2018 NISSAN ALTIMA Air Bags Problems

See attached document for complaint.

1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The driver seat airbag module is defective and requires replacement. It is available for inspection at Northlake Kia or any authorized Nissan service center upon request. 2. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The defective driver seat airbag module may fail to deploy properly in a collision, placing the driver at serious risk of injury or death. This defect also endangers passengers and other road users in the event of an accident. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The defect was confirmed by Northlake Kia on August 29, 2025 during vehicle inspection. The dealership stated that the part is defective and must be replaced immediately. 4. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? The vehicle has been inspected by Northlake Kia, an authorized Nissan service center. The manufacturer (Nissan Consumer Affairs) has been notified but has not yet provided a resolution or replacement part. There has been no involvement by police or insurance representatives. 5. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes. and before thats what prompted me to bring the vehicle in to be serviced. Upon inspection at Northlake Kia on August 29, 2025, the dealership identified the driver airbag module defect. The airbag warning light was illuminated on the dashboard, indicating a malfunction in the airbag system.

Suddenly airbag light has steady on when start engine. Scanner shows has failed code L4 and failed to reset.

I purchased this vehicle last month from Anderson in cockeysville, Md. last week the airbag light came on. I was able to take it to them today 9-15-25 where they at first told me I was over the 1,000miles warranty so I’d have to deal with it on my own. After speaking with a manager, he agreed to take it to Nissan to get a determination.

The airbag light in the dashboard always stays lit. It has been worked on at the dealership multiple times and they get it to go out only for it to come back on. It’s concerning not knowing if there is a problem with the airbags itself. This has been on going for years. It started around when my car had 34000-35000 miles on it.

I’m getting an Air Bag warning light showing up on my dash. i took it to the Nissan dealer and its error code B0020-13 which comes up as a Left seat side air bag open error. Apparently the wiring going from the connector under the seat up to the side air bag is intermittently opening up depending what position the seat is in. Nissan said the entire top part of the seat needs to be replaced, very expensive, $2,500.00 to $3,000. This is a big safety problem since this is a common problem with this model from all the research I have done. This is obviously an engineering problem with how the cable is ran or quality of the cable and should be Nissans responsibility not the owner of the vehicle.

The airbag light appeared on my dashboard in late December. On 1/8/25, I took it to Auto Nation Nissan in Tempe to have it checked. They determined that the driver's side seat back needed to be replaced. That is where the airbag sensor is located. As of today, 3/14/25, they still do not have an ETA for the seat back. I have been driving for almost 3 months now without the airbags working. I also contacted Nissan corporate, and get the same response - they can't get an ETA for the seat back that is needed.

Shortly after purchasing my 2018 Nissan Altima (new), there was a recall concerning the passenger side airbag. I took the car to the dealer and had it serviced. Months later, there was a second recall and I took it back promptly; however, the dealer said that nothing was wrong. It was already serviced. I indicated that I had received a second notice. Some time passed, and the same airbag light indicator came on and stayed on. I took my vehicle back to the dealer. This time, they wanted to charge me thousands of dollars. I indicated that this is the same problem from the beginning and I was going to file a lawsuit. The dealer claimed to have fixed the sensor and told me it was a complimentary charge based on "goodwill". The same sensor light is on again. I have had no accidents and I have not had my car serviced for any electrical issues. It was inspected and passed with a warning to get the sensor taken care of. The original dealer has now sold to another Nissan dealer. I need to be sure that I am safe should I have a situation where the passenger side airbag needs to deploy. This is not fair to me. I have never bought a used car and this is the first car I have continuously had unresolved issues with. Please advise.

UNKNOWN air bags lights turn off and on on the passenger side. No air bag light remains on all of the time of the driver side

Air bag dash warning light came on. Brought to dealer. They"fixed". Light came back on few days later. brought back to dealer. They said drivers side seat frame with air bag needs to be replaced. they ordered part & said 2 week wait. Called dealer back 2 weeks later & they said part not released by Nissan. Called Nissan consumer affairs. They informed me they have no ETA when parts will be available/shipped. Been about 2 months since first contact with dealer & have no idea if/when will be repaired. See recalls on older Altima & am wondering if this is an issue Nissan is not addressing.

