Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving at 40 MPH and passing a side street, another driver traveling in a Subaru failed to yield. As a result, the Subaru collided with the passenger side of the contact's vehicle sending the vehicle careening off the roadway and into a wooded area only coming to a complete stop after colliding with a tree. The air bags did not deploy resulting in the driver sustaining injuries that the contact attributed to the failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. A police report was filed and injuries were reported. The driver was transported to an area hospital by EMT and treated for bruised ribs and pain in his neck, chest, back, abdomen, and knees. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to turn on the headlights, the air bags deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage Adjustment: 23520 Passenger Presence Sensor (PPS) Module; however, the VIN was not included in the Special Coverage Adjustment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 174,000.
I was in an accident in November. The passenger airbag failed to deploy and the driver broke their nose and then fled the scene. I was unconsious in the passenger seat when wmts arrived and do to the driver fleeing I was charged with the accident and insurance failed to pay the settlement. All on claims that had I been in the passenger seat the airbag would have went off. I know that Nissan has airbag problems all around the year of my car but am trying to find if any of these defective parts are in my car and could have caused a non deployment. The cops estimated that we were going 50 MPH and hit a tree. I was asleep in the passenger seat so am not sure of how my body was positioned if it had effect on the pressure switch. I was severly injured 4 broken ribs broken nexk and multiply facial lacerations from the passenger side windsheild.
I was pulled over stating my tags were bad and to go to the dealership to obtain new ones. He then inspected my car and I was on my way aftet we discussed the tierod issue and made an appointment I then recorded on my phone the shake from the steering wheel. I later found out the blinking light was the airbag light not the seat belt light and the check engine light was on as well. The car should not have passed inspection. I got in a small fender bender and the insurance is now totaling my car.
Rainy night 55 MPH crash. Air bags did not deploy. Wet road, car ran off road, hit a sign post, went down embankment, flipped and rolled over into ditch. Daughter was seriously injured... 4 broken lower back vertebrae, 9 broken ribs, numerous pelvic fractures, lacerated spleen and kidney. Seems like these injuries could have been much less severe if the airbags would have deployed.
I am having issues with the transmission. It appears that the engine is not changing gears automatically. Or it could be a problem with the fuel injection of the vehicle. Also there is a problem with the airbags deployment system.
I was dropping off my passenger, I was in drive and had my foot on the brake, so the car was not moving, and he closed the door, maybe slammed a little as he was in a hurry to get out of the car, and then the air bags on the roof of the passenger side deployed, along with the air bags to the passenger seat. I was in shock since I know I've slammed my car door before and that has never happened. Luckily nobody was injured and there are no damages to my car.
The airbags did not deploy when my husband wrecked the 2012 Nissan Sentra 6-24-13. My husband swerved to miss a deer that was in the road, hit a culvert, got air born, took out a reflector sign, and crashed into the ground. The car had +$7,000 worth of damages and the airbag did not deploy. I think there is a manufacturing issue. It got air born and hit a culvert. I think an airbag should have deployed.
On August 25, 2014 while I did escape with my life and my whole body intact, after a witness was on scene she said she her a loud pop, well that loud pop was my front left (immediate driver's side tire) and I ended up in a brick wall. Not pleased with Bridgestone, as my vehicle only had no more than 8000 miles on it, but very pleased with the vehicle and it's features.
Vehicle was pulling out of a driveway at night, just beginning to accelerate, and struck a trailer that was not clearly noticeable (did not have clear reflectors). At 5 MPH, the hood was crunched like an accordion, the airbags deployed, and the car is considered totaled. What would the consequences have been if striking something at 30, 40, or 50 MPH?
Airbag complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Nissan Sentra, 11% of the model year's 180 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 Nissan Sentra airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2012 Nissan Sentra. 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 Sentra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 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.