Nissan Cube drivers are getting a recall notice they cannot ignore, as the automaker is pulling back about 47,928 of the compact wagons from the 2009 and 2010 model years after discovering that the driver’s air‑bag inflator can detach from the steering wheel during deployment. If that happens, the inflator module itself can hit the driver or other occupants and increase the risk of injury in a crash. Nissan says dealers will check inflator serial numbers and swap out affected parts free of charge, with recall letters expected to start landing in mailboxes in late May.
What the federal notice says
The recall is listed with federal regulators as Campaign No. 26V230 and covers 47,928 vehicles, according to NHTSA. The notice explains that the driver’s air‑bag inflator "may detach from the steering wheel during air bag deployment," which could send the module into people inside the car and raise the risk of injury. The filing also lists Nissan’s internal recall code R26A1 and notes that VINs for affected vehicles were made searchable on the federal recall site earlier this month.
How repairs will work
Dealers will inspect the front air‑bag inflator’s serial number and replace the inflator if it is one of the affected units, with all work performed at no cost to owners, as reported by Cars.com. Nissan’s customer‑service line for the recall is 800‑647‑7261, and owner notification letters are scheduled to begin mailing on May 27, 2026, according to the local reporting. Until then, owners do not have to wait for a letter; they can run their VIN through recall‑lookup tools to see whether their Cube is included.
Background and earlier probe
This recall follows a federal investigation opened in mid‑2025 after at least one 2009 Cube air‑bag deployment in which the module detached and hit the driver, CarComplaints reported. That probe identified a possible weld failure between the inflator cap and housing as a potential failure mode, while Nissan collected parts from the field for deeper analysis. The problem sits in the broader backdrop of Takata‑era inflator issues that regulators and safety advocates have been tracking for years, according to background summaries from the Center for Auto Safety.
How to check if your Cube is included
If you own a 2009 or 2010 Cube, you can see whether your vehicle is part of the recall by using the VIN lookup at NHTSA or by calling Nissan at 800‑647‑7261. If your VIN shows up as affected, schedule the free inspection and any needed replacement work with an authorized Nissan dealer; official notification letters are expected to start going out May 27, 2026. For additional assistance, NHTSA’s vehicle‑safety hotline is 1‑888‑327‑4236, and Nissan’s recall reference number is R26A1.
