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severe Owners of the 2015 Nissan Altima have filed 155 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 32,000 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Altima | 20 |
| 2012 Altima | 48 |
| 2013 Altima | 433 |
| 2014 Altima | 188 |
| 2015 Altima (this page) | 155 |
| 2016 Altima | 62 |
| 2017 Altima | 69 |
| 2018 Altima | 30 |
| 2019 Altima | 9 |
Of the 155 airbags complaints filed for the 2015 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Among the 17 model years of Nissan Altima in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
All 3 active airbags recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
If the front passenger seat occupant is misclassified, the air bag may deploy incorrectly in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated. Failure of the passenger airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of injury to the passenger.
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.
DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed, (continued on the next page)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC B00A0-00 STORED IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored And OCS zero point reset cannot be performed (continued on the next page) And The following screen displays: ACTION 1. Check the Occupant Classification System (OCS) control unit using the ODS Analysis tool software. ï· Refer to SERVICE PROCEDURE on page 5. HINT: âOCSâ may also be referred to as âODSâ. 2. Perform â75-zero RESETâ.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners of 2015 Nissan Altimas describe two main airbag failures: the passenger airbag warning light (showing the airbag is off) that stays on even with an adult sitting in the seat, and a supplemental airbag warning light that persists despite dealer resets and part replacements. Both issues create genuine safety uncertainty—owners don't know if airbags will deploy in a crash.
The passenger airbag problem typically stems from the occupant classification system (OCS) module failing to detect an adult passenger (over 115–150 lbs). Dealers have tried reprogramming the OCS, replacing the OCS sensor, swapping entire seats, and replacing control units—sometimes multiple times at the same dealership. The light goes off temporarily after reset, then returns within days or weeks. Owners report the dealer cannot duplicate the problem during testing yet the failure reoccurs regularly.
Multiple owners took their vehicles to dealers for NHTSA recalls (campaigns 16V244000, 16V911000, 15V681000) but the repair failed to stick; the warning light came back on. Some owners have been to three to five dealers with no resolution. Others have paid $450 to $2,500 out-of-pocket after learning their VIN was excluded from the recall despite matching the recall description exactly.
Three owners reported actual crashes where airbags did not deploy, resulting in injuries including broken bones, bleeding on the brain, and lower back trauma. Another owner's vehicle had multiple recalls outstanding that prior owners never completed.
Extended warranties specifically exclude airbag and safety system repairs, leaving owners with the full bill. Nissan has consistently told owners it cannot help once the vehicle is out of standard warranty or if the VIN is not in the recall database.
Same Nissan Altima airbags reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
OCS module incorrectly classifies front passenger seat as empty when occupied by an adult, causing passenger airbag to remain disabled. Owners report the 'Airbag Off' indicator illuminating with adult passengers present (over 115–150 lbs). Some owners find temporary workaround by restarting vehicle or having passenger exit and re-enter. Diagnostic testing often shows no stored fault codes despite recurring behavior.
When: Various mileage from 5,000 to 100,000+ miles; some started early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag 'Off' indicator lights with adult in seat; Intermittent or persistent airbag-disabled warning light; Light goes off after vehicle restart or passenger repositioning; No diagnostic trouble codes found during dealer testing
Codes mentioned: B0020, B0028-13
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have attempted reprogramming (sometimes multiple times), OCS sensor replacement, seat replacement, airbag module replacement, seat belt wiring harness replacement. Costs cited: $450–$2,500 for parts and labor. Many repairs fail to permanently resolve the issue; the light recurs within days or weeks.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recalls 16V244000, 16V911000, 15V681000 issued for OCS-related passenger airbag defects, but many affected vehicles VINs are excluded from recall scope. Nissan has cited that OCS 'responds to different seating posture' and may be 'operating as designed' per Technical Service Bulletin dated August 29, 2014. Extended warranties typically exclude safety components. Nissan Consumer Affairs has refused coverage citing exclusions and has stated VINs not in recall database receive no support.
Airbag warning light comes on and stays on, sometimes after dealer attempts to reset or reprogram. Owners report uncertainty whether airbags will deploy in a crash. New vehicles (under 15,000 miles) and higher-mileage vehicles both affected. Light typically does not clear permanently; resetting at dealer only provides temporary relief.
When: Ranging from <5,000 miles (new vehicles) to 97,000+ miles; some recur within days of repair
Symptoms owners cite: Red or yellow supplemental airbag warning indicator illuminated on dashboard; Warning light persists despite vehicle restart; Light returns within days to weeks after dealer reset; Vehicle manual states airbags will not deploy when light is on
Codes mentioned: B0020
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced airbag modules, driver airbag modules, cables, sensors, and control units in various combinations. Costs range from ~$900 to $2,500 quoted. Most repairs fail; light recurs, often with new diagnostic codes on repeat visits. Dealers sometimes resort to trial-and-error part replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some vehicles are covered under existing recalls (16V244000, 15V681000); others are not. Nissan has claimed the light 'will still work' despite being illuminated, contradicting service bulletins. Warranty period (typically to 99,999 miles or 2030) is cited as covering failure 'if there is an incident,' but this provides no preventive assurance. Extended warranties exclude safety components.
