2011 Nissan Leaf Airbags Problems

Your car is displaying error code B1018, which indicates a problem with the passenger seat occupancy sensor. This sensor tells your airbags whether to deploy in a crash, so a failure means the passenger airbag may not work properly in an accident. Nissan's only repair option is to replace the entire passenger seat, which costs over $3,000.

Your car's passenger seat airbag sensor has failed, triggering a warning light on your dashboard. Nissan has discontinued this sensor part and has no replacement available, which means all airbags in your vehicle are now disabled. With less than 40,000 miles on the car, this leaves you without a critical safety feature for the remaining life of the vehicle. Resolving this will require either finding a used sensor from a salvage yard, pursuing legal action against Nissan, or accepting that airbags cannot be repaired.

Your airbag warning light is on, and both the dealer and independent shops quote $4,500+ to fix it—more than your car's value. The issue is that Nissan only sells the entire passenger seat as a replacement part and requires dealer reprogramming, making the repair impractical for many owners. This creates a safety concern because the high cost may tempt owners to disable or bypass the airbag system rather than repair it properly. The fix would require Nissan to sell individual seat cushion components or offer more affordable repair options.

Your front passenger seat air bag occupant sensor has failed, causing your air bag system to shut off as a safety precaution. Warning lights on your dashboard indicate the air bag is off, and diagnostic scans show error code B1018 (Air Bag Occupant Sensor failure). This is a known issue affecting 2011-2012 Nissan Leafs, and while Nissan issued a recall, it doesn't cover your model year. The sensor needs to be replaced to restore full air bag protection.

Your passenger airbag sensor isn't working properly. When you drive, your dashboard shows a red flashing warning light and a message indicating the passenger airbag is off. This is a safety concern since the airbag won't deploy in a crash to protect a passenger. The fix will likely require diagnostic testing and replacement of the airbag sensor or related electrical components.

Your car's airbag sensor unit has failed even though the vehicle has only been driven 5,271 miles and was stored in a warm garage since 2011. Since the failure occurred without regular use, it appears to be a manufacturing defect rather than wear and tear. The airbag system will need to be diagnosed and the faulty sensor unit will likely need to be replaced.

Your passenger airbag sensor isn't working properly. When you drive, your dashboard shows a red flashing warning light and a message saying the passenger airbag is off. This is a safety concern because the airbag won't deploy if needed in a crash. The repair will likely involve replacing the airbag sensor or the occupancy detection system.

Your Nissan Leaf is showing an error code (B1018) indicating a problem with the front seat occupant sensor after water was spilled on the front seat while the vehicle was parked. The airbag system may not function properly in a crash because of this sensor failure. Nissan's only proposed fix is to replace the entire front seat and sensor assembly, which costs approximately $2,624. The owner is requesting that Nissan expand a recall that covered 2013-2016 Leaf models to also include 2011 and 2012 models.

Your airbag warning light is flashing and the passenger airbags have been automatically disabled. The dealer diagnosed a faulty occupant sensor unit (fault code B1018) in the passenger seat that detects whether someone is sitting there, and says you need to replace the entire passenger seat for over $3,000—even though the seat itself isn't damaged. This is a safety concern since the passenger airbags won't deploy if needed. Fixing this will likely require replacing the occupant sensor unit or the entire seat assembly.

Your Leaf's occupant detection sensor (OCS) for the passenger airbag has failed, triggering a fault code that disables the airbag. The dealership quoted you over $4,000 to replace the entire seat assembly, with no parts available and no option to replace just the sensor itself. Nissan has indicated they cannot offer assistance, leaving you with an expensive repair that may exceed your vehicle's value.

Your supplemental airbag warning light started blinking on 9/24/2023 and continues to blink even when no one is sitting in the front passenger seat. The occupant sensor in the passenger seat has failed, which is responsible for detecting whether someone is sitting there. The dealer estimates over $3,000 to replace the seat cushion assembly, though diagnosis points to needing a passenger occupant sensor replacement. This repair involves replacing the occupant sensor assembly in the lower seat cushion to restore proper airbag function.

Your airbag warning light came on unexpectedly. The dealership indicated the repair would cost $3,700 and requires removing your seat. You're concerned about this safety issue, especially since you've read reports of the same problem affecting other 2011 Leafs. The fix likely involves diagnosing and replacing the faulty airbag sensor or related wiring.

Your car's airbag warning light keeps turning on and automatically disabling the passenger airbag, even when an adult is sitting in that seat. The system is detecting error code B1018, which causes it to shut off the passenger airbag as a safety precaution. While you can temporarily reset the code, it returns every time someone sits in the passenger seat, regardless of their size. This likely requires a technician to diagnose and repair the passenger seat occupancy sensor or the airbag control module.

