2014 Nissan Altima · symptom sheet
Passenger airbag sensor problems
- 46owner reports
- 21,056median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Mar 1, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
46 of the 178 reports of airbag on the 2014 Altima describe passenger airbag sensor faults.
Part of Airbag warning light or recall (178 reports) · also: airbag light on, Takata airbag recall
Tick what matches of 46 reports
Passenger airbag sensor faults on other Altima years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside airbag problems for the passenger seat sensor, the system that decides whether the front passenger airbag should be on or off. Owners here see a "passenger airbag off" light with an adult in the seat, or an airbag warning that comes on when someone sits down.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the occupant sensor (15 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on the airbags cover the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An incorrect Occupant Classification System (OCS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have been installed in the front passenger seat. The incorrect ECU and seat combination may misclassify the front passenger seat occupant.
In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied.
The affected vehicles received an incorrect occupant classification system (OCS) control unit during a repair. These OCS control units may incorrectly classify the front passenger seat as empty, when it is occupied by an adult.
All 8 recalls on the 2014 Nissan Altima, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the airbags on the Altima
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture. Open.
Occupant classification system failure. Closed may 2, 2017, led to recall 15V-681.
Occupant classification system failure. Closed sep 1, 2015.
Autoliv air bag propellant mixture. Closed may 8, 2012.
Passenger air bag-related facial/eye inj. Closed apr 24, 2003, led to recall 03V-150.
Passenger air bag-related eye injuries. Closed aug 9, 2001.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,000 and 45,000 miles, from the 33 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2014 Nissan Altima that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
DTC B00A0-00 STORED IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR UNIT) is stored, AND OCS zero point reset cannot be performed,
What owners wrote
“When an adult is riding in the front passenger seat the airbag on the passenger turns off and on randomly while riding. If in an accident I am worried that the airbag will not go off properly. I have not contacted a dealer about this issue yet. I have not seen any other warning lights other than the passenger airbag is off.”
Filed Dec 30, 2024
“Airbag warning light in instrument panel is illuminated red and does not go off. I was told by my Nissan dealership this is not included in the recall for the passenger side airbag problem that I had previously. My vehicle has not been in any accident that would have caused the airbags to deploy and there has not been any type of water damage that could have damaged the sensor to the airbag.”
Filed Jun 14, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 46 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Headlights too dim or fail 277 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 129 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 85 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 64 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 60 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 44 reports