1996 Nissan Pathfinder Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 7%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder, 7% of the 159 complaints for this model year. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Consumer was driving on the highway, approximately 50-55 MPH on wet road conditions all of sudden the vehicle hydroplaned, resulting in rollover, and vehicle landed in the middle of the divider. Air bags failed to deploy properly, causing chemical to leak out and partly deflate them. Dealer/manufacturer notified and refused to accept responsibility, seeking help from NHTSA.”
NHTSA complaint #835336, filed 1999-02“Power steering had just been replaced, vehicle traveling at 40-50 MPH when loss of control (spinning) due to possible steering failure causing vehicle collision, no deployment of air bags during collision resulting in head injury. Mjs”
NHTSA complaint #545111, filed 1999-04“Vehicle involved in a collosion. Upon impact, the airbags deployed. Airbag chemicals burned the driver's face/neck and hands. Driver also received abrasions to the eye. Manufacturer will be notified.”
NHTSA complaint #826847, filed 1998-08“There were fumes coming from the truck caused driver and passenger to pass out, vehicle hit undderpass, no deployment of driver's and passsenger's air bags during accident, resultin gin injuries to both.”
NHTSA complaint #802007, filed 1996-10“While drivng 30-35 MPH consumer was involved in a left front and side accident in which thire was no deployment of driver's or passeger's side airbags. Cause unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #827460, filed 1998-09Related service bulletins
- 10192305Jan 27, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM)…
- 10025522Jan 27, 2014Nissan: srs precautions during service;improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation of the srs, can lead to a serious injury or death caused by…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 2 | 4% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2019 | 4 | 5% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 7 | 4% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 55 | 17% |
| 2014 | 92 | 16% |
| 2013 | 177 | 20% |
| 2012 | 4 | 17% |
| 2011 | 12 | 27% |
| 2010 | 11 | 28% |
| 2009 | 11 | 30% |
| 2008 | 41 | 13% |
| 2007 | 23 | 4% |
| 2006 | 14 | 2% |
| 2005 | 22 | 2% |
| 2004 | 11 | 16% |
| 2003 | 14 | 13% |
| 2002 | 9 | 6% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 4 | 4% |
| 1999 | 11 | 11% |
| 1998 | 10 | 7% |
| 1997 | 13 | 6% |
| 1996 | 11 | 7% |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% |
| 1994 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
64 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTires
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Nissan Pathfinder
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology