SERVICE INFORMATION Changes or modifications to the front seat assembly trim materials may affect the proper operation of the Front Seat-Mounted Side-Impact Supplemental Air Bags and Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor and could result in serious personal injury or death. Nissan STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AGAINST making any change to seat trim materials from the factory equipped condition. This specifically applies to replacing the seat trim with non-factory materials; adding leather/cloth seat covers, seat pads, or seat storage pouches, etc. around or over the seat back and the passenger seat cushion. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2010 Nissan Maxima airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2010 Nissan Maxima have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 21,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2006 Maxima | 11 |
| 2007 Maxima | 17 |
| 2008 Maxima | 20 |
| 2009 Maxima | 38 |
| 2010 Maxima (this page) | 14 |
| 2011 Maxima | 22 |
| 2012 Maxima | 25 |
| 2013 Maxima | 16 |
| 2014 Maxima | 21 |
5crashes
6injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for each vehicle. IMPORTANT: Turn the ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery terminals, and wait at least 3 minutes before performing any service on the SRS. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If you confirm there is a need to replace the steering wheel switches on an Applied Vehicle for any reason: - Do not replace the driver air bag module. The steering wheel switches are now available as a separate service part. - Refer to the Service Procedure in this bulletin for steering wheel switch removal and installation instructions. See this bulletin for more detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: The front passenger seatback has a greater than normal vibration at highway speeds AND There are no other shake or vibrations with the vehicle. ACTION: Use the REPAIR FLOW CHART on page 3 to determine the repair(s) to be performed. NOTES: - The description under IF YOU CONFIRM must exist for this bulletin to apply. - If determined the passenger seatback frame will be replaced: - The headrest, seatback pad, seatback frame bolts, and side airbag nuts must also be replaced. - The seatback trim and seatback board will be reused. - Do not replace the seat cushion and frame assembly or complete seat assembly. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Fourteen owners report two major issues: a widespread passenger airbag sensor fault that leaves the warning light on despite adult passengers seated properly, and actual airbag non-deployment in crashes.
For the sensor problem, owners describe the passenger airbag warning light staying on intermittently or constantly, starting as early as 6,000 miles. Dealers run diagnostics and find no fault codes, or replace the sensor and entire passenger seat, but the light returns. One owner pursued this for 3–4 years across multiple dealer visits. Nissan's explanations—passenger too light, leather needs to age, seat not soft enough—don't hold up when normal-weight adults (110–145 lbs) trigger the fault. One dealer quoted $1,100 to repair but refused further attempts.
For deployment failures, three owners were in front-end collisions with severe damage. None had frontal airbags activate. One struck a building with such force the front end entered the passenger compartment; the dealer mechanic was "surprised" the airbag didn't deploy. A fourth owner was broadsided at 25–30 mph; the side airbag didn't deploy, though the repair shop suggested the sensor zone is narrowly calibrated to a specific frame section. A fifth had two separate impacts (front and rear) with no airbag response and sustained neck and back injuries. The only owner who got a manufacturer response was sent an airbag manual with no action taken.
Same Nissan Maxima airbags reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Airbag Sensor Malfunction / Light Stays On
Passenger airbag warning light illuminates and remains on intermittently or continuously despite an adult occupying the passenger seat, indicating the airbag is disabled when it should be active. Owners report the light comes on sporadically while driving or stays on persistently. Dealers have been unable to consistently diagnose the underlying cause despite multiple visits and computer diagnostics.
When: Failures reported between 6,000 and 80,000 miles; some owners experienced the issue within weeks of purchase with as few as 7,000 miles on the odometer.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light illuminates and stays on; Light comes on intermittently while driving with passenger present; Light remains on even when adult passenger is properly seated; Dealer diagnostic tools show no recorded fault but light continues; Abnormal noise from airbag compartment (one report)
Codes mentioned: B10180CS (Passenger Side Air Bags sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced front passenger airbag sensor as a precaution in one case without correcting the failure. Another owner had entire passenger seat replaced; problem recurred two weeks later. One quote cited approximately $1,100 to fix. Most owners report dealer claims no repair needed or unable to diagnose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan advised one owner that passenger airbag was performing according to standards despite warning light. Nissan offered illogical explanations to owners: passenger weight insufficient (contradicted by normal-weight passengers experiencing the issue), leather seat not soft enough, or leather needs time to age. Reference to 2013 Nissan recall that does not extend back to 2010 model year.
Frontal Airbag Sensor Failure / Non-Deployment in Crash
Driver-side and frontal airbags fail to deploy during significant front-end collisions and frontal impacts. Two owners were involved in severe front-end crashes with impact damage through the engine compartment; airbags did not deploy. A third owner had a vehicle strike a building with severe front-end damage; airbags did not deploy. Dealer mechanics and owners suspect defective frontal sensors.
When: Failures documented at 70,000 miles and 149,000 miles; one early incident at approximately 1,057 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy in severe front-end collision; Airbags did not deploy when vehicle struck building causing damage through engine; Frontal airbags inoperative in multi-vehicle front-end impact
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed. One owner's car was totaled. Another was repaired at independent mechanic. Owner received back injury requiring medical attention.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer sent airbag manual to one owner but took no corrective action. No recalls mentioned.
Side Airbag Sensor Failure / Non-Deployment in Broadside Impact
Driver-side airbag failed to deploy during a broadside collision. Owner was struck by another vehicle at 25–30 mph on the driver's side door and door pillar area. Repair facility indicated the sensor may have a narrow deployment zone limited to the frame section between the driver door and rear door, failing to deploy when impact occurs on the forward three-quarters of the door.
When: Failure occurred during accident; vehicle mileage not specified.
Symptoms owners cite: Side airbag did not deploy in broadside impact at 25–30 mph; Impact was significant but may not have struck the precise frame zone needed for deployment
Accelerator Malfunction with Airbag Non-Deployment
Vehicle suddenly accelerated forward while owner was shifting into reverse and depressing the brake pedal during parking attempt. Vehicle crashed through building wall with severe front-end damage into driver compartment. Airbags did not deploy despite extreme impact.
When: Failure at approximately 149,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle suddenly accelerated forward despite brake pedal applied; Airbags failed to deploy in severe crash into building
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed; decision to total the vehicle had not been finalized at time of report. Owner sustained back injury requiring medical assistance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not made aware of the failure at time of report.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2010 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2010 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 3,000 and 70,000 miles, with the median around 21,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 70,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/Nissan/Maxima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.