Problems · by component

2002 Nissan Maxima air bags problems

31 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Nissan Maxima cite air bags, 14% of all 220 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
31
14% of all complaints
Crashes
15
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Driving vehicle on road and the accelerator pedal no longer working vehicle. coasted to the side. Car had to be towed. Vehicle cranking without problem but will not accelerate pedal goes to floor. At consideration of purchase of vehicle, car fax and all details about vehicle were viewed for possible purchase. Items on recall are now a concern as a safety issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2025Exterior lighting, Air bags, Unknown or otherODI 11646469
“The contact owned a 2002 Nissan Maxima. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V-008000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list as he is no longer the owner of the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2022Air bagsODI 11479081
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V008000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE GILMAN NISSAN FORT BEND LOCATED AT 26001 SOUTHWEST FWY, ROSENBERG, TX 77471, AND AFTER TWO DAYS IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2020Air bagsODI 11350625
“[XXX] POWER STEERING SYSTEM TIRES FUEL PUMP AIR BAGS BATTERY EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FALLING APART SINCE 2018, IT'S BEEN FIXED AND COUPLE MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM COMES UP. EVERY MECHANIC THAT TOUCHES THIS CAR, SAID THE SAME THING TO CHECK UP THE RECALL STATUS. BECAUSE THERE ARE TOO MANY ISSUES WITH IT, AND THE MILEAGE IS LOW. SO THERE IS A FAULTY PARTS, THAT KEEP BRAKING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND I HAVE BEEN CALLING ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AT LEAST 4 TIMES SINCE DECEMBER. BRAND NEW TIRES AND BRAKES WERE INSTALLED AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2020Steering, Fuel system, gasoline, Air bags, Tires, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11309769
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V287000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. FRED ANDERSON NISSAN OF RALEIGH (9225 GLENWOOD AVE, RALEIGH, NC 27617, (919) 324-3443) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 22, 2019Air bagsODI 11182025
“TAKATA RECALL!!! MY PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT LIGHT IS FLASHING. ALSO I BOUGHT THE TOP CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND IT HAD A RECALL, IS MY VEHICLE COVERED? MY CONTROL ARM NEEDS TO BE CHANGED CAN YOU PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE NEXT DECISION I SHOULD MAKE.. I'M TAKING IT TO GERALD NISSAN IN NORTH AURORA FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR THE AIRBAG.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 16, 2017Power train, Air bags, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11046628

Showing 6 of 31 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Aug 9, 2022NHTSA 22E066000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2020NHTSA 20V008000

Air bags

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2001-2003 Nissan Maxima, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2003 Infiniti QX4 and I35, 2003 FX35 and FX45, and 2001 I30 vehicles. Upon deployment of the passenger side frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.

Air bagsReported May 15, 2015NHTSA 15V287000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.