2020 Nissan Altima Airbags Problems

This issue involves a documented and recurring safety-related defect that was reported multiple times while my vehicle was still covered under Nissan’s factory warranty related to the airbag system. My 2020 Nissan Altima currently has approximately 53,900 miles and has experienced repeated airbag/SRS failures associated with diagnostic code B1436-13, indicating an open circuit within the passenger airbag system. This issue has occurred on multiple occasions, including in 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026. During several warranty-period service visits, the diagnostic codes were reportedly cleared, however, the underlying wiring harness issue does not appear to have been permanently corrected. I have the full history service record for this car with notes from 3 Nissan Dealers. I have documented communications with Nissan Consumer Affairs dating back to May 13, 2024 regarding this ongoing concern. In addition, I have photographic evidence showing the same airbag fault code on February 22, 2025, along with additional correspondence with Nissan dated March 18, 2025. Both of these events occurred while the vehicle remained within the applicable warranty coverage period. The airbag warning light has now returned again, and I have been presented with a repair estimate exceeding $5,200 for a condition that was previously reported and addressed unsuccessfully while the vehicle was under warranty coverage. According to Nissan’s 2020 Warranty Information Booklet, the Restraint System, including airbags and related electronic control systems, is covered under Nissan’s 5-year/60,000-mile warranty coverage. Because this safety concern was documented during the warranty period and prior repair attempts did not resolve the issue. Given that this matter involves a critical vehicle safety system that could affect passenger airbag deployment, I am hopeful this can be resolved.

NHTSA ID

11737675

Incident

May 1, 2026

On October 31, 2025, I noticed the Check engine light was on, after inspecting the car at the closest car shop the technician noticed white powder on the driver side knee airbag cover. Next morning I brought my vehicle to Temecula Nissan telling about airbag powder leakage. But this issue was completely ignored by the Advisor, who for some reason decided to fix another issue but ignoring my airbag issue concern. When I tried insisting to inspect the airbag saying:" I worry it may unexpectedly deploy or not deploy in case of a car accident. And my nose and throat are very irritated possibly because of inhaling the powder", the advisor looked at the airbag cover finally noticing the powder and said:" It's not a problem, we will wipe the powder off", despite my concerns. When I came to pick up my vehicle, I asked if my airbag issue was taken care of and documentations have been provided, I was told "Yes, we sent you a link". But it was no information about airbag inspection request or what work was done on it. I immediately went to speak with General manager of Temecula Nissan, who promised to inspect and fix the airbag issue next workday but nobody contact me since then and message I left for the manager on the phone was completely ignored. After filing a complaint to Nissan Consumer Affairs, I was told that nothing they can do about it and advised to get a second opinion from another Nissan dealership. So I did. Pedder Nissan Advisors took my concerns seriously, they said that it is dangerous to drive my vehicle in that condition, they did an inspection and took my car to replace the defective airbag.

NHTSA ID

11705488

Incident

Oct 31, 2025

2020 Nissan Altima involved in a 3 car collision. Altima was rear ended by a vehicle travelling approximately 50 MPH and forced Altima to rear end the vehicle in front of it. Vehicle is a total loss. No air bags deployed.

NHTSA ID

11695190

Incident

Oct 15, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the collision avoidance system failed to activate, and the vehicle crashed into the rear of a second vehicle. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was severely damaged, but no air bags deployed. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was driven to the home and later to the body shop. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer have not yet contacted. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 67,000.

NHTSA ID

11657803

Incident

Apr 29, 2025

Mileage

67,000 mi

Vehicle was in two different front end collisions one of which the whole front end is destroyed including the windshield and the airbags DID NOT deploy.

NHTSA ID

11527754

Incident

Jun 12, 2023

I brought this car last year of 2020 and I had my car for a year and a half and all of a sudden my drive train is making noise, to a point people on the street thinks it’s gum shots. My car already passed inspection way before this started. I took it back to the place I got it from they had no loaners I have to wait a week to come in I have to drive the car to work and I’m scared it’s gonna lock or break down on me my car should not be having these problems I have receipts of me taking car of my car to ensure nothing happens. Then all of a sudden my airbag lights come so if someone did hit me my airbags would not deploy.

NHTSA ID

11430304

Incident

Aug 19, 2021

Airbag has hole in it and all chemicals inside were splashed on passengers arm. Said felt as if person was impaled.to be exact on injuries; passengers arm from armpit to elbow was chemically burned. Coronavirus so couldn’t go to hospital. Very painful long healing and lots of home bandage replacements. A lot of skin was missing from underarm had to sleep with arm up for like two weeks. Rental vehicle from enterprise

NHTSA ID

11421498

Incident

Jul 20, 2020

AIRBAGS LIGHT STAYS ON AND JUST RECENTLY THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BUT THE DOOR WAS STILL CLOSE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11327419

Incident

Jun 5, 2020