Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The air bag located in the seat failed to activate as designed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the passenger's side seat sensor was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the occupant sensor was inoperable. The dealer confirmed that the part was no longer in production. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.
Passenger air bag light warning came on. Diagnostics confirmed the passenger front seat cushion Assy with OCS unit required replacement. The cost is $2108.10 and the part is on back order. This vehicle was purchased new and the passenger side seldom has a passenger. I believe this is a manufacturer responsibility as evidenced by the many recalls documented. The new seat order is placed through Premier Nissan of Metaire, LA. Please consider placing this claim into recall. Thank you for your assistance.
11/2022 dash air bag warning light started flashing in 2014 Nissan Maxima. Dealership said air bag sensor (part #873009DH5B)was bad and seat needed to be replaced est cost~$1600. In January, I called dealership to schedule seat replacement and was told part was on back order with no timeline for availability. Called Nissan Consumer Affairs, as recommended by dealership, and was given 3 locations where a seat was in stock. Called first site, seat was no longer available, called second site and purchased seat (~$1670)which was shipped here and installed by dealership for ~$300 on 22 February 2023. Air bag warning did not resolve with new seat, so spent ~$400 to install sensor (next step in the algorithm), still did not resolve warning. So, dealership tested a seat from one of their personal vehicles which did resolve the air bag warning. …
The low beam headlights on my 2014 Nissan Maxima s are so dim that I am scared to drive my car at night. The high beams are as bright as the low beams should be. We have replaced with top of the line bulbs & it hasn't helped at all. This is a serious safety issue & Nissan needs to address this before people are injured because they can't see well enough to drive. Another issue with my car is airbags not deploying as they should. My car collided with a 18-wheeler on the interstate. The 18-wheeler came over into my lane latching onto the passenger side of my car. Once I broke loose from the truck, I veered into the median hitting 2 road signs head on & my air bags never deployed. This has to be a defect that needs to be addressed as well.
Tl* the contact owned a 2014 Nissan Maxima. While driving at an unknown speed, another vehicle cut in front of the contact's vehicle. The contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into the side of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The failure mileage was approximately 67,363.
I have a 2014 Nissan Maxima and have had an issue with the passenger seat airbag sensor for over a year. The airbag light comes on, indicating the airbag is off, even when an adult is sitting in the passenger seat. The problem occurs at different times, including if a passenger is seated in the car before the car is started or if a passenger gets in the seat after the car is started. The problem persists while the car is in motion or when the car or brought to a stop. Occasionally the light turns off, most times it does not turn off. I have taken the vehicle to the local Nissan dealership, gettle Nissan in sarasota fl, and they cannot duplicate the problem and claim there is no problem. They refused to provide any further assistance since they could not duplicate the problem, however the problem continues to occur and I can provide pictures and/or video showing the problem. …
At random times when I am driving the car and my wife is sitting in the front passenger seat the 'passenger air bag is off' light located in the dash illuminates indicating the system thinks the seat is empty. This is random and always after a period of driving the car. My wife weighs approximately 160#, and is sitting flat bottomed on the seat with both feet on the floor. We have begun taking cell phone photos showing a time and date stamp as proof. We also have some without a time stamp. We have taken the car to a Nissan dealer 3 times and they report 'no problem found'. I have contacted Nissan customer service and they are not interested. I am willing to provide the photos as proof. So far the times we have experienced this is at hiway speeds, flat and level roadways.
Issue is with the passenger seat airbag sensor. The airbag light comes on, indicating the airbag is off, even when an adult is sitting in the passenger seat. This problem occurs at different times, including if a passenger is in the seat before the car is started, if a passenger gets in the seat after the car is started. Sometimes the light turns off, sometimes it doesn't. We have videos showing multiple instances of this happening. Nissan claims there is no problem, can not duplicate the problem, and refuses to replace the sensor. Other nissans have had this problem and are subject to recall. The Maxima needs to be included in the recall.
Airbag warning light comes on in sub-zero weather and stays on. Does not go off until temperature warms up. On 12/31/2014, at -35 degrees this occurred and stayed active my entire drive to work. On 01/01/2015 at -10 degrees the warning light again came on and stayed on. The warning light clears as soon as the outside temperature increases. Dealer wants to see car at their facility. By the time I would get to their facility, the outside temperature will have risen and the light will be off. I am concerned I have no airbag protection in sub-zero conditions.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Nissan Maxima. While operating the vehicle, the front passenger side air bag sensor light illuminated, which indicated that the air bags were deactivated although a passenger occupied the front passenger seat. The contact indicated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was unable to be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 30,000.
Airbag complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2014 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the air bags of the 2014 Nissan Maxima, 25% of the model year's 96 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2014 Nissan Maxima airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2014 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 2014 Nissan Maxima airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 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.