1998 Nissan Pathfinder Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 7%of 149 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,116miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Nissan Pathfinder, 7% of the 149 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,116 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.
“I know this happened a while ago, but I never knew of this web site. Or thought of filing a complaint. Driving at night, hit ice on the road - Pathfinder was totaled (I have pictures), lots of damage including personal injury to the person driving. Given extensive front end (and overall) damage - neither air bag deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10080986, filed 2004-07, 35,200 miles“On april 7, 2004, my son and I were invlolved in an accident where the vehicle rolled front to back and side to side landing in the upright position and the air bags never deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #10065949, filed 2004-04, 50,000 miles“The contact owned a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 30 MPH, the contact blacked out and crashed the vehicle. The contact sustained minor facial injuries due to the air bag deployment. The contact also sustained left eye injuries, which required ongoing medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an impound lot. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10679117, filed 2015-01, 114,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and there were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was able to be driven away from the scene. In addition, the power steering malfunctioned on several occasions. The contact stated that the steering wheel became very difficult to steer left or right. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the crash or the power steering failure. The failure mileage was 176,548.”
NHTSA complaint #10983055, filed 2017-05, 176,548 miles“The contact owned a 1998 Nissan Pathfinder. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned during a rainstorm, flipped over, and crashed into a median on the highway. Upon impact, the contact and her daughter struck the windshield and glass was inserted into the passenger's head. The air bags deployed partially, in a balloon-like fashion, and the powder from the air bag entered the vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact was temporarily blinded and suffered neck pain from the impact of the windshield. Medical attention was required for both occupants. …”
NHTSA complaint #11016265, filed 2017-08, 3,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192513Jan 16, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION Changes or modifications to the front seat assembly trim materials may affect the proper operation of the Front Seat-Mounted Side-Impact Supplemental Air Bags…
- 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 1998 Nissan Pathfinder
47 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsTires
9 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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