RoadVitals

2009 Nissan Maxima Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
43
Latest Jun 19, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
13%
of 339 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2009 Nissan Maxima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 43 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.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 43, in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jun 19, 2023

The airbag light is on and blinking. I did call the local Nissan dealer and they told me there was not a recall for this problem on the 2009 Nissan maxima. This seems very unfair because several recalls have been made on the airbags. Also I was told over 5 years ago that the struts on my car were defective when I had my brakes repaired. I did call the Nissan company and they told me my year was not included in the recall. My car was driving so badly I was having problems controlling it and I had to go ahead and get the front struts replaced and shocks replaced on the back and they had to put a stabilizer bar (sway Bar Link) on it also. I recently had this done. This airbag light had come on 4 years ago but I was thinking it was my seat belt light. When I would remove my purse to the floor it would go off. My brother took my manual out and told me it was the airbag and not the seat belt light. It blinks all the time now. I firmly believe the Nissan company know this 2009 Maxima has defects but they refuse to acknowledge it. Appears they could care less about our safety.

NHTSA ID
11527809
Incident
Jun 17, 2023
AirbagsDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Jun 17, 2023

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ID
11527551
Incident
Jun 17, 2023
Airbags
Filed Feb 9, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned 2009 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated while at a complete stop, another vehicle driving approximately 70 MPH, crashed into the rear of the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained hips and back pain. The contact was seen by emergency services and sought medical assistance later that day. The contact underwent physical therapy and hip replacement surgery. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 257,000.

NHTSA ID
11506422
Incident
Mar 27, 2022
Mileage
257,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 30, 2022

Passenger front air bag defect. Since reading many post in this forum in relation to the same issue, manufacture should be held responsible to replace sensor. Vehicle have not been in a wreck as far as I know. The sensor light came on around June this year and haven’t went off. I received a quote for approximately $2500 depending on available parts. If this issue is not rectified by the dealer, will make sure not to purchase another Nissan Maxima again. Just imagine if I have a family member in the front seat and a accident occur! Cannot even imagine the outcome.

NHTSA ID
11476710
Incident
Jun 15, 2022
Airbags
Filed Jan 4, 2022

The airbag warning light on the dash started blinking. The local dealer investigated and advised that the front passenger airbag occupancy sensor was defective. Repair would require complete replacement of the front passenger seat cushion at an estimated cost of about $2,000. The mechanic told me he has seen the exact same issue numerous times for the Maxima of multiple model years. This appears to be a persistent problem with these sensors as reflected in multiple Nissan user forum entries. This is a safety issue that has been detected on multiple Maxima model years over the past several years. It needs to be fully investigated and a safety recall needs issued to hold the manufacturer accountable. The customers should not have to bear the expensive repair.

NHTSA ID
11446224
Incident
Dec 7, 2021
Airbags
Filed Jan 24, 2020

OCCUPANCY SENSOR FOR AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON CONSTANTLY HAVING ERROR WASTE NO AIRBAG COMES ON

NHTSA ID
11301706
Incident
Jan 6, 2020
Mileage
120,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 27, 2019

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SENSORS KEEPS ON RESETTING AS NO ONE IS SITTING ON THE SEAT. I HAVE TO TELL THE PASSENGER TO JUMP ON THE SEAT FOR THE "AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT TO RESET. THE CVT TRANSMISSION PUTTER AT LOW SPEED WITH A WITH LOTS OF NOISE, I HAVE TO GIVE IT MORE GAS FOR THE NOISE TO STOP. THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK AND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LOCK DOES NOT UNLOCK. FOG LIGHT ON THE CAR IS NOT WORKING, I WAS TOLD MY A MECHANIC THAT THE RELAY SWITCH THAT IS BUILT INTO THE STEERING COLUMN IS NO GOOD AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID
11291611
Incident
Dec 6, 2019
Mileage
151,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 4, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,925.

NHTSA ID
11253216
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
87,925 mi
Airbags
Filed Aug 13, 2019

I OWN A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. IN THE YEAR 2016 THE AIRBAG LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT BEGAN TO CONTINUOUSLY BLINK AND THE INDICATOR LIGHT SAID 'AIRBAG OFF' WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THINKING THE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE RESET AS MY AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED I TRIED THIS ROUTES. IT ULTIMATELY PROVED NOT TO BE THE PROBLEM AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK. THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED BY NISSAN AS AM OCS SENSOR FAIL B1018 AND THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE $2100. THE WEIGHT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. WITHOUT THE REPAIR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT FUNCTION FOR THE ENTIRE CAR. UPON SPEAKING TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS I LEARNED THE THE PART HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BUT OFFERED NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. EVEN WITH THE FAILED PART BEING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN NISSAN REFUSES TO OFFER ANY KIND OF ASSISTANCE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS PART IS NOT EXPOSED TO ELEMENTS AS IT IS IN THE ACTUAL SEAT CUSHION. THE PRODUCT JUST FAILED AND NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FAULTY MANUFACTURED PARTS. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD CAUSE SOMEONE THEIR LIFE.

NHTSA ID
11243811
Incident
Apr 28, 2016
Mileage
120,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

NHTSA ID
11232830
Incident
Jul 13, 2019
Mileage
111,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 31, 2019

THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN SOMEONE GETS INTO THE CAR ON PASSENGER SIDE , THEN STAYS ON SOMETIMES. AS LONG AS THE PERSON IS IN THE SEAT IT STAYS ON. WHEN THEY GET OUT IT GOES OFF. I WASN'T IN ANY ACCIDENT. IT WAS LIKE IT WHEN I GOT IT

NHTSA ID
11192697
Incident
Aug 8, 2018
Mileage
194,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON AND OFF. SHORTLY AFTER, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUDSON NISSAN OF NORTH CHARLESTON (7331 RIVERS AVE, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC 29406) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,878.

NHTSA ID
11180408
Incident
Feb 1, 2019
Mileage
174,878 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 13, 2019

DRIVER AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT ON DASH FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY, AND FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON FRONT CONSOLE REMAINING ON WHETHER SEAT OCCUPIED OR NOT. INDICATES POSSIBLE NON-FUNCTIONING OF AIRBAG. CONDITION IS PRESENT WHETHER VEHICLE STATIONARY OR MOVING. INVESTIGATED BY DEALER ( COURTESY NISSAN OF RICHARDSON, TEXAS) AND TOLD THAT FIRST STAGE REPAIR ( REPLACEMENT OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION) COSTS ~ $ 2100 WITH NO GUARANTEE OF SOLUTION, FOLLOWED BY FURTHER ATTEMPT TO SOLVE AT ADDITIONAL COST. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO BE SOLVED BY NISSAN. ALSO REPORTED TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA BUT NO RESPONSE.

NHTSA ID
11179955
Incident
Dec 5, 2018
Mileage
116,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 20, 2019

WHILE ON AND MOVING, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF INDICATOR LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF, WITH AN ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT WILL TURN ON (INDICATING BAG OFF) FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AT A TIME. THIS OCCURS WITH A 150+ POUND PASSENGER SITTING NORMALLY IN THE SEAT, WITH SEATBELT FASTENED. THIS OCCURS THROUGHOUT TURNS, ON STRAIGHT ROADS, AND AT VARYING SPEEDS. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR YEARS, BUT I HAVE ONLY NOW DONE A SEARCH FOR IT. GOOGLE SEARCHES INDICATE THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMAS. BUT MAXIMAS PRIOR TO 2016 ARE NOT RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
11171054
Incident
Jan 12, 2019
Mileage
54,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 5, 2018

AIRBAG DEACTIVATION LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYS ON FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT EVEN WITH AN ADULT IN THE SEAT.

NHTSA ID
11145342
Incident
Nov 4, 2018
Mileage
102,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 2, 2018
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, A VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ID
11082554
Incident
Mar 30, 2018
Mileage
118,000 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Oct 22, 2017

PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS FAILED. TO REPLACE YOU MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT BOTTOM WHICH IS OVER $1500. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT.

