2009 Nissan Versa Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  816%
• 25k–50k
  714%
• 50k–75k
  48%
• 75k–100k
  1020%
• 100k–150k
  1734%
• 150k+
  48%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 3 MPH, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed. The contact was left with a bruised face and a nosebleed from the air bag deployment. The contact used tissues to stop the nosebleed, but no medical attention was sought. The contact stated that after the failure, while starting the vehicle, the horn would activate unless the brake pedal was depressed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V349000 (Air Bags). The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver's and passenger's side air bag warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the driver's side air bag. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22E066000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 299,000.

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the driver's air bag module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was referred to a dealer and to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.

Airbag inflator recall was repaired but the airbag light on the dash did not go off or clear, further diagnostic tool showed airbag sensor was flashing and broken clock spring was listed on diagnostic sheet. Nissan dealership did not repair the airbag sensor or change or fix clock spring therefore still being a safety hazard during deployment, which can lead to metal fragments breaking and bursting thru causing possible threat by shooting metal fragments to car occupants. Nissan airbag recalled the inflator for the specific reason of repairing it completely free of possible injury from metal fragments breaking during deployment and Nissan did not repair it. The recall states dealership is not to release vehicle until successful inspection. It is not repaired and still poses the same threat the recall states. It's now reported as fixed to manufacture, stating zero recalls. …

I am reporting a severe safety hazard and manufacturer database error involving the Takata driver airbag recall on a 2009 Nissan Versa (VIN: [redacted]). The manufacturer's recall database falsely reports that the driver's airbag recall has been completed, showing zero open recalls for this vehicle. However, a physical inspection of the steering wheel assembly reveals that the original, defective Takata airbag module was never replaced. The physical module currently installed carries part identifier YTYAA270098 and specification code BAM PT1-1085 HERST:2010. The module was physically present but entirely un-hooked and disconnected from the system. The manufacturer's records are incorrect. They indicate a completed remedy while leaving a lethal, shrapnel-producing defective Takata inflator inside the vehicle. …

Indicator light appeared week of March 19, 2023. Took vehicle to the dealership March 24, 2023, and after a $225 diagnostic was told, "90626 FOUND DTC B1054. CUSTOMER NEEDS AIRBAG AND THE MODULE" (from invoice). Parts need to be ordered and will cost ~$1,000 less the diagnostic. Concerned about how a safety feature no longer functioning properly and needing replacement is the responsibility of the customer for an amount of this size.

Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact struck a coyote. The driver's side air bag in the steering wheel and passenger side air bag deployed with force. A white cloudy substance emitted into the vehicle impacting the driver's and the contact's vision. The driver was not injured. The contact (front passenger) sustained injuries to the left arm, hands, and nerve damages due to the force and was unable to determine if metal fragments emitted into the vehicle as well. The vehicle was towed to a yard and then to a repair center, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. A police report was filed. An independent inspector indicated that they were unable to determine negligence. The vehicle was included, but the contact was not notified of NHTSA campaign numbers: 16V349000 (air bags) 17V449000 (air bags). …

Tl* the contact called on behalf of her daughter who was the driver. Contact is the owner of a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 65 MPH went air borne and struck an embankment wall on the passenger side the drivers side and the front driver side. The contact stated that the driver's front or side air bags failed to deploy however, the passenger side air bags deployed. The contact's daughter suffered a concussion and was transported by ambulance to the hospital. A police report was filed with case number: [redacted]. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and deemed a total loss. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000. Consumer did see the recall and had it fixed at Nissan north. …

Tl* the contact owned a 2009 Nissan Versa. While driving 36 MPH, the contact drove over an embankment, into a field, and struck a tree. The driver side air bag deployed too slowly, exploded, and propelled metal shrapnel into the cabin. The front passenger side air bag did not deploy; however, the air bag in the passenger door deployed normally. The contact sustained injuries to the chest and arms, which required medical attention. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and the insurance deemed it destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The VIN was included in an air bag recall for the passenger side air bags, but the NHTSA campaign number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. While driving, the contact saw a small animal run in front of the vehicle. The contact swerved out the way to avoid the animal, which resulted in the vehicle crashing into a tree. The dual frontal air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard. There was one injury that required medical attention. The contact sustained skin abrasions on the chest and arm areas. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16V349000 (air bags). The contact believed that metal shrapnel had come out the driver's side air bag and struck her because she was not wearing a jacket. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not provided.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Versa years