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2012 Nissan Altima: airbag warning light

25 of the 426 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Altima describe airbag warning light.

owner complaints
25
of this car's complaints
6%
typical repair cost reported
$1,400
typical mileage
45,000
recalls
2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for this area of the car. See below

Airbag warning light by model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 8, 2023 · Airbags · 78,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Sep 20, 2023 · Airbags · 28,000 miles · WA

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Feb 16, 2023 · Airbags · CA

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.

Filed Apr 9, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · GA

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.

Filed Oct 20, 2021 · Airbags, Suspension · CA

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

Filed Aug 11, 2021 · Airbags · CA

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.

Filed Jan 27, 2021 · Airbags · 38,975 miles · GA

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.

Filed Dec 29, 2020 · Airbags · CA

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.

Filed Jun 2, 2020 · Airbags · 93,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Feb 23, 2020 · Airbags · FL

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.

Filed Nov 22, 2019 · Airbags · 43,000 miles · CA

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?

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Airbags · 103,000 miles · FL

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.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Air bags: side/windowReported February 14, 2012 · 976 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 altima and versa vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with side curtain air bags that contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component used, resulting in insufficient output of compressed gas.
Risk
The side curtain air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on march 12, 2012. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 615‑725‑1000.

Recall number 12V055000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported August 9, 2011 · 54 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 nissan altima vehicles manufactured from june 15, 2011, through june 21, 2011 and model year 2012 nissan nv vehicles manufactured from june 23, 2011, through june 28, 2011 because the air bag control unit (acu) was assembled incorrectly.
Risk
The affected acu will not operate as designed and this issue may cause the air bags not to inflate in a crash when they are designed to inflate. This could increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Nissan will replace the air bag control unit free of charge. The safety recall began on august 22, 2011. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 11V408000 · Recall details

Questions about the 2012 Nissan Altima airbag light

Is airbag warning light a common problem on the 2012 Nissan Altima?

25 of 426 owner complaints about the 2012 Nissan Altima (6%) mention airbag warning light. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the 2012 Nissan Altima?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,400 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 Nissan Altima?

There are 2 recalls and 1 service bulletin for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2012 Nissan Altima

CVT failure 73Loss of power 34Transmission failure 28Whining noise 24Check engine light 19No deployment 13Jerking 13Overheating 13Stalling 11Won't shift 11Slipping 8Grinding brakes 7Won't start 7Adaptive cruise 5Door locks 5Headlights 5

All model years of the Nissan Altima

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