FaultScore

2005 Nissan Pathfinder airbag problems

23 of the 1,560 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder are about the airbag system — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 120,000 miles.

F

23

Complaints

4

Crashes

0

Fires

4

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 19 82.6%
Frontal 2 8.7%
Sensor/Control Module 1 4.3%
Inflator Module 1 4.3%

Airbags across every Nissan Pathfinder year

1996 11 2.0%
1997 13 2.4%
1998 10 1.8%
1999 12 2.2%
2003 14 2.5%
2004 11 2.0%
2005 23 4.2%
2006 15 2.7%
2007 23 4.2%
2008 41 7.4%
2009 11 2.0%
2010 11 2.0%
2011 12 2.2%
2013 178 32.3%
2014 93 16.9%
2015 55 10.0%
2016 18 3.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 175,000 miles Waterbury, CT

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed the front passenger’s side air bag was defective and needed to be replaced. The air bag was not replaced due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

NHTSA complaint #11570480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,000 miles Waterbury, CT

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed the front passenger’s side air bag was defective and needed to be replaced. The air bag was not replaced due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,000.

NHTSA complaint #11570480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Phoenix, AZ

AIR BAGS

The component that is malfunctioning is the emblem on the airbags. Nissan has known of this issue for a while. In the event of a crash, when the airbags deploy, the emblem will also explode with the airbags and send shrapnel from it flying towards the driver and nearby passengers. If the crash wouldn't kill the driver, then this issue could as it could hit the driver in a vital part. They are taking too long to fix this issue, as it is such a vital problem that can cost people their lives.

NHTSA complaint #11523319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Jacksonville, FL

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11516485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamilton, OH

AIR BAGS

Car stalled out and won't restart.

NHTSA complaint #11496519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rockbridge Baths, VA

AIR BAGS

Air Bag Front Impact Sensor has failed due to road salt. Not covered under recall because someone doesn't think Virginia uses road salt.

NHTSA complaint #11493008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 138,000 miles Wooster, OH

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CORROSION OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR IN THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A COPY OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS) AND INFORMED HIM TO CONTACT A DEALER. THE DEALER (WAIKEM AUTO FAMILY, 3708 LINCOLN WAY E, MASSILLON, OH 44646 (330) 478-0281) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT RECALLS WERE VIN SPECIFIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT WAS UNSURE IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 138,000. UPDATED 11/03/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING BOUGHT IN TO MECHANIC; SAID IT WAS FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SENSOR, SAID IT HAD A RECALL (NOT VIN SPECIFIC). UPDATED 7/16/18*JB

NHTSA complaint #11022621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 165,000 miles Monson, MA

AIR BAGS

MY VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD OVER THE WEEKEND AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY. I CONTACTED MY DEALER I PURCHASED FROM TO SEE IF A RECALL EXISTED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AFFECTED EVEN THOUGH OTHER PATHFINDERS DID RECEIVE A RECALL. I BELIEVE MINE SHOULD HAVE ONE AS WELL SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME AND MY FAMILY!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #11021519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148,000 miles NEW Boston, NH Crash

AIR BAGS

LAST WINTER (DEC 2016) MY AIRBAG SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON. IN MARCH 2017 I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, WHERE I HIT A GUARDRAIL HEAD ON AT 40-50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #11015590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 144,000 miles North Ogden, UT

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT 5 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE THIRD ROW SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA complaint #10904386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Petersburg, VA

AIR BAGS

WHEN DRIVING ABOUT 40 MOST SPEED LIMIT IT FELT AS IF I WAS DRIVING ON SAFETY STRIPS ON THE HIGHWAY LIKE STRUDDER.

