Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat sensor unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V408000 (Air Bags) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 28,000.
I was working, and as I was on my way to a location a lady in front of me came to a complete stop since a couple of ducks were crossing causing me to come to a complete stop as well. As I stopped I looked into my rearview mirror I noticed the lady behind me was not stopping and then smashed into the back of me launching me into the car in front of me. My passenger air bag went off, however my driver seat airbag did not go off, failing to protect me. My car was completely totaled in result of the accident.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the OCS control unit was malfunctioning. The dealer determined that the front passenger's side seat needed to be replaced. The dealer charged a fee to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The airbag warning light started flashing in late November or early December 2022. I took the car to my mechanic on Dec. 5, 2022 who ran a diagnostic which identified the need to replace the sensor in the front passenger seat. The sensor is so integrated into the seat that the entire seat (not the back) must be replaced. I was then told that Nissan has stopped making the seat because the car is over 10 years old and a replacement is unavailable nationwide and will not become available. I called a Nissan dealer to confirm that the part is unavailable and they confirmed it. As a result, it is unsafe for a person to sit in the passenger seat. It seems wrong that Nissan can stop making such an essential part and devalue someone's life or the vehicle itself in this way. It also seems to me that I cannot sell the car in this condition and it only has about 76,000 miles on it. …
Pressure sensor in passenger seat connected to passenger side air bag became defective, affecting (shutting off) the entire air bag system. Started off with 'passenger air bag off' sign being illuminated at all times, even when an adult was sitting in the passenger seat. Then airbag warning light on the dashboard started flashing the entire time car was running. Because the passenger seat airbag is off. The safety of passenger put at risk. Talked to Nissan dealers at Hayward CA today (08-10-2021). They said that the has no recall and warranty is expired. That means I have to pay for the airbag repairs which I don't think is fair for consumers. Air bags is a safety issue, they should take care of it right away with no cost before something happens. I did reset the airbag warning on the dashboard twice, but it came back on day after.
Our vehicle has been in no collisions or anything and has been well taken care of. Out of nowhere about 3 years our airbag light came on indicating that it will not deploy. We tried to get Nissan to fix it due to hearing of recalls in the past but they said our vehicle was not included. They then said they had to try one thing at a time and the first thing was replacing the seat for $1400 and if that didn't work they will continue down a list of 10 possible things. So basically the vehicle is a deathtrap and we are not sure how it even became that. Seems like it has to be an electrical issue or the issue mentioned in the recall.
the airbag light that is under the dash board always turns on all of a sudden I am concerned the airbags might open or their migght be something wrong and god forbid in a accident they dont open also the suspention has always had issues
On the above date, my vehicle was involved in an accident which after thorough assessment by the body shop and by the insurance company's field adjusters, was deemed a total loss. My vehicle's steering suddenly became very difficult due to the front wheels becoming seemingly locked and steering in the right direction was impossible. Steering wheel was extremely hard to turn as well. The airbags did not deploy either. Everything happened so fast. There was a loss of control which caused the vehicle to overturn or "flip". The vehicle was still upside down when passersby and law official arrived.this accident could have been avoided if we'd received prior notification. …
My 2012 Nissan Altima was stopped at a traffic light, the Altima was struck from behind by another vehicle at an estimated speed of approximately 35-40 MPH without braking (stated by police) the driver's side rear seat belt failed to secure and the passenger's head was thrown back and forth striking both the driver's side head rest as well as the rear passenger's head rest. The passenger was evaluated in the emergency room diagnosis "cervical sprain and a closed head injury". Passenger #2 was sitting in the front passenger seat when the side curtain airbag failed to deploy. Passenger's glasses were knocked off of her face due to force of impact and as a result of passenger's head hitting the passenger side window several times resulting in closed head injury, neck and back sprain.
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 Nissan Altima. While making a left turn and braking at approximately 35 MPH, another vehicle crashed head on into the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy and the seat belt failed to restrain the contact, causing her to sustain a laceration that required medical attention. The front passenger sustained a fractured sternum and internal injuries that required medical attention. The rear passenger sustained five cracked ribs and a cracked sternum that required medical attention. The driver of the other vehicle was also injured and required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000. ...updated 07/30/15 updated 9/23/15
Related recalls
Air bags › Side/window
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 altima and versa vehicles. These vehicles May be equipped with side curtain air bags that contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component used, resulting in insufficient output of compressed gas.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 12, 2012.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Nissan altima vehicles manufactured from June 15, 2011, through June 21, 2011 and model year 2012 Nissan nv vehicles manufactured from June 23, 2011, through June 28, 2011 because the air bag control unit (acu) was assembled incorrectly.
Remedy: Nissan will replace the air bag control unit free of charge. The safety recall began on August 22, 2011. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA investigations
Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture
The summary for this investigation, labeled EQ12-002 Autoliv Closing Resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.This EQ is closed.
Airbag complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Nissan Altima, 13% of the model year's 426 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Nissan Altima airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-055 (side/window, Feb 14, 2012); NHTSA recall 11V-408 (sensor/control module-inactive, Aug 9, 2011). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Altima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 14 crashes, 0 fires and 16 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.