Recall 16V119 affects 46,859 2013-2015 Nissan Leaf vehicles for a freezing electronic brake-booster relay. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 46,859 2013-2015 Leaf vehicles because the relay inside the electronic brake booster can freeze in very cold temperatures. If the relay fails, drivers need more brake effort and a longer distance to stop, increasing crash risk; Nissan dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The electronic brake booster on the 2013-2015 Nissan Leaf helps turn brake-pedal pressure into braking force. It is part of the service brake system, and it reduces the amount of leg effort needed to slow the vehicle. Inside that booster is a relay, an electrical switch that helps the brake assist system come online when the Leaf starts.
In very cold temperatures, that relay can freeze inside the electronic brake booster. When it freezes, the brake assist system does not give the driver the normal amount of help. The brakes still respond, but slowing the Leaf takes more pedal effort than the driver expects, especially right after startup in cold weather.
The warning sign is a brake warning lamp when the vehicle is first started. If that lamp comes on at startup, it is alerting the driver that the brake assist issue is present.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2013, 2014, and 2015 model years, all involving the brake system.
| 2015 Nissan Leaf | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2013 Nissan Leaf | brake system |
| 2014 Nissan Leaf | brake system |
| Units affected | 46,859 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the brake relay fails, the Leaf needs more distance or more pedal effort to stop, increasing crash risk. A brake warning lamp illuminates at startup when this issue is present, so treat that warning as a reason to stop and schedule service. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2015 Nissan Leaf is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software update that fixes the cold-temperature brake-assist relay issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan sent one. If not, reference recall number 16V119 when you call.
- Use extra braking distance and expect added brake effort in very cold temperatures until the software update is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician reprograms the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software. The software update is free under the recall, with parts and labor covered by Nissan. If you already paid out of pocket for a related brake control repair before the owner notice, Nissan's reimbursement statement applies when the vehicle was no longer under warranty. Bring repair invoices and payment records to the Nissan service desk so the dealer can explain the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| February 29, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| February 29, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
| February 29, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 28, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V119?
Recall 16V119 covers 46,859 2013-2015 Nissan Leaf vehicles with an electronic brake booster relay that can freeze during very cold temperatures. If the relay fails, the driver needs more pedal effort and distance to stop. Nissan dealers reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2015 Nissan Leaf is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V119. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software reprogramming. Reference recall number 16V119 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nissan will reprogram the Intelligent Brake Control Unit software free of charge at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V119?
The safety risk is reduced braking assistance in very cold temperatures. If the brake relay freezes and fails, the driver needs more pedal effort or longer distance to stop the vehicle, increasing crash risk. The dealer software reprogramming addresses the relay freeze condition.
What if I bought my Nissan Leaf used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013-2015 Nissan Leaf is included, then contact a franchised Nissan dealer or Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V119000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V119 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V119000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →