Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture

What NHTSA is examining

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) became aware of a single-vehicle crash involving a 2009 Nissan Cube resulting in an airbag deployment. When the front-driver airbag deployed the airbag module detached from the steering wheel, striking the driver, and causing injuries requiring medical attention.A police report states that the driver’s airbag module was found in the back seat of the vehicle.Further inspection of the vehicle showed the airbag cushion and inflator remained secured to the module housing. The 2009 Nissan Cube vehicles are equipped with Takata PSDI-X inflators.Nissan has confirmed the inflator involved in the subject crash is the original equipment associated with the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).After analysis of the subject vehicle failed parts, Nissan and New Leaf LLC (formerly known as Takata) have reported that it appears the rupture occurred at a weld point between the inflator cap and inflator housing.This failure mode indicates a potential manufacturing defect involving a weld in the inflator. The PSDI-X inflator is within the scope of EA21002, in which NHTSA is investigating the potential degradation of desiccated airbag propellant in Takata inflators.However, the failure mode observed in the subject inflator appears to be inconsistent with known ruptures attributed to propellant degradation.As such, at this time, NHTSA is not aware of evidence to suggest that the rupture of the subject inflator relates to the propellant issues…

Vehicles under investigation