2013 Nissan Pathfinder Airbags Problems

Brought our 2013 Nissan Pathfinder to Naples Nissan because of a flashing airbag warning light and a Warning light that passenger airbag was not working . Dealer fixed other recalls and charged us $179 to tell us we needed 2 new OCS sensors for $1050. We provided copy of OCS sensor recall for 2013 pathfinder (PC216 13V -069. NYB13-035a) which states dealer is responsible to remove OCS sensors and check the lot codes for campaign eligibility . Dealer has ignored the request and simply repeated that the all outstanding recalls have been taken care of and we would need to pay $1050 to repair this important safety problem . Please help us ?

NHTSA ID

11698762

Incident

Nov 10, 2025

The front passenger air bag turned off when an adult or teen sits in the seat. The air bag has remained turned off. The warning light also started to flash periodically and now continuously flashes.

NHTSA ID

11579846

Incident

Mar 27, 2024

Hi, in 2018, Nissan replaced the passenger occupancy module as part of a recall. That module has now gone bad again (~5 years), and Nissan is charging its customers to replace. Maybe we are unlucky, but wondering if the repair with a faulty part is a pattern that is introducing risk and unnecessary cost to customers. Hoping the NHTSA can review data to determine whether this is a pattern or one-off. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11543885

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

While pushing the auto button to slid the passenger front seat to vacuum the floor carpet the airbag sensor broke off. This made the airbag system to be non operational on the front passerenger seat putting any passenger in danger with no airbags. Poor design of such an important safety system that just sliding the seat would break such an important part!

NHTSA ID

11489011

Incident

Sep 30, 2022

The air bag light indicating that the passenger air bag is disabled does not go off when someone sits in the passenger seat. This matches NHTSA Campaign Number 15V681000 from October 20, 2015 with the description Air Bag may not Detect Passenger in Seat. However, Nissan says that my VIN is not part of the recall. This makes no sense to me since my vehicle has this issue. I do not know exactly when this started as I don't often carry passengers. The date I put in was around the last time I took this vehicle in for what I believe was to address a recall issue. I'm also concerned that my vehicle could have the issue from April 26, 2016, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V244000, Passenger Air Bag may not Deploy due to OCS Error.

NHTSA ID

11480281

Incident

Mar 7, 2019

Passenger side airbag does not show as engage due to a faulty (OCS) sensor per inspection by Nissan dealership names #1 Cochran. This is a known problem covered under Nissan's recall PC216. This recall was performed on the vehicle in 2017. The sensor is faulty again. The fix that Nissan proposed is not a long term correction of the problem. Obviously, if the vehicle is involved in an accident with my wife in the passenger seat the airbag would not work due to a faulty sensor that registers no one being present in the passenger seat.

NHTSA ID

11476236

Incident

Jul 25, 2022

Passenger airbag sensor indicates seat is empty even though someone is sitting in it. Have not had it checked yet. Going this week.

NHTSA ID

11469942

Incident

May 29, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the front passenger’s side air bag and the "solid air bag #2" warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the air bag sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V069000 (Air Bags) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000. Consumer has not stated when the incident occured.*JB

NHTSA ID

11439206

Incident

May 7, 2021

Mileage

102,000 mi

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Pathfinder. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. He also stated that the OCS sensor failed to recognize an occupant seated in the passenger’s side seat, which would cause the air bag to become inoperable. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls on the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V681000 (Air Bags) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 149,989

NHTSA ID

11434855

Incident

Sep 26, 2021

Mileage

149,989 mi

passenger side airbag light is always on (passenger or not) indicating that the passenger side airbag is off. also, when there is no passenger in the seat, the red airbag light flashes. however, when there is a passenger in the seat, the red airbag light is not on.

NHTSA ID

11432758

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

I recently purchased a 2013 Pathfinder with 71,000 miles. My 2013 Pathfinder has a faulty OCS. The RED AIRBAG light is illuminated on the dashboard that will not go off. It also has the PASSENGER AIRBAG light illuminated whether a person is sitting in the passenger seat or not. This light does not go off when an adult is sitting in the seat. There is a recall on 2013 Pathfinders for this problem but my VIN is not showing a recall for this problem even though it has the same issue.

NHTSA ID

11432313

Incident

Aug 30, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LUPIENT NISSAN OF BROOKLYN PARK (7910 LAKELAND AVE N, BROOKLYN PARK, MN 55445, (763) 244-2650) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,671.

NHTSA ID

11403473

Incident

Mar 8, 2021

Mileage

215,671 mi

THE LIGHT INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS DISABLED CAME ON ONE DAY AND NEVER WENT OFF, INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS NEVER ENABLED, EVEN IF AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. FIRST TIME TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS ISSUE, THEY "CLEARED THE CODES" AND TOLD ME TO COME BACK IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE TO DEPART FROM THE DEALERSHIP. SECOND VISIT TO THE DEALERSHIP HAD ME REPLACE THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE/DIAGNOSIS UNIT (TO THE TUNE OF OVER $1,100 TOTAL PARTS/LABOR/TAX) BECAUSE THE LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF EVEN WHEN RESET, AND IT WAS NOT "THROWING ANY CODES." I WAS TOLD SOMETHING ELSE COULD STILL BE WRONG, BUT WITH THIS UNIT REPLACED, IT WOULD PROVIDE THE "CODES" FOR WHATEVER ELSE MAY REQUIRE REPAIR. HOWEVER, ONCE THIS PART WAS REPLACED, THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. DEALERSHIP THEN SAID THE "NEXT STEP" IS TO REPLACE 2 AIRBAG SENSORS AND ANOTHER RELATED UNIT (ANOTHER ~$600). IF THE LIGHT IS STILL ON AFTER THAT, THEY JUST KEEP GOING DOWN THE LIST OF AIRBAG SYSTEM PARTS TO REPLACE UNTIL THEY FINALLY FIX THE ISSUE. BASICALLY, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT'S REALLY WRONG, SO WE'LL JUST KEEP REPLACING PARTS THAT PROBABLY DON'T ACTUALLY NEED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL WE FINALLY REACH THE ONE THAT DOES. APPARENTLY, THIS IS HOW NISSAN REPAIRS THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEMS (WHICH A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH INDICATES THEY HAVE PLENTY OF ISSUES WITH). THE AIRBAG DIAGNOSIS UNIT CLEARLY DOESN'T ACTUALLY "DIAGNOSE" ANYTHING. MEANWHILE, I AM AT THEIR MERCY BECAUSE AN AIRBAG ISSUE IS CAUSE FOR STATE INSPECTION FAILURE AND IS OBVIOUSLY A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID

11376364

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

65,000 mi

THROUGH INTERNET SEARCH SOME 2013-2017 NISSAN PATHFINDERS PASSENGER AIRBAGS HAVE A RECALL ISSUED. AFTER CONTACTING NISSAN MOTOR CORP. IT WAS EXPLAINED RECALLS ARE VIN SPECIFIC. I REQUESTED AN EXPLANATION OF THE PROCESS NISSAN USES TO DETERMINE WHAT VIN APPLY, WHAT DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN, WHY WOULD THE DEALER NEED TO ANSWER THE WHY AND HOW'S NISSAN DETERMINES WHAT VIN APPLY. THE NISSAN REP IN SHORT EXPLAINED, HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS. THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. THIS MATTER SHOULD IN NO WAY REFLECT ON THE DEALER. NISSAN AS A THREE STEP REPAIR PLAN FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IF THE VIN WASN'T LISTED ON THE RECALL. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THE REPAIR CAN COST UP TO $2500.00-$3000.00. IT APPEARS THE AIRBAG ISSUE MUST HAVE BEEN MISSED ON MY VIN. BASED ON NISSAN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REPAIR BULLETIN IT CAN TAKE UP TO 3 TRIPS WITH THE COST INCREASING EACH TIME. IN MY OPINION, IF SOME 2013-2017 PATHFINDER PASSENGER AIRBAGS ARE RECALLED THERE MUST BE AN ISSUE. WITH THAT SAID, ANYONE WHO'S VIN WASN'T ORIGINALLY LISTED SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11361970

Incident

Sep 3, 2019

AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING PASSENGER SEAT WITH OR WITHOUT SOMEONE SITTING IN THE AREA.

