FaultScore

2012 Nissan Altima airbag problems

57 of the 579 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Altima are about the airbag system — 10% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 51,000 miles.

F

57

Complaints

14

Crashes

0

Fires

9

Injuries

Exactly what failed

AIR Bags 57 100.0%

Airbags across every Nissan Altima year

1993 21 1.1%
1994 42 2.2%
1995 61 3.1%
1996 38 1.9%
1997 37 1.9%
1998 15 0.8%
1999 13 0.7%
2000 14 0.7%
2001 16 0.8%
2002 35 1.8%
2003 29 1.5%
2004 11 0.6%
2005 49 2.5%
2006 43 2.2%
2007 64 3.3%
2008 147 7.5%
2009 92 4.7%
2010 61 3.1%
2011 21 1.1%
2012 57 2.9%
2013 513 26.3%
2014 208 10.7%
2015 175 9.0%
2016 70 3.6%
2017 72 3.7%
2018 36 1.8%
2019 11 0.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Jacksonville, FL Crash

AIR BAGS

I was working, and as I was on my way to a location a lady in front of me came to a complete stop since a couple of ducks were crossing causing me to come to a complete stop as well. As I stopped I looked into my rearview mirror I noticed the lady behind me was not stopping and then smashed into the back of me launching me into the car in front of me. My passenger air bag went off, however my driver seat airbag did not go off, failing to protect me. My car was completely totaled in result of the accident.

NHTSA complaint #11752694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles West New York, NJ

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the OCS control unit was malfunctioning. The dealer determined that the front passenger’s side seat needed to be replaced. The dealer charged a fee to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA complaint #11559125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,000 miles Seattle, WA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat sensor unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V408000 (Air Bags) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 28,000.

NHTSA complaint #11545709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Diego, CA

AIR BAGS

The airbag warning light started flashing in late November or early December 2022. I took the car to my mechanic on Dec. 5, 2022 who ran a diagnostic which identified the need to replace the sensor in the front passenger seat. The sensor is so integrated into the seat that the entire seat (not the back) must be replaced. I was then told that Nissan has stopped making the seat because the car is over 10 years old and a replacement is unavailable nationwide and will not become available. I called a Nissan dealer to confirm that the part is unavailable and they confirmed it. As a result, it is unsafe for a person to sit in the passenger seat. It seems wrong that Nissan can stop making such an essential part and devalue someone's life or the vehicle itself in this way. It also seems to me that I cannot sell the car in this condition and it only has about 76,000 miles on it. The vehicle is available for inspection should someone wish to do so.

NHTSA complaint #11507535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Greer, SC Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

Car had a hard impact, not on the front end but flipped multiple times, air bags and side air bags did not deploy

NHTSA complaint #11487752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Powder Springs, GA

AIR BAGS

Our vehicle has been in no collisions or anything and has been well taken care of. Out of nowhere about 3 years our airbag light came on indicating that it will not deploy. We tried to get Nissan to fix it due to hearing of recalls in the past but they said our vehicle was not included. They then said they had to try one thing at a time and the first thing was replacing the seat for $1400 and if that didn't work they will continue down a list of 10 possible things. So basically the vehicle is a deathtrap and we are not sure how it even became that. Seems like it has to be an electrical issue or the issue mentioned in the recall.

NHTSA complaint #11460260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Holtville, CA

AIR BAGS

the airbag light that is under the dash board always turns on all of a sudden I am concerned the airbags might open or their migght be something wrong and god forbid in a accident they dont open also the suspention has always had issues

NHTSA complaint #11437563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Union City, CA

AIR BAGS

Pressure sensor in passenger seat connected to passenger side air bag became defective, affecting (shutting off) the entire air bag system. Started off with 'passenger air bag off' sign being illuminated at all times, even when an adult was sitting in the passenger seat. Then airbag warning light on the dashboard started flashing the entire time car was running. Because the passenger seat airbag is off. The safety of passenger put at risk. Talked to Nissan dealers at Hayward CA today (08-10-2021). They said that the has no recall and warranty is expired. That means I have to pay for the airbag repairs which I don't think is fair for consumers. Air bags is a safety issue, they should take care of it right away with no cost before something happens. I did reset the airbag warning on the dashboard twice, but it came back on day after.

