2003 Nissan Altima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 3%of 883 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Nissan Altima, 3% of the 883 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,500 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Takata recall - I was traveling on the left inside lane of a 4 lane road driving approximately 65mph when a semi-truck came over into my lane thus pushing me off the road onto the median. I hit a cement culvert & car still proceeded to travel down median without at least 1 back tire finally hitting a tree which stopped car from going into the oncoming traffic. No airbags deployed & the driver seat belt did not catch me with my face going into the steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11046389, filed 2017-11, 139,000 miles“My husband was on his way to work when another car hit him head on. Both air bags came out. His right hand had a deep cut on it. It required stitches. We don't know if the air bag cut his hand or the canister put the cut on his hand.”
NHTSA complaint #10649508, filed 2014-10, 80,000 miles“Owner of a 2003 Nissan Altima - on 2/18/17 while taking my vehicle to a car wash in linden, nj, I had my vehicle on neutral and when the car wash was completed, I put the vehicle on drive and proceeded slowly towards the car wash employees as they instructed me to stay on my left side, as the other vehicle was on the right side and I had my foot on the brakes. As the two employees placed their towels on my front vehicle to dry out the vehicle, my vehicle immediately started to jolt twice while I had my foot on the brakes and immediately my vehicle accelerated at a high speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10956663, filed 2017-02, 128,000 miles“I was involved in an automobile accident traveling about 45 MPH when I collided with the vehicle in front of me. The hit was full front and only the passenger airbag and passenger pretensioner deployed. The driver side airbag and the driver side pretensioner did not deply. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067601, filed 2004-04, 18,875 miles“Air bags failed to deploy on my 2003 Nissan Altima serious body damage sustained; to my neck, a large fist size lump on the right side of my skull, severe left shoulder and back pain, a bruised forehead and altered vision in my right eye; frequently episodes of dizziness and headaches. My sister; who was a front seat passenger lost consciousness doing the accident and sustained similar injuries as the air bags did not deploy to prevent protection needed from the dashboard and windshield . I am in shock that the air bags did not work properly. …”
NHTSA complaint #10266673, filed 2009-04, 5 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 2003 Nissan Altima
450 complaintsBody and structure
126 complaintsEngine
117 complaintsElectrical system
89 complaintsFuel system
50 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsExterior lighting
17 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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