Airbag Recall: 2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Xterra

Now that Toyota's safety problems are no longer in the spotlight, there's enough room for other carmakers to make the headlines with similar topics. Nissan is just an example, as the Japanese manufacturer today rolled out a notification announcing that more than 4,000 models are affected by what appears to be a glitch concerning the front airbag module.

The exact number of affected vehicles is 4,038, according to an NHTSA notification, with three models initially mentioned in the recall: 2010 Frontier, Pathfinder and Xterra manufactured from February 22, 2010 to March 13, 2010.

"On some of the potential affected vehicles, the fasteners securing the passenger front airbag module and also the fasteners securing the steering shaft positioning bracket may not have been tightened to the proper torque specification," NHTSA explained in the official advisory published on its website.

Just as expected, such a problem could lead to the airbag not being deployed in the event of an accident. But here's Nissan's explanation, as it is mentioned in the recall:

"In the event of a crash, the passenger front airbag deployment trajectory might be affected. The fasteners could possibly come out of the steering column positioning bracket increasing the risk of a crash."

The recall will begin this month and all operations will be conducted free of charge. "Dealers will inspect the steering column and the passenger front airbag fasteners and any missing fasteners will be replaced an all loose fasteners will be retightened to the proper torque specifications," NHTSA said.