NHTSA ID

11361751

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

HOOD FLUTTERS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADJUSTED UNDER SAFETY RECALL. NOT REPAIRED COMPLETELY BY DEALERSHIP. CVT TRANSMISSION JUDDER. HAS BEEN REPROGRAMMED BY DEALERSHIP, DID NOT REPAIR PROBLEM. BANDS NOW SLIPPING AND OUT OF MILEAGE WARRANTY. OCCUPANT SENSOR FOR AIRBAG PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BY DEALERSHIP. STILL DOES NOT WORK. REPLACED CUSHION. STILL NOT REPAIRED. DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO REPAIR. LIFTGATE SCRATCHES ROOF WHEN OPENING. DEALERSHIP SAID THE LIFTGATE HAS A CODE. BRANDON NISSAN IN BRANDON FLORIDA. WILL NOT REPAIR ANY OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11352480

Incident

Sep 1, 2020

Mileage

147,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO HIS COLLISION THE VEHICLE WOULD DISPLAY 'AIR BAGS DEPLOYED' MESSAGE AS WELL AS FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS OFF WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHEN OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WOODMEN NISSAN (6840 VINCENT DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80918) WHERE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSES WAS NOT KNOWN TO THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN TEXAS WHERE A SUB HARNESS AND OCCUPANT SEAT MODULE WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED IN DECEMBER OF 2019 WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, WHEN HE IMPACTED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AIR BAGS SEMI DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HE SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT SUSTAINED BACK AND LEG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF ISSUES HOWEVER, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.*DT*JB *DT *TR*DT*DT*DT *AS*JB MANUFACTURER STATES THAT AIR BAGS FUNCTIONED PROPERLY. THEY STATE THAT THEIR INSPECTION SHOWED THE FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIR BAG. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS SUPPRESSED DUE TO A DETECTED CHILD. *DL

NHTSA ID

11310653

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

97,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V244000, 13V069000 AND 15V681000 (AIR BAGS) AND 14V138000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS) AT NISSAN OF HUNTINGTON (850 E JERICHO TURNPIKE, HUNTINGTON STATION, NY 11746, (631) 533-4888). THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG MODULE CONTROL UNIT, BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE SENSORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE, WHICH WAS NEVER PERFORMED SATISFACTORILY. THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY TO REPAIR BOTH THE SENSOR AND MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 37582283. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11271638

Incident

Aug 20, 2013

THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE SRS LIGHT IS FLASHING ON THE DASH. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL NOT DETECT A PASSENGER WEIGHING OVER 150 LBS. THE PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL. IN MAY OF 2018, THE PROBLEM WAS TEMPORARILY FIXED BY REPLACING THE ACU DIAG UNIT, THE AIR BAG PRESS DETECTION MODULE ASSEMBLY, THE OCCUPANT SENSOR, AND THE AIR BAG PRESSURE DETECTION SENSOR. THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN JUST OVER A YEAR LATER. THIS PROBLEMS OCCURS IN ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS AT ALL TIMES. THE FLASHING LIGHT SUPPRESSES THE AIR BAG SYSTEM MEANING AN AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK AS IT SHOULD DURING AN ACCIDENT. THIS LEAVES MY FAMILY AND I AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH IF AN ACCIDENT WAS TO OCCUR. THE REOCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM TOOK PLACE ON AUGUST 13, 2009. THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM WAS ADDRESSED ON MAY, 9, 2018.

NHTSA ID

11267891

Incident

Aug 13, 2019

Mileage

55,034 mi

PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. BEEN REPAIRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. REMAINS ON AT STAND STILL AND MOVING.

