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Nissan · NHTSA safety record

2019 Nissan Leaf

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 259 safety complaints about the 2019 Nissan Leaf with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 177 complaints, 68% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 27,500 miles, the median across the 24 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2019 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

259 complaints on file

259

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

5

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 137 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 59 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 177 · 68%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 47 · 18%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 34 · 13%
POWER TRAIN 13 · 5%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 12 · 5%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 10 · 4%
SERVICE BRAKES 10 · 4%
ENGINE 9 · 3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5 · 2%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 3 · 1%
EQUIPMENT 2 · 1%
LANE DEPARTURE 2 · 1%
0 73 146

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 259.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 118.

124 93 62 31
19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2019 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2019 Nissan Leaf. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

5 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

24V700000 · September 20, 2024

The defect
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.
The risk
A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Dealers will update the battery software, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed June 3, 2026. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are R24B2, P4A38, and P5A22.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 25,704 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

24V071000 · February 2, 2024

The defect
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."
The risk
A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the rearview camera and harness for damage and replace them as necessary. If no damage is found, the dealer will apply protective tape and reroute the rearview camera harness. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 9, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23D7.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 57,914 vehicles across all model years covered

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

23V494000 · July 17, 2023

The defect
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.
The risk
Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module (VCM), free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R23A6.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 66,159 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

23V048000 · February 2, 2023

The defect
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2023 LEAF vehicles. The Owner's Manual instructions for defroster operation are incorrect, and may result in reduced defroster performance under specific conditions. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
The risk
Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Nissan will mail an addendum with updated instructions on how to operate the defroster, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 1, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 64,732 vehicles across all model years covered

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

19V654000 · September 12, 2019

The defect
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
The risk
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 1,228,830 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 injured · fire

On 7/19/2024 while charging the car at Chargepoint Johns Creek, I heard a "clunk" sound as if something had popped off from beneath the body of the Leaf. At the same time, the charging emergency stopped. Smoke started to come out from under the Leaf. There was a smell as if something was melting, making me feel dizzy and nauseous. I felt a sense of confusion from inhaling the smoke. Since both my son and I were outside the car, we were able to quickly pull away and escape as soon as the smoke started. If we had been inside the car, or if this had happened while driving, we might have been unable to escape in time, lost consciousness from the smoke, and possibly died in the fire. The smoke

NHTSA complaint 11608237, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 injured · crash · 82,000 miles

The contact owned a 2019 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V494000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), 24V700000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), and 24V071000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH and coming up to an intersection, the vehicle ahead of the contact had stopped in front of the contact due to a crash. The contact attempted to stop the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into the rear of the vehicle ahead. The contact stated that the vehicle came to a stop at the intersection under the traffic

NHTSA complaint 11652665, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · towed

The Incident happened on a bright afternoon while I was entering our two car parking garage in our home ; steering wheel steered to the utmost right to enter the right parking space in our garage. I was driving an almost dead battery (8% charge remaining and 13 miles left) and the 2019 model Nissan Leaf car (20K miles driven) was already very heavy while entering our alley (backyard parking). I was driving at 10 mile speed or under when our fence door was in the process of opening (half way opened) and the car garage was already opened; the car jerked forward with a sudden speed, dashed through the fence door and did not stop on drive way (brakes failed) and entered into the garage, hitting

NHTSA complaint 11448057, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

fire · 10,194 miles

ON FRIDAY 5/22/2020 AT 8:59 PM A 2019 NISSAN LEAF WAS IN MOTION DRIVING AT LESS THAN 7 MILES PER HOURS WHEN THE MAIN SCREEN DISPLAYED: 'WARNING: SERVICE EV SYSTEM POWERED REDUCED'. WITHIN SECONDS, THE OPERATOR STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK A PHOTO OF THE SCREEN. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE OPERATOR SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE OPERATOR QUICKLY EXITED THE VEHICLE. VERY SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT PUT THE FLAMES OUT. SEE ATTACHED PHOTOS OF WARNING SCREEN, TRIP REPORT, VEHICLE ON FIRE, AND VEHICLE AFTER FIRE WAS PUT OUT. *TR*DT*JB