NHTSA complaint #11428614 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

AIR BAGS

I JUST FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE 4 SAFETY RECALLS (PERFORMED 0)ON OUR CAR ACCORDING TO KBB AND FOR OUR SAFETY PURPOSED,IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND WE JUST BOUGHT THIS IN USED CAR COMPANY LAST 09/09/2019.AND PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THE CAR MANUFACTURER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE RECALL OR WE (OWNER).THANK YOU IN ADVANCED

NHTSA complaint #11396685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,975 miles Valdosta, GA

AIR BAGS

PRESSURE SENSOR IN PASSENGER SEAT CONNECTED TO PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG BECAME DEFECTIVE, AFFECTING (SHUTTING OFF) THE ENTIRE AIR BAG SYSTEM. STARTED OFF WITH 'PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF' SIGN BEING ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHEN AN ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THEN AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING THE ENTIRE TIME CAR WAS RUNNING.

NHTSA complaint #11390396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELK Grove, CA

AIR BAGS

MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD AND RECENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD , WHICH IS THE SIGN OF A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP (ELK GROVE NISSAN, CALIFORNIA) AND PAID TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. AFTER PERFORMING THE DIAGNOSTICS, I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND THAT IT WOULD COST ME $1500 TO REPAIR. MY QUESTION TO THEM WAS: " WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR THE REPAIR IF THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY?" I ALSO SAID THAT IF THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY, IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE CHECKED THE SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE GUIDE FOR MY VEHICLE AND THERE IS NOWHERE IN THE BOOKLET THAT STATES THAT THE AIRBAG IS A MAINTENANCE ITEM FOR THE OWNER. THE AIRBAG IS A SAFETY ITEM AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER JF IT IS FAULTY AS IS WITH MY VEHICLE. WHAT IS FRIGHTENING IS THAT THE RED LIGHT IS STILL FLASHING ON THE DASHBOARD AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THE AIRBAG IS FAULTY AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED ASAP BEFORE SOMETHING VERY SERIOUS HAPPENS. SINCE AUGUST 2020, I HAVE TRADED PHONE CALLS, EMAILS AND LETTERS WITH NISSAN TO NO AVAIL. I AM THEREFORE APPEALING TO YOU TO KINDLY INTERVENE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE FIND ATTACHED, COPIES OF COMMUNICATION WITH NISSAN FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND REVIEW.

NHTSA complaint #11385374 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 93,000 miles Amarillo, TX

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STARTED GOING OFF ANY TIME THE CAR IS ON - INDICATING THERE IS NO AIRBAG FUNCTIONING EVEN WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. TOOK THE CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAY THE WHOLE SEAT CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. COST ABOUT $1000.

NHTSA complaint #11327004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Gulf Breeze, FL

AIR BAGS

THE AIR BAG SWITCH UNDER THE SEAT IS DEFECTIVE.

NHTSA complaint #11315707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winter Springs, FL

AIR BAGS

SRS SUPPLEMENTAL AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING WHEN STARTING THE CAR UP. FOR WHILE I PUT UP WITH THIS, BUT I WAS CONCERNED. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I EVENTUALLY FOUND A PROCEDURE TO RESET THE WARNING AND FOR A TIME THIS WORKED. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL NIISSAN DEALER WAS TOLD THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND THAT TO FIX IT, THE ENTIRE LOWER SEAT CUSHION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR APPROXIMATELY $2000 WHICH I THOUGHT WAS OUTRAGEOUS. THEY ALSO TOLD ME MY ENTIRE AIRBAG SYSTEM WOULD BE INOPERATIVE UNTIL THIS SENSOR WAS FIXED, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME. WHY WOULD FAULTY PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR DISABLE ALL AIRBAGS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD RECALL CARS WITH THESE KINDS PROBLEMS AND NOT STICK CUSTOMERS WITH REPLACING $2000 SEAT CUSHIONS.

NHTSA complaint #11310935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 43,000 miles Sunnyvale, CA

AIR BAGS

AFTER 43K MILES AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES WHEN MY WIFE IS SEATED AND CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. DEALER SAYS WEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR PASSENGER IS 120 LBS. WHAT IS FEDERAL REQUIREMENT?

NHTSA complaint #11281879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 145,000 miles Thomasville, GA

AIR BAGS

A RED FLASHING LIGHT THAT LOOKS LIKE A PERSON SITTING WITH A AIRBAG IN THE FACE WON'T GO OFF AND A YELLOW LIGHT THAT HAS A X OVER THE 2ND SEAT. I'M SCARED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WON'T WORK IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURS

NHTSA complaint #11269835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pineville, MO

AIR BAGS

CAMBIE LAS BREAKS NUEVAS Y EL RUIDO SIGUE, LA LUZ DE LAS BOLSAS DE AIRE EST PRENDIDA SIEMPRE

NHTSA complaint #11246336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 103,000 miles Tampa, FL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF TAMPA (813-933-6641, LOCATED AT 11001 N FLORIDA AVE, TAMPA, FL 33612) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RECOMMENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

NHTSA complaint #11233905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 31,200 miles Lady Lake, FL

AIR BAGS

AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE INDICATES THAT IT IS OFF AND WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ON DASHBOARD. HAVE RESET IT SEVERAL TIMES BUT RESET ONLY LASTS ABOUT 30 MINS. 31200 MILES ON VEHICLE. WAS TOLD IT MAY BE SEAT SENSOR AND NEARLY $850 TO REPLACE.

NHTSA complaint #11229513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Huntersville, NC

AIR BAGS

FLASHING SEAT BELT SIGN RELATING TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG KEEPS BLINKING AND NO ONE SITS IN THE SEAT. WILL THE AIRBAG ACTUALLY WORK IF IN A ACCIDENT? WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL ON THIS AIR BAG SENSOR?

NHTSA complaint #11164355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Palm Beach, FL

AIR BAGS

MY AIR BAG LIGHT ISFLASHING, WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID NISSAN SHOULD HAVE PAY FOR THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE AIR BAG SHOULD NOT GIVE ANY PROBLEM UNLESS THE CAR INVOLVE IN AN ACCIDENT. I DECIDE TO FILE A COMPLAINT, MAYBE THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA

NHTSA complaint #11156619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bladenboro, NC

AIR BAGS

THE MPH WOULD REGISTER AS 60 BUT I KNOW IT WAS ONLY DOING 20. GOING AROUND CURVES IT WAS ACTING LIKE IT WANT TO GO BUT DONT GO FAR. IT WILL START BUT MPH WONT MOVE, AND WONT MOVE FORWARD BUT WILL BACKUP.

NHTSA complaint #11132887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

AIR BAGS

FLASHING SEATBELT SIGN RELATING TO PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO WHEN IT RAINS BOTH FRONT AND BACK DOORS ARE FILL WITH WATER. WHEN DRIVING WATER CAN BE HEARD SWOOSHING. AFTERWARD TO RELIEVE THE NOISE, I HAVE TO PICK UP THE RUBBER AT THE BASE OF THE DOORS AND WATER WILL RAN OUT.

NHTSA complaint #11104825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,536 miles Lorton, VA

AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL - THE LIGHT ON MY AIR BAGS POPS UP RANDOMLY WHEN I DRIVE IT. THERE COULD BE NOTHING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND IT WILL STILL LIGHT UP. I HAVE ASKED THE SERVICE MEN AT THE NISSAN SERVICE IN WOODBRIDGE, VA TO CHECK THIS PROBLEM WHEN I HAVE TAKEN IT IN FOR SERVICING BUT THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT. I AM A WOMAN AND I DON'T KNOW THESE THINGS UNTIL A "RECALL" IS SENT OUT. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

NHTSA complaint #11088488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 8 miles Doylestown, PA Crash

AIR BAGS

I HIT A DEER HEAD ON@ 40 MPH, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA complaint #11039396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Astoria, NY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE DRIVER WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH TWO IRON GATES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (KOEPPEL NISSAN, 74-15 NORTHERN BLVD, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY, 877-505-6334) AND STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,000.

NHTSA complaint #11024703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,000 miles Fall River, MA

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TASTA NISSAN WHERE IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BASE OF THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 27162570 AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AT THE TIME THE MANUFACTURER USED A DIFFERENT AIR BAG THAN THE AIR BAGS ON RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA complaint #11001471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,500 miles Hawthorne, FL

AIR BAGS

JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND NOTICED ON THE TEST DRIVE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG LIGHT WAS LIT UP INDICATING IT WAS OFF, EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE WAS IN THE SEAT. BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION, 5 MINUTES LATER THEY BROUGHT IT BACK CLAIMING IT NEEDED RESET DUE TO A SENSOR HAVING SOMETHING TO DO WITH A CARSEAT. THE LIGHT WASN'T ON WITH A PASSENGER SO I ASSUMED IT WAS FINE. NOW THE LIGHT BRIEFLY ILLUMINATES AT START UP, BUT STAYS OFF REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT. I HAVE SEEN ABOUT 20 OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY UNSAFE, I NOW HAVE ZERO FAITH THAT THE AIRBAG WILL EVEN DEPLOY. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED!!

NHTSA complaint #10978727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Fort Pierce, FL

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT CUSHION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA complaint #10948880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Chanhassen, MN Crash

AIR BAGS

THE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN MY VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ON SPEED APPROXIMATELY 45MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10945471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2012 Nissan Altima problems

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