Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 47 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 47, in the owner's own words
When I was in an accident in 2006 Airbags did not open. I worry about valve cap and if it is safe. Other this when opening my door Door handle are defected and breaking off. I never had a car where door handles break. I would like assistance with these issues. Thank you. [XXX]-Customer INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The Air Bag Warning Light is Flashing
THIS HAPPENED ON SATURDAY APRIL 03, 2021. I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH NISSAN ALTIMA 2005. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MILES PER HOUR ON A HIGHWAY HERE IN MADISON WISCONSIN, WHERE ALL THE SUDDEN A ROAD CONSTRUCTION TRUCK COMING FROM THE WORK AREA (CENTER OF THE HIGHWAY) TRIED TO SNICK AND CROSSED WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE UPCOMING TRAFFIC. THEN, I TRIED TO BRAKE, BUT NO WAY TO PREVENT THE CRASH FROM HAPPENING, SO I HIT THAT TRUCK FROM HIS PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER THE "T", MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SO I HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED THAT THE AMBULANCE TOOK ME TO UW HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY CARE. THEREFORE, I GOT EXPOSED TO THE DANGER BECAUSE MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND PROTECT ME. SO, THE AIRBAGS WERE WORKING IN MY CAR.
RECENTLY IVE BEEN GETTING THE RED AIRBAG SIGNAL THAT KEEPS FLASHING AND WONT GO OFF. IVE CHECKED THE FUSES. WIRING. RAN DIAHNOSTICS ON IT FOR THAT AND THE FOLLOWING ISSUES AS WELL. THE CAR MAKES A HIGH PITCH SOUND WHEN ITS JUST IDELING THAT SEEMS TO COME FEOM UNDERNEATH THE CAR MAYBE TOWARDS BACK MIDDLE IVE GOTTEN A NEW FUEL PUMP CHECKED WIRING FUSES AND BOUGHT OTHER NEW PARTS AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS. ALSO THE GAS GAUGE WONT READ AFTER THE HALF WAY POINT. IVE TRIED TO RESET IT CALIBRATE IT AND NOTHING. DURING COLD DAYS THE GAS GAUGE READS CORRECTLY UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP. MO THS HAVE GONE BY AND NOTHING SO FAR
'TAKATA RECALL' DASHBOARD INTSTRUMENT LIGHT NOW REMAINS ON FOR THE PASSENGER AIRBAG. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SAFE TO HAVE A PASSENGER IN THAT SEAT WHEN DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER, NECK, AND EAR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TONY NISSAN (94-1299 KA UKA BLVD, WAIPAHU, HI 96797, (808) 680-7150), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONTINUALLY, WHEN I ASKED DEALER TO LOOK AT THIS, WHILE IN FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT, HE STATED IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TAKE APART THE DASH TO SEE WHY LIGHT STAYED ON. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE CONCERNED WITH THIS, THAT IT MAY BE A SAFETY ISSUE?11
I HAD A BIG HOLE ON MY PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL AS DRIVER SIDE ON FLOOR. MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHTS ON. IF ANYONE CAN HELP ME OUT THAT WILL BE SO USEFUL FOR ME. PLEASE TAKE AN ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANKS.
CAR WAS INVOLVED IN ONE FRONT END AND TWO REAR END ACCICDENTS OVER THE YEARS ALL REQUIRING EXTENSIVE BODY AND BUMPER REPAIR. IN ALL CASES THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT THE SPEED LIMIT WITH THE FRONT END ACCIDENT AND AT A SLOW SPEED APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE REAR END INCIDENTS. DIRECTION WAS STRAIGHT IN ALL CASES ON LOCAL STREETS NOT HIGHWAYS. LAST INCIDENT IS NOTED IN "WHEN DID THID HAPPEN" DATA. SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT THE BAGS WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED EVER. IN LIGHT OF THE TAKATA RECALL AND OTHER AIRBAG SYSTEM ON/OFF PROBLEMS WITH NEARLY EVERY MANUFACTURER I AM CONCERED WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. MENTION OF THIS OVER THE YEARS WAS MET WITH DISMISAL BY REPAIR SHOPS AND MANUFACTURE'S DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. HOW SAFE IS THIS VEHICLE?
