VehicleVerdict

2002 Nissan Altima airbags problems

The 2002 Nissan Altima has 35 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 3% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

35

Airbags complaints

3%

Share of year

16

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

03V061000AirbagsFebruary 27, 2003 · 64,562 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02I001000AirbagsApril 17, 2002 · 116,500 units

Defect

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. ON CERTAIN 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA MODEL VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO MARCH 16, 2002, ONE OF THE SENSORS FOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS WELL AS EXPECTED IN HIGH-SPEED OFF-SET CRASH SITUATIONS.

Consequence

THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS EXPECTED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AIR BAG SENSOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261, CONCERNING THE PROBLEM.

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2002 Nissan Altima have?

NHTSA has 35 complaints about the 2002 Nissan Altima airbags — 3% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Nissan Altima airbags?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 02I001000, 03V061000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.