NHTSA ID

11258765

Incident

Sep 27, 2019

Mileage

36,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONTINENTAL NISSAN (LOCATED AT 5750 SOUTH LA GRANGE ROAD, COUNTRYSIDE, IL 60525, (708) 613-8210) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,600.

NHTSA ID

11244491

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

Mileage

97,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HALL NISSAN VIRGINIA BEACH (3757 BONNEY RD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452, (877) 430-1752) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AIR BAG SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO CALL NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11243532

Incident

Jun 13, 2019

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL FAILURES SINCE MARCH OF 2017. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE PROPERLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHOOK VIOLENTLY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OCCUPANT DETECTION INDICATOR FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. FURTHERMORE, THE CONTACT REPORTED THAT THE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE RELATED SENSOR AND THE ABS WHEEL SENSOR FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE POWER WINDOWS INDEPENDENTLY ROLLED UP AND DOWN, THE BACK-UP CAMERA DISABLED AND ROTATED IN THE REVERSE POSITION, AND THE KEY FOB SENSOR INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO PERFORM AS INTENDED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. BAYTOWN NISSAN (5445 I-10, BAYTOWN, TEXAS 77521, (281) 394-1995) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 33384799. IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ID

11142908

Incident

Mar 20, 2017

Mileage

68,000 mi

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER IN MARCH OF 2013. WITHIN 6 MONTHS I NOTICED THERE WAS JERKING WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT BACK TO PRESTON NISSAN IN MARYLAND AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD RECEIVED A BULLETIN AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION AND IT HELPED A LITTLE BUT A FEW MONTHS LATER IT WAS DOING THE SAME THING. I TOOK IT BACK TO PRESTON NISSAN. THERE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY WOULD REPROGRAM IT AGAIN. IT DID NOT HELP. I COULD NOT AFFORD TO KEEP TAKING IT BACK, BECAUSE THEY CHARGE ME EVERY TIME TO KEEP TELLING ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. MY CAR BEGAN TO NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I WAS MAKING A TURN OR WHEN I WAS ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. WE TOOK IT BACK TO PRESTON AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD PUT A DEVICE IN TO MONITOR THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS REPROGRAMMED IT AGAIN. MY CAR CONTINUED TO JUDDER AND SHAKE AND FAIL TO ACCELERATE. THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FILED AND NISSAN EXTENDED THE WARRANTIES TO 84,000 MILES. MY CAR IS NOW AT 87,000 AND A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN IS NOW STATING THAT IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A COOLING FAN. NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE IS NOW TELLING ME THAT THEY WILL PAY 90% OF THE FAN AND ONLY 50% OF THE TRANSMISSION. I BOUGHT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THIS CAR. IT HAS BEEN ONE THING AFTER THE OTHER. DOOR LOCK MOTOR, VISOR, HOOD RELEASE, TRUNK LATCH, BRAKE LIGHTS REMAIN ON WHEN CAR IS OFF, AIRBAG INDICATOR...THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

NHTSA ID

11129159

Incident

Sep 12, 2018

Mileage

87,000 mi

OUR PATHFINDER HAS BEEN RECALLED TWICE FOR PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG MALFUNCTIONS. DESPITE HAVING BEEN "REPAIRED" ON BOTH OCCASIONS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. NISSAN IS NOW INFORMING US THAT THE ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, YET THEY MAINTAIN THAT THIS ISSUE IS UNRELATED TO THE PRIOR RECALLS AND AS SUCH, HAVE REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE VISORS ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES HAVE BROKEN AND ARE SAGGING, IMPAIRING VISION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IN RESEARCHING SOLUTIONS, WE HAVE DISCOVERED THAT BOTH ISSUES ARE COMMON COMPLAINTS FOR DRIVERS OF OUR SPECIFIC MODEL PATHFINDER, YET NISSAN SEEMS TO BE DOING NOTHING TO FIX THESE RECURRENT DEFECTS.

NHTSA ID

11115015

Incident

Jul 16, 2018

Mileage

70,000 mi