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 ↗2013 Nissan Rogue airbags problems
critical Owners of the 2013 Nissan Rogue have filed 76 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 70,000 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
76
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Rogue | 96 |
| 2010 Rogue | 36 |
| 2011 Rogue | 34 |
| 2012 Rogue | 34 |
| 2013 Rogue (this page) | 76 |
| 2014 Rogue | 65 |
| 2015 Rogue | 89 |
| 2016 Rogue | 54 |
| 2017 Rogue | 63 |
11crashes
2fires
8injuries
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 76 airbags complaints filed for the 2013 Nissan Rogue, 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
Owners have filed 76 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.
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.
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 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 document three broad categories of failure. First, unwanted deployments: airbags fired without collision during hard braking, when closing the passenger door at a stop, and in one Takata-related incident that caused the driver to lose control on the highway, resulting in severe injuries and a totaled vehicle. Second, deployment failures in actual crashes: multiple owners struck at significant speeds (35–60 mph) reported zero airbag activation, sustaining injuries that protection systems should have mitigated; one fatal accident involved no deployment despite severe impact. Third, chronic sensor and warning-light faults: passenger occupancy sensors fail to recognize seated adults or misfire with empty seats, driver-side warning lights flash constantly and return after reset, and repairs cycle endlessly without resolution. Owners report replacing spirals cables, control modules, sensors, wiring harnesses, and even entire seats—sometimes multiple times—with problems recurring within miles. Dealers admit diagnostic uncertainty and cannot pinpoint which part is actually faulty. Nissan denies warranty coverage in most cases, offered partial cost subsidy in only one, and issued no recall despite the same issues triggering recalls on 2014 and later model years. One complaint noted airbag repair parts are no longer available from the manufacturer.
Same Nissan Rogue airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Unwanted airbag deployment without impact
Airbags deployed suddenly during normal driving or braking with no collision. One incident involved abrupt deployment of driver, passenger, and curtain airbags during hard braking at 40 mph; another involved passenger side airbags deploying when door was closed from outside at a stop. A third narrative described airbags deploying several minutes after a crash impact. Takata-related deployment also caused loss of vehicle control and significant injuries.
When: 50,000 miles; during low-speed stops; minutes post-impact in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deployed without warning or collision impact; Deployment triggered by door closing; Delayed deployment (several minutes after impact); Loss of vehicle control following deployment; Burns and abrasions from airbag powder
Codes mentioned: Takata recall-related
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; one incident resulted in total loss; police and fire department responded; owner sustained severe head trauma, eye injury, burns; another owner suffered hand and thigh burns
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall noted in one complaint; no other manufacturer response documented in deployment cases
Passenger seat occupancy sensor malfunction—light stays on/flickers
Occupancy sensor fails to recognize when an adult is seated or incorrectly activates with empty seat. The sensor light illuminates or flickers intermittently, indicating the passenger airbag is 'off' even with passenger present, creating risk that airbag will not deploy in a crash. Issue occurs with passengers ranging 50–180 pounds. In cold weather, sensor may fail to detect adults or falsely detect non-adults in empty seat.
When: As early as 4,702 miles; ongoing through 134,000 miles; common across vehicle's lifespan
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light illuminated or flashing on and off; Light remains on even with adult passenger seated; Light indicates 'off' status inappropriately; Intermittent flashing lasting 10–15 minutes or continuous; Seatbelt warning light also stays on after passenger exits; False positives in cold weather (below 0°F)
Codes mentioned: B1018-00 (passenger seat occupation sensor failure)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers recommended replacing entire passenger seat at cost $2,600–$3,000; independent diagnosis confirmed sensor failure; multiple repeat repairs (fifth visit documented) did not resolve issue; repeated code clearing only temporary fix
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan informed owner vehicle out of warranty, no coverage; offered half-cost subsidy in one case; parts became unavailable; manufacturer stated VIN not included in recall despite similar issues in other model years
Driver-side airbag warning light flashing
Driver airbag warning indicator flashes continuously on dashboard, indicating a fault in the driver-side airbag system. Light returns after dealer reset, suggesting an electrical or component fault rather than a one-time code. Repairs involve replacing spiral cable (clock spring) and/or airbag control module, with dealers unable to pinpoint exact cause before parts replacement.