My airbag light is on..

Dealership sold me a car that had faulty air bags but neither the manufacturer nor a dealership is wanting to correct the problem. Please help.

Cuando lo encendí en la mañana ya Marcava la luz de advertencia de las bolsas de aire

Occupant Sensor for Airbags is not working and airbag light is on, this is a safety issue which can cause loss of life in an accident this needs recalled immediately

My airbag light recently came on after driving through some standing water and I have tried filing through my insurance company and they have stated that due to the fact that water wasnt submerged inside my car, it was due to the age of my vehicle (which is only 5 years old). I am concerned about this obviously as it is my driver side airbag. They are trying to tell me in insurance that it is a Nissan issue so I’m wondering if anything can be done so that I can feel safe to drive my vehicle.

Airbag warning light comes on and off. Vehicle has 33,000 miles and side airbag spring / module is faulty

AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT IS ON DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE REPLACED AIR BAG COULD HAVE DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the passenger’s side air bag warning light was turned off, and the contact was informed that the front passenger’s side air bag was adjusted; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.

Mileage: 13,000

The airbag light keeps coming on in the dashboard. I’ve had it in the shop twice for the diagnostic test and both times they said there was nothing they could find! Now it’s the 3rd time I will need to take it in and leave it and it’s the only car I have. I want to know if indeed my airbags will work in the event of an accident! If they are just turning the light off, I have no idea what will happen if I got into an accident!!

The driver seat airbag seems to be disabled. I am seeing a airbag warning light for driver airbag in the dashboard. The dealership doesnt see to car and a 4yr old car should not have airbag issues when it has never been in an accident. The driver seat seatbelt also seems to be disabled, if i step on the break the seatbelt doesnt seem to be gripping me its still freely moving which it shouldnt be. This is a big safety issue and seems to be a manufacturing defect.

I was rear-ended in my car while at a red light. The car hit me 35 mph plus., Pushing me into the Tahoe in front of me. My shoulder strap driver side DID NOT restrain me and NONE of the air bags deployed. I flew forward towards the steering wheel and dash. Do to me being very short I didn't get hurt, just stiff neck, shoulders. The collision company who did my work stated that the seatbelt should have restrained me and at least 1 airbag should have deployed. I contacted Nissan and I was told that the air bags and seatbelts are only suppose to work in a roll over to prevent from being thrown from the vehicle and that the airbags and seatbelts are working properly. Nissan never offered to check to make sure that the safety components are working properly. There were no warning lights on before or after the accident. Over $10,000 worth of damage was done.

i can be driving down the road and pass a guard rail or some other thing on the side of the road but usually a guard rail near my house and it knocks out the emergency braking system. sometimes, it may work my whole trip, other days, i may only go a mile or two before it goes out.

On February 7, 2022, my daughter was driving her 2018 Nissan Altima and was involved in an accident. It was a head-on collision, but the airbags didn’t deploy and, as a result, she was thrown forward into the steering wheel which caused severe trauma to her head.

OCS system is faulty causing the airbags for the passenger to disengage. I am out of warranty for mileage at the time of the problem by 6,000. The car was 3 years old and it is an on going problem again. OCS switch showing improper voltage and cannot be reset unless the factory mechanic does the reset which holds me, the owner, responsible for the diagnostic fee. Additionally, the faulty parts may have to be replaced at my expense as well if it turns out to be a more than a software glitch. There has been recalls for 2016 and prior for the same issue and a recall for 2018 models is happening again.

My car's airbag light came on and would not go off. I took it to the dealership and was told that the sensor in my passengar seat that detects the weight of some one in the seat is not working. Because of this sensor failing, my air bags will not deploy if the car is involved in an accident. It puts me at a safety risk because air bags will not provide protection to me or passengars riding in my vehicle if I am in a accident. This problem has been confirmed by the dealership. I don't know if the manufacter has inspected the issue or not. There were no other warning lights, messages, or other symptoms prior to this issue.

The airbag safety system has failed in my car. When a passenger or driver is in the car. The weight sensors and seatbelt sensors that activate the the airbag system fail to activate. This is something that I caught and mentioned it to a Nissan dealer when my car was in for service on another recall for hood latches. This is something that not only puts risk to passenger and driver in my car. But puts others at risk as well. Nissan and the extended warranty company have failed to correct the issue. As my safety is now at risk if I get into an accident and my airbags do not deploy. The issue is that the weight sensors and modulator have gone bad. The total cost just for those two things is around $585, by the time you add in airbag system replacement it comes to around $5000 to $7000. I would like this looked at due to the cause it is a preventative measure that be taken if we take that action now. This is on the 2018 model. I am willing to help in anyway I can with the investigation.

Airbag light is on & I had a diagnostic completed. The diagnostic indicated problem with front passenger seat sensor. Nissan has a safety recall on some Airbags, however not on my 2018 model.

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAYING THEY CHECK EVERYTHING WITH THE WIRES AND SENSORS AND DID FIND ANYTHING WRONG THERE SO I PAID FOR A TEST TO BE DONE. WAS TOLD THEY ERASE THE CODE BUT IF THE LIGHT COME BACK ON NEED TO REPLACE THE PANEL SO I'M NOT UNDER WHY I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT IN A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT MY FAULT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

Mileage: 79,000

DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONING. THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS OFF. I SPOKE WITH OAK RIDGE NISSAN AND RUSTY WALLACE NISSAN. BOTH DEALERSHIPS HAVE ADVISED THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY ON THIS ITEM. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, WITHOUT THIS FEATURE, IT COULD CAUSE DEATH. MY PLAN IS TO LET NISSAN HAVE THE CAR BACK. THIS CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON

Mileage: 65,650

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER NISSAN OF METAIRIE LOCATED AT 6636 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70003, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN OBJECT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A COIN WALLET UNDERNEATH THE SEAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN USED A SCAN TOOL TO CLEAR THE FAILURE AND RESET THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,955.*DT CONSUMER STATED FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER REBOOT.*JB

Mileage: 37,955

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER NISSAN OF METAIRIE LOCATED AT 6636 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70003, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN OBJECT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A COIN WALLET UNDERNEATH THE SEAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN USED A SCAN TOOL TO CLEAR THE FAILURE AND RESET THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,955.*DT CONSUMER STATED FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER REBOOT.*JB

Mileage: 37,955

WE WERE DRIVING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE WERE NOT IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, HAD PASSENGER GET OUT OF CAR AND BACK IN THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. LIGHT WENT OFF LIKE NORMAL. SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING IT CAME BACK ON AND NOW NO LONGER TURNS OFF, DISABLING MY AIR BAGS. HAVE TRIED TO NOT HAVE PASSENGERS, HAVE PASSENGERS, NOT HAVE SEAT BELT, HAVE SEAT BELT AND NOTHING FIXES IT. CHECKED THE AIRBAG FUSE AND FUSE IS INTACT. CHECKED THAT FRONT BUMPER SENSOR WAS CLEAN AND HAD NO DAMAGE. DISCONNECTED BATTERY, WAITED 15 MINUTES AND RECONNECTED. LOGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. TRIED TO LET THE CAR RUN FOR 20 MINUTES AND LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. RAN CAR SELF DIAGNOSTIC AND NOTHING SHOWED. UNSURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH TO TURN THE LIGHT ON AND CAUSE IT TO NO LONGER TURN OFF. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NEED TO FIND A CERTIFIED REPAIR PLACE TO HAVE IT FIXED PROPERLY.

Mileage: 55,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROSSROADS NISSAN WAKE FOREST (11120 CAPITAL BLVD, WAKE FOREST, NC 27587, (877) 331-9055) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT EITHER THE SPIRAL CORD INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.*DT

Mileage: 36,000