Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Nissan Frontier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the driver's side air bag suddenly deployed without an impact. As a result, the contact swerved into a drainage ditch, and the vehicle flipped completely over on its top. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported. The contact was transported by airlift to an area hospital and treated for several injuries, including a broken clavicle, a dislocated shoulder, three broken ribs, a fractured T10, and a shattered hip. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by insurance. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn was inoperable. The dealer was not made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 166,667. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. 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 failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,481. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V067000 (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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate. In addition, the vehicle started smoking. The contact stated that the front driver's side air bag warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where it was diagnosed by an independent mechanic that the radiator and the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,514.
On the 22nd of July 2016, my 2008 Nissan Frontier deployed both sides of its curtain airbags. I was traveling at roughly 3-5 MPH on freest road 618 outside of camp verde, arizona. The road had a slight inclin of maybe 1-2%, with slightly muddy ground due to it raining. My frontiers front left tire rolled onto a rounded rock no taller than 4-5 inches tall and slipped off of it to the left. The slipping off of the rock was when the curtain airbags deployed. I was in the drivers seat driving the vehicle and my little brother was in the passenger seat. My little brother suffered a rug burn like scrape on his neck where the bag impacted him. There are no signs of impact anywhere on the truck which was confirmed by a Nissan dealership service dept.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. The contact was driving 68 MPH and attempting to avoid a crash when she lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a barrier, and two additional vehicles. The contact mentioned that the air bags failed to fully deploy. A police report was filed of the incident and the contact sustained a fractured nose and a deep laceration to the head. The drivers of the two additional vehicles involved in the crash were also injured. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they would be sending an engineer to inspect the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 53,000.
Tl- contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier nissmo driver front passenger airbag and rear side curtain air bag deployed without impact, while driving 30 MPH. No injuries occurred at time. No warning lights illuminated before deployment. Vehicle was taken to chuck colvin Ford Nissan 1925 or-99w mcminnville,or [phone]. Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired the manufacturer was contacted they provided case 35786777 they offered to pay for half of the repairs. Failure mileage 13300. Ep
Ref recall 08V690000. Why would our truck not be part of this recall?. We live in an area which is surrounded by ocean so salt corrosion is common. I know several others that have similar issue not only frontiers. I understand the front crash sensor corrosion is common. Please do something about this before someone gets hurt due to airbags or deploying due to this common sensor issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Frontier. While starting the vehicle, the front passenger side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who stated that both the seat belt and the air bag seat cushion sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's 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.
Air bags › Frontal
Nissan is recalling 242,720 my 2005-2009 pathfinder, frontier and xterra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front czs with a redesigned sensor. The recall began on January 26, 2009. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years.
Airbag complaints in other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Nissan Frontier, 15% of the model year's 136 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Frontier airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 23V-067 (frontal, Feb 10, 2023); NHTSA recall 08V-690 (frontal, Dec 29, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Frontier airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 5 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.