Problems · by component

2003 Nissan Maxima air bags problems

35 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Nissan Maxima cite air bags, 17% of all 206 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
35
17% of all complaints
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TAKATA RECALL-RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL FROM NISSAN ABOUT A RECALL ON MY 2003 MAXIMA PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS (NHTSA RECALL 14V-361). SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR SEPT.26, 2014 @ 3PM TO HAVE WORK DONE. DROPPED VEHICLE OFF ON THE MORNING OF SEPT 26, 2014 BECAUSE I HAD TO LEAVE TOWN BEFORE THE TIME OF APPT. I PICKED MY VEHICLE UP LATER THAT DAY FROM THE DEALER. ON APRIL 15, 2016, I WAS AT WORK ON LUNCH BREAK IN OUR PARKING LOT AND I NOTICED A LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD ON. I TOOK MY MAXIMA TO THE DEALER TO HAVE LIGHT CHECKED TO FIND OUT IT WAS ABOUT MY AIRBAG. RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE OF WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE, TOTAL OF WORK NEEDED $1385 PLUS $90 I HAD TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS DONE. THE ESTIMATE WAS FOR THE EXACT SAME WORK THAT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED IN SEPT. 2014. I FINALLY HAD MY MECHANIC FIX THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSE HAD FIXED AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE SINCE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2019Air bagsODI 11240875
“TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT EXITED A PARKING AREA TO ENTER A HIGH TRAFFIC LOCATION. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT 45 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A GRAY SUBSTANCE EMITTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR WHIPLASH. THE FRONT PASSENGER EXPERIENCED HEAD TRAUMA AND INTERNAL INJURIES, WHICH RESULTED IN THE FATALITY OF HER UNBORN CHILD. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS SOLD TO A SALVAGE YARD. MELLOY NISSAN (7707 LOMAS BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87110, (505) 545-6420) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INVESTIGATED THE NON-DEPLOYMENT, BUT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO AIR BAG FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *DT *DT*JB *BF CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE AIRBAG CONSUMER GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT THAT LED TO THE DEATH OF THE CONSUMER'S UNBORN BABY.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 21, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11181639
“TAKATA RECALL. ON 10/24/18 I HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG FIXED AT THE OXNARD TEAM NISSAN SHOP. I ASKED ABOUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG, AND THEY SAID THE ONLY ONE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF WAS THE PASSENGER SIDE FOR MY CAR MODEL, IS THIS TRUE? MY CONCERN IS, AS FAR AS I KNOW, THE INJURIES AND DEATHS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. CAN YOU CLARIFY THIS FOR MY PEACE OF MIND. THANKS A LOT!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2018Air bagsODI 11144517
“I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY HERE IN WALDORF, MARYLAND WHEN THE AIRBAG INDICATOR KEEP ON FLASHING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS EPISODE WILL NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 26, 2017Air bagsODI 11056708
“TAKATA RECALL: NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW MY VEHICLE WAS RECALLED EXCEPT NISSAN AND CAR FAX. LUCKILY I DOWNLOADED THE CAR FAX APP AND SAW THE RECALL. HOW IS IT THAT CAR FAX KNOWS ABOUT THE RECALL FOR MY VIN# BUT NHTSA DOESN'T KNOW? AND I WANST OFFERED A RENTAL OUT LOANER CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 19, 2017Air bagsODI 11047258
“TAKATA RECALL I LIVE IN OCALA FLORIDA I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT GETTING THE RECALL FIXED. THE PROBLEM IS THEY WANT ME TO LEAVE MY CAR WITH THEM. I HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB A CHILD AND AN ELDERLY PARENT I NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION. THEY OFFERED TO SHUTTLE ME SOMEWHERE BUT THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE SO I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE. WHAT OTHER CHOICES ARE THRE?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 7, 2017Air bagsODI 11044369

Showing 6 of 35 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 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 Oct 28, 2026

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