2012 Nissan Maxima: Air Bags complaints
Owner-reported issue (NHTSA complaints, not a recall)
Symptoms
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Maxima that list the air bags component. Complaints are individual owner reports, not verified defects.
Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11562826 (filed 12/31/2023): “Passenger airbag notifi action blinks and will not show it is activated to function in a crash. airbag has never worked. also driver seat belt keeps releasing without being pushed to open. seat belt issue just began dec 2023…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11539116 (filed 08/17/2023): “The contact owns a 2012 nissan maxima. the contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag failed to turn on while the front passenger's side seat was occupied. the contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. the dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11300985 (filed 01/21/2020): “Whenever someone sits on the front passenger seat the warning light comes on indicating that if something happen (accident) the airbag will not deploy. all the people i have tested are over 120 lbs. i brought this problem to pinnacle nissan in scottsdale, az but they didn't do anything to fix it …”
Likely causes
These complaints do not establish a single root cause; read the examples above and get a diagnosis.
Fix, in plain English
No single fix is established by these reports. Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer about technical service bulletins (TSBs) or extended warranty coverage, then have the system diagnosed.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Airbag and seat-belt restraint systems are safety-critical and need a scan tool and manufacturer procedures; do not DIY. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range for this issue. Get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
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Sources
Page last updated .