2012 Nissan Maxima Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 25%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,650miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Nissan Maxima, 25% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,650 miles. 5 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.
“Whenever someone sits on the front passenger seat the warning light comes on indicating that if something happen (accident) the airbag will not deploy. All the people I have tested are over 120 lbs. I brought this problem to pinnacle Nissan in scottsdale, az but they didn't do anything to fix it saying there's nothing wrong with my car. They said they tested it but they didn't find anything wrong with it.”
NHTSA complaint #11300985, filed 2020-01, 31,301 miles“My wife weighs about 135 pounds .the airbag on passenger side does not work properly when she sits in the seat the airbag light goes on which indicates that the airbag is not working I have pictures to validate. So far Nissan is not trying to rectify the problem I have taken the car to 2 dealers , they say everthing is normal but the photo prove my complaint.”
NHTSA complaint #10592117, filed 2014-05, 15,000 miles“On dec 12, 107 my 2012 Maxima had a side airbag sensor replaced (dealer replaced air bag control unit fp-number 98820-9n09c). The airbag light on the passenger side would not go off after the car started. The warning light stayed on regardless if the car was still or moving or whether there was a passenger in the car or not. In september of 2018 the exact same warning light returned which makes me think that there is a larger airbag problem at hand.”
NHTSA complaint #11132920, filed 2018-10, 50,582 miles“Shortly after purchasing vehicle I noticed that passenger air bag off light would come on when my wife was seated - the instance did not repeat itself for several weeks and then it would consistently happen when other passengers of various weights were seated. …”
NHTSA complaint #10575028, filed 2014-03, 7,500 miles“The airbags failed to open in a car accident. The front bumper was smashed and my daughter could have prevented injuries if the airbags had open. I have lost trust in Nissan and this crushed my faith in their products! !!!”
NHTSA complaint #10918882, filed 2016-10, 70,000 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)…
- 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 2012 Nissan Maxima
23 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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