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 2012 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag failed to turn on while the front passenger's side seat was occupied. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known issue, and that the front passenger's side seat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened; however, no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Passenger airbag notifi action blinks and will not show it is activated to function in a crash. Airbag has never worked. Also driver seat belt keeps releasing without being pushed to open. Seat belt issue just began Dec 2023
Air bags failed to deploy. I was involved in an accident that caused substantial front end damage. I was traveling westbound in the flow of traffic on highway 84 at approximately 30 MPH. The vehicle in front of me slammed on brakes and came to a sudden stop. I applied my brakes but was unable to avoid impacting the rear of the vehicle. Upon impact the entire front end of my car was crumpled. Both front quarter panels, front bumper, grill assembly, and hood were destroyed. The windshield also cracked. With the extent of the front end damage, the air bags should have deployed.
Had a minor rear end collision. Air bags did not deploy. Car only has 74,000 miles. The air bag light was on after car was repaired. Nissan dealer stated the main air bag control unit was bad and the weight occupant sensor was bad. This issue alone of over $2,000 dollars caused the vehicle to be a total loss by insurance. The minor damage should not have caused this issue. Therefore Nissan needs to recall these cars and fix their issues with the airbag suppliers asap before someone is seriously injured.
The airbags failed to open in a car accident. The front bumper was smashed and my daughter could have prevented injuries if the airbags had open. I have lost trust in Nissan and this crushed my faith in their products! !!!
Me and my wife were traveling northbound in our 2012 Nissan Maxima around 30mph on western avenue in chicago when suddenly a Ford focus 2007 that ran a stop sign traveling east bound on rosemont avenue t-boned us on driver's side. As our car was moving at a significant speed it stopped after crashing into a fire hydrant which was on the corner of the intersection. My wife was taken to a hospital in an ambulance with arm and back injuries and I also had injuries on my left arm, shoulder and lower back. My main concern is why none of the airbags deployed if the car was traveling at a speed more than 20 MPH and hit a solid object(fire hydrant). Both of us were wearing seat belts. The car was declared totaled by both the insurance investigators. I am glad that this did not happened at a high speed otherwise I would resting in peace not be filing this complain. …
There is a new recall for airbag senser misinterpreting the weight in the front passenger seat in many Nissan models. According to the dealership where I bought my car, my car is not included in the recall - but I have had the same issue. When my wife, who is around 130 lbs, sits in the seat, about half of the time the airbag light indicates that the airbag is disabled. She always sits all the way back in the seat. Speed or driving environment do not appear to have any effect on the issue. I have discussed the issue with two Nissan dealerships, and the issue still occurs. The first denied they could help because it wasnt currently happening when I had it at the shop. …
The passenger airbag sensor light comes on intermittently, meaning airbag is off, when someone is sitting in the seat and the car is in motion; the light also randomly comes on when no one is sitting in the seat, then it goes off for a while. This has been happening for over a year and I keep checking for a recall. I talked to the dealer and they said a recall would be coming out in March 2016, but it's July and there is still no recall. I am astounded that I am put in a position to have an adult child of mine in the passenger seat riding with me when they would not be protected by the airbags that I trusted Nissan to provide and keep in operational condition in my car. Fortunately, I have not had an accident yet.
On dec 12, 107 my 2012 Maxima had a side airbag sensor replaced (dealer replaced air bag control unit fp-number 98820-9n09c). The airbag light on the passenger side would not go off after the car started. The warning light stayed on regardless if the car was still or moving or whether there was a passenger in the car or not. In September of 2018 the exact same warning light returned which makes me think that there is a larger airbag problem at hand.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag off warning light illuminated whenever a 120 lbs passenger occupied the seat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger side seat air bag sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,000.
Airbag complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Nissan Maxima, 25% of the model year's 107 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification › front passenger (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Nissan Maxima airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2012 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 2012 Nissan Maxima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 31,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire 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.