This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1998 Nissan Maxima. The contact was traveling 45 mph and traveled over a patch of ice. The vehicle then spun around and the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact attempted to apply the brakes but the vehicle did not respond. The contact crashed head first into an unknown object and the air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a fractured knee and was transported to the hospital. The vehicle was destroyed. The police were present on scene and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and was not inspected for the air bag failure. In addition, the contact stated that the brakes were serviced two months prior to the crash. The manufacturer was contacted who advised that there were no recalls and offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.
After reclining my seat, the supplemental restraint system warning lamp started to blink and has remained blinking ever since. After diagnosing the side airbag module in the seat to be causing the problem. I found a Nissan technical service bulletin, ntb00-043, applying to all 1998-1999 Nissan Maxima vehicles, which states that the side airbag modules for the driver and passenger front seats are to be replaced with new updated ones that replace the side airbag modules and the seat-sub harness that the modules connect to. This is a manufacturing safety defect in the side airbag module's harness. The technical service bulletin states to route the new harness exactly as the old harness was routed, therefore eliminating the possibility of the harness routing in the seat being the cause of the problem. The technical service bulletin states that the side airbag module installed originally in the vehicle consists of a two piece harness; the airbag control module with a short section of wire that connects into a sub harness that is routed through the seat, where it is connected to the supplemental restraint system circuit. The updated side airbag module eliminates the two-piece harness system, repairing the supplemental restraint system fault and therefore eliminating the warning indicator constantly flashing. This requires the replacement of the side airbag modules, which is very costly and this issue creates a major safety issue regarding the functionality of the supplemental restrain system if ever required to be used. In addition, Nissan does not offer the side airbag modules for purchase to my extent of knowledge. After conducting my own research on websites for Nissan Maxima owners, this appears to be an extremely common issue that occurs on the 1998-1999 Nissan Maxima vehicles.
Recall-Nissan Maxima alternator,1998.open recall, does not need to be original owner. Before I was informed of recall alternator stopped working (on highway going 55 lucky to be alive)! after repairs were made, car came out of repair shop with air bag light blinking. Took car to Nissan. After paying $100, they informed me side air bags were faulty and they're not sure if front air bags will work properly. After I was informed of recall I brought car back to Nissan, they replaced new alternator with another new alternator and paid me for the first alternator. My claim is that the faulty alternator under a recall notice caused my air bags to stop working. Nissan has informed me it's possible we will look into it. Have not heard anything from Nissan. They did inform me it would cost $1,200 to fix. So now my son is driving the car without knowing one way or the other if the air bags will work. Nissans not sure if fronts will work! Nissan needs to replace air bags at there cost. There product caused the problem.
Failure of airbag modules. Taken to dealer denied coverage to fix under extended warranty, also emailed Nissan corporation to request help. Nothing was done.
This is the third time the airbag module has been replaced.the first two times were under warranty and were defects, now that I am at 110000 km I am told it is not a defect and I have to pay for it. This car has never been in an accident therefore how is it that the airbag modules keep having a problem?
- Wpg, UN, USA
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1) air bag light went on for no apparent reason on 2/26/1999. Dealer fixed problem. Same problem occurred on 7/21/2001. Still needs to be fixed. 2) fuel gauge more that 25-50% inaccurate, has randomly occured 6 times since 1999.
Airbag warning light continued flashing during operation. Took to dealer. Dealer first diagnosed that air bag control unit needed replacement. Dealer next reported that right side air bag module needed replacement; right side module was nor available. Dealer put original control unit back in auto. Air bag light no longer flashed. Dealer diagnosed that air bag failure no longer existed. Upon my next use of auto, air bag light was again flashing continuously. Second defect, heater fan ticking noise; dealer installed insulator to deaden the noise.
The car was sold new with a defective airbag light-we didn't notice it until after we signed the purchase papers. We were told to return it the next day for repair! since then we have tried to have it repaired four additional times, but the light comes on within an hour or two after we leave the shop. It is not clear to me if the airbag system is truly functional.
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- Webb City, MO, USA