NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
31 reports72,000 miles · Jun 17, 2016
StructureUnknown Or OtherFire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL AND LOUD MUFFLER/EXHAUST NOISE. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR TO INSPECT THE MUFFLER I SAW A LARGE WHOLE IN THE REAR BUMPER AND THE MUFFLER HAD LOOSENED. THE MUFFLER POINTED UP SO THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY AIMED AT THE INSIDE OF THE REAR BUMPER. THIS CAUSED I…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I NOTICE A BURNING SMELL AND LOUD MUFFLER/EXHAUST NOISE. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO LOOK UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR TO INSPECT THE MUFFLER I SAW A LARGE WHOLE IN THE REAR BUMPER AND THE MUFFLER HAD LOOSENED. THE MUFFLER POINTED UP SO THAT IT WAS DIRECTLY AIMED AT THE INSIDE OF THE REAR BUMPER. THIS CAUSED IT TO IGNITE AND BURN A HOLE IN THE REAR BUMPER. I CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE TO FILE A CLAIM AND THEY INFORMED ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY HAD NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE A LARGER FIRE AND IGNITE THE FLOORBOARD OR THE MUFFLER COULD FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY WOULD REPLACE THE MUFFLER AND NECESSARY PARTS AT MY OWN COST OR WELD IT BACK, BUT IT WOULD BE THE SAME PARTS THAT ARE KNOWN TO EASILY DEFECT IN THIS MANNER. I HAVE LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WITH CUBE'S AND OTHER NISSAN'S AROUND THE SAME YEARS OF PRODUCTION. SOME ISSUES APPEARED AS EARLY AS 12,000 MILES AND THE MANUFACTURER COVERED THE COST UNDER WARRANT, BUT MINE WON'THE SINCE IT HAS 70,000 MILES. I HAVE NO UNDERCARRIAGE DAMAGE SO THEY BELIEVE IT WAS RUSTED OUT BECAUSE OF SALTS ON THE ROAD TO TREAT ICE AND SNOW IN MY REGION.
NHTSA ODI #10874945
86,400 miles · Apr 15, 2016
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN CUBE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN CUBE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,400.
NHTSA ODI #10859811
65,000 miles · Dec 23, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10811941
180 miles · Oct 29, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train
INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE , MADE A WIDE RIGHT TURN AND VEHICLE WENT INTO SAFE MODE. CVT ISSUE ... NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVER CAME ON WARNING FOR CAUTION.
NHTSA ODI #10786902
100,000 miles · Apr 11, 2015
Power Train
MY 2011 NISSAN CUBE WAS BEING DRIVEN TO WORK ON THE INTERSTATE. I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT LURCHED FORWARD ALMOST CAUSING ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ON A 2011? THE CAR IS BARELY FOUR YEARS OLD. IT IS …
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MY 2011 NISSAN CUBE WAS BEING DRIVEN TO WORK ON THE INTERSTATE. I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE CAR DID NOT MOVE, ALL OF A SUDDEN IT LURCHED FORWARD ALMOST CAUSING ME TO REAR END THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION ON A 2011? THE CAR IS BARELY FOUR YEARS OLD. IT IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND IT IS COSTING ME $3700.00. AFTER RESEARCHING, I SEE THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS AND HAVE EXTENDED WARRANTIES UP TO THE 2010 MODELS. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10705112
56,180 miles · Feb 22, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK WHEN A DEER JUMPED IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED TO AVOID IT. I CRASHED MY CAR INTO THE GUARD RAIL CRUSHING THE WHOLE FRONT END. (I HAVE PICTURES) THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL. I BROKE TWO RIBS AND HAD CONTUSIONS ALL OVER THE FRONT OF MY BODY,FINGERS,ARMS,LEGS,ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10689823
36,000 miles · Nov 16, 2014
Power Train
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP OUR NISSAN CUBE INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY AND IS NOT RESPONSIVE TO DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN LURCH FORWARD AS THOUGH IT IS DOWN SHIFTING AND TAKES OFF. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED AND INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALER 3 - 4 TIMES (FIRST REPORT IN JULY 2012…
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WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP OUR NISSAN CUBE INTERMITTENTLY ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY AND IS NOT RESPONSIVE TO DEPRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN LURCH FORWARD AS THOUGH IT IS DOWN SHIFTING AND TAKES OFF. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED AND INVESTIGATED BY THE DEALER 3 - 4 TIMES (FIRST REPORT IN JULY 2012) WITH THE MOST RECENT VISIT (OCT 2014) RESULTING IN A REPLACED TRANSMISSION. THIS LAST WEEK (NOV 2014) MY WIFE AND I WERE ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN PULLING OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS A RESULT OF THIS BEHAVIOR. WE WILL BE CONTACTING THE DEALER AND NISSAN THIS WEEK AS WE HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE VEHICLE AND ARE CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10655271
5,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE CONTACT APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN CUBE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY THE CONTACT APPLYING THE PARKING BRAKE, DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND POWERING OFF THE VEHICLE SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,752 .
