2013 Nissan Altima Airbags Problems

The contact's brother owned a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her brother was driving at an undisclosed speed from a stop sign, another vehicle in the left lane crashed into the contact's brother's front driver's side. The air bags did not deploy. No warning light was illuminated. The contact's brother received medical attention for a concussion and had back and neck pain. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not yet deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11723832

Incident

Mar 12, 2026

Mileage

130,000 mi

Passenger airbag light on. I don’t even drive the car much. Out of no where it turned in.

NHTSA ID

11713078

Incident

Dec 18, 2025

Fuel System: Car hesitates and cut off after pumping fuel.\n' + 'Outer Tie rods torn rubber, vehicle never been realigned, but tires were worn on both front sides. \n' + 'Takata Air bag light has been on for over 2 years.\n' + 'Transmission over heats. Engine cuts back between 45 and 60 mph on the freeway. So we stop and allow it to cool off.

NHTSA ID

11682483

Incident

May 18, 2025

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and was diagnosed with an air bag wiring failure. The contact was informed that the air bag wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11665779

Incident

Jan 1, 2025

Mileage

135,000 mi

Air bag light comes on.

NHTSA ID

11657419

Incident

Feb 2, 2025

Air bag light is on again. This car has had other recalls / complaints for airbags before. Airbags are safety , to protect drivers and passengers. This needs to be addressed.

NHTSA ID

11653376

Incident

Apr 8, 2025

I was mailed a recall for a warning light for the passenger air bag. It covers a time period of 15 years. I had the warning light come on as described in the mailer for the recall that was sent to me ( the original owner of a 2013 Nissan Altima ) and I set up an appointment with the dealership to have it repaired. No sooner did I leave after dropping off the vehicle that the dealership called to inform me that my VIN is not part of the recall even though it is clearly on the mailer. I for the life of me cannot understand how such an important safety issue can be excluded when the exact problem they listed is now occurring.

NHTSA ID

11636328

Incident

Jan 16, 2025

This car seems to have the same software issue as other altimas but the VIN does not record a recall. When someone is in the passenger seat, there is no dashboard confirmation and we are worried that the airbag might not deploy.

NHTSA ID

11633237

Incident

Jun 1, 2024

The indicator light on the dashboard has been lit for SEVERAL YEARS and remains lit showing that the STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG (a safety issue) is non-functioning. This is an electronic issue, and not the result of misuse. This has been reported several times already and nothing has been done. I AM NOT prepared to pay $5000 to have this analyzed abd repaired when it clearly is A SAFETY ISSUE. PLEASE RESPOND.

NHTSA ID

11632186

Incident

Dec 1, 2015

The dashboard light shows that the steering wheel air bag is non functioning. This has been reported on line to Nissan for several years, and not one response from Nissan. The dealership indicates that it's a malfunction, probably a sensor, and it might require me to pay up to $5,000 to identify the deficiency. I view this as a safety issue and not one of misuse. Kindly advise when this can be resolved. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated.

NHTSA ID

11614015

Incident

Sep 2, 2019

OCS not working, passenger airbag is off when adult is in seat. Apparently was recalled before but seeing that despite being “fixed” and the problem came back. Hard to get in contact with anyone at Nissan or the dealerships to take responsibility for it.

NHTSA ID

11612181

Incident

May 17, 2024

I was traveling straight and made an abrupt turn. I lost control of my car and struck a pole, then hit a brick building. None of the airbags in my vehicle deployed and I hit my nose on the steering wheel and sustained other injuries.

NHTSA ID

11603928

Incident

Jul 22, 2024

OCS System for Passenger Airbag is not working properly. Went to two dealerships and they said it was not covered under the recall 16V-244. I spoke with Nissan Consumer Affairs and they said that the recall was addressed in the past but was not able to provide when and where. The dealerships I go to for servicing do not have any history of the OCS ever being repaired which means that it was probably repaired sometime with the original owner. Assuming it was actually replaced in the past, with replacement, the part is still failing and not having reached the 15 year mark for the car or the actual recall itself is alarming.

NHTSA ID

11589325

Incident

May 17, 2024

My vehicle has a code failure for the air bag sensor light. In order to pass inspection the light has to clear itself and it is not. I’ve had this vehicle since 2015 and have never had this issue. After talking to a representative at Nissan service department, he claimed that this is an issue he has with his Nissan as well leading me to believe that this is a manufacturer issue. Upon receiving a diagnostic there is no actual damage to the sensor in question it’s just malfunctioning. Below is an explanation from the service team at Nissan. DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE: B00A0-00 OCCUPANT SENSOR MAL. CHECKED HARNESS FOR ANY DAMAGES AND FOUND NONE. UNPLUGGED UNIT AND SENSOR AND RECONNECTED THEM. ATTEMPTED TO CLEAR CODES DID NOT CLEAR, UNSUCCESSFUL. ATTEMPTED TO PERFORM ZERO POINT RELEARN, UNSUCCESSFUL. ATTEMPT TO CLEAR CODES AGAIN AND CODES DID NOT CLEAR

NHTSA ID

11589048

Incident

Mar 17, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the hood suddenly became unlatched, compromising front visibility. As a result, the contact veered into a light pole, damaging the bumper. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The air bags did not deploy. A Police report was not filed, and no injuries were reported. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V244000 (Air Bags), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11571491

Incident

Feb 12, 2024

Mileage

160,000 mi

Headlights

NHTSA ID

11571198

Incident

Feb 10, 2024

My airbag light has been illuminated for the past few months. It does not illuminate while someone is in the seat. Once reset, it stays off for a while. When checked, the mechanic informed me that the sensor in my passenger seat needs to be replaced. Due to this malfunction, the vehicle may improperly deploy airbags. This has not happened but I’m concerned that it could possibly happen.

NHTSA ID

11565854

Incident

Jan 15, 2024

Hello, I took my Nissan Altima into my local Nissan dealer for a hood latch recall on 11/13/2023. On 11/21/2023 at about 6:40 pm I was driving my car at a speed of maybe 45-50mph and my hood flew open hitting my windshield causing damage to my car, and scaring my son and I. I called the dealer the next morning and spoke to Anthony from the service department regarding this situation, and he stated a faulty latch could have been put on my car, causing this to happen. I sent pictures to him via email, and he advised that he would contact the director and call me back with an update. I received a callback within hours advising Nissan would cover the damages but I would need to contact consumer affairs to see which location could do the repairs as they were behind by 8 month at that location in particular and could not provide me with a loaner car. After a week of waiting for an update from a dealer to confirm repairs, I had the car towed to the Thomas Nissan of Joliet on 12/4/2023 as the car would not accelerate anymore due to the hard brake. As of today 12/18/2023 I have spoken to the service manager there and he advised parts came in but they do not have a date for repairs or approval on the acceleration issue and for now will only repair the body. I advised that I am extremely saddened by the way I am being handled after such a traumatic ordeal that could have been deadly or life altering. This recall was supposed to prevent this issue, and it only caused it. This recall hasn't done anything to fix the cars, and neither have three other hood latch recalls for Altima cars. Altima drivers are in danger from hoods that suddenly fly open while driving, and this situation just proves a problem. Nissan doesn't know how to properly repair it, and my car and I are proof.

NHTSA ID

11560640

Incident

Nov 21, 2023

Air bag not function

NHTSA ID

11545618

Incident

Sep 20, 2023

The 2013 Nissan Altima passenger light seatbelt dash light stayed on unless seatbelt was buckled with person in seat. Took to Nissan dealer who charged $150 to diagnose as a sensor control unit except when they cleared the codes the airbag light also came on and has stayed on. 1.Issue number one is Nissan had a recall on the sensor unit and Nissan refuses warranty. I called Nissan hotline and took back to dealer and warranty was still refused. 2.Issue number two the air bag light only showed up after the codes where cleared account to Nissan. This means that I was driving with the passenger air bag not functioning without any warning light showing not functioning air bag. I believe this is a warranty issue and also a safety issue where the car has a non-functional passenger air bag even though it does not show until the codes are cleared at a dealer. How many people are driving around not knowing Nissan is not giving a warning Light?

NHTSA ID

11544371

Incident

Sep 13, 2023

Deer run out in front of me. Airbags did not deploy.

NHTSA ID

11541944

Incident

Jul 24, 2023

Front passenger air bag warning lamp is illuminating signaling that the vehicle is not detecting an occupant in the seat. This is the second time this has occurred. The first time the sensor was replaced, (Pc214) NHTSA13V-069. It was covered under a safety recall in April 2013. I took the vehicle to Bowie Nissan, Bowie, MD and asked to have the sensor replaced at no charge as this is a safety issue. I provided the TSB from Nissan notifying the dealerships. The TSB reference number NTB19-071 September 12, 2019. I supplied the service writer a photo of the results of a diagnostic scan that stated occupant sensor was abnormal. The service advisor stated that it is a safety issue but they would have to charge a $189 diagnostic scan. If they confirmed the problem they would then make the repair and charge me the cost since it is not covered by Nissan. My car currently has mileage of 104,389 mile. I feel that this should be repaired by Nissan at no charge as this the second time this part has failed and that it is genuine safety issue. I feel that Nissan is dodging it responsibility to its customers and NHTSA.

NHTSA ID

11540236

Incident

Aug 23, 2023

The airbag sensor stop working. The airbag light stayed on whether someone was sitting in or not sitting in the passenger seat. The dealership stated there was an opening in the circuit and had to be re-builded. With the airbag not working this made the vehicle unsafe to drive and they could not tell me if the defect was with the driver side or passenger side airbag.

NHTSA ID

11534387

Incident

May 1, 2023

I had recall work done on my car was not properly repaired Issue still needs addressed Nissan refuses to look into they are telling me it was addressed. But the issue still remains. To fix the issue they want me to pay for it but I ma afraid that it may not be fixed properly again . This is the third accordance with this issue.

NHTSA ID

11533249

Incident

Jul 19, 2023

I took my vehicle in for assessment which costs around $160 as had many warning lights, including airbag. Nissan reviewed and informed my the passenger airbag needed to be replaced as the sensor was bad. There have been four previous recalls on Nissan Altima for airbag sensor issues and mine was not addressed. Now there is an issue and I'm told to spend money I don't have for an issue Nissan should fix. In the event somebody is hurt or worse, Nissan will be held responsible. Please take action and correct this issue and hold Nissan responsible.

NHTSA ID

11523628

Incident

May 24, 2023