YearToAvoid

2016 Nissan Pathfinder Airbags Problems

Airbags account for 18 complaints on the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder, 17% of that year's 105 total complaints. A related recall, campaign 16V244000, covers the airbag occupant classification issue, with a median failure mileage of 14,500 miles.

Airbags complaints
18
17% of 105
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
14,500 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical airbag symptoms owners report

  • Passenger-seat occupant classification sensor fails to detect a seated adult, leaving the passenger airbag off indicator lit.
  • The 'airbag off' light stays on continuously even after the recall repair, sometimes conflicting with the cross-traffic warning light in similar color.
  • Airbag sensors under the seats reportedly break when the front seats are moved forward or back, triggering warning lights on both driver and passenger sides.
  • Some owners report that after receiving the recall notice, the replacement parts were unavailable and repairs were delayed well beyond a reasonable time.
  • One owner reported that neither airbag deployed during a head-on crash with a deer at highway speed.
  • Owners with VINs excluded from the recall report the same occupant classification sensor defect but say Nissan will not repair it.

When 2016 Nissan Pathfinder airbag complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 7, 2016, latest Apr 13, 2024.

2016 Nissan Pathfinder airbags complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2016Feb 2017Jan 2019Nov 2019Jun 2022Mar 2023
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2016 to Apr 2024; peak Jun 2022 (2).

Airbags recalls for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder

  1. NHTSA 16V244000Apr 26, 2016Airbags3,296,947 vehicles

    Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

    Risk: 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, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

Airbags complaints by Pathfinder model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201011 (28%)
  2. 201112 (27%)
  3. 20124 (17%)
  4. 2013177 (20%)
  5. 201492 (16%)
  6. 201555 (17%)
  7. 201618 (17%)
  8. 20177 (4%)
  9. 20184 (5%)
  10. 20194 (5%)
  11. 20201 (2%)
  12. 20225 (4%)
  13. 20232 (2%)
  14. 20241 (1%)
  15. 20252 (4%)

Frequently asked questions

How many airbag complaints does the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder have?
NHTSA lists 18 airbag complaints for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder, which is 17% of the 105 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an airbag recall for the 2016 Nissan Pathfinder?
Yes. Campaign 16V244000, reported April 26, 2016, covers airbags on the 2016 Pathfinder among other Nissan and Infiniti models, with dealers reprogramming the system as the remedy.
What is the main airbag problem owners report?
Most complaints describe the passenger occupant classification sensor failing to recognize a seated adult, keeping the passenger airbag off light on, along with reports that recall parts were unavailable for repairs.
At what mileage do airbag problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for airbag complaints on the 2016 Pathfinder is 14,500 miles.
Did any airbag issues lead to a crash?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 0 injuries or fires linked to airbag complaints on the 2016 Pathfinder, involving a case where neither airbag deployed.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.