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.
2020 Nissan Leaf
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Leaf years
Owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Leaf are substantially higher than the model-year median of 55.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Leaf years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 15 of 164 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 120 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
164 reportsNissan claims that a previous recall for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, Rear Visibility could be fixed with a system update (recall 20V412000). This does not appear to be the case. I had the system update run already in December 2022 and it didn't fix the problem. The rear backup camera still goes pink…
Read full complaint
Nissan claims that a previous recall for Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, Rear Visibility could be fixed with a system update (recall 20V412000). This does not appear to be the case. I had the system update run already in December 2022 and it didn't fix the problem. The rear backup camera still goes pink and is not visible. I believe this is a hardware issue and should be fixed because it is a major safety problem.
A yellow warning ⚠️ and two cars crashing comes on and during driving the car applies sudden breaking. I took the car in for repairs but no time line was given for repairs or parts. Also even though it's under warranty the dealer and the headquarter would not give me a rental car until the repairs are made.
The backup camera of my 2020 Nissan Leaf does not consistently work. Often, the screen is bright pink and does not show the view of behind the vehicle. Clearly, it is a safety issue to have a malfunctioning backup camera. I am getting it serviced by a Nissan dealer next week. The failure seems to be related to opening and shutt…
Read full complaint
The backup camera of my 2020 Nissan Leaf does not consistently work. Often, the screen is bright pink and does not show the view of behind the vehicle. Clearly, it is a safety issue to have a malfunctioning backup camera. I am getting it serviced by a Nissan dealer next week. The failure seems to be related to opening and shutting the rear hatch, because sometimes the camera would work and sometimes it failed. It is consistently broken now.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? AEB may have malfunctioned. Yes, I will provide the car for official inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Possible injuries from abrupt braking; possible and likely rear-end collision if drivers be…
Read full complaint
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? AEB may have malfunctioned. Yes, I will provide the car for official inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Possible injuries from abrupt braking; possible and likely rear-end collision if drivers behind me. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. I have not contacted Nissan. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. I have not contacted any gov agency or insurance carrier. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. I saw three red flashes and associated sounds warning of imminent collision - even though NOTHING was in front of the car that would cause the AEB to engage. Below is my incident description: My work has an underground garage. I was entering the garage, went down one level, and then on my way back up the next level. There are speed bumps going down and going up, so you cannot go very fast. On my way back up (incline), the AEB unexpectedly activated with red buttons flashing about three times with sound (as if I was about to crash into something) and then the car abruptly stopped. I stepped on the accelerator to try and go and it would not budge. I'm still on the incline. If there were cars behind me, I would have most likely been rear-ended because this incident came out of nowhere and my car just stopped. There were no moving cars in front of me that would indicate a near collision, only parked cars. I had driven this route in the past so I don't know what was different today. Car just stopped. I am still on incline; placed car in park; waited few seconds; placed car in drive and was finally able to move the car.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH in the rain, a tree branch fell and struck the passenger’s side of the vehicle causing the air bags to deploy. The contact stated that he lost control of the vehicle when the air bags deployed. Additionally, the vehicle lost steering and b…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH in the rain, a tree branch fell and struck the passenger’s side of the vehicle causing the air bags to deploy. The contact stated that he lost control of the vehicle when the air bags deployed. Additionally, the vehicle lost steering and braking functionality. There was an unknown warning light illuminated during the failure. The vehicle then lost electrical and motive power and rolled to a complete stop. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and was still awaiting the needed repairs. Neither a dealer nor the manufacturer had been contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000.
Defroster is not working at all. Spoke to dealer, needs new part and Nissan corporate. Nothing moving. Live in denver, having a working defroster is extremely important.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA - RECALL NO 20V412000 - For a week at a time on a monthly basis the back-up camera will disappear while in reverse. And therefore our vehicle no longer complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111 "Rear Visibility". - Yes the vehicle is available for inspecti…
Read full complaint
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA - RECALL NO 20V412000 - For a week at a time on a monthly basis the back-up camera will disappear while in reverse. And therefore our vehicle no longer complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111 "Rear Visibility". - Yes the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. - My safety and the safety of others continues to be put at risk due to the lack of an image in the back-up camera display which increases the risk of a crash. - We have taken the vehicle into the Nissan dealership 4 times and every time they state they cannot recreate the error even though the error is occurring as I am dropping the vehicle off at the dealership. - There has been no other warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. This has been a re-occurring problem since vehicle was purchased in December 2020.
When putting my car in reverse my back up camera intermittently will not work. I have called the dealership that I purchased the vehicle (Rossen of Madison on the Beltline). I have taken the car multiple times, I have called multiple times. Nissan has yet to include my vehicle make and model into the recall. Even though it is a …
Read full complaint
When putting my car in reverse my back up camera intermittently will not work. I have called the dealership that I purchased the vehicle (Rossen of Madison on the Beltline). I have taken the car multiple times, I have called multiple times. Nissan has yet to include my vehicle make and model into the recall. Even though it is a 2020 model. My car is at the dealership today as my camera stopped working last week and was still not working this morning. However the dealership is now telling me "it worked when it arrived and they have been unable to recreate the issue". This is frustrating and needs to have an official recall PLEASE!
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that the battery gauge was reading incorrectly. The contact stated that while doing a 70-mile roundtrip with 173 miles battery life, the battery gauge indicated the battery level was at 70 miles remaining. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was info…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Leaf. The contact stated that the battery gauge was reading incorrectly. The contact stated that while doing a 70-mile roundtrip with 173 miles battery life, the battery gauge indicated the battery level was at 70 miles remaining. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Official recalls
624V700000 · Electrical System:propulsion System:charging:module:software; Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
Sep 19, 2024
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:propulsion System:charging:module:software
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.
Consequence: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery
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.
Consequence: A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
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.
24V071000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Feb 2, 2024
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
23V494000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Jul 17, 2023
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
23V048000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual ; Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
Feb 2, 2023
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
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."
Consequence: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
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."
Consequence: Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
20V570000 · Visibility:glass, Side/rear
Sep 22, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Altima, Maxima and Leaf vehicles. The rear window glass may not remain properly secured to the vehicle.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the back window glass, free of charge. The recall began November 4, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC752.
20V412000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
Jul 17, 2020
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 LEAF electric vehicles. Under certain circumstances, the images for the back-up camera can disappear while in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. This recall began August 31, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion 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.
Illustration