The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger’s side air bag warning light was illuminated. The air bag located in the seat failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the passenger’s side seat sensor was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the occupant sensor was inoperable. The dealer confirmed that the part was no longer in production. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Nissan Maxima airbag light comes on
163 of the 6,504 owner complaints about the Nissan Maxima describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2009 model year.
- owner complaints
- 163
- worst model year
- 2009
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,670
- typical mileage
- 74,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
No deployment 7Stalling 2Check engine light 2Adaptive cruise 2Warning lights 1Pulling 1Misfire 1Jerking 1
Trouble codes mentioned
B1018 3B1049 1
What owners say
Airbag warning light stays on at the dashboard. Passenger air bag light indicates airbag is off when someone is actually in the seat. This is incorrect.
Went to work and parked. It rained that day, not sure if it’s related. When I went to leave the dash airbag light stayed on. This was December 2023. There are no other issues with the car. No other warning lights. The car has 52,300 miles on it now. I just recently took it to the dealership to see about getting it fixed and was quoted $7k-11k in repairs. They told me “it’s usually the setback assembly. That could possibly fix it.” I was told the lifetime power train warranty that the dealership offers does not apply. I do have the invoice, but for some train the website is not letting me upload.
First, my passenger airbag light came on and will not go off. then my emergency breaking system activated while I was driving on the interstate and I was almost hit by a semi from behind I didn’t manage to get the vehicle off the road I took it to Nissan . They did a diagnostics and couldn’t find anything wrong with the car the emergency braking system has activated several times since then and now my whole dash system seems to freeze up completely and will not let me use anything in the car. I have to put it in park the car off and restart for it to work. Nissan has my vehicle now . They did another diagnostics and said it was a sensor in the airbags, and the whole driver side seat had to be replaced and I was told that my airbags would not deploy if I got in a car wreck since there is no recall for this issue so they say I have to put out-of-pocket that amount of money to fix my car and they want me to pay for another diagnostics fee. I have a car that does not have safety features that I paid for. Nissan wants to charge me again for another diagnostics exam and the cost for the seat they say about $5000 .
The airbag light does not go out once the vehicle has been started and while driving.
11/2022 dash air bag warning light started flashing in 2014 Nissan Maxima. Dealership said air bag sensor (part #873009DH5B)was bad and seat needed to be replaced est cost~$1600. In January, I called dealership to schedule seat replacement and was told part was on back order with no timeline for availability. Called Nissan Consumer Affairs, as recommended by dealership, and was given 3 locations where a seat was in stock. Called first site, seat was no longer available, called second site and purchased seat (~$1670)which was shipped here and installed by dealership for ~$300 on 22 February 2023. Air bag warning did not resolve with new seat, so spent ~$400 to install sensor (next step in the algorithm), still did not resolve warning. So, dealership tested a seat from one of their personal vehicles which did resolve the air bag warning. They determined the new seat that I had purchased was not functional. Since February, dealership has kept the 'new' seat and has been attempting to get it replaced under warranty as it is a new part that malfunctioned. I have had two case numbers with Nissan consumer affairs, made many calls, sent multiple emails detailing this with no response since January when they gave me the 3 in-stock locations. When I call to check on case #, reps say someone tried to call but couldn't leave message. They were able to reach me in January and I have no record of any calls nor issues receiving other calls/voicemail. I will not risk the safety of my family with a potential air bag malfunction in an accident, so have been unable to have a passenger in the front seat for over 6 months. Dealership is communicative and helpful and keeps trying to get the part but they continue to be told that it's not known when the part will be available. I understand supply chain issues and have been patient, but this is a severe safety concern. It's not reasonable for a consumer to be left with an inherently unsafe airbag activation system for over 6 months.
The airbag light is on and blinking. I did call the local Nissan dealer and they told me there was not a recall for this problem on the 2009 Nissan maxima. This seems very unfair because several recalls have been made on the airbags. Also I was told over 5 years ago that the struts on my car were defective when I had my brakes repaired. I did call the Nissan company and they told me my year was not included in the recall. My car was driving so badly I was having problems controlling it and I had to go ahead and get the front struts replaced and shocks replaced on the back and they had to put a stabilizer bar (sway Bar Link) on it also. I recently had this done. This airbag light had come on 4 years ago but I was thinking it was my seat belt light. When I would remove my purse to the floor it would go off. My brother took my manual out and told me it was the airbag and not the seat belt light. It blinks all the time now. I firmly believe the Nissan company know this 2009 Maxima has defects but they refuse to acknowledge it. Appears they could care less about our safety.
Passenger air bag light warning came on. Diagnostics confirmed the passenger front seat cushion Assy with OCS unit required replacement. The cost is $2108.10 and the part is on back order. This vehicle was purchased new and the passenger side seldom has a passenger. I believe this is a manufacturer responsibility as evidenced by the many recalls documented. The new seat order is placed through Premier Nissan of Metaire, LA. Please consider placing this claim into recall. Thank you for your assistance.
Driver airbag light has been on for two years and dealership states that it will cost thousands of dollars to be replaced and/or repaired. I have researched online and this seems to be a problem with this year, make and model and may be a continuance of airbag issues that were included in a recall prior to this year model. Today, I am unsure as to whether or not the airbags will work properly in the vehicle if it is in an accident.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Maxima. The contact noticed that the front passenger side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front seat passenger’s Occupant Classification System sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V244000 (Air Bags). The failure mileage was 84,741.
Related recalls
Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888‑737‑9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888‑810‑3715.
Recall number 20V008000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Altima vehicles manufactured January 3, 2013, to July 29, 2013, 2015-2016 Rogue vehicles manufactured October 14, 2014, to August 12, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured June 4, 2015, to August 19, 2015. An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.
- Risk
- If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ECU and update the OCS software free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 16V911000 · Recall details
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669, Infiniti customer service at 1‑888‑833‑3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020.
Recall number 16V244000 · Recall details
Air bags
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed the federal safety agency of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.
Recall number 15V287000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal
- What is wrong
- In some underbody impacts the airbag sensor activates and sends a signal to the airbag, located in the center of the steering wheel, causing the driver's side airbag to inflate.
- Risk
- Airbag inflation may occur when it is not needed to protect the driver and may result in minor injuries to the driver from the inflating airbag.
- Remedy
- A tunnel sensor of different design will be installed on the affected vehicles.
Recall number 94V007000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Maxima airbag light
Why does the airbag light come on in the Nissan Maxima?
Owners who report it most often also describe airbags did not deploy in a crash, engine stalls while driving and check engine light, and the codes they mention most are B1018 and B1049.
Which Nissan Maxima years have airbag warning light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2009 (26 complaints), 2001 (14 complaints) and 2008 (14 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the Nissan Maxima?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,670 (median of 27 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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