Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Airbag warning came on. I took to dealership for diagnostic. There was malfunction with the passenger airbag. Seat coushin needed to be replaced so the "normal" wear and tear airbag would no longer be an issue. Nissan stated this is not a safety concern and all expenses were out of pocket.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Nissan Maxima. While driving 35 MPH, another vehicle stopped suddenly in front of the contact's vehicle. The incident caused the contact's vehicle to crash into a pole. The air bags deployed and caused the contact to sustain two broken wrists, a broken right leg, cracked sternum, massive swelling in right cheek, bruised left shoulder and arm, and lacerations near the eye. Medical attention was received and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a storage space and deemed as destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 14,051. Updated 09/11/14 the consumer feels the safety and structure of the vehicle from the firewall forward lacked reinforcement to absorb the impact. Updated 1/13/2015
The passenger occupant sensor failed, I was in a auto accident that required my front bumper, ac condesor and radiator to br replaced. After getting it fixed I noticed my seatbelt light was blinking, I thought maybe it would go away. I got it scanned turns out the passenger occupant sensor went out and caused all the airbags to turn off.
I hit a deer going 65 MPH. None of my air bags deployed. My car sustained $12,600 in damage. I sustained a sprained neck and a sprained shoulder requiring a splint for comfort. I also sustained a possible pinched nerve in my neck and severe back pain.
The vehicle was in motion. While turning steering wheel slightly left entering into a curve, the 4 tires of the vehicle did not follow the command given by the steering wheel. Please note that the steering wheel turned with great ease. While removing foot from accelerator, the car did not slow. The brakes were not working properly and caused the 2011 Nissan Maxima to collide with a fixed object. This incident did not occur at a speed fast enough to cause the severe injuries that resulted. The driver side airbag knocked me unconscious and I have no recollection from the moment right before "impact" to when the vehicle came to a complete stop. The children in the back seat were seriously injured. The 10 year old was wearing his seatbelt properly. The 3 year old was in a 5 point harness properly restrained. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated the passenger side air bag light would illuminate intermittently whether the seat was occupied or not. The contact was concerned that the air bags would not deploy in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times for the failure. The dealer advised that the passenger side seat needed to be "broken in" because the leather was hard. The contact called the manufacturer and they suggested the contact take the vehicle to another dealer. The contact took the vehicle to another dealer and the dealer could not find a problem with the passenger side air bag. There were no repairs. The failure mileage was 2,200.
New 2011 Nissan Maxima. Passenger side airbags sometimes fail to activate at all or activate only after driving several (12-15) miles with a passenger in the front passenger seat. Situation has occurred routinely since taking delivery of vehicle on 10/14/10. Consequently, front seat passengers are not protected by the airbag system. All passengers have been adults, ranging in size from 95 lbs, 5'2" to 145 lbs, 5'8". Heavier passengers activate the airbags quicker. Selling dealer has examined vehicle and replaced the sear bottom cushion containing the activation device. Old part was retained by dealer. Problem still exists.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2001 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V287000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Nemet Nissan (153-12 hillside avenue, jamaica, new york 11432, [phone]) was made aware of the recall and scheduled a diagnostic appointment for October 2, 2018. The dealer stated that the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Since the purchase of my Nissan Maxima, the front passenger air bag sensor has been sensitive. It lights up indicating that the air bag is not engaged when I sit in the seat. I am a 125 lb woman. There is no indication of minimum weight to activate the airbag in the manual. This has been an ongoing problem since we purchased the car 2 1/2 years ago. We have taken it to 2 different dealers to check out the problem. They say there is no problem but I can't believe the car wasn't designed for a grown woman to sit in the front seat.
2011 Nissan Maxima. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle passenger airbag warning light stays on indicating airbag will not deploy. The consumer stated the airbag light would illuminate while a passenger was seated. The failure occurred intermittently. The dealer stated the vehicle was operating as designed. The failure eventually began to occur without anyone or anything occupying the seat. The consumer took the vehicle to a different dealership who advised the vehicle had a failed clock spring.
Airbag complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 Nissan Maxima, 22% of the model year's 106 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 Nissan Maxima airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 Nissan Maxima. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan Maxima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 5 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.