2011 Nissan Maxima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 22%of 106 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,022miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Nissan Maxima, 22% of the 106 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,022 miles. 3 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 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11343681, filed 2020-08, 138,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10606607, filed 2014-06, 34,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10567269, filed 2014-03, 50 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10639681, filed 2014-09, 33,018 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10378691, filed 2011-01, 450 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)…
- 10192198Jun 17, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION If you confirm there is a need to replace the steering wheel switches on an Applied Vehicle for any reason: - Do not replace the driver air bag module. The…
- 10192193Jun 7, 2013IF YOU CONFIRM: The front passenger seatback has a greater than normal vibration at highway speeds AND There are no other shake or vibrations with the vehicle. ACTION: Use the…
- 10042847Jan 9, 2012Nissan: information regarding the front door internals side satellite sensor and pre existing side air bag satellite sensor in pillars in some vehicles.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 9% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 18 | 17% |
| 2016 | 14 | 10% |
| 2014 | 24 | 25% |
| 2013 | 16 | 26% |
| 2012 | 27 | 25% |
| 2011 | 23 | 22% |
| 2010 | 15 | 5% |
| 2009 | 43 | 13% |
| 2008 | 23 | 29% |
| 2007 | 18 | 14% |
| 2006 | 13 | 2% |
| 2005 | 9 | 1% |
| 2004 | 13 | 1% |
| 2003 | 35 | 17% |
| 2002 | 29 | 14% |
| 2001 | 29 | 17% |
| 2000 | 23 | 6% |
| 1999 | 18 | 11% |
| 1998 | 24 | 21% |
| 1997 | 10 | 10% |
| 1996 | 16 | 17% |
| 1995 | 25 | 16% |
| 1994 | 6 | 7% |
| 1993 | 12 | 15% |
| 1992 | 11 | 10% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Maxima
22 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsElectrical system
12 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Nissan Maxima
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