Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor indicator illuminated and flashed off and on. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 120,000. The consumer requested information on the complaint. Consumer stated the airbag light has come on and flashes. Cannot get a sticker for the car until it gets fixed. Updated 8/6/18
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 2001 Nissan Maxima with 100000 failure mileage)at 30 MPH the contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle which crossed over a lane and hit the contact's vehicle head on on the drivers side. The driver side airbag did not deploy. The drive sustained minor injuries. The vehicle sustained a large amount of damage. Also,the airbag was pushed so far up into the dashboard that it should have deployed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The dealer advised that a diagnostic needed to be performed to be able to determine if the air bag warning light illumination was due to NHTSA campaign number 13V136000 (air bags). The recall repair was not performed due to the air bag light illumination. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 205,000.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 25 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a six car accident, and the airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was in the middle of the six car pile up and the vehicle received damage to the front, rear and the passenger side. The vehicle was now at a tow lot. The airbag warning light was not illumnated prior to the incident. The driver sustained minor injuries, and a police report was filed.
Takata recall hi, the reason why I'm writing is I had a recall quite some time ago about a year maybe and it was done but a week later it came back on the dash flashing and it still flashing and I do know that this should not be on like this so I need to know if there is a recall for this, if so could you please set up an appointment so I can fill safe while driving.thank you so much and I look to hearing from you soon.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the orc warning indicator illuminated when the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V287000 (air bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Few days ago the air bag red symbol start blinking. Then, I turn off the car and try to re-start the engine but doesn't start engine anymore. Car is unusable. Thanks to god! Its just happened close to my house. Car was left at the front of my home.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 24,000.
2001 Nissan Maxima. Consumer writes in regards to Airbag Safety Recall. THE CONSUMER STATED MILEAGE IS INCORRECT ON THE DEALER'S DOCUMENTATION.
Went to fix the passenger air bag recall and dealer informed that front cross frame/bar's metal is falling apart because of severe corrosion/rusting which is main support for the radiator and the engine. Also advised that it's highly dangerous to drive since engine/radiator can just fall anytime when it lacks the support. When Nissan consumer affairs is approached they failed to admit the defective material used but responded that vehicle is out of warranty and they could not cover. Also observed similar recent complaints from other owners, hope our complaints gets further attention and concerns are addressed.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020.
Air bags
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Nissan Maxima, 17% of the model year's 172 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Nissan Maxima airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 20V-008 (inflator module, Jan 9, 2020); NHTSA recall 15V-287 (air bags, May 15, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Maxima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 128,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 4 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.