VehicleVerdict

2001 Nissan Maxima airbags problems

The 2001 Nissan Maxima has 32 airbags complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

32

Airbags complaints

14%

Share of year

7

Crash-involved

3

Related recalls

Airbags complaints by year

Related recalls

22E066000AirbagsAugust 9, 2022 · 375 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

20V008000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2020 · 307,962 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

15V287000AirbagsMay 15, 2015 · 1,090,569 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on June 15, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: On December 18, 2015 Nissan informed NHTSA of an amendment of this recall to remove 2004-2005 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 vehicles.

What owners report

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SIX CAR ACCIDENT, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SIX CAR PILE UP AND THE VEHICLE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT, REAR AND THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOW AT A TOW LOT. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 23, 2006 · crash

Common questions

How many airbags complaints does the 2001 Nissan Maxima have?

NHTSA has 32 complaints about the 2001 Nissan Maxima airbags — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Nissan Maxima airbags?

Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the airbags: 15V287000, 20V008000, 22E066000.

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.