2013-2014 Nissan Leaf Electric Cars Recalled For Airbag Sensor Issue

Nissan is recalling 2013 and 2014 model-year Leaf electric cars to fix an airbag sensor software issue.

The recall will correct faulty software in approximately 29,165 Leafs that controls the front-passenger seat Occupant Classification System (OCS), which senses weight to determine if a person is sitting in the seat.

The OCS is used in the Leaf and most other production cars to prevent airbag deployment when the passenger seat is unoccupied, or when an underweight individual is sitting in it.

In the affected vehicles, the system may read the seat as empty even if it is occupied as an adult. If this happens, the passenger front airbag will be deactivated and will not deploy in a crash.

Nissan dealers will reprogram the OCS software free of charge. This is expected to begin in mid-April, but owners will be notified of the exact date.