Owners report airbags failed to deploy during actual or near-actual crash collisions despite no prior warning lights or with vehicle functioning normally. Incidents range from side-impact t-bones to front-end collisions. Owners sustained injuries (bruising, broken bones, head trauma, sciatic nerve injury) that might have been mitigated by airbag deployment. One owner had bleeding on the brain after crash without airbag deployment. Vehicles were totaled or heavily damaged.
When: Mileage at failure: 11,276–165,000 miles; vehicles ranging from new to high-mileage
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during impact collision; No warning light illuminated prior to crash; Owner sustained injuries (head, chest, back, ribs, knee, lower back, foot fractures); Some collisions captured on video or documented by police report
Repairs/costs cited: Post-crash investigation by Nissan and NHTSA was pending in some cases. Vehicles were totaled or deemed beyond repair. No preventive repair data available; post-crash diagnostics inconclusive or not completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan has not provided clear explanation. One owner noted that 2015 Altima had 10 total recalls outstanding, including multiple airbag-related recalls (15V681000, 16V911000, 16V244000), and prior owners had not completed them. Another owner with non-deployment claim stated Nissan stated 'without any error codes, there is no proof this is an issue.' Nissan indicated vehicle VIN was not included in relevant recall campaigns.
Vehicles taken to dealers for recall repairs under NHTSA campaigns (primarily 16V244000, 16V911000, 15V681000) but the repair (reprogramming or OCS module update) fails to resolve the original complaint. Owners report the airbag indicator light returns within days to weeks after the recall service is completed. Multiple repeat visits result in temporary resets but no permanent fix. Some owners describe dealer as unable to identify root cause and resorting to trial-and-error part swaps.
When: Failures observed immediately to weeks after recall service completion; mileage ranging 8,000–62,861 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light returns after recall repair; OCS passenger airbag-off indicator persists despite recall service; Multiple visits to dealer with same complaint; Each visit may reveal a different fault code
Codes mentioned: B0020, B0028-13
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers reset fault codes or reprogrammed OCS module per recall procedure, but failures recurred. Some dealers then replaced additional components (sensors, control units, cables) without guarantee of success. Costs for follow-up repairs: $450–$2,500. One owner was told dealer would 'need to see what's next on the list of parts to replace' (trial-and-error approach).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan provided case numbers but stated 'no repair solution' available for some post-recall failures. Dealers have cited that the recall repair was performed per procedure and manufacturer offers no escalation. Manufacturers have declined to cover additional repairs, stating vehicle is out of standard warranty or that VIN was not originally included in recall.
Multiple owners report their vehicle VIN is not listed in NHTSA recall campaigns (15V681000, 16V244000, 16V911000) despite experiencing the exact same symptoms described in those recalls (passenger airbag off indicator, OCS malfunction). Owners were unable to obtain free recall service and were quoted $450–$2,500 for out-of-warranty repairs. Some suspect the recall scope is under-inclusive and more vehicles are affected.
When: VINs excluded from recall but failures reported from 8,000 to 165,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag 'Off' indicator illuminates with adult occupant; OCS module malfunction symptoms matching recall description; VIN shows zero recalls when checked in NHTSA database
Codes mentioned: B0020, B0028-13
Repairs/costs cited: Owners requested VIN be added to recall; some paid out-of-pocket ($450–$2,500). Extended warranties do not cover safety components, leaving owners with full repair cost.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Consumer Affairs has confirmed VINs are 'not included in recall campaign' despite matching symptoms. Owners requested NHTSA expand recall scope to include their vehicles. Nissan has not offered goodwill repair or extension of warranty for these cases.
Synthesized from 155 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
My 2015 altima airbag lights were on, I brought the car in for servicing on december 23rd to cover the recall. On the 29th with wife in car airbag light came back on dashboard. Sensor does not work properly in seat. Wife weighs over 120 pounds. I looked online and found many other people have the same issue with the recall, their car never receives the update and customers have to go back…
I was on the 15 freeway going home and bent down to pick up something I dropped and hit the car that was stopped in front of me. What I remember is my glasses flying off and I hit my chest and head on the steering wheel and also broke my foot. At that time I realized that the air bag did not deploy and the seat belt did not hold me and I hit the steering wheel with full force. I spent three…
The front passenger side airbag indicator light intermittently indicates that the passenger airbag is off when someone is sitting in the passenger seat. This generally happens when I first turn the vehicle on and there is someone already sitting in the front passenger seat. If I shut the vehicle off and turn it back on then the airbag light will go off indicating that the airbag is on. I took it…
It's a meaningful issue. 155 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
Across the 92 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 15,000 and 62,861 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 62,861. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 3 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.