Safety and recall information

Issue 

Due to a software issue, the Cruise Control function may not operate as intended and could cause unintentional acceleration when deactivated.

An unintentional acceleration when using the Cruise Control function may increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and/or other road users.

Cars affected

Not all Nissan Leafs have been affected. 

Make: NISSAN

Model: ZE1 Leaf

Variants: Leaf, Leaf (e+)

Customer Action required 

Owners should contact their local Nissan Dealership to schedule an appointment to have their Cruise Control software updated, free of charge.

More information 

Further information can be found on the recall by clicking here

Nissan assessed that the risk of the issue occurring under real-world conditions is very low. This issue has not occurred outside of controlled track or simulated test environments. However, out of an abundance of caution, Nissan decided to conduct a recall campaign to reprogram the VCM.

In December 2021, internal testing on a trial vehicle observed a motor torque deceleration delay following deactivation of Intelligent Cruise Control. Nissan investigated but was unable to recreate the condition.

In early 2022, Nissan conducted computer simulations in an effort to replicate the reported condition by analyzing data from the incident test vehicle.

After repeated testing of multiple parameters, Nissan identified a specific sequence of actions that it believed could potentially lead to the reported phenomenon. However, Nissan had been unable to recreate the condition on an actual vehicle. 

Spring 2022 through Summer 2022 – Nissan continued to attempt to replicate the phenomenon under real world conditions. After extensive on-track testing, Nissan had limited success in reproducing the incident
condition.

Late 2022 through Spring 2023 - After extensive computer simulation and on-track testing, Nissan identified the following sequence of actions are required to be completed in under eight (8) seconds for the phenomenon to occur:

1. Cruise Control, Intelligent Cruise Control or ProPILOT Assist is disengaged; and
2. Immediately:
a. Shift drive modes from ‘D’ to ‘B’ or ‘ECO’ or e-Pedal ‘ON’; and
b. Press accelerator pedal and then release 

For Reference, the B mode engages the regenerative braking system more aggressively on downhill slopes, and
helps reduce brake use. The mode is selected by manually shifting from ‘D’ to ‘B’ using the shift lever.

Nissan is not aware of any warranty claims, accidents, or injuries attributed to this condition. 

Good Car Update 12 Sept 2023 

• We have taken  two Good Car Leafs that appear on the recall list to very helpful Nissan Australia workshops in QLD and VIC.
• They gladly attempted to assist and perform the software update required to fix the issue.
• At this point their tools have not been uploaded with the information required to patch the software update for vehicles other than those sold through Nissan Australia.  
• Without this update programmed into the Nissan Australia tools, the process cannot be completed. 

• Good Car Co are still waiting to hear from Nissan Australia about how they intend to service the recall, or whether they'll provide access to the software or tools enabling us to service the recall ourselves.

• We have contacted Nissan Australia and asked for escalation of this issue,

• Nissan Australia service centres are on standby to service Good Cars when they are provided the required information to enable the task to be completed. 

• Until we receive an update from Nissan Australia, the best advice we can provide for optimum safety, is to refrain from using cruise control until further notice.