NHTSA complaint 11325648. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Update to complaint XXX— XXX I am updating my complaint regarding Nissan LEAF recall R24B2 and the dealer’s handling of the recall remedy. On XXX I brought my 2019 Nissan LEAF to Ken Garff Nissan Salt Lake to have recall R24B2 performed. The dealer told me that performing the recall remedy could cause the vehicle to enter reduced-power mode or become non-drivable, and that replacement batteries were backordered or unavailable. The dealer therefore declined to perform the recall remedy at that time. A representative of Ken Garff Nissan Salt Lake also advised me that I could ignore the safety warnings, not have the recall remedy performed, and drive the vehicle through the desert anyway. This

NHTSA complaint 11766737, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2019 Nissan Leaf's battery stopped charging due to a manufacturer defect. Nissan North America confirmed this is covered under NHTSA Recall 24V-700 and agreed to repurchase the vehicle (case #1163589). However, Nissan's repurchase process has been severely delayed by issues connected to the recall remedy itself: Nissan requires a physical title to complete the repurchase, but their own financing arm (NMAC) failed to release a lien for six years after payoff--despite the law requiring them to--and then provided a defective release letter, stalling the process for over a month. Separately, Nissan's own repurchase letter promised a courtesy rental vehicle for up to 30 days during the

NHTSA complaint 11766513, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owned a 2019 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V700000 (Electrical System). The local dealer was contacted and declined to perform the recall repair, stating that the recall repair would place the vehicle in LIMP Mode, and advised the contact to disregard any warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact to reach out to the dealer for assistance. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint 11765811. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I own a 2019 Nissan Leaf (recall R24B2/NHTSA 24V-700), 70,000 km, battery State of Health 97% per LeafSpy (OBD-based BMS health reading, not the dash gauge). I support the recall's intent and have stopped Level 3 fast charging entirely, using only home Level 1/2 charging. I'm raising a structural concern, relevant beyond my own vehicle: for cars that trip the SOC-fluctuation fault, the only remedy offered is full battery replacement or buyback — scrapping/replacing packs that are often barely degraded, at real environmental cost (mining, manufacturing, disposal) for a risk tied specifically to Level 3 charging, not to driving the car. I'd ask the agency to consider whether the remedy

NHTSA complaint 11765861, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
[XXX] of [XXX] sold me this vehicle as a certified pre owned vehicle with an unrepairable recall on XXX. This vehical had been diagnosed with this recall prior to sale and nissan issued a stop sale of this vehicle prior to me purchasing this vehicle. I am unable to fast charge due to potential fire risk. This has hindered my ability to travel and is very dishonest practice. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11765709. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My vehicle is subject to open NHTSA Recall 24V-700 (Nissan internal R24B2), for excessive lithium deposits in HV battery cells causing rapid heating during Level 3 DC fast charging, with a stated fire risk. At approximately 112,000 miles, my vehicle displayed the warning "Service EV System. Unable to restart after power off." I brought the vehicle to Dublin Nissan Service Department on July 2, 2026, where the dealer diagnosed a leak in the HV battery cells consistent with the defect described in Recall 24V-700. On July 20, 2026, I received a diagnostic estimate quoting me $5,162.23 for battery and $2,999.99 for the accessory/parts — charged to me as a customer-pay repair — along with a

NHTSA complaint 11763493, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Nissan Leaf

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 20 3 —
2022 95 4 —
2021 56 4 —
2020 166 6 —
2018 66 4 —
2017 17 2 —
2016 36 4 —
2015 110 4 —
2014 34 6 —
2013 81 5 —
2012 57 0 —
2011 95 0 —

Other 2019 Nissan models

Rogue 337 Altima 232 Sentra 222 Kicks 134 Rogue Sport 100 Armada 77 Pathfinder 76 Titan 47

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Nissan on this site — 205 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst