RoadVitals

2011 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.
23
Latest Jul 15, 2024
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.
22%
of 106 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

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 2011 Nissan Maxima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 23 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

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Airbags
Filed Jul 15, 2024

Airbag warning came on. I took to dealership for diagnostic. There was malfunction with the passenger airbag. Seat coushin needed to be replaced so the “normal” wear and tear airbag would no longer be an issue. Nissan stated this is not a safety concern and all expenses were out of pocket.

NHTSA ID
11602442
Incident
Nov 20, 2023
Airbags
Filed Nov 23, 2022

Passenger seat airbag sensor has failed

NHTSA ID
11494708
Incident
Nov 1, 2020
Airbags
Filed Aug 6, 2020

THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR FAILED, I WAS IN A AUTO ACCIDENT THAT REQUIRED MY FRONT BUMPER, AC CONDESOR AND RADIATOR TO BR REPLACED. AFTER GETTING IT FIXED I NOTICED MY SEATBELT LIGHT WAS BLINKING, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WOULD GO AWAY. I GOT IT SCANNED TURNS OUT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR WENT OUT AND CAUSED ALL THE AIRBAGS TO TURN OFF.

NHTSA ID
11343681
Incident
May 17, 2020
Mileage
138,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 23, 2019

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG (OFF) LIGHT STAYS LIT ON THE PASSENGER DASH, EVEN WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, AND A SEPARATE ONE IS ON THE DRIVER'S DASH PANEL. WAS TOLD IT PROBABLY WAS A SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1600. IT STAYS LIKE THAT AND NEVER CHANGES. NISSAN WANTS MONEY JUST TO TAKE A LOOK.

NHTSA ID
11281967
Incident
Nov 7, 2018
Airbags
Filed Sep 7, 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEMET NISSAN (153-12 HILLSIDE AVENUE, JAMAICA, NEW YORK 11432, (718) 523-5858) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT FOR OCTOBER 2, 2018. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID
11128112
Incident
Aug 17, 2018
Airbags
Filed Mar 22, 2018

2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON INDICATING AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO OCCUR WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THE VEHICLE HAD A FAILED CLOCK SPRING. *JS

NHTSA ID
10907814
Incident
Apr 28, 2012
Airbags
Filed Feb 21, 2018

OCS SYSTEM DOES NOT SENSE WHEN A PASSENGER (GROWN ADULT OVER 150 LBS.) IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AS A RESULT THE AIRBAGS REMAIN OFF.

NHTSA ID
11074113
Incident
Feb 20, 2018
Mileage
200 mi
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Jul 29, 2017

DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING AN UNSAFE GLARE IN SUNLIGHT. ALSO POTENTIALLY WEAKENING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PASSENGER FRONT AIRBAG CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

NHTSA ID
11011413
Incident
Jul 29, 2017
Airbags
Filed Oct 31, 2016

MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIST HAS BEEN ON FOR A YEAR NOW. I AM WORRIED THAT IF I HAVE A PASSENGER SIDE THEY MAY GET HURT BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK!! IT IS HIGHLIGHTED THE ENTIRE TIME THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

NHTSA ID
10920184
Incident
Nov 17, 2015
Airbags
Filed Jan 18, 2016

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IT IS ON AS LONG AS THE CAR IS CRANKED.

NHTSA ID
10820868
Incident
Dec 5, 2015
AirbagsBrakesElectrical+1 more
Filed Dec 29, 2015
Crash reported3 injuries reported

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY LEFT ENTERING INTO A CURVE, THE 4 TIRES OF THE VEHICLE DID NOT FOLLOW THE COMMAND GIVEN BY THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED WITH GREAT EASE. WHILE REMOVING FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR, THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND CAUSED THE 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA TO COLLIDE WITH A FIXED OBJECT. THIS INCIDENT DID NOT OCCUR AT A SPEED FAST ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE SEVERE INJURIES THAT RESULTED. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG KNOCKED ME UNCONSCIOUS AND I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION FROM THE MOMENT RIGHT BEFORE "IMPACT" TO WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE 10 YEAR OLD WAS WEARING HIS SEATBELT PROPERLY. THE 3 YEAR OLD WAS IN A 5 POINT HARNESS PROPERLY RESTRAINED. RECENTLY, THE OFFICE OF [XXX] INFORMED ME THAT THE BACK SEAT CAME LOOSE DURING THE ACCIDENT WHICH CAUSED BOTH CHILDREN'S SEVERE INJURIES. THE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT WERE NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED BY THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE BACK SEAT UNHOOKING DURING THE ACCIDENT THEREFORE CAUSING SAFETY RESTRAINTS TO BE INADEQUATE AND POSSIBLY EVEN MORE HARMFUL. I ALSO WANT TO MENTION THAT THE LEFT REAR PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY WHERE THE 10 YEAR OLD WAS. THE VEHICLE IS POORLY DESIGNED TO SURVIVE EVEN A MINOR COLLISION. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS THE VEHICLE SINCE THE ACCIDENT AND GEORGIA STATE PATROL TORE IT UP BEFORE I COULD EVEN HAVE IT INSPECTED. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE VEHICLE IS NOR AM I ABLE TO GET THAT INFORMATION. GEORGIA STATE PATROL DOCUMENTED THAT THE AIR BAG ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE DID DEPLOY BUT THAT DOCUMENT IS INACCURATE BECAUSE I AM A WITNESS. I PRAY THAT THIS INFORMATION WILL BE USED TO PREVENT ANY AND ALL SIMILAR INCIDENTS FROM OCCURRING. I PRAY THAT YOU INVESTIGATE SIMILAR CLAIMS AND FIND ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO GET THESE DANGEROUS CARS OFF THE ROAD. *TT SEE ALSO ODI 11130128. *DSY INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10816663
Incident
Dec 10, 2013
Airbags
Filed Sep 8, 2015

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT WAS ON WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED WITH A PASSENGER. THIS IS THE 3RD OCCURRENCE THIS WEEK.

