1,089 of the
4,513 complaints filed about the Nissan Versa
are about the airbag system —
24% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
I am submitting a vehicle safety complaint regarding my 2011 Nissan Versa SL. VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: XXX Time: Approximately 7:30 a.m. While driving to work and making a right turn from [XXX] onto [XXX], the driver-side airbag suddenly deployed without a collision or impact. Prior to the deployment, the vehicle experienced abnormal electrical symptoms involving the steering wheel. The horn had previously stopped working and later began sounding continuously. After the airbag deployed, I noticed a burning odor, and approximately 20 minutes later, the inside of the steering-wheel/airbag area was still very hot. I disconnected the negative battery cable as a safety precaution. My insurance company referred the vehicle to Caliber Collision, where an SRS diagnostic scan showed: B1049 – CURRENT – Driver Airbag Module OPEN B1057 – CURRENT – Driver Airbag Module SHORT B1050/B1055 – HISTORY – Driver Airbag VB-SHORT B1051/B1056 – HISTORY – Driver Airbag GND-SHORT B1013 – HISTORY – Control Unit I photographed the scan results. Caliber informed me that they do not repair this type of SRS/electrical malfunction. I am concerned that an airbag deployed without a crash or impact while the vehicle was in motion, accompanied by abnormal electrical symptoms and multiple SRS fault codes. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect and determine whether similar incidents have been reported involving the 2011 Nissan Versa or related SRS components. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11758382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In July 2024 my airbag light came for no apparent reason. I took it to Nissan Service-they got it off with no guarantee it would stay off and said the airbag would have to be replaced if it came on again. In came on again in June 2026. I got my oil changed at a local shop and they got the light off verifying it was the L side airbag causing it to flash. That lasted about 2 months and it is flashing again. I got it off turning the key on and off 3 times. I am not 100% sure the airbag would work if needed. Nissan wants thousands of dollars to fix it. I wonder why this hasn't been a recall.Many Nissan owners have had the same issue.
NHTSA complaint #11756807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 3 MPH, the front driver’s side air bag unexpectedly deployed. The contact was left with a bruised face and a nosebleed from the air bag deployment. The contact used tissues to stop the nosebleed, but no medical attention was sought. The contact stated that after the failure, while starting the vehicle, the horn would activate unless the brake pedal was depressed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V349000 (Air Bags). The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11753007 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle was involved in a side impact collision at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss after the accident, as the side impact was the drivers side door and wheel well. The air bags never deployed, despite the high rate of speed and the entire front drivers side of the vehicle being affected.
NHTSA complaint #11727553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
0 The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for more than approximately 2 minutes. There are no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. The vehicle has completely lost power while driving and has stopped in the middle of the road with no ability to accelerate or restart the vehicle, creating an extremely dangerous situation and risk of collision. This appears to be a known and common defect with the CVT transmission on this vehicle model and year. The condition has progressively worsened and makes the vehicle unsafe to operate.
NHTSA complaint #11723507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission failure 2 Times. First time experienced jerking and some smoke coming out and second time same jerking and smoke along with electrical system failure. Nissan paid 40% the first time to help and I paid 60% even though I did not agree with that I did it. 2nd time they refuse to pay anything because of warranty even though it only took 40, 000 miles and transmission went out gain. Obvious that the transmissions are trash. The constant jerking and smoking in engine and electrical failure not to mention I was in a hit and run and ran into a tree and brake system did not work and the air bag did not come out after running into a tree. Please people run from Nissan fast. I'm thankful for my life.
NHTSA complaint #11718275 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal impact crash, passenger side airbag popped out of the dashboard, but did not inflate, causing significant injury to the passenger of the vehicle. A police report was filed, but it is not available yet. It takes up to 10 business days from date of accident.
NHTSA complaint #11717694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Out of nowhere my airbag light start blinking, I ran the code and got a P2096 which apparently is not related to the airbag I took it to Firestone to get it checked out and they told me they cannot do anything about the airbag light I would have to go to my dealership for help with that. No one seems to know what to do.
NHTSA complaint #11710587 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the driver’s air bag module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact was referred to a dealer and to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.
NHTSA complaint #11705347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 25-30 MPH, another vehicle ran the stop sign and crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle, and the entire front end of the vehicle was impacted and was significantly damaged. The contact stated that the front bumper separated and the headlights detached. The contact was occupying the front driver's seat while the contact's husband was occupying the front passenger's side seat. The contact stated that all the air bags deployed except the passenger's side curtain air bags, causing the contact's husband to hit his head against the window. Both the contact and her husband later went to the hospital, where the contact's husband was informed that he had sustained a concussion and a bump. The contact's husband also sustained burns and bruises on the legs from the air bags deployment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11690494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH in a parking lot, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. In addition, the air bag exploded. The contact was unsure if any warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained minor injuries to the right eye and the neck, and an allergic reaction on the face from the powder released from the air bag. The police and the paramedics were called. Afterwards, the contact went to an Urgent Care clinic. The contact's husband drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that back in 2018, she received a recall notice regarding the "Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator ." The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, and the recall repairs were completed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.
NHTSA complaint #11685656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have replaced the mass airflow sensor multiple times also transmission is starting to slipping,not responding correctly, when this starts all the lights on my dash come on and also does not accelerate or respond as it should very dissatisfied when they saw me would never recommend to buy another one
NHTSA complaint #11683812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was working for Uber Eats in New Smyrna Beach, FL. The car was front parked and I reversed the car to pull out from the parking lot. I drove at 5 MPH on the parking lot ready to drive to the main road. The main road was two stop signs away. I was halfway to the first stop sign the airbag deployed all of a sudden. There was no car in front of me or behind me. But the airbag impact blew my right arm from the wrist. My right arm was numb and upper right shoulder was bruised.
NHTSA complaint #11683709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The airbag warning light has come on and is flashing.Brought it in twice for it was in diagnosis mode the first time. History mode second time and two days later it is on again and flashing that is three times in one month! Nissan needs to have this problem fixed!
NHTSA complaint #11677593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My Check Airbag light came on without any incident and has stayed on since January, 2025. I took it to a Nissan dealer and they told me they would charge me $4,000.00 to see if it could be fixed. Charged me $209.96 just to look at the car. Their report said AIRBAG SIDE MODULE LH FAULTY. I am very uneasy now driving around not knowing if my airbag will deploy if ever needed. It is now July, 2025 and I cannot afford putting out this kind of money for the airbag light. I am a [XXX] over [XXX]. Can anyone help? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11676703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the horn failed to function while needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact to reach out to the local dealer because the failure might be due to a possible air bag failure. The local dealer advised the contact to reach out to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the manufacturer related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign that was possibly associated with the VIN in the past. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
NHTSA complaint #11638727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The steering wheel enclosure failed to close. The contact stated that the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was previously taken to the local dealer and was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V449000 (Air Bags) and 18V044000 (Air Bags). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The dealer informed the contact that a diagnostic test needed to be performed on the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11636252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while her husband was driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle in front abruptly stopped causing the contact to depress the brake pedal in order to avoid rear-ending the vehicle in front. As a result, the contact was rear-ended, and the vehicle behind that vehicle that rear ended the contact crashed into the rear of the vehicle as well. During the impact, it caused the contact vehicle to be pushed forward and then rear-end the vehicle in front that abruptly stopped. The air bags did not deploy. The driver and passenger seats fractured in a backward position. In addition, the front passenger side seat belt failed to retract during the crash. The contact was seated in the front passenger seat and during the impact she hit her head dashboard and sustained a concussion, shoulders, head, back, jaw, and left leg. The contact sustained head, shoulders, back, and leg injuries. Both received medical attention via the hospital. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11621552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.