2001 Nissan Altima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 9%of 159 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 75,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Nissan Altima, 9% of the 159 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,000 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The vehicle rear ended someone's van while only going 15-20 MPH. The airbag deployed and then exploded; causing 2nd & 3rd degree burns throughout my upper body. Small pieces of debris were also removed from bruises I sustained throughout my upper body. I broke/fractured my ribs, dislocated my knee and my pelvic bone was shattered. The airbag malfunctioned and the auto body in charge of repairs for this car conveniently misplaced the airbags after being asked specifically to leave the airbags in the trunk of the vehicle......updated 11-24/14”
NHTSA complaint #10654531, filed 2014-11, 10,000 miles“When I bought the car there was a piece of tape over the airbag light and auto zone helped me take it off. The Nissan died getting off the interstate and I lost all control of the steering and brakes. Later to find that I needed a oxygen sensor and now electrical problems with the airbag light being on. I took the car to the dealership and they said I needed evac hoses but all the dealer did was unhook one so they could charge me for codes because they could not find my problem with no engine light present. …”
NHTSA complaint #10441042, filed 2011-12, 159,999 miles“Some driver had an accident, due to a dui, and his car was straddled across the left lane and I hit it as I came around the bend at appr. 11:30 p.m. In a dark section of the highway. My car suffered severe front end damage and I and my son was jerked, but we were both wearing our seatbelts. My airbag did not deploy and my anti-lock brakes locked up. We were nearly wiped out on the freeway. Though my locked up brakes caused me not to be able to get in the next lane, thus hitting the car, if I had made it to the lane to the right of me, I would not be here to tell you about it, trust me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10717615, filed 2015-05, 130,000 miles“Was hit by another car and front end buckled by the crash and air bags did not deploy......front end damage was approx $5500 due to low miles was repaired although we would like to know why the airbags did not deploy?”
NHTSA complaint #10649979, filed 2014-10, 75,000 miles“The vehicle struck a guard rail head on at 65 MPH and the air bag did not deploy, the manufacturer has not examined the vehicle, however a request has been made. The consumer wanted to be compensated because the airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was considered totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10096903, filed 2004-11, 30,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192513Jan 16, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION Changes or modifications to the front seat assembly trim materials may affect the proper operation of the Front Seat-Mounted Side-Impact Supplemental Air Bags…
- 10192305Jan 27, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM)…
- 10025522Jan 27, 2014Nissan: srs precautions during service;improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation of the srs, can lead to a serious injury or death caused by…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 3 | 10% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 11 | 5% |
| 2018 | 36 | 16% |
| 2017 | 74 | 19% |
| 2016 | 72 | 13% |
| 2015 | 177 | 19% |
| 2014 | 208 | 19% |
| 2013 | 514 | 22% |
| 2012 | 57 | 13% |
| 2011 | 22 | 9% |
| 2010 | 61 | 16% |
| 2009 | 91 | 6% |
| 2008 | 142 | 14% |
| 2007 | 63 | 13% |
| 2006 | 43 | 5% |
| 2005 | 47 | 4% |
| 2004 | 11 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 3% |
| 2002 | 34 | 3% |
| 2001 | 15 | 9% |
| 2000 | 14 | 9% |
| 1999 | 13 | 15% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 35 | 32% |
| 1996 | 37 | 40% |
| 1995 | 61 | 34% |
| 1994 | 40 | 38% |
| 1993 | 19 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2001 Nissan Altima
59 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology