*****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is conducting a service campaign on certain specific MY2018-2025 Nissan LEAF vehicles identified in Service Comm and National Service History – Open Campaigns. On affected vehicles, at temperatures below -10°C/14°F, use of the blower motor at full speed can cause the defrost function to operate at a low electrical current and trigger failsafe logic. This may result in reduced defrost performance. Dealers will update the HVAC control software. *****What Dealers Should Do***** 1. Verify if vehicles are affected by this service campaign using Service Comm or DBS National Service History – Open Campaigns I.D. P4A17 • New vehicles in dealer inventory can also
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Nissan Leaf visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2019 Nissan Leaf have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 Leaf (this page) | 11 |
| 2021 Leaf | 4 |
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Nissan Leaf we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2018-2025 LEAF; HVAC REPROGRAM CAMPAIGN ID #: P4A17 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2018-2025 LEAF (ZE1) Check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History to confirm campaign eligibility. INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign on certain specific model year 2018- 2025 LEAF vehicles to inspect the current HVAC part number and, if applicable, reprogram the HVAC. This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts or labor. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Nissan has assigned identification number P4A17 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communication and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaig
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Backup cameras are the most reported problem. The rear-view display goes black or stops working when putting the vehicle in reverse—sometimes intermittently, sometimes completely. A 2019 Leaf recall (19V654000) addresses this by updating the camera software, but Nissan hasn't included all affected vehicles. Owners say dealers are reluctant to cover repairs under warranty if their VIN wasn't flagged in the recall, even when the problem is identical.
Defrost and defroster failures show up repeatedly. The defroster motor becomes inoperable or the system simply doesn't clear fog from the windshield in cold weather or traffic. Another recall (23V048000) addresses this, but again, not all 2019 Leaf VINs are covered. Owners report Nissan's solution involves following complicated manual instructions rather than an actual software fix.
Windshield wipers are failing after light snow or rain. One owner reports a bent wiper arm after snow that the dealer won't cover; another found the motor non-responsive with no noise when activated. A third found wipers worked intermittently for a week then stopped altogether.
Finally, one owner reports the rear hatchback window shattered when closing the hatch normally with no obstruction, and another notes the Android Auto integration hides climate control feedback, forcing touchscreen fumbling while driving.
Failure modes owners describe
Backup camera intermittent or black screen
The rear-view camera displays a black screen or stops working altogether when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The display can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible, and the system retains that setting on subsequent reversals. Owners report the camera works intermittently (less than 10% of the time) or not at all.
When: While backing up; issue occurs intermittently or consistently depending on owner report
Symptoms owners cite: Black screen on console display when in reverse; Camera stops working intermittently or completely; Rear backup camera non-functional; Rear blind spot warning does not work
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership software updates have temporarily resolved the issue for some owners; dealers unable to replicate issue for others and refuse warranty coverage. Free software update remedy available under recall for affected VINs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 19V654000 (Back Over Prevention / Rear Visibility). Nissan will update backup camera settings software free of charge at dealers. Recall began November 11, 2019. Not all 2019 Leaf VINs are included in the recall; some owners claim their vehicles exhibit the same problem but are excluded from the recall.
Windshield defrost/defroster inoperative or inadequate
The defroster fan motor becomes inoperable after activation, or the defroster does not properly clear fog from the windshield during cold or rainy conditions. The system as currently programmed limits visibility under cold conditions. Nissan's recall remedy involves complicated manual instructions rather than a true system reprogram.
When: During cold weather, snow, or after starting the vehicle; 55,000 miles reported in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Defroster fan motor inoperable; Front and rear windshields become foggy; Defrost does not properly clear windshield fog in traffic; Visibility impairment during cold conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired in reported cases. Nissan's remedy involves issuing instruction-based workarounds rather than software reprogramming.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 23V048000 (Equipment, Visibility). Nissan has issued recall guidance, but some 2019 Leaf VINs were not included in the recall despite owner reports of the same failure mode. Recall remedy requires owner to follow complicated manual procedures.
Windshield wipers inoperative or damaged
The windshield wipers stop working or become damaged, resulting in obstructed visibility during driving. One owner reports a bent wiper arm after light snow that dealer claimed was not warranty-covered. Another reports wipers stopped working after light snow and worked intermittently for a week before stopping entirely; suspected motor or drive rod failure.
When: During rainy conditions on January 19 (one case); after light snow (another case); failure mileage unknown for most cases
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield wipers stopped working; Wipers inoperative during rain and snow; Wipers work intermittently then stop altogether; Wiper arm bent or damaged; No noise from wiper motor when activated
Repairs/costs cited: Exact failure mechanism not identified for intermittent case (suspected drive rod or motor). One dealer claimed bent wiper arm was not warranty-covered.
Android Auto integration – climate controls visibility
When using Android Auto in the infotainment system, the climate control (HVAC) status banner does not display on the screen. This forces the driver to use multiple touchscreen interactions and physical controls to adjust climate settings, creating a dangerous distraction while driving.
When: When Android Auto is active
Symptoms owners cite: Climate control status banner not visible on Android Auto display; HVAC adjustments require multiple touchscreen interactions; No feedback on screen for climate setting changes during Android Auto use
Repairs/costs cited: Owner indicates issue can be resolved via software update.
Rear hatchback window shattered
The rear hatchback window shattered when the hatch was closed with normal force. No objects were obstructing closure or touching the window, and the vehicle was stationary in a driveway.
When: During normal hatch closure; vehicle stationary
Symptoms owners cite: Rear hatchback window shattered without impact
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I read "Due to a software issue in these Leaf hatchbacks, the back-up camera display can suddenly disappear when the car is in reverse and be replaced with the previous image. " Mine has same problem but doesn't have recall yet. Thank you.
Had visibility trouble with your 2019 Nissan Leaf?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2019 Nissan Leaf?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 17,200 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Nissan/Leaf.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.