When: 90,003 miles to 202,878 miles; some at lower mileage (~47K, 50K miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light flashing continuously; Light returns after reset; Light may blink in pattern (1 long, 5 short blinks reported); No impact or accident preceding failure
Codes mentioned: Code stored for 'past airbag' (generic reference, exact code not specified in most)
Repairs/costs cited: Spiral cable replacement estimated $682 part cost; control board replacement estimated $1,020 part cost; multiple visits required (dealers uncertain which component actually faulty); one owner spent ~$8,000 total on various repairs over time; airbag module replacement unsuccessful in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan willing to cover partial repair cost in some cases; no recall issued for 2013 despite recalls on 2014 and later model years; one dealer procedure available but not effective across all cases
Airbags failed to deploy during collision
Front-impact or side-impact airbags did not deploy despite significant collision forces. Occurred in rear-end crash at 40 mph, front-left side crash at 35 mph, head-on collision at 55–60 mph, and left-turn crossing collision. Occupants sustained injuries that likely would have been mitigated by deployment. In one case with prior unreported accident history, frame damage was extensive despite minimal outer body damage.
When: Various mileage points; 115,000 miles in one case; unknown mileage in others
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment on frontal impact; No side airbag deployment on side impact; Curtain airbags did not deploy; Airbag warning light illuminated after crash; Seatbelt also failed to function properly in one case
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer could not locate problem despite diagnostic attempt; vehicle with frame damage deemed total loss; police reports filed in multiple cases; occupants sustained shoulder, leg, tailbone, back injuries, and one fatality reported; medical treatment required in multiple incidents
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed owner VIN not included in recall; dealer diagnostic inconclusive; no repair completed in most cases
Airbag sensor burned out / electrical fault
Airbag sensor or electrical component burned or failed, indicated by smoke from dashboard and airbag light flashing. One complaint noted airbag sensor failure; another documented smoke from front passenger dashboard area with airbag light illumination.
When: 75,000 miles (smoke/burn incident)
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from front passenger dashboard; Airbag light illuminated and flashing; Sensor burned out internally
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; repair status unknown
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware of failure
Airbag deployment slow or incomplete
Driver airbag deployed slowly after a significant impact and did not fully deploy until after the occupant had exited the vehicle. Side and seat airbags did not deploy at all in the same incident, though the driver airbag eventually expanded.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Driver airbag deployed slowly after impact; Airbag did not fully deploy until after exit from vehicle; Side and seat airbags completely failed to deploy; Vehicle struck with strong frontal/glancing blow
Repairs/costs cited: Owner notes other vehicle involved had airbags deploy fully; seatbelt mechanism also destroyed; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notes recalls on 2011–2012 models; no response from manufacturer documented
Airbag repair cycling and non-resolution
Multiple repairs and replacements fail to resolve airbag warning light or sensor issues. Owners report returning to dealer or shop repeatedly (5–6 visits) for the same problem, with temporary fixes via code reset that recur within miles or days. Components replaced include roof airbags, wiring harness, airbag modules, and sensors, yet warning lights return.
When: Ongoing over months to years; one example 160 miles after last repair
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light recurs after dealer reset; Multiple component replacements ineffective; Problem returns within days or short driving distance; Dealer unable to definitively diagnose root cause
Repairs/costs cited: Roof airbags replaced twice; wiring harness replaced twice; other airbags replaced; modules replaced; one owner spent ~$8,000 over ~2 years; one loaner vehicle from dealer exhibited identical problem; one owner brought vehicle to independent mechanic who also could not resolve
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented in cycling-repair narratives
Recall parts unavailable
Owner notified of NHTSA recall campaign 16V244000 for airbags but parts required to perform repair are unavailable, leaving vehicle unrepaired beyond reasonable time frame. Another complaint notes that sensor part is 'no longer available' from manufacturer.
When: Notification received; parts unavailable at time of complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notification received; Part supply depleted or discontinued; Repair cannot be completed
Codes mentioned: 16V244000
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle remained unrepaired; parts distribution issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Parts unavailable; manufacturer made aware of delay
Synthesized from 76 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan rogue. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact slammed on the brakes to avoid a crash. The driver's air bag, front passenger air bag, and curtain air bags abruptly deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to an unknown Nissan dealer for diagnostic testing. A police report was filed and the fire department was…
I was driving slowly in a 35 MPH speed limit area and my airbag light started flashing. After lots of research I found that the 2014 rogue has a recall for this issue, but not the 2013. I don't feel safe in my car and I have only had it for 4 months. The mileage on my car was about 90,000. This car has never had an accident and this needs to be a recall.
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Nissan Rogue?
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 2013 Nissan Rogue?
It's a serious issue. 76 complaints have been filed, including 11 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 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 33,000 and 93,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,000; a quarter make it past 93,000. 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/2013/Nissan/Rogue.
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.