Recall 18V401 affects 104,762 2010-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles for passenger air bag inflators that can explode. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 104,762 2010-2012 Versa cars because the passenger front air bag inflator can explode during a crash deployment after long-term humidity and temperature cycling. That explosion can send sharp metal fragments into occupants, with risk of serious injury or death, and Nissan dealers will replace the inflator free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger air bag inflator in the 2010-2012 Nissan Versa is the metal canister inside the passenger-side air bag module. In a crash that calls for deployment, the inflator burns propellant to fill the air bag quickly so it can cushion the passenger.
These Versa vehicles use a non-desiccated Takata PSPI6 inflator, which means the inflator does not have a drying agent to protect the propellant from moisture. After long exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature cycling, the ammonium nitrate propellant can degrade. If the air bag deploys after that degradation, the pressure inside the inflator can rise too sharply and rupture the inflator.
There is no warning sign before failure. The defect is inside the passenger air bag inflator, so a Versa owner will not hear, feel, or see a normal driving symptom before a crash deployment reveals the problem.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 Versa model years, all tied to the passenger-side frontal inflator module.
| 2010 Nissan Versa | front air bag |
|---|---|
| 2011 Nissan Versa | front air bag |
| 2012 Nissan Versa | front air bag |
| Units affected | 104,762 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2010-2012 Nissan Versa is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A front passenger air bag inflator explosion can send sharp metal fragments toward the driver or other occupants, causing serious injury or death. Have the recall repair completed promptly. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2012 Nissan Versa is included, including the state registration history for this recall.
- Contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag inflator replacement.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V401 when you call.
- Avoid using the front passenger seat until the dealer replaces the inflator.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator. The replacement parts and labor are free under recall 18V401. If you already paid for this inflator repair before the recall notice, Nissan says eligible customers can claim reimbursement for that repair and certain related costs. Keep invoices and repair paperwork, then contact Nissan customer service for the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 15, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| June 15, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 5, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 9, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V401?
Recall 18V401 covers 104,762 2010-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles with a front passenger air bag inflator that can explode during air bag deployment. Nissan dealers will replace the affected inflator with an alternate inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2012 Nissan Versa is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Versa is included in recall 18V401. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 18V401 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Nissan dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V401?
The safety risk happens during a crash that deploys the passenger frontal air bag. The inflator can explode, sending sharp metal fragments into the driver or other occupants and causing serious injury or death.
What if I bought my Nissan Versa used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the current owner. If you never received a Nissan notice, check your VIN and ask a franchised Nissan dealer to confirm recall 18V401 before scheduling the repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V401000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-867-7669 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V401 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V401000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →