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 2003 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact exited a parking area to enter a high traffic location. While the contact was traveling straight at 45 MPH, another vehicle driving at a high rate of speed crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. None of the air bags deployed. A gray substance emitted inside the vehicle. The driver sustained minor whiplash. The front passenger experienced head trauma and internal injuries, which resulted in the fatality of her unborn child. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was sold to a salvage yard. Melloy Nissan (7707 lomas blvd ne, albuquerque, nm 87110, [phone]) was notified of the crash. The vehicle was extensively damaged. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and investigated the non-deployment, but indicated that there was no air bag failure. The failure mileage was not available. …
Takata recall-received a recall notice in the mail from Nissan about a recall on my 2003 Maxima passenger side air bags (NHTSA recall 14v-361). Scheduled an appointment for sept.26, 2014 @ 3 pm to have work done. Dropped vehicle off on the morning of sept 26, 2014 because I had to leave town before the time of appt. I picked my vehicle up later that day from the dealer. On April 15, 2016, I was at work on lunch break in our parking lot and I noticed a light on my dashboard on. I took my Maxima to the dealer to have light checked to find out it was about my airbag. Received an estimate of what needed to be done, total of work needed $1385 plus $90 I had to pay for the diagnostics done. The estimate was for the exact same work that was suppose to have been completed in sept. 2014. …
Airbag burn/ injury ' my car hydroplaned and crashed against center divider on freeway during rainy weather. The driver-side airbag deployed upon crash and caused a bruise and 2nd degree burn to my left arm (inner forearm). The bruise injury was from the impact of the airbag deployment. Additionally, the Nissan logo (decal) on the steering wheel impacted my arm and caused a 2nd degree burn - this burn has now left a permanent scar in the shape of the Nissan logo on my left arm. I noticed that this is a design defect on the Nissan cars ' their Nissan logo decals are not flush with the steering surface (like other car manufacturers) and hence can severely impact the driver in case of airbag deployment.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. While the vehicle was at a stop with the brake pedal depressed, the air bags deployed suddenly and the air bag warning light illuminated. There were no injuries. The contact mentioned that the front passenger side air bag deployed first then the front driver side air bag. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the technician was unable to locate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V361000 (air bags), but the dealer refused to perform the recall remedy due to the air bag deployment. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
To whom it May concern re: air bag light on . Took my car to Nissan dealer. Was told I needed dtcb1070 assist a/b module. Had r1407 pth max pass ab ntb13-062 replaced on sept 14 2014 why do I need this unit now.I want to know if I can drive my car with the light on. Is my safety compromise d,if so what are you going to do about it . Was!nt that part of the recall.I should not have pay for a recalled part. I would like this unit replaced by the Nissan corp. Thank you
Tl* the contact owns 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact was in a head on crash where the contact struck the windshiled, becuase the driver's side air bag did not deploy. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag did deploy. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop, but the contact did not know if the vehicle would be repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage and current mileages were 145,000. Updated 2/21/12
Our 2002 Nissan Maxima has been totaled. We no longer have it, but our son was in a major fatal car accident on a major city street 2007, to we ourself do not know exactly what was the cause, our son fell asleep. No drugs or alcohol involved. Courts stated speeding without investigated proof. Our son is incarcerated for 36 years...updated 11/08/17 ...updated 11/14/17 updated 9/12/18
Tl contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH a vehicle crashed into her drivers side which caused the vehicle to spin and crash into another vehicle on the passengers side. The side air bags did not deploy. And two occupants were injured. The cause of the non-deployment is currently unknown. She notified the manufacturer of the failure.
While driving at 65 MPH driver applied the brakes to slow down t and lost control, causing the vehicle to hit a guard rail, and roll over twice. Vehicle landed upside down. Upon impact, the airbags did not deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries. However, prior to the accident, when applying the brakes vehicle experienced extended stopping distance.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the front driver side air bag deployed independently without warning. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,000.
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 2003 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Nissan Maxima, 17% of the model year's 206 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 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 2003 Nissan Maxima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 102,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 1 fire and 12 injuries and 1 death 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.