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Engine & cooling

Nissan Leaf Engine problems by year

42 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Nissan Leaf's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Engine complaints by model year

YearEngine complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20216000
20208000
20199000
20187200
20163000
20153000
20132000
20122000
20112000

Latest Leaf engine complaints

2018 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

I purchased this EV in 2021 with ~30k miles on it. On cold days ~20 degrees, the battery would drop rapidly under a load (going uphill, high speeds, etc) It would continue to drop until you were not under load anymore. The dealer said nothing was wrong until I had my family in the vehicle and it totally shut down on the highway going 70 mph and i lost all brakes, steering, etc. They finally took me seriously and put a new battery in at ~55k miles in 2022. I continued to have similar issues in the winter on...

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really cold days, but not nearly as bad so i lived with it. At about 100k miles, it started doing a very similar issue, but way worse, and at any temperature. It got so bad i couldn't drive without the battery always being fully charged. Took it to the first dealer who said nothing is wrong with it even though i had videos of it happening. I then called nissan corporate and opened up a case and asked them directly "before i take it to another dealer for a second opinion, is this something that you can offer financial assistance with" and that lady said "yes, we can offer assistance for sure". I took it to another dealer who did some tests and confirmed it needed a battery. Shortly after that, the car now shuts down under even a slight load. A small backroad hill will shut it down and I get an error code P33ED now. This code is related to a battery recall on 2019- 2022 models that can cause a battery fire! After almost 2 months of nissan saying they didn't have the part available, they just informed me they won't offer any assistance because im out of warranty! Not only did i have the battery replaced once, but it has already failed a second time, and they installed a battery that is now recalled but wont honor the recall because my vin is a 2018. I am beyond frustrated with their lack of care about my families safety since this could catch fire! I am hoping to reach out to you for some additional guidance on this situation. Thank you.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11771090
2019 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Update to complaint [redacted]- [redacted] I am updating my complaint regarding Nissan LEAF recall R24B2 and the dealer's handling of the recall remedy. On [redacted] 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...

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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 was particularly concerning because the recall restricted the vehicle's use of Level 3/CHAdeMO quick charging pending completion of the remedy, affecting my ability to safely use the vehicle for a planned interstate relocation. After I escalated the matter to Nissan Consumer Affairs, Nissan told me that Ken Garff Nissan Salt Lake had said it declined to perform the remedy because of a time constraint. That account conflicts with what the dealer told me directly. I asked the dealer to perform the remedy before I mentioned my move or any timeline, and the dealer instead explained that it did not want to perform the remedy because it could leave the vehicle in reduced-power mode or non-drivable while replacement batteries were backordered or unavailable. I then obtained an appointment at [[redacted]] Nissan of Murray on [redacted], for the R24B2 recall remedy. I will provide the final repair order, diagnostic codes, and outcome when available. My safety concern is not solely that an open recall exists. An authorized dealer declined to perform the prescribed recall remedy because it said the procedure could immobilize the vehicle, while Nissan later relayed a materially different explanation for the dealer's refusal. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11766737
2021 Nissan LeafEngine & coolingFire

The contact owned a 2021 Nissan Leaf. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V655000 (Electrical System). The contact stated that while at a dealer charging the vehicle for approximately 15- 20 minutes, there was a fire coming from the front of the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by the fire department after several hours. A Police report was not filed. No injuries, medical attention, or damages were reported. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 25,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11761027
2020 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel 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...

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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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11757287
2021 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Recall for FAST CHARGE LEVEL 3 CHADEMO has been issued for over 6 months. I am advised not to fast charge due to risk of devastating fire. Very dangerous to continue to use this car in an urban setting. Buyback was denied and told to wait for a fix. No fix yet! I can't get out of Philadelphia in this car. Tesla wouldn't let this happen!

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11745738
2021 Nissan LeafEngine & coolingFuel system

Car is under a recall-no level 3 charging due to risk of fire since October of 2025 with no remedy in place. The car is not able to be used as advertized-cannot travel outside of 200 miles from my home as level 3 charging is not possible and level 2 charging not feasible for travelling. Of note-the battery in my car is a NEW battery -it was replaced in December of 2025 due to repeated prior failures -including suddenly slowing down drastically on highway which was a safety hazard. Aftee repeated efforts to get this addressed Nissan agreed to replace the battery but the repacement IS UNDER RECALL and the car is not usable for my purposes.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11721845
2021 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

I want to be clear about why I opened this case. Per Nissan's own recall documents, the software update does not repair the defective battery cells, it only detects the issue and may disable the vehicle to prevent a thermal event. Level 3 charging remains unusable, and the underlying defect is still present. Because of this, I am requesting a repurchase or a replacement vehicle. If they say the software will "fully correct the condition"

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11717042
2021 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

The high-voltage battery on my 2021 Nissan LEAF is subject to Recall 25V-655/R25C8. The recall notice states that the battery cells can develop excessive lithium deposits, which increase 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. I have attempted to have the car fixed at two local dealerships, with both stating that they do not have a fix available. The documented "fix" is a software update that slows or disables Level 3 charging, which does not resolve the issue, and only disables the vehicle's intended use.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11714582
2020 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & cooling

I am unable to use my 2020 Nissan Leaf because of the recall (R24B2) on the battery preventing fast charging. My child has the vehicle and now lives in an apartment and there is no place to plug in my car overnight. So the only option for my child is to fast charge it. I'm frustrated that this recall is almost 1 and a half years old and there is still no remedy.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11713417
2020 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & cooling

NHTSA ID: 24V-700 Was announced September 2024. It is now January 2026 without a fix nor can I fast charge, preventing me from using this car for daily travel. What is NHTSA's recommendation for this recall? Nissan keeps extending the date for a fix.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11712403
2019 Nissan LeafTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11710045
2020 Nissan LeafTransmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

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. ...

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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.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11706392
2021 Nissan LeafElectrical systemEngine & coolingFire

*High Voltage Battery defect/failure - this is what was believed to be the issue when it was towed to the dealership. What is left of it is available for inspection at the dealership for now, however the insurance may take it to a salvage yard since the fire department finished their investigation. *While at the dealership after they spent the day trying to recreate what happened they parked it and planned to try again the next day, then someone walked by and saw smoke coming from the car and called 911. They...

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called it a thermal runaway and it burned for hours before being moved to a safer, emptier lot where it was covered in thousands of pounds of sand. The night before the mileage range dropped roughly 70%, unaware of the recall in our mail that hadn't been opened we stopped to try to charge so we could get home. Thankfully none of the chargers worked since the recall was for a potential fire if plugged into a level 3 charger. We tried to drive home only to end up on the side of the road in total system failure. Police sent incident management to get us to safety. If we had made it home we are told this could have caught our home on fire and would likely have blown up our house and taken neighbors houses out as well. It could hurt more people or structures while they tried to recreate the problem. I understand the dealership had $20K in damages from the fire on top of which my car is clearly a total loss. Homes & Businesses nearby had to be evacuated. *Yes, what is left of the car has been inspected by the county fire marshall, insurance co. Police were called, but no investigation. When I called consumer affairs at Nissan, I spoke to 3 different people who said there was nothing they could do. *We had one other time 3 weeks earlier that the range dropped significant, we got home plugged it in and it seemed fine. The only warnings said we were low on miles and to stop to charge which would have made things worse, could have killed us if they had worked.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11705179
2020 Nissan LeafTransmission & drivetrainEngine & coolingFuel system

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.

Filed Incident Power train · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11696456
2019 Nissan LeafEngine & cooling

I am the owner of a 2019 Nissan Leaf affected by Recall R24B2, which addresses a critical battery issue that may lead to overheating or fire during Level 3 charging. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs over a week ago to initiate resolution and was informed that a regional manager would follow up with me directly. However, I have not received any communication since that initial call. I followed up again with Consumer Affairs, and was told they would reach out to the regional manager once more. Despite these...

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efforts, I have received no callback, no update, and no timeline for resolution. This delay is unacceptable given the safety risks involved and the urgency of the recall. I am requesting immediate escalation of my case, a direct response from the assigned regional manager, and a clear plan for remedy. I have documented all communications and am prepared to pursue further action if necessary.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11692907

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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