NHTSA ID
11035499
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Airbags
Filed Oct 10, 2017

PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAULT LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN A PASSENGER IS OCCUPYING SEAT. NOTE THE PERSON IS NOT A CHILD IS ABOVE LIMIT TO ACTIVATE FUNCTION OF AIRBAG? THIS NEEDS TO BE PUT ON RECALL LIST TO BE REPAIRED BY MANUFACTURE, LIGHT CAME ON AROUND 60,000 MILES, CURRENTLY HAS 68,000 MILES

NHTSA ID
11032787
Incident
Apr 12, 2017
Mileage
55,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2017

AIR BAG IS BLINKING. NISSAN DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED TO BE A B1022 CODE FOR OSC SENSOR FAILURE AND QUOTED $3,000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF ENTIRE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CHILDREN I HAVE TO BRING TO SCHOOL DAILY. PLEASE ADD RECALL FOR NISSAN MAXIMA 2009 MODELS AS WELL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID
11025141
Incident
Sep 11, 2017
Airbags
Filed Apr 12, 2017

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS STAYED ON, AND THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR FOR LESS THAN $2084., NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAS REFUSED ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPAIR.

NHTSA ID
10972097
Incident
Feb 1, 2017
Mileage
83,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 18, 2016

DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUES TO BLINK ON THE DASHBOARD. DEALER STATES THAT IT IS THE DRIVERS AIRBAG (DIAGNOSIS COST 119 ) WHICH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 1100 DOLLARS. THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG IN 2010.. BUT NOW IT COMES ON THE CAR HAS 87000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2009

NHTSA ID
10916809
Incident
Oct 10, 2016
AirbagsOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed May 23, 2016

RECALL 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THE FRONT END OF THE CAR IS NOT STABLE FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS WOBBLING AND THE TIRE IS GOING TO COME OFF. AND I ALWAYS HEAR THIS LOUD CRACKING/POPPING SOUND WHEN BACKING UP AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND GO FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING I SOMETIMES CAN HER THIS CRACKING/SQUEAKING SOUND AND ALSO THE TIRE INDICATOR CONSTANTLY STAYS ON. I HAVE TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO BE CHECKED, AND THEY HAVE CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE IN EACH TIRE ON MY CAR AND ALSO THE SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK OF MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES. AND THE TIRE INDICATOR WILL NOT GO OFF. GOD FORBID IF WHEN I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP THE ENTIRE CAR MAKES THIS LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND. WHEN MY VEHICLE ENGINE IS ON PASSAGE AIRBAG INDICATOR KEEP BLANKING AND WILL NOT GO OFF, STAYS ON CONSTANTLY. SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH PASSAGE IN MY CAR BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT." GOD BLESSED"

NHTSA ID
10870351
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 20, 2016

I PURCHASED MY 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA FROM THE DEALER, BRAND NEW IN JUNE 2009. THE CAR IS NOW 7 YEARS OLD AND HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT. MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY IS EXPIRED (AS IT ENDED AT 100,000 MILES). WITHIN THE LAST 3 MONTHS THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN NOBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. ALSO, THE FLASHING AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD CONTINUES TO BLINK. SEARCHING THE WEB I FOUND HOW TO DIAGNOSE THE ERROR WHICH POINTED ME TO THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT HAD FAILED AND THAT THE AIRBAG SRS SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND THAT I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR WITH AN INOPERATIVE SRS SYSTEM. THE DEALER CONFIRMED IT'S THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT HAS FAILED. SINCE THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, IT WILL COST ME $1,900 OUT OF POCKET. I CONTACTED NISSAN'S CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT NISSAN RECORDED MY COMPLAINT AND OPENED A CASE # FOR ANY FUTURE RECALL CAMPAIGNS. NISSAN DENIED THE CLAIM AND WILL NOT COVER ANY PORTION OF THE REPAIR COSTS. I WANT TO ALERT THE NHTSA THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM NOT ONLY ON NEWER NISSANS, BUT ALSO ON THE OLDER NISSANS, INCLUDING MY 2009 MAXIMA. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS YEAR AND MODEL WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR AN EXPANDED RECALL TO THE CURRENT RECALL. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND ONE THAT NISSAN SHOULD AGREE TO TAKE CARE OF FOR ALL CARS THAT SHOW THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10870113
Incident
Feb 1, 2016
Mileage
101,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 12, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS UNTIL IT WAS CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

NHTSA ID
10789911
Incident
Oct 22, 2015
Mileage
54,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2015

AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT SAYING AIR BAG IS OFF

NHTSA ID
10730499
Incident
May 15, 2015
Mileage
153,200 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .