Nissan Leaf EVs Recalled for Possible Unintended Acceleration

The automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that if a driver shifts into “B” or “Eco” or turns on the E-pedal function immediately after disengaging cruise control or ProPilot Assist and then quickly presses and releases the accelerator pedal, the vehicle might continue accelerating without driver input until the driver presses the brake pedal.

(The "B" setting increases the amount of regenerative braking, which can help slow a vehicle and increase range when driving down an incline. The E-pedal function activates enough regenerative braking so that the vehicle can slow—even to a stop—when the driver takes a foot off the accelerator.)

To prevent unintended acceleration from occurring, Nissan dealerships will perform a free software update that may take up to 30 minutes to complete. If a driver encounters the problem on the road, they should immediately use the brake to slow the vehicle.

Nissan says that it is not aware of any instances of this problem occurring outside of the company’s own internal testing, and that there have been no complaints, warranty claims, injuries, or crashes related to the issue.