NHTSA ID
10762060
Incident
Sep 4, 2015
Mileage
27,500 mi
Airbags
Filed Sep 28, 2014

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHUTS OFF AND THE STATUS LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. THIS POSES A POTENTIALLY DEADLY RESULT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED DURING A COLLISION SINCE THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS DEFECT MUST BE CORRECTED OR PEOPLE COULD LOSE THEIR LIVES OR SUSTAIN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639681
Incident
Sep 28, 2014
Mileage
33,018 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 31, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ID
10617836
Incident
Jul 25, 2014
Mileage
38,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 30, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN TWO BROKEN WRISTS, A BROKEN RIGHT LEG, CRACKED STERNUM, MASSIVE SWELLING IN RIGHT CHEEK, BRUISED LEFT SHOULDER AND ARM, AND LACERATIONS NEAR THE EYE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE SPACE AND DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,051. UPDATED 09/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER FEELS THE SAFETY AND STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE FIREWALL FORWARD LACKED REINFORCEMENT TO ABSORB THE IMPACT. UPDATED 1/13/2015*JS

NHTSA ID
10617671
Incident
Jun 25, 2014
Mileage
14,051 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 28, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

I HIT A DEER GOING 65 MPH. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY CAR SUSTAINED $12,600 IN DAMAGE. I SUSTAINED A SPRAINED NECK AND A SPRAINED SHOULDER REQUIRING A SPLINT FOR COMFORT. I ALSO SUSTAINED A POSSIBLE PINCHED NERVE IN MY NECK AND SEVERE BACK PAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10606607
Incident
Jun 25, 2014
Mileage
34,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 8, 2014

EVERY TIME THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT THE AIR BAG OFF SIGNAL COMES ON. IT DOESN'T DETECT ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578385
Incident
Feb 13, 2014
Mileage
26,022 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200.

NHTSA ID
10575205
Incident
Oct 15, 2013
Airbags
Filed Mar 4, 2014

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY NISSAN MAXIMA, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN SENSITIVE. IT LIGHTS UP INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS NOT ENGAGED WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT. I AM A 125 LB WOMAN. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MINIMUM WEIGHT TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG IN THE MANUAL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THE CAR WASN'T DESIGNED FOR A GROWN WOMAN TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT.

NHTSA ID
10567269
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
50 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 12, 2013

MY NISSAN MAXIMUM AIR BAG ON THE PASSAGE SIDE GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING. I REPORTED IT TO MY DEALER AND NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE. I WAS ASKED IF I HAD SOMETHING IN THE SEAT THAT WEIGHTED 20 POUNDS. I WEIGHT 142 AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAY ON FOR SOMETIME 20 MILES DRIVING UP TO 60-70 MILES PER HOUR. I FELL SO UNSAFE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR DEC. OF 2010 AND IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 21000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING NISSAN FOR OVER FOURTH YEARS. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN RESPONSES. THEY REFERRED ME TO THERE BBB INC.. IT WAS NOT A GOOD RESULT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10506040
Incident
Apr 1, 2013
Airbags
Filed Apr 5, 2012

WE PURCHASED A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA IN NOVEMBER 2011 AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STAYING ON WHILE I AM SITTING IN THE SEAT. I WEIGH 115 LBS AND AM 5'1. I GOT NO HELP FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TODAY AND SHE TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF MY SIZE THE AIR BAG WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THAT ANSWER AND SHE TOLD ME SHE HAS DONE ALL SHE COULD DO, THAT I WAS WELCOME TO CALL NISSAN AND DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. I CALLED 1-800-NISSAN1 AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WAS HELPFUL. HE SAID THE WEIGHT LIMIT WAS 100LBS AND I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. HE OPENED A CASE AND SAID THE SERVICE MANAGER IN OUR TOWN WOULD RECEIVE A PHONE CALL AND ALSO GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10454225
Incident
Nov 27, 2011
Airbags
Filed Sep 23, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE "BROKEN IN" BECAUSE THE LEATHER WAS HARD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.

NHTSA ID
10426924
Incident
Jul 21, 2011
Mileage
2,200 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 25, 2011

NEW 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SOMETIMES FAIL TO ACTIVATE AT ALL OR ACTIVATE ONLY AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL (12-15) MILES WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SITUATION HAS OCCURRED ROUTINELY SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON 10/14/10. CONSEQUENTLY, FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. ALL PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN ADULTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM 95 LBS, 5'2" TO 145 LBS, 5'8". HEAVIER PASSENGERS ACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS QUICKER. SELLING DEALER HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE SEAR BOTTOM CUSHION CONTAINING THE ACTIVATION DEVICE. OLD PART WAS RETAINED BY DEALER. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10378691
Incident
Oct 14, 2010
Mileage
450 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.

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