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 ↗2017 Nissan Maxima airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2017 Nissan Maxima have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the airbags 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 →
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Maxima | 16 |
| 2014 Maxima | 21 |
| 2016 Maxima | 13 |
| 2017 Maxima (this page) | 16 |
3crashes
1fire
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 16 airbags complaints filed for the 2017 Nissan Maxima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report five distinct airbag problems on the 2017 Maxima. First, the occupant classification system (OCS) sensor triggers a persistent warning light that returns within weeks even after dealer resets; dealers quote $4,500–$11,000 for seat or sensor replacement without guaranteed resolution. Second, documented frontal crashes at 25–30 mph resulted in complete airbag non-deployment, with one owner sustaining injuries to face and neck. Third, side curtain airbags deployed during a hydroplane recovery with all four tires still on ground—Nissan's EDR investigation offered no explanation for the tilt-angle recording or sensor function. Fourth, one vehicle ignited while parked; State Farm and a certified fire investigator determined an ABS actuator brake fluid leak onto the circuit board caused the fire, yet Nissan claimed the vehicle fell outside recall coverage. Fifth, the passenger airbag OFF indicator incorrectly shows when the seat is occupied, a direct occupant detection failure. Nissan recall 16V244000 addresses occupant classification but applies to only some 2017 models. Owners express uncertainty whether airbags will function in an actual accident.
Same Nissan Maxima airbags reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Occupant Classification System (OCS) sensor/SeatBelt Pretensioner malfunction
Airbag warning light illuminates repeatedly and persists despite dealer resets. Owners report being told the OCS unit and sensor need replacement, or that seat cushion sensors are faulty. Some dealers insist on replacing the entire driver-side seat despite repeated attempts to fix the sensor.
When: 38,400 miles reported in one case; recurring over years in others
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light stays on continuously; Warning light returns within weeks after claimed repair; Passenger airbag light indicates airbag is off when occupied; Different airbag sensors trigger warning on reset cycles
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quote $4,500–$11,000 for seat replacement or OCS/sensor replacement; repairs do not hold or fail to resolve the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 16V244000 (occupant classification sensor) applies to some 2017 Maximas but not all; some owners confirmed outside recall scope
Airbag non-deployment in frontal crashes
In three separate frontal collision incidents, airbags failed to deploy despite impact severity warranting deployment. Owners sustained injuries in at least one case. Crashes occurred at 25–30 mph into other vehicles; no manufacturer investigation or diagnosis was completed in these cases.
When: 3,000 miles (case #9), 26,000 miles (case #6); timing not specified (case #11)
Symptoms owners cite: Frontal airbag fails to deploy during collision; Vehicle sustains front-end damage or is totaled; Owner sustains injuries (face/neck reported)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not diagnosed or repaired; no technical root cause established
Unintended side curtain airbag deployment
Side curtain airbags deployed without impact during a light hydroplane event on wet road. Owner recovered to a stop with all four tires on ground. Nissan's EDR investigation stated deployment was within 'allowable time' from a tilt angle, but provided no explanation for how a tilt angle was recorded with all tires grounded, or whether sensors were functioning correctly. Investigation took two months with no proactive manufacturer contact.
When: Timing not specified; vehicle was drivable 50 miles to dealership after event
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain airbags deploy during hydroplane recovery with no impact; Vehicle shows recorded tilt angle despite all tires on ground; Owner unable to obtain technical clarification from Nissan
Repairs/costs cited: Owner offered option to pay for own diagnostics; Nissan would not conduct repairs during investigation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: EDR pulled and reviewed; deployment ruled within 'allowable timeframe' but specific parameters not disclosed
Fire/ignition linked to electrical system
Vehicle ignited and exploded while parked. State Farm investigator determined ABS actuator pump leaked brake fluid onto internal circuit board, causing fire. Owner notes a recall exists for this issue but claims their vehicle was excluded from recall coverage despite the defect being present.
When: 20 days after purchase; parked overnight at 10:30 p.m., ignited at 2:05 a.m.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle ignites and explodes while parked unattended; State Farm and certified fire investigator confirm ABS actuator brake fluid leak onto circuit board as origin
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan claimed vehicle not included in existing recall despite defect being present
Airbag system warning light malfunction and occupant detection errors
Dashboard airbag warning light remains illuminated continuously or cycles on and off despite multiple dealer visits and attempted resets. Separate issue: passenger airbag light indicates airbag is off when a passenger is actually seated, a direct occupant detection failure. These appear to be sensor or electrical circuit board issues in the occupant classification or airbag control module.
When: 52,300 miles (one case); two-year duration reported in another
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light stays on; Passenger airbag OFF indicator shows when seat is occupied; Warning persists after multiple resets by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: Quoted repairs range $7,000–$11,000 with no guarantee of resolution; lifetime powertrain warranty does not apply
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
About two years ago, the driver airbag light came on and has been on. We took the car to Hudson Nissan in Charleston, SC to have it repaired and were informed that we would have to replace the entire seat to replace the sensor to the tune of about $4500.00. Based on a lot of information I have been reading, there has been a recall on certain 2017 Nissan Maximas but not all of them. I believe…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Nissan maxima. While driving 25 MPH, another vehicle crossed in front of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into the driver side of the other vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the face and neck that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not…
Takata recall
Had airbags trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 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?
Based on the 16 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 28,798 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2017/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.