# Nissan Pathfinder airbag warning light: complaints, recalls and what to do **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week - **Owner complaints:** 48 - **Most complaints:** 2015 (25) - **Related recalls:** 3 - **Verdict:** This week ## Quick answer NHTSA has 48 owner complaints about the airbag warning light on the Nissan Pathfinder (2015-2026 models), most for the **2015** model year (25). There are **3 recalls** for related parts; check yours by VIN. Drive to a shop this week: The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. ## Nissan Pathfinder airbag warning light complaints by model year | Model year | Complaints mentioning the airbag light | All complaints that year | Share | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2015 | 25 | 321 | 8% | | 2016 | 10 | 107 | 9% | | 2017 | 6 | 188 | 3% | | 2018 | 2 | 78 | 3% | | 2022 | 2 | 137 | 1% | | 2023 | 2 | 107 | 2% | | 2024 | 1 | 87 | 1% | Counts are complaints filed with NHTSA whose description mentions this light. They show where owners have had trouble, not a failure rate: popular years collect more complaints simply because more cars are on the road. ## Nissan Pathfinder recalls related to the airbag warning light **[24V154000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V154000)** (2024 models, reported 2024-02-27): An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. **Remedy:** Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. **[16V244000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=16V244000)** (2015-2016 models, reported 2016-04-26): If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury. **Remedy:** Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder,... **[15V681000](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=15V681000)** (2015 models, reported 2015-10-20): If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger. **Remedy:** Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will update the OCS software, free of charge. The recall began on November 30, 2015. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer. Enter your 17-character VIN at [nhtsa.gov/recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see whether yours is still open. ## What Nissan Pathfinder owners report - "- Electrical shorts in overhead console (lights, controls, airbags). - Driver distraction from water dripping near visor/windshield. This defect impairs safe operation and could affect others. Nissan must recall/fix under warranty. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C...." -- owner of a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2025 - "Airbag light just came on today 10/2/25 Electronic emissions control will turn on and off the same day every few months." -- owner of a 2022 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2025 - "While driving the airbag passenger light went on then off then the red airbag light on the dashboard started flashing and continues to flash." -- owner of a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder, complaint filed 2024 Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly cleaned for reading. They are owners' own accounts and have not been verified. ## What the airbag warning light means The airbag or SRS light means the airbag computer found a fault and may have turned off some or all airbags. The car drives normally, but you may not have airbag protection in a crash. Common causes include a loose connector under a seat, a worn clock spring in the steering wheel, and a seat belt buckle sensor. Have it diagnosed soon and check for open airbag recalls. The most common causes, on any make: 1. **Loose or damaged connector under a seat** (common) 2. **Worn clock spring in the steering wheel** (common) 3. **Passenger occupant sensor fault** (less common) 4. **Seat belt buckle or pretensioner fault** (less common) Full causes, what to do and how to reset it: [Airbag (SRS) warning light](/warning-lights/airbag). ## Frequently asked questions ### Is there a recall for the Nissan Pathfinder airbag light? Yes. NHTSA lists 3 related recalls (24V154000, 16V244000, 15V681000) covering 2015-2024 models. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is open. ### Which Nissan Pathfinder years have the most airbag light complaints? In NHTSA's database the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Pathfinder model years have the most complaints mentioning the airbag warning light, with 25 for 2015. Complaint counts reflect how many cars were sold as well as how often problems happen. ### Is it safe to drive a Nissan Pathfinder with the airbag light on? Drive to a shop this week. The car is mechanically safe to drive, but the airbags may not deploy in a crash, so get it diagnosed soon rather than ignoring it. Do not try to repair airbag parts yourself, because an accidental deployment can cause serious injury. ### How do I check if my Nissan Pathfinder has an open recall? Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask any Nissan dealer. Open recalls are fixed free of charge, even if you are not the first owner. ## Sources - [NHTSA: Vehicle safety complaints and recalls (api.nhtsa.gov)](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## Other Nissan Pathfinder warning lights - [ABS warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/abs/nissan-pathfinder): 14 complaints - [Brake warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/brake/nissan-pathfinder): 15 complaints - [Check engine light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/check-engine/nissan-pathfinder): 48 complaints - [Coolant temperature warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/coolant-temperature/nissan-pathfinder): 29 complaints - [Power steering warning light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/power-steering/nissan-pathfinder): 12 complaints - [Traction control light](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/traction-control/nissan-pathfinder): 23 complaints ## Airbag (SRS) warning light on other models - [Subaru Forester](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/subaru-forester): 280 complaints - [Nissan Altima](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-altima): 250 complaints - [Ford Explorer](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ford-explorer): 205 complaints - [Nissan Rogue](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-rogue): 163 complaints - [Honda Accord](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/honda-accord): 90 complaints - [Jeep Wrangler](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-wrangler): 88 complaints - [Ram 1500](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/ram-1500): 77 complaints - [Volkswagen Tiguan](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/volkswagen-tiguan): 75 complaints - [Jeep Cherokee](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/jeep-cherokee): 71 complaints - [Chevrolet Traverse](https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/chevrolet-traverse): 69 complaints ## Nissan Pathfinder - [Nissan Pathfinder specs and mpg by year](https://diagxcar.com/vehicles/nissan-pathfinder) --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/warning-lights/airbag/nissan-pathfinder Updated: 2026-11-04 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.