On September 17, 2026, my 2018 Nissan was involved in a severe rear-end collision on a freeway. The vehicle sustained extensive damage and was declared a total loss. None of the airbags deployed. I am concerned that the airbag/SRS system may not have functioned as designed. After the collision, I observed exposed components in the severely damaged rear area. I cannot confirm whether these components were part of the airbag or crash sensor system. Immediately after the collision, I believe I may have briefly seen an airbag-related warning or message on the instrument panel. I was shaken after the crash and cannot confirm the exact message. I experienced back pain, mild dizziness, and a nosebleed following the collision and subsequently sought medical treatment. The crash was documented by the California Highway Patrol, and the vehicle was also inspected/documented for the insurance claim. The vehicle has not, to my knowledge, been inspected by Nissan specifically for the airbag/SRS issue. I am requesting an investigation into whether the airbag/SRS system functioned properly during this collision.
2018 Nissan Versa airbags problems
15 complaints (26% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 19,000. 9 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 15
- of this car's complaints
- 26%
- typical mileage
- 19,000
- crashes
- 9
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan Versa airbags problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Nissan Versa airbags
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.
EA21002
What 2018 Nissan Versa owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On September 17, 2026, my 2018 Nissan was involved in a severe rear-end collision on the freeway. The vehicle sustained extensive rear-end damage and was subsequently determined to be a total loss. None of the airbags deployed during the collision. Immediately after the crash, I believe I may have briefly seen an airbag-related warning or message on the instrument panel. However, I was extremely shaken at the time and cannot confirm the exact warning or wording that appeared. The rear of the vehicle was severely damaged. After the collision, I observed an exposed component in the damaged rear area that appeared to be associated with the vehicle's sensor or safety system, and this area had been directly impacted in the collision. I cannot independently confirm whether this component is an airbag/crash sensor. I am concerned about whether the airbag/SRS system functioned as designed during this collision. The vehicle damage has been documented with photographs, and the crash was documented by law enforcement. I am submitting this complaint so that the federal safety agency can evaluate whether the airbag/SRS system operated properly and whether there may be a safety-related defect.
Out of nowhere my airbag light start blinking, I ran the code and got a P2096 which apparently is not related to the airbag I took it to Firestone to get it checked out and they told me they cannot do anything about the airbag light I would have to go to my dealership for help with that. No one seems to know what to do.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that on various occasions, after driving from a stop signal, the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was provided with TSB’s that applied to the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact stated that she noticed the vehicle was returned with a flat tire and the instrument cluster was replaced without her knowledge. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.
While driving the car airbag icon appeared on dashboard blinking
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that she had collided with a deer that entered the roadway at 60 MPH. The airbags failed to deploy upon impact. The contact sustained sourness to her neck, back, and both shoulders but did not seek medical attention. The police were not called to the scene and a report was not filed. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic for repair. The dealer was notified of the failure and was promised a call back; the contact had yet to hear back from that dealer. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN number was not available.
I bought this new vehicle and I am the first owner. Two months ago, the airbag light is on and the system said the front passenger seat airbag is disabled even though my wife is siting on the front passenger seat. It seems that the airbag system cannot detect someone is siting on the passenger seat. I took this Nissan versa to the dealership in Columbia, MO (Joe Machens Nissan), and the staff told me that the sensor under front passenger seat doesn't work, which means the airbag will not work if accident happen. It's very dangerous. The staff also told me that this is not under warranty. When I brought this new vehicle, the contract said in the first 35000 miles, it's "bumper to bumper" warranty, which covers everything in the vehicle. Now my vehicle has only 34000 miles but they refused to follow the warranty. I has passed two months, no one contact me to solve this issue. My wife and I lived a anxiety-ridden life in the past two months. Considering the safety issue, I am going to repair it in Joe Machens Nissan at my own expense on 12/20/2021 because they refuse to cover it under warranty.
Turned on my car that day and air bag lights stay blinking all the time for driver and front passenger.
I was hit from the side. The collision was pretty bad, my car was totaled. It was the the front of the passengers seat. At the speed the crash happened, the force with which I was hit and the damage to the car I was unpleasantly surprised that the airbags did not deploy, they could have prevented injury. My car was in forward motion on a highway, I was hit by a turning car.
Airbag light light came on. Toke it to get checked the first time was told old codes came up but everything look good that if the light came back on I would have to take to a nissan dealership. One hour later light came on again. Took to a nissan dealership and was told it showed old codes and wires were crinkled. They fixed them and everything was fine for two weeks. Light came back on. Toke it back to them. They checked it again same old codes came up again and was told it was suggested by nissan that I needed airbag module but they didn't know if that would actually fix the problem but that was the first thing they had to do and it would cost a little over 1300 dollars. I don't feel I should fork out that kind of money for them to guess. Also know there is a recall on the airbags but was told not my car.
Questions about the 2018 Nissan Versa airbags
Does the 2018 Nissan Versa have airbags problems?
Owners have filed 15 complaints about the airbags of the 2018 Nissan Versa, 26% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2018 Nissan Versa airbags problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 19,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2018 Nissan Versa airbags?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Nissan Versa have bad airbags?
The Nissan Versa model years with the most airbags complaints are 2009 (180 complaints), 2008 (171 complaints) and 2012 (167 complaints).
Other 2018 Nissan Versa problems
Electrical 17Engine 14Transmission 10Brakes 6Acceleration 4Body 2Steering 2Visibility 2Wheels 2Driver assistance 1Fuel system 1Lights 1
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