2013 Nissan Sentra Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  1

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  4058%
• 25k–50k
  1014%
• 50k–75k
  812%
• 75k–100k
  710%
• 100k–150k
  34%
• 150k+
  11%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at 45 mph when the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer who inspected the vehicle and found no issue and could turn off the warning light, however, after a few days, the warning light illuminated again. While driving at undisclosed speed, the contact was hit head-on by another vehicle causing damage to the front driver side of the vehicle. The air bag did not deploy. There was medical treatment at the scene. There was no one injured, however, the contact was unconscious for a minute and had some pain in their back but did not go to the hospital. A police report was filed. …

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated, and the front passenger's side air bag warning light remained illuminated while the front passenger's seat was occupied. The contact stated that the dealer had previously repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V244000 (AIR BAGS), and the contact was provided a letter stating that the vehicle was eligible for additional repairs for 15 years. The manufacturer was contacted, a case was filed, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who failed to honor the letter and provided an estimate for the diagnostic test, and the contact declined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer then closed the case. The failure mileage was approximately 16,050.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the passenger's side air bag warning light was flashing. Additionally, the warning light remained off with an occupant seated in the passenger's seat. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on two separate occasions for diagnostic testing and was informed that the issue was related to the seat wiring. The contact then took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who notified her of NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V681000 (Air Bags) however, the dealer informed her that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds with the passenger's side front seat occupied, the "Air Bag Off" warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where DTC code: B00A0 was retrieved. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that a software update was needed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power and stalled. During the failure, the check engine and air bags warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 61,000.

Slid on black ice (luckily only going about 40mph) car hit a cement guard rail head on severally damaging the entire front of the car (waiting on if it's totaled) no injuries but air bags did not deploy. Well it wasn't super fast that hard of a head on hit they should have deployed.

My complaint is that Clear Lake Nissan failed to properly repair a recall on my 2013 Sentra. The recall is located at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/NISSAN/SENTRA/4%252520DR/FWD#recalls. The Recall Campaign Bulletin # NTB13-032b / Campaign ID#: PC213 / NTSA#: 13V-069. It is located at: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2013/RCRIT-13V069-4312.pdf. The date of initial issue was 8/5/2022. Associate at Clear Lake Nissan committed to run repairs on CVT reprograming & repair of OCS recall to include sensor and seatbelt repair, parts, and labor. Clear Lake Nissan has not attempted to resolve the issue; instead told me they will have to charge me a diagnostic fee of $181 and then parts and labor to do the repair. I asked to speak to a supervisor or manager and was told they will reach out to me via a phone call, but I have yet to receive a call from either a supervisor nor a manager. …

I am reporting a failed remedy for Recall R1608 (Occupant Classification System). My 2013 Nissan Sentra was serviced at Nissan of Van Nuys for this recall. Despite the dealership marking the recall as completed, the safety defect persists. Specifically, the passenger seatbelt warning light remains illuminated when the passenger seat is empty, indicating the OCS sensor is incorrectly classifying seat occupancy. This malfunction directly impacts the vehicle's ability to correctly deploy or withhold airbags in a collision. The dealership refused to re-evaluate the failed repair without legal representation. Furthermore, the Multi-Point Inspection provided during this safety recall visit was falsified; a technician hand-wrote a failing brake measurement of '3mm,' yet the Service Advisor marked the system as 'Green/Safe' on the final document. …

On Saturday morning about 12:03, my son was in an accident. the car rolled over, there were a total of 4 people if the vehicle. the air bags didn't deploy. the 4 people had injuries consisting of concussion, a shattered foot, sprained wrist, and other injuries. I have an open claim with the insurance company. there were no other vehicles involved. The police came to the seen and the vehicle will be investigated further.

I went to get my car inspected and they noticed that my airbag light was on, and that even with a passenger in the seat, the airbag sensor wouldn't work. I came across an article saying there was a recall for 2013 Nissan's with airbag sensor problems, but when I went to go see if my car qualified, they said no.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Sentra years