly. The incidents occurred under normal driving conditions and were not associated with any apparent loss of traction. The vehicle was inspected by a Nissan dealership, but the concern could not be reproduced and no root cause has been identified. A case has been opened with Nissan North America. I am reporting this because unexpected loss of propulsion at highway speeds creates a potential safety hazard. The speed decreases from 70mph to around 30-40mph on the freeway suddenly.

NHTSA complaint #11743717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Nissan Leaf Corona, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I am reporting a critical safety hazard involving my 2021 Nissan Leaf S Plus (approx. 117,000 miles). Since January 2025, the vehicle has exhibited dangerous battery degradation and voltage sag during operation. On my 30-mile highway commute, while driving at normal highway speeds—especially on inclines—the vehicle would suddenly display a low-power warning, and the remaining battery percentage would instantly crash. This caused a sudden, dangerous loss of propulsion in high-speed traffic, creating severe crash risks. I primarily charged at home and rarely used DC fast charging. On May 22, 2026, while actively driving, the dashboard flashed: "Service EV system unable to restart after power off." I pulled over, and upon turning the car off, it completely bricked. The auxiliary electronics power up, but the vehicle permanently refuses to enter "READY" (Drive) mode due to a high-voltage safety lock. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Nissan dealer. The certified technician's diagnostic report confirmed that the high-voltage traction battery has completely failed and is internally damaged. Crucially, this vehicle is currently under an active, unremedied safety recall (NHTSA Recall 25V655 / Nissan R25C8) due to excessive lithium deposits that cause severe battery degradation, sudden power loss, and fire risks. The physical failure of my battery is a direct manifestation of this exact manufacturing defect. Nissan’s software-only "interim remedy" did not fix the hardware defect; it simply bricked my car after exposing my family to highway propulsion loss. Nissan must be held legally responsible for replacing these defective, recalled battery packs regardless of mileage, as they present a severe, systemic risk of catastrophic failure and traffic accidents.

NHTSA complaint #11742970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Leaf Ossining, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Manufacturer announced a recall regarding L3 charging more than 18 months ago. The announcement included a warning that, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES, should L3 charging be attempted. The announcement included assurances that the fix would be announced by March 2025. In the interim period, two follow-ups have been announced, both coming well after the previous deadline. At this point. I have been unable to use my car in a normal manner, causing us to purchase an additional vehicle to cover the loss of use due to the defect. The manufacturer has offered no fix, no concrete timeline, and no compensation for the loss of use of the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11740583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Nissan Leaf Orlando, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION 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 complaint #11738000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Nissan Leaf Denver, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My electric vehicle is subject to an active battery recall (NHTSA ID: 24V-700) involving excessive lithium deposits within battery cells, which may increase electrical resistance, cause dangerous battery overheating, and create fire risk during Level 3 DC fast charging. Due to this defect, Nissan has instructed owners not to use Level 3 quick charging (CHAdeMO), removing a core function of the vehicle and rendering it effectively unusable for normal EV operation, reliable long-distance travel, relocation, and essential transportation. Nissan’s guidance assumes owners can rely on Level 2 charging, which for my vehicle requires approximately 7–8 hours for a full charge under ideal conditions. Because I do not have residential Level 2 access, the loss of Level 3 charging renders the vehicle functionally unusable for my living situation. This defect severely compromises both my safety and mobility by forcing me into an impossible choice: either risk using the charging method associated with battery overheating and potential fire, or lose access to essential transportation. The defect also forces prolonged public Level 2 charging sessions simply to maintain vehicle operation, creating significant daily hardship. Without safe fast charging capability, the vehicle cannot reasonably support long-distance travel or interstate relocation, leaving me effectively unable to move out of state without major financial and logistical burden. I have pursued resolution directly with Nissan and through BBB Auto Line. Nissan acknowledged the recall but declined buyback or meaningful relief, instead advising continued waiting for a future remedy. After approximately two years without timely corrective action, the vehicle remains subject to serious safety restrictions, diminished value, loss of core functionality, and ongoing consumer harm.

