VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN ID #: PC945 and PC948 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2005-2013 Frontier (D40) 2005-2012 Pathfinder (R51) 2005-2013 Xterra (N50) Check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History to confirm campaign eligibility. INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary safety recall campaign on certain specific model year 2005-2012 Pathfinder, and 2005-2013 Frontier and Xterra vehicles to inspect and, if necessary, replace the Driver Air Bag Cover. This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts or labor. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Nissan has assigned identification
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Nissan Xterra airbags problems
critical 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
13injuries
1fatality
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Nissan Xterra in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE January 5, 2018 The announcement from October 6, 2017 has been revised: - Dealers may now use revised TSB NTB17-070 to resume repair of 2004-2006 model year vehicles. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2004-2011 TITAN, AND 2005-2011 FRONTIER AND XTERRA; AIR BAG DIAGNOSIS SENSOR UNIT This bulletin has been amended. The reprogramming procedure has been revised. No other changes have been made. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign Temporary suspension of this campaign on all affected 2004-2006 model year vehicles. Nissan is aware of reprogramming concerns on 2004-2006 models subject to P7318 Air Bag Control Unit Reprogramming and is working diligently with the supplier to provide a solution. In the interim, Nissan recommends dealers suspend reprogramming activity on all 2004-2006 models until a software remedy is available. These models will continue to be identified in Service Comm and DBS National Service History with an open P7318 campaign. Nissan will provide an update as soon as revised software is available. Please discard previous versions of this bullet
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is committed to customer satisfaction. Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) in 2004-2014 Titan, 2005-2014 Frontier, and 2005-2014 Xterra vehicles. The current ACU rollover-sensing calibration logic could allow for unintended curtain air bag deployment in rare instances occurring under certain unique driving scenarios, usually involving unpaved roads or off-road where one side of the vehicle is higher than the other. The ACU reprogramming will improve rollover-sensing calibration to address certain unique driving scenarios, and help prevent unin
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 18 complaints describe multiple distinct airbag failures in the 2006 Nissan Xterra:
Unwanted deployment occurs on unpaved roads without collision or rollover—two owners reported side curtain airbags firing on rough terrain (dirt/bumpy roads) at low speed, causing bruising and injury to occupants.
Failure to deploy in significant crashes happens across several narratives: a vehicle rolled multiple times at 65 mph with no deployment; a rollover from a 10 mph impact saw no airbag activation and seat belt unfastened; a head-on collision at 40 mph caused no deployment despite severe front-end damage; one frontal impact at low speed resulted in no deployment. Fire department and body shop personnel noted deployment should have occurred in these incidents.
Warning light issues are widespread: intermittent illumination of the airbag warning light (mileage 69,995–145,000), continuous illumination without diagnosis, and instances where dealers cannot diagnose the cause because airbag types are no longer produced.
Sensor and occupant detection problems include the passenger airbag indicator staying illuminated when a person under 100 pounds sits there, even though dealers say it's operating as designed. One case involved a leaking airbag deactivator sensor in the passenger seat that released caustic fluid, corroding interior metals and causing throat/throat burning and headaches in occupants.
Takata recall complications arise when dealers refuse to process recall work until unrelated seat belt repairs are paid for ($500), or when VINs don't match recall campaigns.
Parts unavailability delays recall completion—owners notified of NHTSA Campaign 23E012000 cannot complete repairs because components remain unavailable.
Same Nissan Xterra airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Unwanted side curtain airbag deployment on unpaved terrain
Side impact/rollover air curtain airbags fire on rough, bumpy dirt roads without collision, impact, or rollover conditions present. Occupants suffer injuries from the unexpected deployment.
When: 12,000 miles; during off-road driving on dirt roads
Symptoms owners cite: Both side impact airbags deployed while driving on rough dirt road; No accident or collision occurred; Vehicle was not sideways or rolled over; Occupant beaten up and sore for days after deployment
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer claimed airbags 'worked properly' and performed replacement 'out of good will' after 30-day delay; owner requested disconnection or recall instead
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan stated sensors detected rollover; repair completed as warranty claim after dispute over coverage
Failure to deploy in significant vehicle crashes
Airbags do not deploy in multiple documented crashes including rollovers, head-on collisions, and side-impact rollovers. Severity of damage and crash dynamics suggest deployment should have occurred.
