Recall 23V494 affects 66,159 2018-2023 Nissan Leaf vehicles for unintended acceleration after cruise control disengages. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 66,159 2018-2023 Leaf vehicles because they can accelerate unintentionally after cruise control is disengaged and the driver changes drive mode. The unintended acceleration can increase the risk of a crash, and Nissan dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The part in NHTSA campaign 23V494 is the Vehicle Control Module, or VCM, on 2018-2023 Nissan Leaf vehicles. The VCM is the car's powertrain computer. It reads inputs from cruise control, the accelerator pedal, and drive-mode settings, then tells the electric motor how much torque to apply.
The problem is in the VCM programming logic. After cruise control, Intelligent Cruise Control, or ProPILOT Assist is disengaged, a quick change from D to B, ECO mode, or e-Pedal On, combined with an accelerator press and release, can leave motor torque higher than the driver intended. Nissan's testing tied the condition to that specific sequence, and the repair is a VCM reprogramming.
There is no warning sign before failure. The driver does not get a dashboard alert or earlier symptom from the vehicle before the unintended acceleration condition occurs.
Who's affected?
Spans 6 model years, with vehicle speed control named as the component throughout.
| 2023 Nissan Leaf | Vehicle speed control |
|---|---|
| 2022 Nissan Leaf | Vehicle speed control |
| 2021 Nissan Leaf | Vehicle speed control |
| 2020 Nissan Leaf | Vehicle speed control |
| 2019 Nissan Leaf | Vehicle speed control |
| 2018 Nissan Leaf | Vehicle speed control |
| Units affected | 66,159 |
| 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?
Unintentional acceleration can increase the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before it happens, so stay alert for unexpected vehicle movement and schedule the VCM reprogramming soon. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2023 Nissan Leaf is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free VCM reprogramming that fixes the driving-mode change issue tied to unintentional acceleration.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V494 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the software update is complete. Avoid changing drive modes right after disengaging cruise control.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician reprograms the vehicle control module, or VCM, so the Leaf does not accelerate unintentionally after cruise control is disengaged and the driving mode is changed. The software update and labor are free under recall 23V494. If you paid for this same repair before the owner notification, Nissan's reimbursement statement covers the cost of obtaining that pre-notice remedy. Bring the related repair paperwork to the service desk so the dealer can explain the claim process.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 17, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 18, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| July 18, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 30, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 30, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V494?
Recall 23V494 covers 66,159 2018-2023 Nissan Leaf vehicles with a vehicle-speed-control issue. After cruise control is disengaged, changing drive mode from D to B, turning e-Pedal on, or using ECO mode can lead to unintentional acceleration and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2018-2023 Nissan Leaf is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Leaf is included in recall 23V494. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the vehicle control module reprogramming. Reference recall number 23V494 or Nissan recall R23A6 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nissan dealers will reprogram the vehicle control module free of charge. Parts and labor are covered at any franchised Nissan dealer handling this recall.
Is it safe to drive my 2018-2023 Nissan Leaf before the recall repair?
Nissan has not issued a do-not-drive instruction for recall 23V494. The listed risk is unintentional acceleration after cruise control is disengaged and the driving mode is changed. If your VIN is included, ask a Nissan dealer whether it is safe to keep driving until the VCM reprogramming is completed.
What if I bought my Nissan Leaf used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If Nissan never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Leaf is included, then call a franchised Nissan dealer and reference recall 23V494 or Nissan recall R23A6.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V494000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-867-7669 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V494 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V494000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →