Subject: Takata Completion Objectives for Q4 Nissan is continuing to ask its dealers to urgently help increase customer participation in the Takata recalls and to help it achieve 100% customer recall participation for the following vehicles: - 2007-11 Versa Sedan - 2007-12 Versa Hatchback - 2002-06 Sentra - 2002-04 Pathfinder - 2001-03 Maxima Nissan expects to upload the next refreshed owner list to DBS by the middle of February. At the time of monthly updates, we reassign owner lists based on dealer buy/sells. We anticipate having this automated within DBS by the end of the fiscal year. This is an extremely serious safety issue and Nissan is taking significant and unprecedented steps to inc
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Nissan Versa airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Nissan Versa have filed 119 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 74,500 miles 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 →
Failure mileage
Complaints
119
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 Versa | 138 |
| 2008 Versa | 160 |
| 2009 Versa | 171 |
| 2010 Versa (this page) | 119 |
| 2011 Versa | 141 |
| 2012 Versa | 149 |
| 2013 Versa | 21 |
| 2014 Versa | 37 |
9crashes
6injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 119 airbags complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan Versa, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 45% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 119 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
Dealer Engagement for Takata Awareness Nissan is committed to the safety and security of its customers and their passengers. As you are likely aware, Nissan has initiated multiple field actions to execute the Takata Airbag Recall in accordance with the schedule set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nissan has employed a variety of methods to reach affected customers to increase repair completion. However, your help is needed to raise awareness to remedy the approximately seven hundred thousand vehicles that remain unrepaired. This is a serious issue and we need everyone?s help to further increase recall awareness. Nissan is asking all dealers to provide their emp
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗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
The 2010 Nissan Versa airbag complaints center on Takata recall repairs that sparked a cascade of secondary failures. Owners describe the airbag warning light coming back on repeatedly—sometimes within days or weeks of service—even after clock spring replacement ($530–$600 out of pocket) or full airbag system work exceeding $1,000. Dealerships blame uncorrected sensor resets or discover additional faulty modules, but the fixes don't stick.
The underlying Takata inflator issue involved housing rupture risk from humidity exposure, with potential for metal fragment ejection. Replacement parts were unavailable for months to over a year—recall notices arrived in 2016–2017 but parts didn't ship until Spring 2018 or later, leaving owners driving flagged vehicles. Some reported passenger airbags deploying when the seat was empty or failing to deploy under impact; one crash resulted in undeployed airbags and occupant injuries.
Loaner vehicle and rental assistance were promised inconsistently and often rescinded. Owners were told not to use the passenger seat, crippling family transportation and carpools for weeks. Insurance complications and conflicting responsibility claims between dealers and manufacturer further stalled repairs. By the time fixes arrived, some owners had already paid thousands for interim work that required replacement again.
Same Nissan Versa airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light on intermittently or continuously after recall repair
After Takata airbag recall replacement, the airbag warning light illuminates repeatedly. Some owners report it comes on, gets cleared, then comes on again days or weeks later. Dealerships blame sensor reset failures or discover additional faulty modules requiring replacement, extending the cycle of repairs.
When: Post-recall (2018 onwards); can occur months or years after initial recall repair
Symptoms owners cite: airbag warning light illuminated on dashboard; warning light flashing intermittently; light reappears after being cleared by service
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement ($530–$600); full airbag control system replacement (over $1,000 total with diagnostics and labor); additional module replacement mentioned but costs not always specified; dealers sometimes claim codes were not reset properly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan case numbers assigned (e.g., 45372007); Nissan stated they cannot cover costs if mileage exceeds warranty limits; multiple recall campaigns referenced (16V349000, 17V449000, 18V044000)
Passenger airbag inflator malfunctions—deploys or does not deploy when expected
Passenger airbag fails to function correctly. Owners report the airbag deploys without warning when the seat is unoccupied, or fails to deploy when a passenger over 120 lbs is seated. This relates to Takata inflator issues where humidity exposure can degrade the inflator, causing rupture risk and metal fragment ejection.
When: Varies; some reported during normal highway driving, others during accidents; mileage ranges from 23,000 to 154,000
Symptoms owners cite: passenger airbag deploys when seat is empty; airbag fails to deploy during impact when occupied; airbag warning light illuminated; airbag disabled or failure warning indicator illuminated; unintended airbag deployment at highway speeds causing crash
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of Takata inflator with part from different manufacturer; one owner reported paying $1,481.68 out of pocket before recall parts became available; repair often deferred pending parts availability
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple recalls issued (16V349000, 17V449000, 18V401000, 20V008000) for Takata inflator housing rupture risk with potential for metal fragments causing serious injury or death; parts were on extended backorder (Spring 2018 estimated, then repeatedly delayed); no cost to owners once parts available, but long waits meant vehicles remained unrepaired
Takata recall parts availability delays spanning months to over a year
Owners received official recall notices but were unable to schedule repairs because replacement parts were not available. Dealers and manufacturer repeatedly cited part shortages, with estimated availability pushed back from late 2016 into 2018 and beyond. This created a prolonged period where owners were aware of a safety defect (potential rupture and metal fragment ejection) but unable to have it fixed.
When: 2016–2018 primarily; some delays extended further
Symptoms owners cite: recall notification received but no parts available; repeated calls to dealer/manufacturer yield only vague timelines (e.g., 'Spring 2018'); owners forced to continue driving vehicles flagged for rupture risk; no firm parts availability date provided by manufacturer
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 16V349000, NHTSA 17V449000, NHTSA 18V401000, NHTSA 20V008000
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair deferred indefinitely; some owners waited over 8 months; one owner parked vehicle until parts arrived; costs covered under recall once parts available, but owners bore the burden of being unable to repair a known safety defect
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan and Takata issued multiple recall notices warning of rupture and metal fragment hazard; manufacturer stated parts under study and not available until Spring 2018 or later; some dealers offered loaner vehicles (not consistently) or reimbursement for rentals (not guaranteed); manufacturer repeatedly cited part supply constraints and inability to confirm exact availability dates
Driver-side airbag inflator failure—non-deployment during crash or unintended deployment
Driver-side airbag fails to deploy during impact or deploys unexpectedly without collision. One owner reported airbag deployment at 40 mph with no impact, causing crash into tree and injury requiring medical attention. Another owner in a deer-impact crash reported both driver and passenger airbags failed to deploy.
When: Mileage varies widely (23,000 to 110,000+); one spontaneous deployment during normal highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: driver airbag does not deploy during impact; driver airbag deploys without warning or collision at highway speed; airbag warning light illuminated; driver/passengers sustained injuries requiring medical attention; vehicle destroyed in crash
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 17V449000
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles destroyed; no repair attempted; one owner paid $1,500–$1,600 for driver-side airbag replacement before recall parts were available, then was told the repaired part would need replacement again
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer ordered investigation; recall 17V449000 issued for driver-side inflator housing rupture risk; manufacturer inspector indicated no significant failure in one case; long delays in parts availability prevented timely repair
Airbag system control module or related electrical faults after clock spring/module replacement
Following Takata airbag recall repairs or attempted fixes for airbag warning light, owners report recurring electrical issues with the airbag control system. Dealers have replaced clock springs and modules, but the warning light continues to reappear, suggesting systemic issues with the airbag electronics or a pattern of defective replacement parts.
When: After recall repair or attempted fix; can recur months later
Symptoms owners cite: airbag warning light on after clock spring or module replacement; warning light disappears then reappears within days or weeks; steering wheel enclosure fails to close properly; horn becomes inoperable; check engine warning also illuminated in one case
Codes mentioned: NHTSA 17V449000, NHTSA 18V044000
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement ($530–$600); airbag control system replacement (over $1,000); additional module replacement; one owner has paid $1,600+ across multiple visits with no permanent fix as of last complaint date
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued case numbers; declined to cover costs citing mileage; recalled multiple times (17V449000, 18V044000); manufacturer case opened but resolution unclear
Inconvenience and hardship from extended unavailability of loaner vehicles or rental reimbursement
Owners were told not to use the passenger seat (or the entire vehicle) due to Takata recall safety warnings, creating transportation hardship. Dealerships and manufacturer inconsistently offered loaner vehicles or rental reimbursement, and when offered, often reneged or delayed. Some owners were left unable to transport families or maintain carpools for weeks or months.
When: During recall repair delays (2016–2018 primarily)
Symptoms owners cite: passenger seat unusable per recall notice; family or carpool unable to function normally; loaner vehicle promised then rescinded; rental reimbursement offered but never paid or guarantee withdrawn; insurance complications when switching to loaner (full coverage requirement); transportation disabled or severely limited for weeks
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid for out-of-pocket rentals while waiting for parts; reimbursement not guaranteed by manufacturer despite offers; some owners spent additional money on insurance upgrades to qualify for loaner vehicles
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan offered loaner vehicles inconsistently; some dealers claimed they had none available; manufacturer told owner it could not dictate dealer rental policies; one owner waited several weeks while Nissan and dealer 'bickered' over who would pay rental; final outcome was no rental provided; some owners offered loaner or rental reimbursement review but with no guarantee
Airbag warning light and associated failures post-recall in non-Takata airbag vehicles
One owner reported that their 2010 Versa had an airbag warning light requiring replacement, but Nissan rejected the recall repair because the airbags installed were not Takata brand. This suggests some 2010 Versas received non-Takata airbags originally, but the recall framework may have excluded them, leaving owners with non-covered failures.
When: Issue reported in November 2020; vehicle built during recall period but with non-Takata inflator
Symptoms owners cite: airbag warning light on continuously; airbag malfunction requiring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost not specified; owner was not eligible for recall coverage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan rejected recall repair because airbags were not Takata brand; implied that non-Takata airbags in same model year were not covered by Takata-specific recall
Synthesized from 119 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Takata recall parts are unavailable until spring of 2018
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Nissan versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v449000 (air bags); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called an unknown local dealer where it was confirmed that the parts were not available for…
Takata recall "driver airbag failure" how in the world should I continue to use my vehicle with this warning. Nissan is telling me that they are working on getting the parts to make this change. They are hoping to get the parts in spring 2018! This is ridiculous.
Takata recall
I have not received a recall for this issue, and local dealerships in florida and in georgia will not commit to replacement
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Nissan versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v449000 (air bags). The part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to downey Nissan (7321 firestone blvd, downey, ca 90241, phone: (888) 483-6228), but…
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v349000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. VIN tool confirms parts not…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Nissan versa. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 17v449000 (air bags) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notification in july of 2016. The dealer (freedom Nissan south burlington, 1095 shelburne rd, vt 05403 802-864-7400) stated that the parts were unavailable for the repair. The manufacturer…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 Nissan versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17v449000 (air bags) and 16v349000 (air bags). The parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mossy Nissan el cajon (1170 w main st, el cajon, ca) was contacted and confirmed that…
2010 Nissan versa. Consumer writes in regards to airbag safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the struts needed to be repaired before completing the recall. Also the dash panel had been broken in 3 pieces.*js
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Nissan Versa?
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 Versa?
It's a meaningful issue. 119 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 30 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 62,323 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 74,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 62,323; a quarter make it past 103,000. 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?
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/Versa.
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.