Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Nissan Pathfinder owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
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 updated 9/17/2015
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 [phone]) 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 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!!!!
Related recalls
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 Pathfinder years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder, 2% of the model year's 1,050 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Pathfinder airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-690 (frontal, Dec 29, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Pathfinder airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 117,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries and 1 death 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.