NHTSA ODI #10584471
6,000 miles · Jun 6, 2013
Air BagsSeats
PASSENGER WEIGHING 120 LB SAT IN FRONT SEAT. PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT CAME ON, ALERTING TO LACK OF AIRBAG FOR PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT. THIS HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, AND AFTER VARYING LENGTHS OF TIME IN VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10515570
35,884 miles · May 8, 2013
Electrical System
ON APRIL 26, 2013 WHILE LEAVING THE GROCERY STORE WITH MOM & NEWBORN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CERRITOS NISSAN & ASKED WHAT THE WARRANTY MILEAGE WAS ON THERE VEHICLES WHICH THEY INFORMED ME 36K. I GOT MY VEHICLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND AFTER 3 HOURS I WAS TOLD THE BA…
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ON APRIL 26, 2013 WHILE LEAVING THE GROCERY STORE WITH MOM & NEWBORN MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED CERRITOS NISSAN & ASKED WHAT THE WARRANTY MILEAGE WAS ON THERE VEHICLES WHICH THEY INFORMED ME 36K. I GOT MY VEHICLE TO START AFTER SEVERAL TRIES, AND TOOK MY VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND AFTER 3 HOURS I WAS TOLD THE BATTERY WAS VERY LOW & THEY WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO CHARGE MY BATTERY. (BASED ON NISSAN WARRANTY GUIDELINES) MY VEHICLE LEFT ME AGAIN THAT WEEKEND ON SUNDAY 4/28 AAA WAS CALLED TO JUMP START MY VEHICLE. I CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS & SPOKE TO A REPRESENTATIVE WHO OFFERED ME $100.00 REIMBURSEMENT IF I PURCHASED & INSTALLED MY OWN BATTERY. I ASKED WHY NISSAN WAS NOT REPLACING THE BATTERY AT THE DEALERSHIP, REP EXPLAINED THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO OBLIGATE DEALERSHIPS TO MAKE SUCH REQUEST, MY CASE WAS THEN ESCALATED TO THE REGIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS SPECIALIST WHO WAS DIFFICULT TO GET A HOLD OF. AFTER 2 WEEKS THE REGIONAL SPECIALIST WAS IN TOUCH WITH ME & WAS NO HELP. I EXPLAINED TO THE SPECIALIST THE ORIGINAL BATTERY WITH THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WHY DID I CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. HE WAS NOT ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO ME WHY. I TOLD THE SPECIALIST I WAS GOING TO BE PURCHASING MY OWN BATTERY & FAXING MY INFORMATION SO I COULD BE REIMBURSED AS PROMISED FROM PREVIOUS REP. THE SPECIALIST INFORMED ME THAT OFFER WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE DUE TO MY CASE BEING ESCALATED TO HIM. AT THIS POINT MY PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. NISSAN HAS YET TO ADDRESS MY CONCERNS & EXPLAIN WHY I KEEP HAVING THESE PROBLEMS. ITS VERY TROUBLESOME THAT I AM EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS WITH A NEW VEHICLE WHICH WAS PURCHASED TO TRANSPORT MY SELF & NEWBORN, WORRYING MY CAR CAN LEAVE US STRANDED AT ANY TIME, DUE TO NISSAN NEGLIGENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511197
NHTSA investigations
1EA21002 · Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Opened Sep 17, 2021 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
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.
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