NHTSA complaint #11737653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Nissan Leaf Orlando, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The vehicle is affected by an unrepaired safety recall involving the high-voltage battery during Level 3 quick charging. The recall states that affected vehicles may develop excessive lithium deposits in battery cells, increasing electrical resistance and potentially causing rapid battery heating while Level 3 quick charging. The recall also states that if quick charging continues, a battery fire may occur, increasing the risk of injury. The recall status remains incomplete with the remedy not yet available. Owners are instructed not to use Level 3 quick charging through the CHAdeMO connector until the remedy is completed. This removes the vehicle’s fast-charging capability and leaves the vehicle subject to an unresolved battery safety recall. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The issue is confirmed by the active NHTSA recall record and manufacturer recall number R24B2 / NHTSA recall number 24V-700.

NHTSA complaint #11737683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Leaf Denver, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have been waiting 2.5 years for this recall to be addressed, which far exceeds any standard of a "timeline manner."

NHTSA complaint #11735310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Leaf Hillsboro, OR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While traveling at normal highway speeds (55 MPH), the vehicle's battery capacity rapidly dropped from 80-90% down to 10% in less than 30 seconds, resulting in activation of the vehicle's "turtle mode" and power throttling, which made it impossible to maintain posted highway speed of 55 MPH. A warning appeared on the dashboard, which stated, "Warning Power Reduced". The vehicle traveled at approximately 40 MPH creating a serious hazard to others on the roadway who were traveling at the posted speed limit of 55 MPH. Upon pulling over to the side of the freeway, the battery charge rebounded back up to 75%, but maintained power throttle, making it unsafe to reenter the roadway, as the vehicle was incapable of accelerating to the posted speed limit of 55 MPH. It was extremely slow to accelerate at all, making it from 0 - 40 in about a minute, which again, was extremely hazardous to others on the roadway. Nissan has since acknowledged that this was due to a factory defect, and covered under their factory warranty. I have attached photos of the warning message displayed, and have videos of the rapid battery loss, but those files are too large to attach.

NHTSA complaint #11732974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 Nissan Leaf Littleton, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The battery does not charge. Warning lights activated to check EV system. This first occurred about two months ago. Dash lights spontaneously resolved, but MIL light has remained on in Nissan App since that time. Dealership service initially said to return with vehicle when dash light and message reappeared. Potential garage/house or parking lot fire as there exist reports of 2026 LEAFs spontaneously combusting in North America. Vehicle is currently at Nissan dealership service department for inspection and diagnosis.

NHTSA complaint #11732845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Leaf Golden Valley, MN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

When operating the vehicle above the minimum temperature recommended by the manufacturer, the battery state of charge has dropped multiple tens of percentage points in moments while driving on the highway while driving the speed limit. The starting point for the state of charge in this situation was roughly 64% when beginning the trip. This has occurred at roughly 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The vehicle gives a warning that the driver should pull over immediately, which is very dangerous when driving on an interstate highway in traffic. The state of charge dropped into the teens in moments. This cold weather issue was not disclosed when purchasing the vehicle. The minimum operating temperature for the vehicle is -1 to -13 degrees F depending on the operating conditions (charging, driving, etc.). This should not occur at 10 degrees F. A software fix to the battery to slow the state of charge will not remedy the issue with a faulty battery in this case. Why is this accepted when the Chevrolet Bolt vehicles were required to swap their batteries to remedy the issue? I have not had time to bring this into the dealer due to my schedule availability. I will try to reproduce this upcoming winter. Others online have reported this same problem though.

NHTSA complaint #11732334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Leaf Tacoma, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

April 20, 2026 NHTSA Safety Complaint I am reporting an unresolved safety issue involving my 2019 Nissan LEAF subject to NHTSA Recall 24V-700. This recall identifies a battery defect that presents a fire risk and requires avoidance of Level 3 (CHAdeMO) charging. There is currently no remedy available and no repair timeline. This restriction significantly limits the usability of the vehicle, which I rely on for daily transportation and work. The vehicle is also subject to a separate HVAC/defrost-related safety issue that may impact visibility and safe operation, also without an available fix. I made multiple documented attempts to resolve this directly with Nissan Consumer Affairs, including a formal escalation sent via certified mail. Nissan has failed to respond. Additionally, prior written correspondence from Nissan referenced an incorrect vehicle model (“Rogue”) despite having my correct VIN on file, raising serious concerns regarding the accuracy of the review conducted on my case. I am continuing to incur financial hardship for a vehicle I cannot safely or practically use. NHTSA records confirm this recall remains incomplete with no available remedy, and that continued use of Level 3 charging presents a risk of battery fire. I am requesting investigation into the lack of remedy and manufacturer response