Your airbag warning light is flashing and the passenger airbags have been disabled. The dealer diagnosed this as a failure in the occupant sensor unit, which detects whether someone is sitting in the passenger seat. They're recommending replacement of the entire passenger seat for over $3,000, even though the seat itself appears to be in perfect condition. The fix will likely involve replacing the occupant sensor unit or the entire passenger seat assembly.

AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES INDICATING AIR BAG SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. IT CAN BE RESET BY RECYCLING THE CAR ON/OFF 3 TIME WITHIN CERTAIN TIME LIMITS. THE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AGAIN WITHIN ABOUT 5-20 MILES OF DRIVING. SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER NISSAN LEAFS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. NISSAN DEALER WANTS $250 AND CHANGE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THEN TELL ME WHAT THE SOLUTION IS, BUT EVERYBODY ALREADY KNOWS THE SOLUTION IN A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SENSOR. THE NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS OFFICE INSISTS THAT I PAY THE DIAGNOSIS FEE DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE DASH BOARD LIGHT ALREADY DIAGNOSES THIS PROBLEM, WHICH ALONG WITH THE KNOW HISTORY OF NISSAN LEAF CLEARLY POINTS TO THE KNOWN PROBLEM. NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS SAYS "WE WILL CONSIDER GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE" - AFTER I PAY THE DIAGNOSIS, BUT LATER IN THE CALL NOTED THAT THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO IT IS CLEAR NO GOOD WILL ASSISTANCE IS BEING CONSIDERED. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER (HAYWARD) TELLS ME THAT HE HAS HAD A NUMBER OF LEAFS IN WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING AND IT COULD BE "ANYTHING FROM A LOOSE CONNECTOR TO THE WIRING HARNESS," WHICH INTERESTINGLY IS A SET OF POSSIBILITIES THAT EXCLUDES THE SENSOR/SEAT REPLACEMENT WHICH IS THE WELL KNOWN FIX. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE. THANKS.

PASSENGER AIR BAG HAS SHUT OFF. DEALER RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND SAID I NEED A NEW PASSENGER SEAT AT A COST OF $3,182. CURRENT FAULT CODE IS B1018.

THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AND DANGER SYMBOL BEGAN FLASHING RECENTLY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE AIRBAG SENSOR IN THE SEAT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE AIRBAGS WOULD NOT FUNCTION UNTIL THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. THIS VEHICLE HAS UNDER 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE REPAIR PART COSTS NEARLY $3000 WHICH IS ABOVE THE KBB VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INCIDENT TO REPORT, JUST A FAILURE ON THE VEHICLE.

ILLUMINATED AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEATS, DIAGNOSED BY NISSAN DEALER AS A FAILED SENSOR. WAS TOLD THE WHOLE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BOTTOM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLAED (ESTIMATE $3,185.61). ALSO TOLD THAT THE FAILURE OF THIS SENSOR MEANT THAT ALL AIRBAGS WERE DEACTIVATED.

2011 NISSAN LEAF. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE OCCUPANT SEAT SENSOR. *LD *DT *DT *JS*DT *JS*DT CONSUMER STATED I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I HEARD FROM THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP LAST NIGHT (THURSDAY) AND AM TOLD THE REPAIR HAS BEEN COMPLETED. I PLAN TO PICK UP THE CAR TONIGHT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT SURE WHAT BECAME OF THE DEFECTIVE SEAT/SENSOR AND SAID STAFF FROM NISSAN DID ALL THE WORK, NOT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP.*JB CONSUMER UPDATE, I HEARD FROM MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE AGREED TO REPLACE THE SEAT.*JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR*JB

THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANCY SENSOR IS FAILING. THIS CAUSES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG TO TURN OFF AND THE WARNING LIGHTS TO FLASH ON THE DASH. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO DISABLE THE DRIVERS AIRBAG. NISSAN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS OVER $3200, THE ENTIRE SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY MUST BE REPLACED. THIS IS OVER HALF THE VALUE OF THE CAR. NISSAN HAS RECALLED OTHER YEARS AND MODELS FOR THE SAME OR SIMILAR ISSUE, BUT NOT THE 2011 MODEL. THIS SERIOUS, KNOWN SAFETY DEFECT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER. THE OCS SYSTEM CAN BE RESET, BUT THE TROUBLE APPEARS AGAIN IN A FEW DAYS. IT USUALLY APPEARS ON VEHICLE START-UP. THE PASSENGER SEAT MAY BE OCCUPIED, OR NOT.

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR FAILED. SAME ISSUE AS OTHER COMPLAINTANTS. VEHICLE STATIONARY. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AS AN EXISTING RECALL FOR LATER YEAR MODELS. WHEN IS THIS RECALL GOING TO BE EXTENDED TO EARLIER YEARS? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN IS TRYING TO CHARGE OVER $2K TO FIX.

THE LIGHT FOR MY SENSOR FOR MY PASSENGER AIRBAG (OCS SENSOR) IS ON ALL THE TIME AND FLASHING RED WITH OR WITHOUT A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. SEEMS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE AS I WAS TOLD ALL AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED WHEN THE LIGHT IS FLASHING. COST INVOLVES REPLACING PASSENGER SEAT TOO AND TOTAL WOULD BE $4,800. THIS IS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF WITH 78,000 MILES AND ALL 12 BARS OF RANGE STILL REMAINING (ONE REPLACEMENT BATTERY TWO YEARS AGO). I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED DUE TO COST AND IT IS NOT PART OF A RECALL OF THE SAME PROBLEM IN 2013+ LEAFS. NO 2011 RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM!

WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. A CHECK OF THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES SHOWED THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED. THEY RESET THE CODE AND IT CLEARED FOR 2 WEEKS, THEN RE-APPEARED. WAS INFORMED THAT REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR WAS $2700 + LABOR. THIS SAME PART WAS RECALLED IN 2013+, BUT NOT RECALLED ON 2011/2012. THE REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE BECAUSE NISSAN WILL NOT SELL JUST THE AIRBAG SENSOR--YOU MUST PURCHASE AN ENTIRE SEAT.

THE LIGHT FOR MY SENSOR FOR MY PASSENGER AIRBAG (OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM OCS SENSOR) IS ON ALL THE TIME AND FLASHING, EVEN WHEN THERE IS AN ADULT PASSENGER SITTING IN THE CAR. AFTER A SEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND THAT NISSAN LEAFS FROM 2013 TO 2018 HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THAT OCS PART, BUT MY 2011 NISSAN LEAF HAS NOT. ONLINE, MANY OTHER OWNERS OF MY SAME YEAR NISSAN HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. MY DEALER TOLD ME, IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE SENSOR, SINCE IT IS OUTSIDE THE WARRANTY, IT WILL REQUIRE REPLACING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH IS UPWARDS OF $2700, NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I CALLED NISSAN, WHO TOLD ME THAT IT IS TOO FAR OUT OF THE WARRANTY, AND THEY CANNOT HELP ME. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT TRIED TO GET ME A COURTESY REIMBURSEMENT, BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO CONVINCE THE HIGHER-UPS, AND ALSO COULDN'T EVEN CONVINCE THEM TO REIMBURSE THE AMOUNT I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE THE DEALER CONFIRM WHAT I ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE PART (ANOTHER $145). I AM NOW FORCED TO RIDE WITHOUT AIRBAGS FOR MY FRONT PASSENGER. IT SEEMS UNCONSCIONABLE FOR NISSAN TO ALLOW A SENSOR (A PART INTEGRAL TO THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE AND NOT AFFECTED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF THE CAR) TO NOT BE PART OF A RECALL, ESPECIALLY WHEN SO MANY OTHER VEHICLES (NISSAN AND OTHERWISE) HAVE THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I CAN ONLY ASSUME IT'S BECAUSE THE SENSOR IS TOO DIFFICULT TO REPLACE CHEAPLY. THEY LIKELY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM WITHIN THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF THE CAR'S MANUFACTURE AND CHANGED THE LOCATION OF THE SENSOR - HENCE THE REASON THEY WOULD AGREE TO REPLACE THOSE IN LATER MODELS AND NOT THEIR EARLIEST MODELS.

PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM DISABLED BY OCCUPANT SENSOR FAILURE. THIS HAPPENED ON STARTUP. DTC B1018 AIR BAG OCCUPANT SENS [UNIT FAIL] I WANT MODEL YEAR 2011 NISSAN LEAF TO BE ADDED TO THE EXISTING RECALL FOR MODELS 2013 NISSAN LEAF.

OCCUPANT SENSOR FAILURE IS PREVENTING THE PASSENGER AIR BAG FROM DEPLOYING. THE CODE IS REPORTED AS A B1013. AS THIS MODEL WAS DESIGNED WITH A SENSOR WITHIN THE SEAT, THE OFFICIAL ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT, FOR AN ESTIMATE OF $3133.51. THIS IS HIGHLY COST PROHIBITIVE FOR A SAFETY FEATURE THAT SHOULD NOT PREVENT AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT.

THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND INDICATES THE AIRBAGS ARE OFF AS I UNDERSTAND IT. WENT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $5,000.00 TO REPAIR AND REFUSED TO CORRECT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE! WE ARE STUNNED AND HAVE NOT USED THE CAR FOR A LONG TIME NOW, TERRIFIED THAT WE MIGHT BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED...HELP!! DATE IT HAPPENED I DO NOT RECALL BUT PUT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO....

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STRAIGHT AT AROUND 35 MPH, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. SUBSEQUENT DIAGNOSIS SHOWED A B1018 CODE THROWN BY THE LEAF, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR HAS FAILED. THE CODE WAS RESET AND STAYED OFF, BUT AGAIN ABOUT 5 DAYS LATER, THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. THIS TIME, THE CODE WOULD NOT RESET. I WAS QUOTED $2700 IN PARTS AND $300 LABOR BY THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM, WHICH WAS UNECONOMICAL AND MORE THAN HALF THE VALUE OF THE CAR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 53,000 MILES AND IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. I CONTACTED NISSAN CUSTOMER AFFAIRS AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE PRICE OF THE REPAIR AT ALL. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT NOT REPAIRING THE SENSOR WOULD RESULT IN ALL AIRBAGS BEING DISABLED, SINCE THE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. IT SEEMS LIKE A BIG SAFETY ISSUE THAT IF THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILS, ALL AIRBAGS ARE DISABLED. WE WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE CAR AND CANNOT AFFORD A $3000 REPAIR TO A $5500 CAR. THIS SAME PART IS RECALLED ON 2013-2015 LEAFS AS WELL AS MILLIONS OF OTHER NISSAN CARS. IF THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE, MAYBE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED ON THE 2011-2012 LEAF AS WELL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SEAT SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 31686373. THE MANUFACTURER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

PASSENGER AIR BAG SEAT PRESSURE SENSOR FAIL. PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF LIGHT ILLUMINATE WHEN FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPIED THE SEAT ALSO FLASHING AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD. ERROR CODE B1018. DEALER WANTS WHOLE SEAT REPLACEMENT COST $3000. NO NISSAN WARRANTY OR RECALL ON 2011 NISSAN LEAF.

SO, APPARENTLY THE 2012 - 2014 NISSAN LEAF HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR AND IS COVERED BY RECALL, BUT NOT THE FIRST YEAR MODELS, 2011. IS THIS TO ASSUME THAT THE SENSOR IS DIFFERENT FROM THE FIRST TO THESE SUBSEQUENT YEARS.

2011 NISSAN LEAF PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPANT SENSOR OFF WHEN PASSENGER IS IN SEAT. I TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO INSPECTED HARNESS AND CONNECTIONS UNDER FRONT SEAT FOR WEAR OR DAMAGE. NO FINDINGS. FOLLOWED INSPECTION PROCEDURES IN ESM. I WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLE WILL REQUIRE A SEAT CUSHION REPLACEMENT WITH OCCUPANT DETECTION CONTROL UNIT. COST APPROXIMATELY $2,900 AND NO GUARANTEE OF FIX. MAY NEED AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT. SEEMS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2013 - 2016 RECALL, BUT 2011 DID NOT GET RECALLED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN LEAF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (COGGIN NISSAN ON ATLANTIC IN JACKSONVILLE 10600 ATLANTIC BLVD, JACKSONVILLE, FL 32225 (904) 302-8231) DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN OCS ERROR FAILURE, IN WHICH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COULD DEACTIVATE OFF OR FAIL TO FUNCTION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO AN AIR BAG RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

PASSENGER AIRBAG TURNED OFF. CANNOT TURN BACK ON. NOW HAVE FLASHING RED WARNING LIGHT. SEEMS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE THIS SAFETY FAILURE FAIL ON A CAR BOUGHT IN AUGUST 2011. NISSAN DEALER (ELK GROVE, CA) SAYS THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. I DON'T BELIEVE THEM.

PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG ON/OFF SWITCH SENSOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT ACCORDING TO NISSAN DEALER. PASSENGER AIRBAG "OFF" LIGHT IS FLASHING EVEN WITH 125 POUND PASSENGER IN SEAT. NISSAN COULDN'T TELL ME WHETHER OR NOT PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS REALLY ON OR OFF. QUOTED $2400 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SWITCH AND SEAT ASSEMBLY BECAUSE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY ACCORDING TO NISSAN. THIS APPEARS TO BE EXACTLY THE PROBLEM COVERED BY 2013 LEAF RECALL FOR HARDWARE MANUFACTURING PROBLEM IN SAME SENSOR.