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Air bagsPart report

1997 Nissan Pathfinder Air bags Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
6%of 217 total for the year
Median mileage
62,615miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder, 6% of the 217 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,615 miles. 8 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.

“#1 airbag light flashing - car 7 years old- manual says check at 10 years -Nissan charged $80.00 to check- told me it would cost $750.00 to fix- I refused- light is off since they checked it- was told it will come back on-airbag is supposed to work while light is off -#2 also corrosion-support bar fell off -dangerous situation.”

NHTSA complaint #10139016, filed 2005-10

“In all efforts to contact the Nissan co. Noone was interested in hearing my complaint. They just said I wasn't educated in what makes an airbag work. With all do respect I feel like a head-on collission with a tree at approximately 55 miles per hour an airbag should deploy and if not they are not what safety regulators say they are.”

NHTSA complaint #747284, filed 2001-06

“Traveling 20-30mph, rear-ended the car in front of me. Damage to the interior of the car - side panel where the seat belt disappears into broke apart from the side frame causing me to come within 5 to 6 of the steering wheel and a bruise on the back of my left arm. I normally sit anywhere from 12 to 14 inches from the steering wheel. Damage to the exterior of the car - crushed radiator and bumper and grill assembly demolished; car was totaled. Air bags did not deploy upon impact.”

NHTSA complaint #10079008, filed 2004-06

“This was a multicar accident involving the Pathfinder driven by my son. The Pathfinder was stopped behind another car (a prius) at a traffic light when the Pathfinder was rear-ended by a SUV at full speed (no attempt to brake). The shock from behind was so violent that the Pathfinder hit the prius, causing serious damage to the front of the Pathfinder (bumper, grill, engine hood, radiator, etc.) and the rear of the prius. The insurance declared the Pathfinder a total loss. Despite major damage to the back and front of the Pathfinder, none of the air bags deployed! …”

NHTSA complaint #10441115, filed 2011-12

“Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision on driver'sside at approximately 25-30 MPH. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time.”

NHTSA complaint #883826, filed 2001-03

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202617%
202524%
202422%
202322%
202254%
202012%
201945%
201845%
201774%
20161817%
20155517%
20149216%
201317720%
2012417%
20111227%
20101128%
20091130%
20084113%
2007234%
2006142%
2005222%
20041116%
20031413%
200296%
200194%
200044%
19991111%
1998107%
1997136%
1996117%
199511%
199411%

Other parts of the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder

Suspension
105 complaints
Steering
26 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
19 complaints
Engine cooling
17 complaints
Body and structure
17 complaints
Tires
16 complaints
Vehicle speed control
16 complaints
Brakes
15 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints
Electrical system
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1997 Nissan Pathfinder

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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