DecodedCars2020 Nissan Leaf
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 5dr Hatchback
- Engines
- Electric motor
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- EV
- EV range
- 226 mi · 8 h on 240 V
- Length
- 176.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,439 lb
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints167 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 29 for similar models — most often about the electrical system.
- 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 1). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Nissan Leaf is a midsize car powered by electricity and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 176 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,439 lb.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 226 miles and takes about 8 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 167 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2020
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Leaf →
Trims, performance & features
Powertrain–Electric motor
Trims
SLSVS
Built in: Smyrna, Tennessee
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Leaf configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr Hatchback | 176.4 in | 70.5 in | 61.4 in | 106.3 in | 60.6 / 61 in | 3,439 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaf (40 kW-hr battery pack) EV | 110 kW DCPM | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 149 mi · 30.4264 kWh/100mi | – | $700 | – |
| Leaf (62 kW-hr battery pack) EV | 160 kW DCPM | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 226 mi · 31.3048 kWh/100mi | – | $700 | – |
| Leaf SV/SL (62 kW-hr battery pack) EV | 160 kW DCPM | Automatic (A1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 215 mi · 32.283 kWh/100mi | – | $750 | – |
10/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
10/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.6 MPG2020 Midsize Cars average
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Nissan LEAF (40 KWh Battery) 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 5★ / 4★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 10.7% |
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Similar 2020 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Nissan Leaf (this car) | 226 mi | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Toyota Corolla | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2020 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda 3 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Subaru Impreza | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
Recalls (6)
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Charging › Module › Software · Sep 19, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V700000 · 25,704 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A quick charging battery that overheats increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- 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.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Feb 2, 2024
NHTSA campaign 24V071000 · 57,914 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- A rearview camera that does not properly display an image can reduce the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Vehicle Speed Control · Jul 17, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V494000 · 66,159 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Equipment › Other › Owners/Service/Other Manual · Feb 2, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V048000 · 64,732 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- Reduced defroster performance can limit visibility out of the windshield, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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 › Glass, Side/Rear · Sep 22, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V570000 · 150 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- Rear window glass that separates from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Jul 17, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V412000 · 6,157 vehicles
- Problem
- 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."
- Risk
- The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2020 Nissan Leaf is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
167Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
12,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Nissan Leaf buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 120 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 35 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Power Train — 14 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Battery health. Ask for a battery state-of-health report, check the remaining battery warranty, and compare the displayed range at 100% charge with the EPA's 226 miles.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Leaf. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Leaf years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Leaf | 303 mi | 173.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 3 |
| 2025 Leaf | 212 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 7 |
| 2024 Leaf | 212 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2023 Leaf | 212 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 22 |
| 2022 Leaf | 226 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 96 |
| 2021 Leaf | 226 mi | 176.4 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 57 |
| 2019 Leaf | 226 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 260 |
| 2018 Leaf | 151 mi | 176.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 67 |
| 2017 Leaf | 107 mi | 175.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 17 |
| 2016 Leaf | 107 mi | 175.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 36 |
| 2015 Leaf | 84 mi | 175.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 109 |
| 2014 Leaf | 84 mi | 175.2 in | Not rated | 6 | 31 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →