59 of the
1,497 complaints filed about the Nissan Leaf
are about the transmission —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2020.
59
Complaints
4%
Share of all complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
On [XXX] at about [XXX] pm at 12,488 miles and 67% charge, I was pulling into traffic from [XXX] onto [XXX]. As I accelerated into the gap in traffic, the car momentarily lost traction. Initially, the traction control system intervened and restored traction. Moments later, the car lost traction a second time. However, the second time the car lost traction, the entire car seemed to shut down. The display indicated " Service EV System Apply Parking Brake". I immediately turned on the hazard lights and pulled to the side of the roadway. I tried turning the car off and back on again but was unable to get the car to drive. At [XXX] pm, I called the dealership where I bought the car and was told by the service department that they were unfamiliar with this issue. As I was considering options for recovery (insurance, dealership, etc.) I decided to unhook the 12V battery in an attempt to reset the car. By [XXX] pm, the display was now reading "Service EV System No Power". I used a 10mm wrench to unhook the positive terminal of the 12V battery. I waited about 30 seconds and then reconnected the positive terminal of the 12V battery. After reconnecting, the car began to work ok and I went back to driving normally. At [XXX] pm, I called the dealership back and informed them of what I had found and that unhooking the 12V battery had reset the car and it was now driving ok. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11756383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11756009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The manufacturer-installed 40kWh replacement battery has suffered an internal high-voltage isolation short to the vehicle chassis (Codes P0AA6/P31E7), creating an immediate fire and shock hazard. The component failed just 2 years after installation in 2024. Nissan is refusing to repair this severe safety defect because the vehicle's original body frame is past its warranty window.
NHTSA complaint #11746566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
The reduction gear/transaxle failing. Metal in fluid leads to increased noise. Drivetrain will eventually fail and unsafe to drive. Case #56669999 was filed with Nissan Consumer Affairs and they have denied assistance for out of warranty repair. While the car is outside the number of years in the warranty, at 37K miles it is still well within the 60K mileage warranty. A drivetrain should not fail with such low mileage despite years in service.
NHTSA complaint #11736530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The Nissan safety recall 24V-700 has been languishing for 18 months, and Nissan has not repaired our vehicle. We are unable to drive it safely for distance travel because we are unable to use rapid DC chargers due to risk of fire. We are extremely frustrated with Nissan’s failure to act and address this issue in a timely fashion. It is completely unacceptable to not be able to use a car for its intended use for 18 months because of a safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11728088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This vehicle is subject to NHTSA Recall 25V-655 involving the high-voltage traction battery. The recall restricts the vehicle from using DC fast charging (Level 3), which significantly limits the safe and practical operation of the vehicle for its intended use. My household must routinely complete 300+ mile one-way trips on a weekly basis. Without DC fast charging capability, the vehicle cannot reliably complete these trips, creating a risk of being stranded or unable to safely reach destinations. Reliance on Level 2 charging requires extended delays of 6+ hours, which makes the vehicle impractical for its intended use and inconsistent with reasonable consumer expectations for normal operation. I contacted Nissan North America Consumer Affairs and was directed to work with the local dealer. I then contacted Dick Hannah Nissan in Gladstone, OR, who redirected me back to Consumer Affairs. As a result, no party is taking responsibility and no remedy or interim solution has been provided. The manufacturer has issued a safety recall but is unable to provide a repair, timeline, or mitigation. The vehicle’s primary propulsion system is effectively restricted, and the vehicle cannot be used as intended for necessary travel. I have requested a loaner or comparable replacement vehicle while awaiting a remedy, but this has not been provided. This unresolved recall creates an ongoing safety and usability issue, and the manufacturer has failed to provide a reasonable interim solution.
NHTSA complaint #11728129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle has been unable to charge at a lvl3 charger due to safety recall 25V-655 meaning I am no longer able to use this car as a daily commuter for my purpose.
NHTSA complaint #11724540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Under battery recall, unable to charge with public chargers (incompatible standards and fire risk) and at home. Being legally represented by MFS LEGAL and filed case with Nissan Consumer Affairs case [XXX]. No software update or fix in sight. Talked with consumer affairs as well as future Nissan in Folsom and Roseville with no solutions! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11722472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have been waiting for a fix to be available for recall 24V-700 for almost 2 years now. Nissan is also refusing to honor their bulletin posting that they will provide a rental upon customer request.
NHTSA complaint #11722606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manufacturer Name : Nissan North America, Inc. Submission Date : SEP 19, 2024 NHTSA Recall No. : 24V-700 Manufacturer Recall No. : R24B2 My Vehicle: 2019 Nissan LEAF Description of the Safety Risk: While the vehicle is Level 3 quick charging, the increased electrical resistance could result in rapid heating of the battery. If quick charging continues, a battery fire may occur increasing the risk of injury. This recall has been open since Sept 2024. The promised remedy date (Nov 2024) has passed. My VIN look-up still shows no remedy available which means I am unable to use Level 3.
