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 ↗2010 Nissan Pathfinder airbags problems
moderate Owners of the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Pathfinder | 10 |
| 2007 Pathfinder | 18 |
| 2008 Pathfinder | 36 |
| 2009 Pathfinder | 9 |
| 2010 Pathfinder (this page) | 10 |
| 2011 Pathfinder | 11 |
| 2012 Pathfinder | 3 |
| 2013 Pathfinder | 144 |
| 2014 Pathfinder | 77 |
When does it fail?
Of the 10 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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
Airbags accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 INFORMATION Changes or modifications to the front seat assembly trim materials may affect the proper operation of the Front Seat-Mounted Side-Impact Supplemental Air Bags and Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor and could result in serious personal injury or death. Nissan STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AGAINST making any change to seat trim materials from the factory equipped condition. This specifically applies to replacing the seat trim with non-factory materials; adding leather/cloth seat covers, seat pads, or seat storage pouches, etc. around or over the seat back and the passenger seat cushion. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: Squeal/Squeak noise from the front brakes: While moving forward or reverse, with very light brake application (pedal pressure), after the vehicle has been sitting, typically overnight ("cold" brakes), at speeds less than 10 MPH, while traveling straight or turning. ACTION: Replace the hardware on both front brake calipers with the kit listed in the Parts Information in this bulletin. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for each vehicle. IMPORTANT: Turn the ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery terminals, and wait at least 3 minutes before performing any service on the SRS. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2010 Pathfinders describe two major clusters of airbag failures. The first is illuminated warning lights—on the driver side, passenger side, or both—that stay lit or flash persistently, sometimes appearing immediately after recall service and other times occurring sporadically across a vehicle's life. One owner saw codes B1049 and B1054; dealers quoted $2,000 to replace the airbag module and spiral cable, or $1,700 for seat sensor work. A second owner had a new seat installed for the same passenger-side light issue and it remained lit, yet the same light worked correctly in other Pathfinders on the lot.
The second cluster involves the passenger occupant sensor malfunctioning—staying illuminated even when an adult occupies the seat, as if the seat were empty or held a small child. One owner at 5'11" and 135 pounds reported ten months of this behavior with no diagnostic codes showing.
A third failure type is unintended side curtain airbag deployment: one owner reported the side bag deploying on a bumpy road with no crash, while front airbags remained inactive. The manufacturer's specialist concluded the computer data showed a simulated rollover and the bag deployed as designed.
Dealers cited lack of recall parts, refused warranty coverage calling it a "standard repair not a safety issue," or said no recall applied. Spiral cable failure was also mentioned in one report linked to the Takata recall campaign.
Same Nissan Pathfinder airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2011 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Warning Light Illumination (Driver or Passenger Side)
Red or amber airbag warning indicator on dashboard illuminates and remains lit or flashes persistently. Occurs on driver side, passenger side, or both. Some owners report the light comes on spontaneously after recall service; others report it as a chronic issue that appears early in vehicle life or continues across multiple service attempts.
When: Various mileages: 73,000 to 200,000 miles reported. Some instances occur within four months after recall repair work.
Symptoms owners cite: Illuminated airbag warning light on dashboard; Flashing red airbag light; Light remains on continuously; Light appears sporadically with or without occupant
Repairs/costs cited: One owner quoted $2,000 to replace airbag module and spiral cable. Another owner quoted $1,700 for seat sensor replacement. Some dealers advised replacement of airbag module and spiral cable; one owner reported being told spiral cable had snapped.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata airbag recall 23V067000 (air bags) noted in one complaint; however, replacement parts were not yet available at time of report. One complaint mentions a separate unspecified recall repair performed (driver airbag cover replacement) but light issue persisted four months later. Manufacturer informed some owners the vehicle was not included in recalls and refused warranty coverage, citing it as 'standard repair not a safety issue.'
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensor Malfunction
Passenger airbag warning light stays illuminated as if no occupant is present or as if a small child is in the seat, despite an adult occupant meeting normal weight and height requirements. Persists even after new seat installation.
When: 10-11 months of continuous operation reported. One instance where issue appeared after seat replacement.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag light stays illuminated during adult occupancy; Light behaves as though seat is empty or occupied by small child; Light does not turn off properly after a couple of seconds as designed
Repairs/costs cited: Seat replacement performed ($45,000 SUV noted as investment); light remained illuminated after new seat installed. Testing showed light functioned properly in other 2010 and 2012 Pathfinders.
Unintended Side Curtain Airbag Deployment
Side curtain airbag deployed without warning while driving on a bumpy road. Front driver and passenger airbags did not deploy. Manufacturer specialist determined computer data simulated a possible rollover condition and the airbag deployed as designed.
When: Approximately 150,248 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain airbag deployed unexpectedly; No crash or rollover event occurred; Deployment triggered on bumpy road conditions; Front airbags did not deploy
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not repaired; manufacturer specialist indicated deployment was as designed based on computer data simulation.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer specialist diagnosed via computer data; concluded airbag deployed as designed in response to simulated rollover condition.
Spiral Cable Failure
Spiral cable reportedly snapped, leading to airbag system malfunction. One owner referenced this as the cause of driver airbag sensor constantly blinking and airbag not working.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Driver airbag sensor constantly blinking; Airbag will not work
Repairs/costs cited: Spiral cable replacement needed; was quoted as part of $2,000 repair estimate (airbag module and spiral cable).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mentioned in context of Takata airbag recall.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Passanger airbag light illuminates when an adult is in the passanger seat. Worried that it will not deploy if in an accident. T
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan pathfinder. When the vehicle was started, the air bag indicator illuminated and remained lit, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to peruzzi Nissan (215-943-6200, located at 165 Lincoln hwy, fairless hills, pa 19030) where it was stated that the failure was a known issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no…
On 01/20/25, I brought my vehicle to Nissan of Downtown L.A , to fix a manufacturer recall of drivers side airbag. The invoice indicates "Inspect Driver Bag Module and Replace Driver Air Bag Cover." "Upon Inspection Performed Recall, Inspect Driver Air Bag And Replace Driver Air Bag Cover And Check Found Vehicle OK." Approximately four months later, the red airbag light on my dashboard was…
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?
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 2010 Nissan Pathfinder?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 110,875 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2010/Nissan/Pathfinder.
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.