37 complaints reported

2012 Nissan Altima Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
37
Crashes
5
Fires
0
Injuries
4

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Oct 2015 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD, CRASHED INTO THREE TREES, AND FLIPPED OVER. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED HEAD, NECK, BACK, AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE WAS REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2013
Aug 2015

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT FLICKERS ON AND OFF OR WILL STAY ON FOR PERIODS OF TIME. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND WILL DO THIS WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE SEAT AND WHEN THERE IS SOMEONE IN THE SEAT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2014
May 2015

PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS INTERMITTENTLY OFF

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2012
Apr 2015

HELLO THERE I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA AND TOOK IT TO GET A DIAGNOSIS AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION/OCS SENSOR. THEY SAID WE BROKE THE SENSOR WITH A WATER BOTTLE. I SAID OKAY BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT THE SENSOR IS INSIDE THE CUSHION SEAT SO HOW COULD A WATER BOTTLE REACH THAT SENSOR. IT DOESN'T ITS SELF EXPLANATORY THEIR CAR CAME DEFECTIVE. I'M PARALYZED FROM THE WAIST DOWN. IF I GET IN AN ACCIDENT THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE HELP RESPONSIBLE IS NISSAN BECAUSE THEY SOLD ME A DEFECTIVE CAR. I HAVE THE RIGHT TO FILE ACTION AGAINST YOUR GUYS BEHALF. IF YOU LOOK AT HOWSTUFFWORKS.COM IT WILL SHOW YOU EXACTLY WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. I DO NOT HAVE $550 EXTRA FOR THEIR MISTAKE. THANK YOU AND HOPE YOU GUYS TAKE CAR OF IT. ALSO I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW 7000 MILES ON IT OCTOBER 9TH, 2012. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2015
Feb 2015 Crash Injury

ON AUGUST 28, 2015, THE PERSON HAD RAN A RED LIGHT WHICH CAUSED ME TO T-BONE HIS CAR IN THE REAR. THEREFORE IT WAS A HARD IMPACT COLLISION AND NEITHER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FOR OUR OWN SAFETY. ...UPDATED 09/28/15 *BF .......UPDATED 12/10/15 *BF

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2015
Dec 2014

THE 'AIRBAG OFF' LIGHT FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT TURNS ON RANDOMLY, REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN THE SEAT (140+ POUNDS). THE CAR WAS PURCHASED OFF LEASE LAST YEAR FROM EAST COAST AUTO MALL, 340 SYLVAN AVE, ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, NJ 07632. WE CALLED THEM AND ASKED ABOUT IF THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY IF THE LIGHT WAS ON, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, THIS WAS THEIR RESPONSE: "WELL NO.. BUT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE WEARING A SEAT BELT." LAST NISSAN I'LL BUY, AFTER OWNING 4 CONSECUTIVELY. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2013
Oct 2014

OUR 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA'S PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL SHOWS THE AIRBAG BEING INACTIVE WHILE A PERSON IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. ALL PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAT IN THIS SEAT THIS ISSUE OCCURRED ARE OVER 120 POUNDS. TWICE WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE PLANET NISSAN IN LAS VEGAS WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR. THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID SINCE THE ISSUE CAN BE REPLICATED THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A 100 HUNDREDS TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. EVERY TIME WE CALL A DEALERSHIP WE HEAR THE SAME ANSWER UNLESS WE CAN SEE THE PROBLEM AND DUPLICATE IT WE CANNOT HELP YOU. THE ISSUE IS THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAN BE LIT (SHOWING AIRBAG TO ACTIVE) AND ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP THE LIGHT GOES OUT AND WE ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE. AFTER TWO YEARS OF GETTING NOWHERE WITH THIS WE TOOK VIDEO OF THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED. WE BROUGHT THIS TO AUTONATION NISSAN IN LAS VEGAS AND THEY CHECK THE WIRING HARNESS SAID IT IS NOT LOOSE THERE IS NOTHING ELSE WE CAN DO UNLESS WE CAN DUPLICATE THE ISSUE. WE LOGGED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN USA HQ AND RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE, SORRY WE CANNOT HELP YOU NAY FURTHER. WITH ALL THE RECENT AND PAST NISSAN AIRBAG RECALLS I AM SHOCKED AT THEIR LACK OF WANTING TO DO SOMETHING EXTRA TO TROUBLESHOOT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED MANY CAR FORUMS AND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN, THEY PUSH THE CONSUMER AWAY WITH THE TYPICAL CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM THEREFORE IT ISN'T ONE. AT THIS POINT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE ANYONE SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS SAFE IN A HEAD ON CRASH. IS IT GOING TO TAKE A PERSON'S DEATH FOR NISSAN TO STEP UP AND MAKE THIS RIGHT? THIS EERILY REMINISCENT OF GM NOT ACTING ON THE FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2012
Oct 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED ALTHOUGHT THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND PERFORMED REPAIRS FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V138000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25, 800.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2013
Aug 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, ALTHOUGH THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM SOFTWARE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE SEAT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V138000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,500.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2014
Oct 2013

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNS ON WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THIS INDICATES THAT IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT WHILE THIS WARNING LIGHT IS ON; THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WOULD NOT GO OFF; WHICH CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE ARE NO "CODES" TO BE READ AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS. THE DEALER EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT BECAUSE THE OCCUPANCY CLASSIFICATION SENSOR CAN'T BE INDIVIDUALLY REPLACED. APPARENTLY THIS SEAT IS QUITE EXPENSIVE; OVER $2000 AND THE DEALER CLAIMS THAT THEY CAN'T JUST REPLACE IT WITHOUT SOME AUTHORIZATION FROM NISSAN. I HAVE EVEN TAKEN A VIDEO OF MY WIFE IN THE CAR SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIRBAG OFF WARNING LIGHT IS TURNED ON (YOUTU.BE/UWOQJQWRAEI) AND HAVE PROVIDED A LINK TO THE DEALER. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HOPING THEY WOULD HAVE MY CAR FIXED. THEY REPLY THEY GAVE WAS THAT SINCE THE DEALER COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT; THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. MY WIFE IS AFRAID OF DRIVING IN THE CAR WITH ME FOR FEAR THAT SHE COULD BE INJURED. I HAVE EVEN POSTED THIS VIDEO SO MY LAST RESORT IS TO REPORT THIS TO NHTSA WHERE I SEE THAT SOMEONE ELSE HAS POSTED A SIMILAR INCIDENT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2013
Jun 2013

THE "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT ON EVEN WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT GOES OFF AFTER LIKE 10-15 MINUTES. THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY AND I BELIEVE THOSE 10-15 MINUTES WITHOUT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF IS TOO DANGEROUS TO LIVE WITH IN CASE IF SOME ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2012
Feb 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2012 NISSAN ALTIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2012

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Nissan Altima has 37 Air Bags complaints on file. 5 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.