2010 Nissan Pathfinder Airbags Problems
10 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Airbags Recalls (1)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Fix: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Owner Complaints (10)
Your Nissan had a manufacturer recall for the driver's side airbag that was serviced in January 2025, but four months later your airbag warning light started flashing. When you brought it back to the dealer in May 2025, diagnostic testing found error codes B1049 and B1054, and the dealer recommended replacing the airbag module and spiral cable for approximately $2,000. You're concerned that the airbag may not deploy properly in an accident, creating a serious safety risk.
Parts you may need:
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Your air bag warning light turned on when you started your vehicle and has stayed on. Your dealer confirmed your car is part of a safety recall (NHTSA Campaign 23V067000) for air bag issues, but the repair parts aren't available yet. The dealer hasn't been able to diagnose or fix the problem, and you're concerned the manufacturer is taking too long to provide the necessary parts.
Parts you may need:
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Your passenger airbag warning light turns on whenever an adult sits in the front passenger seat, which makes you worried the airbag won't deploy in a crash. This could indicate a problem with the airbag sensor or wiring that detects passenger weight. A technician will need to diagnose the airbag system to determine why the sensor isn't recognizing the passenger properly and ensure the airbag will work correctly.
Parts you may need:
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Your airbag warning light stays on when you start your car, which is a safety concern because it means the airbag system may not work properly in a crash. The dealership confirmed this is a known issue and said Nissan is aware of it but has not issued a recall and won't fix it. The fix would likely involve diagnosing the airbag system's electrical components and replacing any faulty sensors or wiring.
Parts you may need:
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While driving on a bumpy road, your side curtain airbag deployed unexpectedly even though there was no crash or rollover. The manufacturer's inspector found that the airbag sensor may have misinterpreted the road conditions as a potential rollover and triggered the deployment as designed. The front airbags did not deploy, and your seat belt worked normally. A technician will need to inspect and likely recalibrate or replace the airbag sensor system to prevent false deployments.
Parts you may need:
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Your dashboard warning light came on indicating that the airbag system was disabled. A Nissan dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty sensor in the driver's seat, which triggered the warning light. The dealer determined this is not covered under warranty and quoted $1,700 to repair it. The repair would involve replacing the defective seat sensor to restore proper airbag function.
Parts you may need:
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TL* THE CONTACT WAS CALLING ON BEHALF OF THE OWNER OF A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KELLY NISSAN OF BEVERLY (420 CABOT STREET, BEVERLY, MA 01915; 978-922-1405). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *BF UPDATED 8/6/18*JB
TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL:FRONT DRIVERS AIRBAG SENSOR CONSTANTLY BLINKING. AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK. TOLD SPIRAL CABLE SNAPPED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY WITH OR WITHOUT AN OCCUPANT ON THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AS IF I AM NOT IN THE SEAT INSTEAD OF GOING OUT LIKE IT'S SUPPOSED TO DO. IT IS ACTING AS IF A SMALL CHILD OR SMALL ADULT IS IN THE SEAT. I AM 5FT 11IN TALL AND WEIGH 135 LBS. THIS FAR EXCEEDS THE FDA DESIGN/MANUFACTURING QUALIFICATIONS. THE LIGHT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE LAST 10 TO ELEVEN MONTHS. I BOUGHT THE PATHFINDER NEW, IT HAS NEVER BEEN WRECKED. DEALERSHIP TESTED FOR A CODE AND NONE SHOWED. A NEW SEAT WAS INSTALLED TODAY, 5/25/2012 AND THE LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED AGAIN. TUESDAY, WE TESTED A DIFFERENT 2010 PATHFINDER ON THEIR LOT AND THE LIGHT DID NOT STAY ON. IT WENT OFF PROPERLY AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS. TODAY, WE TESTED ME IN A NEW 2012 PATHFINDER AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WORKED PROPERLY AS WELL. THIS IS A $45,000 SUV AND I PAY FOR MY AIRBAGS TO PROPERLY DEPLOY IF I AM EVER IN AN ACCIDENT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR