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Air bagsPart report

2011 Nissan Leaf Air bags Problems

Complaints
35about this part
Share
37%of 95 total for the year
Median mileage
59,100miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Nissan Leaf, 37% of the 95 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,100 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The airbag light is always on and indicates the airbags are off as I understand it. Went to Nissan and they said it would cost $5,000.00 to repair and refused to correct this serious safety issue! We are stunned and have not used the car for a long time now, terrified that we might be seriously hurt or killed...help!! Date it happened I do not recall but put a couple of years ago....”

NHTSA complaint #11123812, filed 2018-08, 44,000 miles

“The light for my sensor for my passenger airbag (ocs sensor) is on all the time and flashing red with or without a passenger in the passenger seat. Seems a big safety issue as I was told all air bags are disabled when the light is flashing. Cost involves replacing passenger seat too and total would be $4,800. This is a 2011 Nissan LEAF with 78,000 miles and all 12 bars of range still remaining (one replacement battery two years ago). I have not had it repaired due to cost and it is not part of a recall of the same problem in 2013+ leafs. No 2011 recall for this safety problem!”

NHTSA complaint #11193208, filed 2019-04, 78,300 miles

“2011 Nissan LEAF has code b1018 occupant sens(unit fail) following a cup of water spilled on front seat. Vehicle was stationary at time. Only proposed remedy is to replace front seat and sensor for ~$2,624. 2013-2016 LEAF were recalled NHTSA campaign number 16v244000; please expand recall to 2011 & 2012 Nissan LEAF.”

NHTSA complaint #11374557, filed 2020-11, 62,000 miles

“Occupant sensor failure is preventing the passenger air bag from deploying. The code is reported as a b1013. As this model was designed with a sensor within the seat, the official action is to replace the entire seat, for an estimate of $3133.51. This is highly cost prohibitive for a safety feature that should not prevent an air bag deployment.”

NHTSA complaint #11152569, filed 2018-11, 94,812 miles

“Passenger airbag sensor is not working. When car is turned on and driving, the dashboard continually displays a red flashing warning light indicating an airbag malfunction. There is also a message continuously displaying that the passenger air bag is off. Newer Nissan LEAF models have had the same problem and have been recalled, but not the 2011 year. It should be recalled. Estimated cost to fix is $3000.”

NHTSA complaint #11406264, filed 2021-04, 49,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202211%
202124%
202011%
201910%
201857%
2017424%
201638%
201587%
2014412%
20131721%
20121119%
20113537%

Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Leaf

Electrical system
29 complaintsBrakes
22 complaintsSeats
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Nissan Leaf

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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