AIR BAG SIGNAL ON AND OFF DOES NOT FUNCTION IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR CHOCK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
"TAKATA AIR BAG" - NISSAN'S VIN SERVER HAS BEEN "DOWN" FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, AND DO NOT ANSWER THEIR PHONE TO CHECK IF OUR VEHICLE IS EFFECTED BY THE TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL. ALSO, THIS SITES NHTSA VIN SEARCH ALSO CRASHES WHEN SEARCHING FOR NISSAN VIN NUMBERS. NISSAN SHOULD BE ANSWERING THEIR PHONE, AND FIX THEIR WEBSITE SO VIN CAN BE RESEARCHED ON THIS SERIOUS - LIFE THREATENING ISSUE!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA AND OVER CORRECTED IN A CURVE. SHE HIT A TREE AND THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL DEPLOYED. SHE WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND WAS HELD BACK BY THE SEAT BELT HER HEAD IMPACTING THE CENTER OR THE STEERING WHEEL. THE COVER OVER THE AIR BAG BLEW OUT HINGING ITSELF AT THE TOP AND MAKING TWO VERY POINTED AND SHARP EDGES ON EACH BOTTOM CORNER. THE RIGHT BOTTOM POINT PIERCED THE SKIN BETWEEN HER NOSE AND THE CORNER OF HER LEFT EYE MISSING IT BY LESS THAN A SIXTEENTH OF AN INCH AND BREAKING HER NOSE. THE DANGEROUS PART IS THE TWO SHARP POINTS ON THE FLAP WHERE THE AIR BIG DEPLOYED SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A DESIGN FLAW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 21, 2014. SHE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH SHE RECEIVED BACK, LEG AND KNEE INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT HARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CLEARLY IT SHOULD HAVE BY THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE SPEED OF THE OTHER DRIVER. TO ADD, MY DAUGHTER WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND THANK GOD THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR AIRBAG ISSUES. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT IF SO. IN DOING RESEARCH I AM FINDING OUT ABOUT THE AIRBAG ISSUES AFFECTING PAST AND CURRENT NISSAN MODELS. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD DEPLOY WHEN THE RESTRAINT CONTROLLER DETECTS A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT SOME AIRBAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY BECAUSE AUTO MANUFACTURERS ATTEMPTS TO CUT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEMS, WHICH IN TURN REDUCES THE QUALITY OR THE QUANTITY OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I AM OUT A CAR AND STRONGLY CONSIDERING RETAINING AN ATTORNEY TO HANDLE THE CASE..,.UPDATED 12/03/14 *BF *TR UPDATED 9/7/2017*CN
MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 21, 2014. SHE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH SHE RECEIVED BACK, LEG AND KNEE INJURIES. MY VEHICLE WAS HIT HARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE IN WHICH THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN CLEARLY IT SHOULD HAVE BY THE IMPACT OF THE ACCIDENT AND THE SPEED OF THE OTHER DRIVER. TO ADD, MY DAUGHTER WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT AND THANK GOD THERE WERE NO FATALITIES. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE I HAD NO IDEA THAT THERE HAD BEEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR AIRBAG ISSUES. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED IT IF SO. IN DOING RESEARCH I AM FINDING OUT ABOUT THE AIRBAG ISSUES AFFECTING PAST AND CURRENT NISSAN MODELS. THE CAR WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM SHOULD DEPLOY WHEN THE RESTRAINT CONTROLLER DETECTS A MODERATE TO SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION. IN MY RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND THAT SOME AIRBAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY BECAUSE AUTO MANUFACTURERS ATTEMPTS TO CUT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR AIRBAG SYSTEMS, WHICH IN TURN REDUCES THE QUALITY OR THE QUANTITY OF THE AIRBAG SENSORS. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I AM OUT A CAR AND STRONGLY CONSIDERING RETAINING AN ATTORNEY TO HANDLE THE CASE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TWO OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,100.
