Federal Investigation into Nissan Following Airbag Module Explosion in Driver | Carscoops

      The NHTSA is looking into the 2009 Cube due to a serious airbag module failure that occurred during a crash.

      Currently, the agency suspects that a weld failure between the inflator cap and housing is to blame. The affected Nissan Cube models are equipped with Takata's PSDI-X airbag inflators. Nissan has begun collecting parts from the field to investigate the issue further.

      The Nissan Cube, known for its unique design, is now attracting attention from safety regulators for troubling reasons. Following an incident where the airbag module detached during a crash, the Cube is being examined for potentially endangering its drivers. If you own one of these distinctive vehicles, it may be wise to pay attention.

      The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) was recently notified about a single-vehicle accident involving a 2009 Cube. In this incident, the airbag module failed to deploy as intended, becoming completely detached from the steering wheel, striking the driver before flying into the back seat.

      Preliminary investigations after the crash indicated that although the airbag cushion and inflator remained attached to their housing, the module itself could not maintain its connection. While the investigation is ongoing, this unusual failure raises significant concerns regarding the overall integrity of the airbag system.

      Additionally, all 2009 Cube models come with PSDI-X inflators produced by Takata, which have been linked to propellant degradation over time. This deterioration can lead to inflator ruptures and potentially eject shrapnel into the vehicle cabin. However, the NHTSA does not believe that this issue caused the module to detach in the investigated Cube.

      Instead, the concern appears to relate to a rupture at a weld point connecting the inflator cap and housing, which may indicate a manufacturing defect.

      The ODI's ongoing assessment has also uncovered that Nissan's traceability records for inflators in these models are limited, making it challenging to identify the affected VINs. Nissan has gathered parts from the field for analysis to better understand which vehicles may be involved but has not yet issued a safety recall.

      Nonetheless, the ODI’s Preliminary Evaluation will continue to explore the matter, and if a broader issue is discovered, a recall could be forthcoming.