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2003 Nissan Sentra Airbags Problems

15 owner-reported airbags complaints from NHTSA data

15
Complaints
4
Recalls
5
Crashes
Jan 2018Dec 2017
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Airbags Recalls (4)

RECALLCampaign #20V008000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Fix: 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.

RECALLCampaign #20V747000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2002-2006 Sentra vehicles whose passenger air bags were previously inspected and may have been released without replacing the Takata air bag inflator. In the event of a crash, Takata frontal passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been completed. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will re-inspect the vehicle and, if necessary, replace the air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PM964.

RECALLCampaign #15V287000

AIR BAGS

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.

Fix: 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.

RECALLCampaign #22E066000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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.

Fix: 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.

Owner Complaints (15)

criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2019

Your 2003 Nissan Sentra is subject to a Takata airbag recall (NHTSA campaign 15V287000), but you weren't able to get it fixed because there was no nearby dealer. You contacted Nissan about the problem and were told someone would call you back, but they never did. Your airbags haven't failed yet, but the recall repair remains incomplete.

NHTSA #: 11206503
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Apr 2018

Your Nissan Sentra is subject to a Takata airbag recall. You received an official recall letter about this issue. This is a safety-related recall that should be addressed by taking your vehicle to an authorized Nissan dealer for inspection and replacement of the affected airbag components.

NHTSA #: 11082603
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Feb 2018

While working on your headlights, you discovered that the wires connected to your airbag system were cut, even though no warning lights appeared on your dashboard. Your car was previously serviced under a Takata airbag recall in December 2014, but the cut wires suggest a potential problem with the airbag electrical system. This could prevent your airbags from deploying in a crash. A dealer inspection and possible rewiring or airbag system replacement may be needed to restore proper airbag function.

NHTSA #: 11075093
criticalAIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
CrashFiled: Dec 2017

Your passenger airbag failed to deploy during a collision with a deer. This is a serious safety issue, as the airbag should have activated to protect your passenger during the impact. The airbag system needs to be inspected and repaired by a qualified technician to ensure it functions properly in future accidents.

NHTSA #: 11052779
criticalAIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2017

Your car has a defective airbag on the passenger side due to a Takata recall. This is a safety component that may not deploy properly in a crash. You should have this airbag inspected and replaced by a dealer as soon as possible.

NHTSA #: 11045735
highAIR BAGS
Filed: May 2021

Your 2003 Nissan Sentra is subject to an airbag safety recall, but the dealer can't complete the repair because the necessary parts aren't available. The dealer also won't provide you with a loaner vehicle while waiting for the parts and repair work.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11418726
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Jan 2018

After your airbag was replaced under the Takata recall, you're experiencing a recurring clicking noise when the defrost control is turned on. The dealer says this new clicking problem isn't related to the airbag replacement and is quoting over $1,000 to fix it. The repair will likely involve diagnosing and repairing the defrost control system.

Parts you may need:

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NHTSA #: 11062749
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jun 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A TRUCK FAILED TO OBEY A RED LIGHT AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE TRUCK. THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,325.

NHTSA #: 10730320
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Oct 2014

CAN'T FIND ANY INFORMATION ON IF THIS VEHICLE IS AFFECTED BY THE DEFECTIVE TAKATA AIRBAGS!!! NOT EVEN THE WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV SITE GIVES ME ANY INFORMATION!!!!! *TR

NHTSA #: 10650748
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Nov 2013

I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT AT TONY NISSAN IN WAIPIO, HAWAII, OAHU TO FIX THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INFLATOR RECALL PER THE NOTICE I WAS MAILED. (NHTSA RECALL 13V-136). I WAS INFORMED WHEN I MADE THE APPOINTMENT AND PER THE RECALL NOTICE I WAS MAILED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD TAKE LESS THAN ONE DAY. TONY NISSAN INFORMED ME THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE DONE IN THE MORNINGS ONLY M-F, AND MY CAR WOULD BE READY FOR PICK-UP IN THE AFTERNOON. WHEN I ARRIVED AT TONY NISSAN, AFTER HAVING TAKEN OFF WORK TO DO SO, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL TAKES TWO (2) DAYS TO REPAIR AND I WOULD HAVE TO BRING MY CAR BACK DURING ANOTHER WEEKDAY, HENCE TAKE OFF ANOTHER DAY OF WORK. I WAS ALSO TOLD I NEEDED 4 NEW TIRES ($810) AND A NEW BATTERY ($172). I NEVER REQUESTED THOSE REPAIRS AND WAS PRESSURED BY THE TONY NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE DECISION AS THEY DID NOT HAVE MY TIRES ON-SITE AND WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THEM. A RED FLAG IMMEDIATELY WENT OFF, I TOLD THEM I WANTED TO RETURN AND PICK MY CAR UP AND ASKED THEM WHEN THEY WOULD BE DONE "LOOKING AT MY AIRBAG" TO SEE IF I NEEDED THE RECALL REPAIR. I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NO IDEA AND I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY CALLED ME. THIS WAS AFTER I WAS TOLD BY A REP WHEN THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS MADE THAT RECALL REPAIRS WERE ONLY DONE IN THE MORNINGS AND MY CAR WOULD BE READY NO LATER THAN EARLY AFTERNOON. I CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENT. MY RECALL REPAIR HAS YET TO BE REPAIRED. I LOST A DAY OF WORK FOR NOTHING, AND APPARENTLY WILL NEED TO LOSE 2 MORE WORK DAYS IN ORDER TO HAVE THE REPAIR COMPLETED. I AM GOING TO TRY TO ARRANGE THE APPOINTMENT AT THE ONLY OTHER NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON THE ISLAND AND HOPE THEY WILL BE PROFESSIONAL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10552484
mediumAIR BAGS
Filed: Sep 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V136000 (AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CALLED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

NHTSA #: 10542874
mediumAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Filed: Jul 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 44,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED REPAIR INVOICES FOR VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE HISTORY REPORT. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR THE CONSUMER STATED GRUBBS NISSAN REPLACED THE SEATBELT RETRACT ON 6/15/07 AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE DEALER STATED TO HAVE THE SENSOR CONTROL MODULE REPLACE AT THE COST OF $800 AND THE CONSUMER DECLINED. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

NHTSA #: 10196620
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Jun 2004

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH CONSUMER T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO THE OTHER VEHICLE NOT STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA #: 10075938
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Oct 2003

CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER, WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, NOR DID AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEAR PRIOR TO THE CRASH. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. *AK

NHTSA #: 10042372
mediumAIR BAGS
CrashFiled: Feb 2003

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.*JB VEHICLE INVOLVED IN COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG EQUIPMENT FAILED TO DEPLOY. *MR

NHTSA #: 10008730

Other 2003 Nissan Sentra Issues