NHTSA complaint #10882490 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA Crash 3 injured 1 killed

AIR BAGS

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER, VEHICLE ROLLED AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *BF ACCORDING TO THE COMPLAINT, THE DRIVER WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN HER DEATH. *JB UPDATED 12/04/17 *BF

NHTSA complaint #10860796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 117,000 miles Elgin, SC 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH CAUTION TO THE DESTINATION. THERE WAS ONE INJRY THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

NHTSA complaint #10838452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Elizabeth City, NC

AIR BAGS

RADIATOR LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALSO SOMETHING WENT WRONG AND NOW THEY SAY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SEAT THAT CAUSES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT TO WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10806761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Beaverton, OR Crash 3 injured

AIR BAGS

A CAR RAN INTO OUR LANE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF ME, TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR I TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT A BRICK BUILDING. MY AIR BAG DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER SIDE BUT NOT THE PASSENGER SIDE. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND SHE SUFFERED A CONCUSSION SHE HAD HER SEATBELT ON. HER FACE WAS BADLY BRUISED AND IS STILL RECEIVING CARE.....UPDATED 05-27-15 *BF UPDATED 9/17/2015

NHTSA complaint #10717555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,000 miles Gainesville, VA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ALONG WITH THE JERKING FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10716438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,874 miles Rockwell, NC

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO THE TITLE DEPARTMENT THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED MY NEWEST VEHICLE I'VE EVER OWNED I WAS HIT WITH THE SAD REALITY OF AN UNTRUE MAN SELLING ME HIS PROBLEM MY TRANSMISSION HAS ANTIFREEZE IN THE FLUID IT WILL DRIVE FINE UNTIL IT HEATS UP AND THE FLUID GETS TO THE TRANSMISSION IT IS NOT SAFE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL THEY NO IT'S A PROBLEM AND ALSO MY SEATBELT LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SEAT EVEN WHEN SOMEONE SIT IN THAT SEAT THE SENSOR DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10701282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 123,000 miles West Hills,, CA

AIR BAGS

THE SUPPLEMENTAL FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER 7SEC WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT STAYS OFF EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER OCCUPYING THE SEAT. WILL HAVE THIS CHECK OUT AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS YEAR MODEL INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10605684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Lawrenceville, GA

AIR BAGS

I HAVE CHANGED 2 CEPAIRATLOTAY COVERTER AT 8600 THEN 6 MOS LATER MY TARMISSIONS NEED TO BE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED

NHTSA complaint #10544812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Wellington, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I HIT THE REAR END OF A VEHICLE THAT WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED. MY AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. MY FOREHEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #10257389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Ramona, CA

AIR BAGS

OUR AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING SO WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY ORIGINALLY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG, RESET THE CODE AND SENT US ON OUR WAY (NOT WITHOUT TRYING TO CHARGE US $40 DIAGNOSTIC FEE). AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY TOLD US THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND WE'D HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT BACK AT THE TUNE OF OVER $1000. WE PURCHASED THE BEST WARRANTY PACKAGE YOU COULD GET AND IT COVERS EVERYTHING BUT THE AIRBAG SENSOR. WHY WOULD THEY SINGLE OUT THAT ONE THING TO NOT BE COVERED?

NHTSA complaint #10244206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Williamsville, NY

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER. HE STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHEN HE PLACED THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, IT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK, AND CHIPPED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. HE ALSO NOTICED SMOKED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A THIRD PARTY INVESTIGATOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. AS OF JULY 24, 2007, THE INVESTIGATOR HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THREE MONTHS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN AIRBAG SENSOR TEST, AND STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS CORRECT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10197329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100 miles Oregon, OR

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE

2005 NISSAN PATHFINDER LE. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE SEAT DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY DETECT THE PRESENCE OF MY WIFE WHO IS ~120 LBS. IT DOES INTERMITTENTLY DETECT HER AS WELL AS OUR 90 LBS DAUGHTER. WE CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. WE HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE AND HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE. NISSAN CORPORATE WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE WEIGHT SENSOR AND WILL NOT ADMIT THAT IT IS MALFUNCTIONING.

NHTSA complaint #10188284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2005 Nissan Pathfinder problems

← Full 2005 Nissan Pathfinder report