Nissan P189A
The Parking Actuator Relay "A" plugs into connector E54 in the relay box. ACTION 1. Replace the Parking Actuator Relay “A” harness connector. IMPORTANT: The p
Quick answer
For certain 2019 Nissan LEAF vehicles, DTC P189A is covered by Nissan bulletin NTB19-054a when the vehicle will not shift out of Park, displays “When Parked Apply Parking Brake,” P189A is current and will not erase, and terminal 1 and/or 2 in relay-box connector E54 is loose. The bulletin action is to replace the Parking Actuator Relay “A” harness connector.
This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.
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1. What does P189A mean?
For certain 2019 Nissan LEAF vehicles, DTC P189A is covered by Nissan bulletin NTB19-054a when the vehicle will not shift out of Park, displays “When Parked Apply Parking Brake,” P189A is current and will not erase, and terminal 1 and/or 2 in relay-box connector E54 is loose. The bulletin action is to replace the Parking Actuator Relay “A” harness connector.
2. Technical explanation
Nissan identifies P189A in this bulletin as “Motor ‘A’ Circuit Low.” The Parking Actuator Relay “A” plugs into connector E54 in the relay box. Nissan’s published diagnostic confirmation requires the listed symptom, message, current non-erasable P189A, and looseness at terminal 1 and/or terminal 2 inside E54. The supplied verified evidence does not establish that every P189A has this cause.
3. What system is affected?
Parking Actuator Relay “A” harness connector E54 in the relay box.
4. How serious is this code?
Not yet established by verified evidence. The verified bulletin addresses a condition in which the vehicle will not shift out of Park.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- Vehicle will not shift out of Park (P).
- Instrument-panel message: “When Parked Apply Parking Brake.”
- DTC P189A is stored as current and will not erase.
6. Possible causes
- For the specific bulletin-confirmed condition, terminal 1 and/or terminal 2 inside connector E54 is loose.
- Not yet established by verified evidence whether other causes apply.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence. The bulletin’s confirmed condition states that the vehicle will not shift out of Park.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
9. What you can safely do
- Do not attempt to force the vehicle out of Park.
- Have a qualified Nissan service facility diagnose the condition using NTB19-054a criteria.
- If the vehicle cannot be shifted from Park, arrange appropriate assistance rather than attempting unverified repairs.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Confirm whether the vehicle is a 2019 Nissan LEAF within the bulletin’s applicable production range.
- Confirm whether the vehicle will not shift out of Park and displays “When Parked Apply Parking Brake.”
- Confirm whether P189A is current and will not erase.
- Have qualified service personnel inspect terminal 1 and terminal 2 inside connector E54 for looseness.
11. When to contact service
Contact a Nissan dealer or qualified Nissan EV service facility. Provide DTC P189A and reference Nissan bulletin NTB19-054a / NHTSA Manufacturer Communication MC-10168908-0001.
12. What the service center may check
- Verify the vehicle is a 2019 LEAF (ZE1) built before VIN 1N4(*)Z1CP(*)KC 317026 and August 13, 2019, as stated in the bulletin.
- Verify the no-shift-from-Park condition.
- Verify the instrument-panel message “When Parked Apply Parking Brake.”
- Verify P189A is current and cannot be erased.
- Inspect connector E54 terminals 1 and/or 2 for looseness.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- Nissan bulletin NTB19-054a directs replacement of the Parking Actuator Relay “A” harness connector when its specified confirmation criteria are met.
- Not yet established by verified evidence whether additional repairs are required.
14. Affected vehicles
- Nissan Leaf · 2019 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- Nissan NTB19-054a, published through NHTSA as Manufacturer Communication MC-10168908-0001 on November 6, 2019: “2019 LEAF; WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND ERROR MESSAGE DISPLAYED.”
16. Recall information
- Not yet established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Official source: NHTSA Manufacturer Communication MC-10168908-0001, Nissan bulletin NTB19-054a: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10168908-0001.pdf
19. Frequently asked questions
What does P189A mean in the verified Nissan bulletin?
The bulletin identifies P189A as “Motor ‘A’ Circuit Low.”
Which vehicle is covered by the supplied evidence?
The evidence applies to certain US-market 2019 Nissan LEAF (ZE1) vehicles built before VIN 1N4(*)Z1CP(*)KC 317026 and August 13, 2019.
What repair does Nissan specify?
When all bulletin confirmation criteria are met, Nissan specifies replacement of the Parking Actuator Relay “A” harness connector.
Is connector E54 always the cause of P189A?
No. The supplied evidence establishes connector E54 terminal looseness only for the bulletin’s specified confirmed condition.