NHTSA complaint #11732449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Nissan Leaf Arlington, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have been waiting since September 2024 to use my level 3 charger port again. I can't safely use it without a risk of fire severely limiting the cars use and range. On top of this my main battery was tested at the Nissan Dealer November 2025 and needs replaced under warranty. It will rapidly lose charge when on the highway potentially leaving me stranded on the side of a busy road. I only have about 30% usable battery and cant Level 3 charge without risk of fire. I have been waiting almost 2 years now and feel Nissan has exceeded a reasonable amount of time for both repairs. This is my only car and I cant continue driving it like this. I was informed of the charging issue by recall notice and started seeing the battery issue Summer 2025. If they ever do fix this, I'm going to have a hard time trusting driving it on the highway. Nissan still can't give me an ETA for the replacement battery. I've been waiting 6 months and counting now.

NHTSA complaint #11730089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Nissan Leaf West Chester, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I own a 2021 Nissan Leaf subject to open recall R25C8 (NHTSA Campaign 25V655) for fire risk during Level 3 DC fast charging. The recall was issued October 2025. Nissan’s stated remedy target was late March 2026. As of today, April 6, 2026, no remedy has been provided. The affected component is the lithium-ion battery pack and its charging system. The vehicle is equipped with a CHAdeMO DC fast charging port, which I cannot safely use due to the documented fire risk. I am not avoiding this feature by choice – I am avoiding it because Nissan’s own recall identified it as a safety hazard. On April 6, 2026, I encountered a DC fast charging station and chose not to attempt charging due to the active recall warning, and due to reports that charging networks have begun refusing sessions on recalled vehicles. Diagnostic software shows my battery’s internal resistance index (Hx) at 71%, disproportionately low relative to State of Health at 87.5%. The vehicle is also consuming battery charge at an accelerated rate during highway driving, with approximately 50% of charge depleted over 30 to 40 miles. I am concerned that a software-only remedy will be inadequate for a battery with this level of internal resistance degradation, as software cannot compensate for the absence of active thermal management hardware. No dealer has confirmed the condition. I am filing to document loss of vehicle functionality, Nissan’s missed remedy deadline, and concern about remedy adequacy.

NHTSA complaint #11729569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Nissan Leaf Aurora, OH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

There has been a major battery recall which has not been resolved for 18 months, since the recall was issued. I have not beenable to drive this car any substatial distance on the freeway since October 2024. I have asked Nissan for a buyback of this car due to this major problem that still goes unresolved.

NHTSA complaint #11728730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Leaf Kingston, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My vehicle is subject to recall number 24V-700 My Nissan case number is 56497817 I have received 4 recall notices (24V-700 beginning 18 months ago. All notices state that Nissan is working open a software fix for this problem, but state that the problem is the result of excessive lithium deposits within certain battery cells, hence level three charging my cause a battery fire. This has a significant impact on my use of this vehicle. There is currently no remedy, although they do apologize for the inconvenience. I request that NHTSA pressure Nissan to provide a battery replacement. This seems to me to also be a warranty issue. If the battery is still under warranty, shouldn't it be repaired of replaced?

NHTSA complaint #11728161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Leaf Plymouth, MA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Regarding NHTSA Recall 24V-700 which was first reported in September of 2024. We were told not to use the "fast" charging port because of a fire hazard. Using the slower charging port takes about an extra 8 hours per charge. This was supposed to be fixed in November of 2024. To date....almost 2 years later....not fix is available. This has caused me over 800 additional hours of charging time!!! Nissan should have to pay us for this time as we bought the car with the expectation of using the fast charger.

NHTSA complaint #11728304 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Nissan Leaf problems