Should I buy a 2007 Nissan Xterra with documented airbags problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented airbags issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2007 Nissan Xterra airbags problems

severe Owners of the 2007 Nissan Xterra have filed 24 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 150,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$1,100

airbags complaints on the Nissan Xterra, by model year
Model year	airbags complaints
2005 Xterra	17
2006 Xterra	18
2007 Xterra (this page)	24
2008 Xterra	21
2009 Xterra	5
2010 Xterra	10
2011 Xterra	9

2crashes

4injuries

When does it fail?

Of the 24 airbags complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Xterra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.

0-25k

0 (0%)

25-50k

0 (0%)

50-75k

0 (0%)

75-100k

0 (0%)

100-125k

0 (0%)

125-150k

0 (0%)

150k+

1 (100%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

Of the 8 model years of Nissan Xterra we track for airbags problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 24.

No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 08V690000 December 29, 2008

Nissan is recalling 242,720 my 2005-2009 pathfinder, frontier and xterra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia

This issue could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front air bags in a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front czs with a redesigned sensor. The recall began on january 26, 2009. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in their warranty booklet explaining the extended warranty coverage. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

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.

Service Campaign NTB23-081C Jul 2024

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 ↗

Service Bulletin REVISION 3_P7318 Jan 2018

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 ↗

Service Bulletin NTB17-070a Jan 2018

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 ↗

Service Bulletin REV1_P7318 Aug 2017

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 ↗

Service Bulletin P7318b Jun 2017

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 2007 Xterra airbag system shows multiple failure patterns across 24 complaints. Some owners report spontaneous curtain airbag deployment during normal off-road driving with no impact—one vehicle deployed both side curtains on a mud road with fewer than 7,500 miles. Several owners describe intermittent passenger-side airbag off-lights flickering on and off while a passenger sits in the seat, particularly those weighing 110–115 lbs; dealers and Nissan cannot explain the weight threshold being used. Sensor failures show up as blinking or constant airbag warning lights, sometimes appearing after recall repairs (campaigns 08V690000 and Takata) were supposedly completed. Most concerning are crash reports where airbags did not deploy: one rollover causing head and neck injury, one 45 mph rear-impact collision, and one 60 mph frontal crash with a guardrail—vehicles totaled with driver injuries sustained. One owner reports their repair was completed but the system still shows the recall open, blocking vehicle registration. Dealers and Nissan claim intermittent sensor behavior is normal, pass diagnostics without finding root cause, or deny coverage because of registration state or VIN exclusion from recall lists.

Same Nissan Xterra airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2010

Failure modes owners describe

Curtain airbags deploying without impact

Side curtain airbags deployed during routine off-road driving (mud/dirt) with no collision or hard impact. Vehicle had less than 7,500 miles.

When: Less than 7,500 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Curtain airbags deployed without impact; Deployed during slow-speed off-road driving on mud and dirt

Repairs/costs cited: Nissan indicated replacement of entire roof ceiling would be needed

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan initially denied warranty coverage citing an unrelated rock dent; later agreed to corporate analysis

Passenger seat airbag occupancy sensor malfunction—intermittent disengagement light

Passenger-side airbag off-light turns on and off intermittently while a seated passenger is present, regardless of speed or seating position. Occurs with passengers weighing 110–115 lbs. No consistent threshold communicated by manufacturer.

When: Early in ownership; can occur at any speed

Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag disengagement light comes on/off intermittently; No consistency in when light activates or deactivates; Occurs with lightweight passengers (100–130 lbs range)

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers report vehicle passes diagnostic tests; no repair performed

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealers claim this is design-intended behavior; Nissan corporate cannot specify weight threshold parameters

Airbag warning light illumination with sensor codes

Airbag warning light illuminated; diagnostic codes B1049 and B1054 generated. Part 4790453X10A required replacement. Affected by NHTSA Campaign 23E012000.

When: Approximately 110,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated

Codes mentioned: B1049, B1054

Repairs/costs cited: Part 4790453X10A needed but unavailable; vehicle returned without repair despite dealer payment

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 23E012000 (Air Bags); parts remain unavailable

Airbag non-deployment in crashes

Multiple crash events where airbags failed to deploy. One rollover (vehicle flipped 3 times) resulted in head and neck injury. One frontal collision at 45 mph with rear vehicle produced injuries. One frontal impact with guardrail and tree at 60 mph; driver struck steering wheel and windshield, vehicle totaled.

When: At mileage 151,000–200,000

Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during crashes; Vehicle rollovers and frontal collisions occurred without airbag activation

Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not repaired or diagnosed; one vehicle totaled

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 23E012000 referenced by one owner; no manufacturer contact in most cases

Airbag warning light post-recall repair

After recall repair under Campaign 08V690000 or Takata recall, airbag warning light remained blinking or illuminated. Light was not on before the recall work.

When: Post-repair; mileage ~167,000

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light blinking or constantly on after recall repair; Light was not present before repair

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer requested diagnostic fee; owner refused; vehicle returned unrepaired

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 08V690000 (Air Bags:Frontal); Takata recall mentioned

Passenger airbag will not arm for lightweight occupants

Passenger-side airbag sensor fails to turn on when lightweight occupants (110–115 lbs, height 5'3"–5'7") are seated. Sensor detects occupant as child and disables airbag.

When: Early in ownership; consistent across similar-weight passengers

Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag remains off/deactivated when lightweight passenger seated; Airbag off-light stays illuminated

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer inspection found system working as designed; no repair offered

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan manufacturing unable to specify weight threshold; dealer states 110 lbs is cutoff

Insufficient recall coverage for non-salt-belt states

Recall Campaign 08V690000 limited remedy to vehicles originally sold in salt-belt states. Vehicle owners in non-salt-belt states who travel into salt-belt areas can suffer identical failures but are denied recall coverage.

When: At unspecified mileage

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag system corrosion and failure possible regardless of vehicle registration state

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 08V690000 (Air Bags:Frontal); remedy limited by registration state

Recall completion not reflected in system

Recall repair completed at dealer (08/04/2025) but recall status in NHTSA and manufacturer system still shows incomplete, blocking DMV registration and vehicle inspection.

When: Post-repair, August 2025

Symptoms owners cite: Recall marked incomplete despite completed service; Prevents vehicle registration and brake/light inspection

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall repair performed but status not updated in system; customer service has not corrected record

VIN exclusion from recall despite reported defect

Vehicle VIN not included in recall Campaign 08V690000 despite owner reporting the exact failure described in the recall notice.

When: 31,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag system concern matching recall criteria

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 08V690000; manufacturer states VIN not included in recall scope

Front driver-side airbag sensor failure post-recall

Airbag warning light illuminated intermittently at high mileage. Independent mechanic diagnosed front driver-side airbag sensor failure. Vehicle had prior recall repair under Campaign 08V690000.

When: Approximately 115,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates intermittently while driving

Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosed by independent mechanic as sensor failure

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 08V690000 (Air Bags) performed previously

Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 1 most recent

airbags · 151,000 mi · filed 12/26/2017

Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Nissan xterra. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact attempted to merge into another lane and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The contact's vehicle was totaled and was towed away by the insurance company. The dealer and the…

Had airbags trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Nissan Xterra?

It's a meaningful issue. 24 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.

At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?

Across the 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 50,000 and 167,000 miles, with the median around 150,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 167,000. 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?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

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/2007/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.