2010 Nissan Cube

The defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Cube vehicles. The driver’s air bag inflator may rupture or detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment.

The risk

A driver's air bag that ruptures or detaches can strike the driver or other occupants, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

The remedy

Dealers will inspect the front air bag inflator serial number, and replace the inflator as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 9, 2026. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261. Nissan's number for this recall is R26A1. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning April 14, 2026.

Nissan North America, Inc. · up to 47,928 vehicles across all model years covered

The defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 NISSAN CUBE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 30, 2009 THROUGH JULY 30, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROTATED FOLLOWING A REAR MOVING BARRIER CRASH TEST AS REQUIRED, THE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKAGE EXCEEDED THE ALLOWABLE LIMITS.

The risk

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

The remedy

DEALERS WILL DEVELOP A SPECIAL PROTECTOR AND ATTACH IT TO THE GASOLINE RECIRCULATION TUBE AT THE LOCATION OF THE FILLER NECK CONNECTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 46,000 vehicles across all model years covered

Still open engineering analysis · opened September 17, 2021

the air bags

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

crash · 22,000 miles

HORN IS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS OF PRESENCE. IT IS BARELY AUDIBLE. RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH A LOUDER HORN. *KB

NHTSA complaint 10419927. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

139,000 miles

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Cube. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V230000 (AIR BAGS), the dealer discovered that the vehicle was not equipped with a front driver's side air bag. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased as a used vehicle from Marty Cancila Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram (2175 N Hwy 67, Saint Louis, MO 63114); who had not disclosed that the vehicle was not equipped with the air bag. The Nissan dealer had ordered an air bag for the recall repair. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 139,000.

NHTSA complaint 11746002. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Cube. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor on the exterior and in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a cracked fuel tank filler neck. The contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint 11615619. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Problem is the anti theft module located on the steering column has malfunctioned for my wife’s 2010 Nissan Cube keyless ignition. Vehicle would not restart for my wife after sitting for 5 hours, luckily she was not way off somewhere. From what I’ve seen Nissan did a recall of a similar defective module on other models but did not include the Cube. Nissan doesn’t even have the parts readily available for repair. Vehicle has been sitting at a repair shop for over a month now. This should be a safety issue as it could leave people totally stranded in the middle of nowhere with no meaningful way to repair the vehicle. The part number of the module is 487001 FA0C. It is believed that Nissan did …

NHTSA complaint 11516327, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Fuel level readings have been erratic for over 40,000 miles now. Fuel gauge will randomly show the fuel level with less than 1/4 tank left, even though the car has gone less than 100 miles after filling (while the car can travel over 300 miles on a full tank.) Then a little while later, the fuel level will appear normal. And this cycle will repeat many times before the tank is actually below 1/4 tank full, based on both mileage and the "normal" fuel level.

NHTSA complaint 11511688. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

For a couple weeks on & off it’s been not wanting to go when I step on gas. I remember this doing same sort of thing before Allen web supposedly replaced my transmission as it was one of millions that are faulty as is one they put in 2018 only has 18,000 miles on tbis supposed replaced transmission & it’s in a mechanic shop as I write this a waiting on hopefully Nissan paying for this faulty transmission. I shouldn’t have to buy one when it’s only got 18,000 miles on it. I’ve almost been rear ended due to This ongoing problem. People behind me are ready to go when light turns green. I floor my gas pedal & it does nothing . Have to Hurry put my flashers on pray to God no one hits me & flag …

NHTSA complaint 11469469, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.