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 2010 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Involved in a motor vehicle t-bone collision. Driver airbag deployed but the panel did not fully come off. Bottom section of the airbag/horn cover came off. Top section did not separate from the rest of the wheel.
Driver airbag randomly went off while driving down the road. Did NOT hit anything, no potholes, or anything that could have set the airbag off. Additionally, the airbag was extremely hot when it went off and burned the drivers arms and face.
Car pulled in front of me while test driving a 2010 Nissan Sentra. Apprx speed 25- 30 MPH. Air bags deployed for both driver and passenger. However, we were greatly and painfully bruised in abdomen from lap belt..? No shoulder soreness so do not believe shoulder harness deployed at all.
On July 20, 2010, I was stopped at a traffic light when I was rear-ended by another vehicle. The force of the crash was such that the rear of the car I was driving sustained several thousand dollars in damage. The force also, propelled me into the car stopped in front of me. This other car sustained damage to their bumper to dislodge it from its supports and throw their rear window off track. There is no place in the repair bill that stated that the airbag was reset because it failed to deploy. Given the fact that the rear crumple zone was destroyed, and the rear quarter panels were replaced, this car is rented by budget under the guise of it being safe. The paperwork I received from budget also states that the features of this Nissan Sentra (2010) is front, rear and side airbags. …
I was in a head on collision on 1-19-14, my airbag did not deploy when it hit the tree, only my passenger curtain bags. I was not diagnosed with my injuries by the er, I received 15 fractured ribs diagnosed on 1-31-14 and an acetabuler fracture diagnosed last Wednesday. I am unable to put any weight on my right leg as it is a displaced fracture.this injury is directly related to my airbag not deploying. I have exhausted all the time I can possibly take from work. I am working 10 hr days and work in a call centei was in a head on collision on 1-19-14, my airbag did not deploy when it hit the tree, only my passenger curtain bags. I was not diagnosed with my injuries by the er, I received 15 fractured ribs diagnosed on 1-31-14 and an acetabuler fracture diagnosed last Wednesday. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact was driving 65 MPH when she was involved in a crash in which the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained moderate injuries to the back and severe bruising of the stomach. Two passengers sustained injuries to the neck, back and chest as a result. The manufacturer advised the contact that the air bags would only deploy depending on the weight of the passenger in the front seat. The dealer advised that an investigation would be performed to determine the cause of failure. The contact was awaiting a decision if her insurance company would deem the vehicle as destroyed. The current and failure mileage was approximately 3,000. Updated 11/28/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light started to flash. Additionally, the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to gardena Nissan (1670 w redondo beach blvd, gardena, ca 90247, [phone]) and the contact was informed that the failures were due to the clockspring failure. The contact declined to have the vehicle diagnosed. The manufacturer had not been contacted or notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,166.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. When the vehicle was started, the driver side air bag warning indicator flashed and did not stop. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag system failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic for a second opinion and the diagnosis was the same. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Nissan Sentra 2010 transmission having problems all time and when goes to hill become weakpower to go up . I always give good service for transmission ,but why Nissan doesn't fix problem for years and I did call them factory , my airbag light is on but when I take it to do service at the Nissan they cant fix the issue since is a mechanical defective problem, this is a major safety issue. If involved in an accident my airbag wont get deployed..
The operator of vehicle #1 was traveling inbound on rutherford ave. When she admitted to the officer "I was distracted ...while I was driving", and ran a red light. She struck vehicle #2, then lost control of the car and struck vehicle #3 which was stopped at a red light. None of the 3 vehicles' air bags deployed!
Airbag complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2010 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2010 Nissan Sentra, 22% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Nissan Sentra airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2010 Nissan Sentra, though it has 3 recalls for other components. 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 2010 Nissan Sentra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 7 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.