NHTSA complaint #11721748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2022 Nissan Leaf (VIN ending 558192) is affected by recall R25C8 (Lithium-ion Battery Expansion / Fire Risk from Quick Charging). The recall, announced September 30, 2025, requires a software update to the battery management system. Nissan has advised not to use the CHAdeMO DC fast charging port until remedied. No remedy is currently available, and the software update has not been deployed. This defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, and safety for its intended purpose (long-distance travel), restricting it to local driving only. The delay has caused significant loss of use. We previously contacted Nissan on October 7, 2025 (Case #55896895) with no resolution. Contacted them again February 18 2026 (Case #56332493), with no resolution. This is ongoing as of February 2026.
NHTSA complaint #11718874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle is subject to a manufacturer safety recall related to a fire risk involving the high-voltage battery system. After receiving the recall notice, I brought the vehicle to an authorized dealer for evaluation. The dealer confirmed that there is currently no permanent remedy available for this recall and no estimated timeline for when a corrective repair will be available. The vehicle was returned to me without a corrective repair being performed. Since the recall, the vehicle’s charging capability and usable driving range have been significantly reduced compared to normal operation. Fast-charging functionality is no longer reliably available, resulting in longer charging times and a materially decreased effective range. This condition persists and is not attributable to normal battery degradation or driving habits. The vehicle was purchased new in reliance on its advertised driving range and charging capability, which were necessary to meet predictable daily transportation requirements. Due to the post-recall charging limitations and reduced effective range, the vehicle can no longer be relied upon to perform as originally intended. The active safety recall restricts authorized dealers from selling, leasing, or transferring the vehicle until a permanent remedy is available. No remedy or definitive timeline has been provided. Continued operation of a vehicle subject to a fire-related recall without corrective repair, combined with reduced charging capability and range, raises concerns regarding recall adequacy, charging availability, trip completion, and continued safe operation.
NHTSA complaint #11713039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Nissan Leaf experienced large state of charge fluctuations while driving. State of charge was jumping up and down rapidly. Vehicle was taken in to Alpine Nissan in Federal Height, Colorado. Car was diagnosed with a cell imbalance across multiple cells which coincides with recall number R24B2 (NTHSA - 24V-700). I have been trying for weeks to get Nissan Consumer Affairs to give me a solution for the car as its undrivable due to the safety defect. At this point I haven't been able to get anyone on the phone in the last week. The car has a serious loss of power risk and is a fire hazard. The defect is well documented in the recall. The raw battery data and invoice for battery replacement is attached. Case number with Nissan is #[XXX]. I cannot get a written statement from the manufacturer or the dealer that the car is safe to drive in its current state. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11710456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RE: Manufacturer Recall Number R24B2 - No Remedy available for more than a year! I am the original owner of my 2019 Nissan Leaf SL in California but have been unable to use my car for traveling due to the fast charge port recall. I have performed all the services and the recalls at the local Nissan dealer but there is still no remedy for the fast charge issue. As per the purchase agreement with Nissan, I should be able to use fast chargers without limitation but the lack of ability to use the fast charge port has severely hampered my ability to use the vehicle to travel even within my state. Nissan has promised a fix for more than a year but has failed to deliver.
NHTSA complaint #11710045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The high-voltage battery on my 2022 Nissan Leaf is subject to Recall 25V655. The recall notice states that the battery cells can develop excessive lithium deposits, which increases electrical resistance and can cause rapid battery heating during Level 3 fast charging. Nissan instructs owners not to use Level 3 charging at all until a “remedy” is available. The issue is that the remedy described by Nissan is not an actual repair of the battery defect. Nissan states it will install software that monitors for “state-of-charge fluctuation” and, if detected, will prevent the vehicle from restarting or recharging in order to avoid a thermal incident. This means the defect inside the battery cells is still present, and the car may disable itself if the defect begins to appear. The recall materials also state there is no warning before overheating occurs. This creates multiple safety concerns: • The underlying battery defect remains uncorrected. • The vehicle can become immobilized (unable to restart or recharge) if the software detects the condition. • Loss of Level 3 charging capability affects the ability to travel safely or plan charging when needed. • A battery fire risk exists during Level 3 charging if the defect is not detected in time. Nissan’s documents state that the software is meant only to prevent the “progression” of a thermal incident, not to repair the defective battery. I am concerned that my vehicle contains a known hazardous defect that has not been physically repaired and that the software-only response is inadequate to ensure safety. I am filing this complaint so NHTSA is aware that the remedy being offered does not address the internal battery defect itself and may leave owners exposed to continued safety and reliability risks.
NHTSA complaint #11707401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #11706392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.