THE AIRBAG SUDDENLY CAME ON WHILE PARKED. ALSO, THE LIGHT INDICATING THAT A PASSENGER IS SEATED DOES NOT REGISTER THAT PERSON. DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH AND ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A SMALL ANIMAL THAT CROSSED INTO THE ROADWAY HOWEVER, CRASHED INTO A DITCH INSTEAD. THE SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHARP BODILY PAINS TO THE SHOULDERS, RIBS, NECK AND HEAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-95 SOUTH, JUST NORTH OF EXIT 13. CLOUDY, RAINY EVENING COMMUTE ABOUT 5:50PM. I WAS SLOWING DOWN IN PREPARATION TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AT MY EXIT AND I WAS TRAVELING IN THE SECOND TO RIGHT LANE. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A BANG AND WAS HIT SIMULTANEOUSLY IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE HEAD AND NECK. AT FIRST I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD COME THROUGH THE WINDOW AND HIT ME IN THE SIDE OF THE FACE. IT TOOK ME A FEW SECONDS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED - THE CURTAIN AND SIDE AIRBAGS ON BOTH THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE HAD DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING OR COLLISION. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING SPONTANEOUSLY DID NOT CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURIES OR DEATH. I WAS ALSO LUCKY THAT MY 17 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. UPON EXAMINING THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NO IMPACT DAMAGE ANYWHERE TO HAVE CAUSED THE DEPLOYMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. WE CONTACTED NISSAN USA AND THEY HAVE DETERMINED IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. WE HAVE COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE AND THEY HAVE DETERMINED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL OR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN QUOTED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT ABOUT $6000 (THE CAR ISN'T WORTH THAT MUCH). WE HAVE TAKEN CARE OF THE VEHICLE AS COULD BE REASONABLY EXPECTED AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF REASONABLE CARE THOUGH NONE OF THE PARTIES SEEM INTERESTED IN ADDRESSING IT FURTHER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A OWNS A 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE MAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THE NHTSA AND NISSAN CAN IGNORE MY COMPLAINTS AND CALLS THAT MYSELF AND MY HUSBAND HAVE MADE REGARDING MY FAULTY AIRBAGS AND MY SEAT BELTS. I WAS GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. MY SEAT BELTS ALONG WITH MY 2 CHILDREN THAT WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME AT THE TIME DIDN'T LOCK FOR THEM EITHER. MY AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. WE SUFFERED FROM MEDICAL ISSUES BECAUSE OF THIS. MY CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED BECAUSE OF THE SEVERITY OF THE DAMAGES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW NISSAN NOR ANYONE ELSE FOR THIS MATTER WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I'M THINKING ITS TIME THAT I MIGHT HAVE TO TAKE THIS MATTER TO THE MEDIA AND ALSO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. I HAD PUT MY TRUST IN THESE MANUFACTURES THAT HAVE FAILED TO PROTECT US AS THEY SAID THEY WOULD. YET WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT THEY REALLY DON'T CARE. CAN ANYONE GIVE ANY OTHER ADVICE? *TR
WE HAVE BEEN GOING AROUND AND AROUND WITH NISSAN ABOUT A FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SENSOR. (FAULTY) THE ONLY REPAIR THAT CAN BE MADE IS AN ENTIRE NEW SEAT BOTTOM TO THE TUNE OF $2,200.00. NOW I'M OK WITHOUT THE AIR BAG NOT WORKING AT THAT LOCATION, BUT THE INDICATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP IS WHEN THERE IS A FAULT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN NOT JUST THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT. THIS TO ME IS A COMPLETE DESIGN FLAW THAT NOW JEOPARDIZES THE ENTIRE CAR SAFETY SYSTEM. *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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