When: 90,000 miles (rollover); 7,500 miles (head-on); 10 mph side-impact rollover; 40 mph head-on
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolled over several times; front driver side seat belt unfastened without warning; No airbag deployment despite rollover; Head-on collision at 40 mph; neither driver nor passenger airbag deployed; Severe front-end damage but no deployment; Fire department stated airbags should have deployed given impact severity; Body shop stated airbags should have deployed given damage extent
Repairs/costs cited: One vehicle towed to body shop (not diagnosed/repaired); one head-on collision vehicle had severe front-end damage; manufacturer provided no assistance in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified in some cases; in one case, VIN not included in NHTSA Campaign 08V690000 despite airbag warning light illumination
Airbag warning light illumination without serviceable diagnosis or recall applicability
Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or continuously. Dealers cannot diagnose root cause or state airbag types are no longer produced. Owner VINs often excluded from applicable recalls despite illuminated warning light.
When: 82,000–145,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side airbag warning light illuminated; Airbag warning light flashing intermittently on dash; Airbag light remains illuminated; Abnormal sound from front passenger side airbag
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer charged $124 for diagnostic but made no repair attempt; dealers stated airbag types no longer produced and vehicle could not be repaired; one dealer did not inspect vehicle
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall (Campaign 08V690000) referenced but owner VINs excluded from campaign; manufacturer claims vehicle too old to help; one dealer refused to process recall until seat belt replacement paid ($500)
Passenger occupant detection sensor malfunction
Passenger airbag indicator remains illuminated even when an occupant weighing 100 pounds or less is seated in the passenger seat. Dealer confirms this is by design.
When: 12,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag indicator illuminated when passenger (under 100 pounds) is seated; Indicator not deactivated for persons weighing less than 100 pounds
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; dealer stated airbag operating as designed and informed owner of weight requirements
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated no repair needed; design intention confirmed
Leaking passenger seat airbag deactivator sensor releasing caustic fluid
Passenger side occupant detection sensor leaks fluid into the vehicle interior, causing corrosion of all interior metal and health effects in exposed occupants. Fluid composition unknown to dealer and manufacturer.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Burning sensation in throat, nose, and eyes; Coins in car turned green (chemical corrosion); Severe corrosion and rusting of all metal inside car; Ongoing throat burning and headaches in people exposed to leaked fluid/gas
Repairs/costs cited: Seat removed from vehicle; local dealership unable to identify fluid contents; repair shop unable to determine substance or repair damage; insurance company deemed vehicle a total loss
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan America contact identified but no response provided on fluid contents or remediation; insurance company unable to obtain answer from Nissan after 2 weeks
Parts unavailability delaying recall completion
Owners receive recall notification (NHTSA Campaign 23E012000) but cannot complete recall work because required parts are not yet available from manufacturer. Delay exceeds reasonable timeframe.
When: Unknown—post-recall notification issuance
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received (Campaign 23E012000) but parts unavailable; Dealer confirms parts not yet available; Manufacturer confirms parts not yet available
Repairs/costs cited: No repair possible pending parts availability; owner had not experienced failure at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer confirmed parts unavailable; VIN tool confirms parts not available
Seat belt malfunction combined with airbag system failure
During airbag deployment or crash events, seat belts fail to lock or release inappropriately. One case involved both driver and passenger seat belts releasing during a collision in which airbags deployed.
When: Collision at 30 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Both driver and passenger seat belts released during collision; Seat belts did not lock during accident (driver side not locking in place as passenger side); Passenger arm broken and foreign object in eye from impact
Repairs/costs cited: Insurance company wanted to total vehicle; repairs not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Suspected Takata airbags; no recall found via VIN check; manufacturer contact refused assistance
Recall eligibility denial based on geographic salt-use policy
Manufacturer denies recall coverage for airbag crash sensor claiming road salt is not used in owner's state, despite owner's documented evidence that salt is being applied to roads where they work.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag crash sensor failure
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed; recall refused
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refused to honor recall, citing lack of road salt in Nevada; owner refuted this claim with documentation of salt application
Multiple electrical failures (airbag light, fuel gauge, tire pressure sensor) affecting instrumentation
Vehicle exhibits intermittent illumination of airbag warning light, erratic fuel gauge readings, and continuous tire pressure warning light despite correct tire pressures. Issues occur whether vehicle is stopped or driving.
When: Unknown mileage (140,000 miles for airbag light in separate complaint)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light flashing intermittently; Airbag light not registering passengers; Fuel gauge keeps going up and down (unable to read fuel level); Tire pressure sensor light on despite correct PSI
Repairs/costs cited: No repair note provided; vehicle remains in this condition
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Nissan Xterra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Nissan Xterra?
It's a serious issue. 18 complaints have been filed, including 5 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 21,000 and 133,420 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 133,420. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Nissan/Xterra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.