2016 Nissan Altima · symptom sheet
Airbag warning light stays on
- 26owner reports
- 74,000median miles
- $2,300median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Dec 23, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
26 of the 70 reports of airbag on the 2016 Altima describe airbag light on.
Part of Airbag warning light or recall (70 reports)
Tick what matches of 26 reports
Airbag light on 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: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2024.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside airbag problems for the warning light itself: an airbag or SRS light that stays on, or comes and goes, with no crash involved. The light is the car saying part of the airbag system may not work when it's needed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the sensor (9 reports) and the module (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the airbags covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2016 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.
What owners paid
9 of the 26 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,728 to $2,600.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 61,000 and 98,000 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 1 service bulletin or notice for the 2016 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.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHING INDICATING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC MODE IF YOU CONFIRM The air bag warning light is flashing slowly (repeating 2 seconds ON, 2 seconds OFF). NOTE: If this should occur, the Air Bag Diagnosis Sensor Unit is in Diagnostic Mode and needs to be returned to User Mode. ACTION 1.
What owners wrote
“Water leak...from trunk and sunroof....electrical problems airbag light on and off.....sensor issues i paid out of pocket.”
Filed Jul 8, 2025
“Air bag light is on and occupant classification sensor is malfunctioning. Passenger airbag will not deploy in the event of an accident.”
Filed Jun 19, 2024
“air bag light stays on error code B0020-13 they repaired occupancy sensor drivers side at a cost of $310.00 light went off came back on next day took it back to nissan they reset it again they said they would reach out to nissan so the light next day come back on”
Filed Oct 1, 2023
“Air bag light is on. Was told at Nissan dealing I need to have a module replaced in the driver seat for $2,300.”
Filed Aug 8, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 reports involved a crash. 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 Which lights mean pull over now? Warning lights by color and urgency
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 85 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 61 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 40 reports
- Headlights too dim or fail 37 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 31 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 26 reports