Side airbags did not deploy during a 45-35mph left turn collision to drivers fender, door, rear door and the auto brake engaged impeding the vehicle to clear the lane. Not positive but the body shop said the seat belt did not engage properly? Injuries sustained to driver was loss of consciousness from head impact breaking door window, whiplash and broken right tibial plateau fracture. Still suffering side effects from severe concussion and fracture
Nissan Pathfinder no deployment problems
66 of the 7,336 owner complaints about the Nissan Pathfinder describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 66
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,000
- typical mileage
- 58,473
Is there a fix? There are 12 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Airbag light 6Collision warning 2Brake failure 2Tire blowout 1Sudden acceleration 1Pulling 1Steering lock-up 1Stalling 1
What owners say
I was involved in a collision, and despite the force of the impact, the vehicle's airbags failed to deploy.Following the accident, the main dashboard SRS airbag indicator light began flashing. Additionally, the passenger airbag light indicates that the passenger airbag remains "OFF" even when an adult is properly seated in the front passenger seat.
I was involved in a multi-car accident on Oct. 7, 2025. During the accident, I slammed on my brakes because the car in front of me was slamming on its brakes. The car behind me pummeled into my Pathfinder, sending me careening into the car in front of me. There was a huge impact on both ends of my vehicle. My face crashed into the steering wheel. The airbags did not deploy. My nose gushed blood for about 1 hour. I have included photos of my swollen and bruised face to show the after effects of the wreck day of and the next day.
The contact owned a 2025 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the ABS warning light had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the ABS system needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact believed that the ABS system was not calibrated due to the ABS warning light re-illuminated. On another occasion, the contact stated that while driving approximately 70 - 75 MPH, a vehicle in the middle lane switched to the last left lane, and the contact maneuvered the vehicle to the middle lane due to the collision avoidance alarm activating. The tires spun out of control, and the front brakes failed and locked. The vehicle skidded and crashed head-on into a semi truck. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.Â
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while the wife was driving approximately 60 MPH and attempting the stop, the braking system malfunctioned and the vehicle did not stop or reduce speed while the brake pedal was being pressed causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the collision avoidance system did not activate and the air bag did not deploy. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 38,600.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. Due to the failure, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle at a low rate of speed. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. Due to the snowy weather, the contact was advised by the police that both drivers pull off to the nearest exit and exchange information. A Police report was not filed. No medical assistance was required; however, the contact did sustain mental trauma due to the sudden failure. After the contact exchanged information with the other driver, the failure occurred two more time before she reached her destination. The contact stated that the low battery warning light appeared on the instrument panel after the second failure and the traction control warning light appeared after the third failure. The contact attempted to reach the manufacturer but was informed that she had called after business hours. The vehicle was taken to a body shop where it remained in their possession for an inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 52,700.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while in a parking lot and reversing with the accelerator pedal depressed, the contact crashed into a vehicle. The contact mentioned that the accelerator pedal felt stiff and there there was no warning alert of the crash. The vehicle that was crashed into was unoccupied. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries reported. The failure continued to occur intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
There was a vehicle at a complete stop doing an illegal left turn, the car behind him was able to swerve around him but I was not able to I hit the brakes twice all the way down and the car did not stop. At the impact the air bags did not deploy. There were not skid marks on the road either, making me believe that the brakes did not do its job. The vehicle is now at the shop waiting for my insurance adjuster to let me know what the next step is. I just spent $5,000 on the transmission just to have this issue arise, luckily my family and I were not seriously injured but it left my kids traumatized. No warnings were issued before the crash.
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving up a hill during icy road conditions at approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. As a result, the vehicle slid backwards down the hill and crashed into a brick mailbox. The catalytic converter warning light was illuminated prior to the failure however the part was on back order. The front air bags failed to deploy and the unknown air bag that did deploy trapped her in the vehicle causing it to need to be cut in order to release the contact. The failure had occurred on several occasion. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it remained pending an investigation from Nissan. The contact received the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V774000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Hybrid Propulsion System) back in 2021 however parts had not been available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that there was no remedy for the recall repair. The contact was concerned that it will take 3 months for Nissan to conclude their investigation with the vehicle failure and that in the meantime she was left with no transportation. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 nissan pathfinder. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH downhill when the vehicle began to roll downhill increasing in speed. The contact attempted to press the brake pedal however it failed to stop. The vehicle rolled over a nearby hill and crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was not filed. The contact received injuries to their back, neck, chest, and legs. The passenger received injuries to their neck and legs. Medical attention was needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (nissan of queens 93-25 rockaway blvd, ozone park, ny 11417; (718) 835-8300) and informed the contact that they were unable to identify the cause of failure. Then about 2 months after, while stopped at a stop sign they attempted to accelerate but the engine began to rev up without accelerating. The vehicle began to aggressively shake and all the exterior and interior lights began to illuminate. The contact had turned off the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to the dealer mentioned above where they were unable to identify the cause of the failure. The failure had occurred again and during the most recent failure the contact had to press the emergency brakes at the same time of the brake pedal to turn off the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed back to the dealer mentioned above. The vehicle was now included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 21v020000 (exterior lighting) however the vehicle had not been repaired under the recall as of yet. The manufacturer was made aware of all the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
- Risk
- An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD104, and PMA34.
Recall number 24V154000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Risk
- A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Recall number 23V067000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888‑737‑9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888‑810‑3715.
Recall number 20V008000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with Takata air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began on March, 31, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 17V068000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669, Infiniti customer service at 1‑888‑833‑3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020.
Recall number 16V244000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima and Pathfinder vehicles, 2013-2014 Nissan Sentra vehicles, 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles, 2014-2015 Infiniti QX60 vehicles and 2014 Infiniti QX60 Hybrid vehicles. The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
- Risk
- If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 15V681000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed the federal safety agency of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
Recall number 15V287000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2014 Pathfinders manufactured from July 25, 2013, to September 5, 2013 with Almond interiors only. The instrument panel tear seam on the passenger frontal air bag was incorrectly cut on the back side of the instrument panel which could cause the air bag to not deploy properly.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the improper air bag deployment may increase the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected instrument panel assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 13V456000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2013 Altima, LEAF, Pathfinder, Sentra, and Infiniti JX35 vehicles. Sensors within the passenger Occupant Detection System (ODS) may have been manufactured out of specification. This may cause the system to malfunction and permanently suppress the passenger airbag.
- Risk
- If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ODS sensors and replace them as neccessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 6, 2013. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 13V069000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling forty-six certain model year 2002 pathfinder and infiniti qx4 vehicles manufactured from august 24, 2001 through august 28, 2001. The air bag inflator contains propellant wafers that are required to properly deploy the front passenger air bag. Due to improper propellant wafer installation during the air bag inflator assembly process, some air bag inflators may be missing one of the wafers. As a result, the remaining wafers in the inflator used for the deployment of the front passenger air bag may, over time, break up into powder due to normal vibration experienced while driving. This causes the combustion rate of the propellant to increase inside the inflator, which can lead to internal pressure rising suddenly during air bag deployment.
- Risk
- The inflator housing may rupture and pieces of the inflator could strike and injure vehicle occupants.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify the owners of the forty-six affected vehicles. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag module assembly with a new one free of charge. The safety recall began on august 19, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261 and infiniti at 1‑800‑662‑6200.
Recall number 10V312000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Pathfinder no deployment
Which Nissan Pathfinder years have airbags did not deploy in a crash problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (5 complaints), 1999 (5 complaints) and 2014 (5 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix airbags did not deploy in a crash on the Nissan Pathfinder?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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