21 complaints reported

2011 Nissan Maxima Air Bags

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

Reports
21
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
2

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jul 2024

Airbag warning came on. I took to dealership for diagnostic. There was malfunction with the passenger airbag. Seat coushin needed to be replaced so the “normal” wear and tear airbag would no longer be an issue. Nissan stated this is not a safety concern and all expenses were out of pocket.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2023
Nov 2022

Passenger seat airbag sensor has failed

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Jun 2020

THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR FAILED, I WAS IN A AUTO ACCIDENT THAT REQUIRED MY FRONT BUMPER, AC CONDESOR AND RADIATOR TO BR REPLACED. AFTER GETTING IT FIXED I NOTICED MY SEATBELT LIGHT WAS BLINKING, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WOULD GO AWAY. I GOT IT SCANNED TURNS OUT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT SENSOR WENT OUT AND CAUSED ALL THE AIRBAGS TO TURN OFF.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2020
Nov 2019

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG (OFF) LIGHT STAYS LIT ON THE PASSENGER DASH, EVEN WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT IN THE SEAT, AND A SEPARATE ONE IS ON THE DRIVER'S DASH PANEL. WAS TOLD IT PROBABLY WAS A SENSOR IN THE SEAT AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1600. IT STAYS LIKE THAT AND NEVER CHANGES. NISSAN WANTS MONEY JUST TO TAKE A LOOK.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2018
Jul 2018

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NEMET NISSAN (153-12 HILLSIDE AVENUE, JAMAICA, NEW YORK 11432, (718) 523-5858) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL AND SCHEDULED A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT FOR OCTOBER 2, 2018. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2018
Mar 2018

2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON INDICATING AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO OCCUR WITHOUT ANYONE OR ANYTHING OCCUPYING THE SEAT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED THE VEHICLE HAD A FAILED CLOCK SPRING. *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2012
Feb 2018

OCS SYSTEM DOES NOT SENSE WHEN A PASSENGER (GROWN ADULT OVER 150 LBS.) IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AS A RESULT THE AIRBAGS REMAIN OFF.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2018
Oct 2016

MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIST HAS BEEN ON FOR A YEAR NOW. I AM WORRIED THAT IF I HAVE A PASSENGER SIDE THEY MAY GET HURT BECAUSE THE AIRBAG MAY NOT WORK!! IT IS HIGHLIGHTED THE ENTIRE TIME THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2015
Jan 2016

THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN ON FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE SEAT. IT IS ON AS LONG AS THE CAR IS CRANKED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: May 2015
Aug 2015

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT WAS ON WHILE THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED WITH A PASSENGER. THIS IS THE 3RD OCCURRENCE THIS WEEK.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2015
Sep 2014

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SHUTS OFF AND THE STATUS LIGHT ILLUMINATES EVEN WHEN THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. THIS POSES A POTENTIALLY DEADLY RESULT IF THE SEAT IS OCCUPIED DURING A COLLISION SINCE THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS DEFECT MUST BE CORRECTED OR PEOPLE COULD LOSE THEIR LIVES OR SUSTAIN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2014
Aug 2014

EVERY TIME THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT THE AIR BAG OFF SIGNAL COMES ON. IT DOESN'T DETECT ANYONE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Feb 2014
Jul 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE A PASSENGER WAS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2014
Jul 2014 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO SUSTAIN TWO BROKEN WRISTS, A BROKEN RIGHT LEG, CRACKED STERNUM, MASSIVE SWELLING IN RIGHT CHEEK, BRUISED LEFT SHOULDER AND ARM, AND LACERATIONS NEAR THE EYE. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A STORAGE SPACE AND DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,051. UPDATED 09/11/14*LJ THE CONSUMER FEELS THE SAFETY AND STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE FIREWALL FORWARD LACKED REINFORCEMENT TO ABSORB THE IMPACT. UPDATED 1/13/2015*JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2014
Jun 2014 Crash Injury

I HIT A DEER GOING 65 MPH. NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY CAR SUSTAINED $12,600 IN DAMAGE. I SUSTAINED A SPRAINED NECK AND A SPRAINED SHOULDER REQUIRING A SPLINT FOR COMFORT. I ALSO SUSTAINED A POSSIBLE PINCHED NERVE IN MY NECK AND SEVERE BACK PAIN. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2014
Apr 2014

SINCE THE PURCHASE OF MY NISSAN MAXIMA, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR HAS BEEN SENSITIVE. IT LIGHTS UP INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAG IS NOT ENGAGED WHEN I SIT IN THE SEAT. I AM A 125 LB WOMAN. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF MINIMUM WEIGHT TO ACTIVATE THE AIRBAG IN THE MANUAL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR 2 1/2 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS TO CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM. THEY SAY THERE IS NO PROBLEM BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THE CAR WASN'T DESIGNED FOR A GROWN WOMAN TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2011
Mar 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,200.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2013
Dec 2013

MY NISSAN MAXIMUM AIR BAG ON THE PASSAGE SIDE GOES OFF WHILE DRIVING. I REPORTED IT TO MY DEALER AND NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE. I WAS ASKED IF I HAD SOMETHING IN THE SEAT THAT WEIGHTED 20 POUNDS. I WEIGHT 142 AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAY ON FOR SOMETIME 20 MILES DRIVING UP TO 60-70 MILES PER HOUR. I FELL SO UNSAFE. I BOUGHT THIS CAR DEC. OF 2010 AND IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 21000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING NISSAN FOR OVER FOURTH YEARS. I HAVE BEEN VERY DISAPPOINTED IN NISSAN RESPONSES. THEY REFERRED ME TO THERE BBB INC.. IT WAS NOT A GOOD RESULT. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2013
May 2012

WE PURCHASED A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA IN NOVEMBER 2011 AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STAYING ON WHILE I AM SITTING IN THE SEAT. I WEIGH 115 LBS AND AM 5'1. I GOT NO HELP FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I TALKED WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER TODAY AND SHE TOLD ME THAT BECAUSE OF MY SIZE THE AIR BAG WOULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD SO DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. I WAS UNHAPPY WITH THAT ANSWER AND SHE TOLD ME SHE HAS DONE ALL SHE COULD DO, THAT I WAS WELCOME TO CALL NISSAN AND DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH THEM. I CALLED 1-800-NISSAN1 AND SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE THAT WAS HELPFUL. HE SAID THE WEIGHT LIMIT WAS 100LBS AND I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. HE OPENED A CASE AND SAID THE SERVICE MANAGER IN OUR TOWN WOULD RECEIVE A PHONE CALL AND ALSO GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2011
Sep 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY WHETHER THE SEAT WAS OCCUPIED OR NOT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE "BROKEN IN" BECAUSE THE LEATHER WAS HARD. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY SUGGESTED THE CONTACT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2011
Jan 2011

NEW 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS SOMETIMES FAIL TO ACTIVATE AT ALL OR ACTIVATE ONLY AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL (12-15) MILES WITH A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SITUATION HAS OCCURRED ROUTINELY SINCE TAKING DELIVERY OF VEHICLE ON 10/14/10. CONSEQUENTLY, FRONT SEAT PASSENGERS ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. ALL PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN ADULTS, RANGING IN SIZE FROM 95 LBS, 5'2" TO 145 LBS, 5'8". HEAVIER PASSENGERS ACTIVATE THE AIRBAGS QUICKER. SELLING DEALER HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE SEAR BOTTOM CUSHION CONTAINING THE ACTIVATION DEVICE. OLD PART WAS RETAINED BY DEALER. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 NISSAN MAXIMA, Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
Incident: Oct 2010

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Nissan Maxima has 21 Air Bags complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.