Nissan NV Cargo Recall — Takata ammonium-nitrate front driver airbag inflators may ex

Recall Facts (from NHTSA)

NHTSA Campaign ID
20V-188
Announced
2020-04-14
Units affected
250,000
Defect
Takata ammonium-nitrate front driver airbag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation, particularly in high-humidity regions.
Consequence
An exploding inflator can send metal shrapnel into the cabin, increasing the risk of injury or death.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front driver airbag inflator with one made by a different supplier, free of charge.
The Weekly Driver analysis

The Takata airbag issue won't go away. This time, the Japanese supplier of safety equipment to many domestic and international brands is facing a recall from Nissan SUVs, trucks and vans.

The Nissan recall covers about 250,000 Nissan NV Cargo and Passenger vans from 2012 to 2017, the 2013 to 2015 Nissan Titan pickup and Armada large SUV, and the 2011 and 2012 Infiniti QX56 SUV.

Takata aribag issue have prompted a recall of 250,000 Nissan vehicles
Takata airbag issues have prompted a recall of 250,000 Nissan vehicles.

Projectile shrapnel is the problem. The vehicles have airbags with volatile ammonium nitrate that can explode with too much force. The airbags have a moisture-absorbing chemical that was supposed to make them safe.

Takata faulty airbags prompt shrapnel

Documents posted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) detail that the company packed in too much ammonium nitrate propellant while manufacturing the inflators.

Nissan will notify owners later this month and dealers will replace the front driver airbag inflator with one made by a different company.

Takata had until the end of last year to prove that the inflators with the drying agent were safe, or NHTSA was to order them all to be recalled.

So far, at least 25 people have died worldwide after being hit by shrapnel from airbag inflators, and more than 300 have been injured.

The Takata airbag recall has affected virtually all major automakers and forced the Japanese company into bankruptcy in July 2017.

Affected vehicles

MakeModelYears
Nissan NV Cargo 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Nissan NV Passenger 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
Nissan Titan 2013, 2014, 2015
Nissan Armada 2013, 2014, 2015
Infiniti QX56 2011, 2012
© 2026 The Weekly Driver