What 349 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Nissan Sentra Nismo

When a passenger sits in the passenger seat it doesn't register them in the seat and doesn't turn passenger airbag on. It always stays off and my air bag light on the dash never turns off. It's been like that since I bought the car in May of 2025. So any additional details are unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11708284

My wife was rear ended and side collision accident. She was injured with side airbags both arm was severely cut. The steering airbag did not deploy as a result she had head injury and the upper teeth was push up when her head hit the steering wheel. She had to be pry out with a Crowbar tool.

NHTSA ODI 11675400

On [XXX] I was driving my 2015 Nissan Sentra S (manual transmission) in Los Angeles, CA. While traveling at a moderate speed on a city street, another vehicle crossed into my lane, resulting in a direct, head-on collision. The impact caused severe damage to the entire front end of my vehicle: the hood crumpled, the front bumper and grille detached, and internal components such as the radiator support and crash bar were visibly deformed. The damage was so extensive that vehicle two’s (at-fault driver’s) insurance company declared the car a total loss. Despite the severity of the frontal impact, none of the airbags deployed. This was unexpected, as the collision was strong enough to stop both vehicles instantly—pushing my vehicle backwards until both vehicles came to a halt, resulting in significant structural deformation. There were no warning lamps, error messages, or previous issues with the airbag system prior to the accident. Photographs and video footage of the incident are available. As a direct result of the airbag non-deployment, my head and jaw made contact with the steering wheel, causing chest, jaw, neck, back, and shoulder pain, as well as severe headaches. After the accident, the vehicle was inspected by vehicle two’s insurance company and reviewed by Nissan’s Incident Investigation Specialist, Dakota McGregor. Nissan denied my claim for non-deployment of airbags verbally via landline. Nissan’s specialist, Dakota McGregor, refused to provide written documentation, technical justification, or a written denial of my claim, despite my requests. Furthermore, the specialist did not provide or disclose the threshold for airbag deployment in this vehicle, and no crash data or event data was collected or reviewed from the vehicle’s onboard computer. As a result, I am unable to determine the exact cause of the airbag system’s failure to deploy. I am filing this complaint because I believe this incident represents a potential safety defect with the air INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11670434

1. Front passenger side seat fails to activate the air bag once a passenger has occupied the seat, and buckled up. The airbag "off" indication light remains illuminated at all times, and if it isn't being activated, may cause bodily harm, injury, or death to any passenger of the vehicle in the unfortunate event of a collision. Vehicle was requested to be checked out at Lorenzo Nissan in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in November 2023, but was refused. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG, FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATION LIGHT ••••••••••••••••••••••• 2. 2015 Sentra CVT transmission slips, shakes and stalls. On numerous occurrence this has caused near tragic collisions with multiple vehicles. One such instance forced the vehicle into 'limp mode' in a high speed area of a busy freeway and nearly caused numerous vehicles to collide into the stalled Sentra at rates of speed over 70 MPH. Furthermore, the 2015 Sentra has an issue shifting from park, and will not move out of park, even with the brake applied, unless the gear release button is applied. Vehicle was requested to be examined by Lorenzo Nissan in November 2023, but the dealership refused to inspect any possible safety or equipment issues without the promise of purchasing a new Nissan from their dealership. POWERTRAIN, CVT TRANSMISSION, AUTOMATIC GEAR-SHIFT INDICATION, LIMP MODE, NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED

NHTSA ODI 11574140

The contact called on behalf of her son who owned a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that her son was driving at an unknown MPH, when he crashed into a concrete structure. There were no warning lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. Her son had a concussion but later started driving to his residence; then was assisted by a police officer. The contact was not sure if a police report was filed. The police notified the contact regarding the accident. Her son was sent to the hospital with bruised lungs, and other minor injuries. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the salvage lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11475189

The airbag sensor fails to register the weight of a grown adult in the passenger seat. I have brought my car into a Nissan dealership to get this issue checked out, but I was told that there is no issue. I first noticed this issue approximately 5 years ago and has occasionally occured since. If the airbag sensor does not light up when there is a passenger (who is over 100 lbs and over 13 y/o) and does not deploy the airbag in the event of an accident, the passenger of my car could be seriously injured or killed.

NHTSA ODI 11439259

Was in a car accident and totaled the car, however the air bags never deployed.

NHTSA ODI 11433655

RECENTLY MY FAMILY WAS REAR-ENDED WHILE SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT AT A FOUR-WAY INTERSECTION ON A STATE ROUTE BY A DRUNK DRIVER TRAVELING MORE THAN TWICE THE SPEED LIMIT (40 MPH). FOLLOWING THE COLLISION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, NEITHER THE DRIVER NOR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CRASH CAUSING INCREASED INJURY TO THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER OF THE CAR. THERE WERE NO OCCUPANTS IN THE BACK SEAT AND ALL OCCUPANTS WERE WEARING SAFETY RESTRAINT BELTS CORRECTLY.*DT *TR

NHTSA ODI 11382931

APPARENTLY THE DEALER WHO SOLD ME THE CAR WITHOUT TELLING ME THAT IT WAS A PREVIOUS TOTAL LOSS AND NOW THEY REFUSE TO GIVE ME MY DOWN PAYMENT BACK.

NHTSA ODI 11376534

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY AS A RESULT THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO AN UNKNOWN FORD. THE DRIVER' S SEAT LUNGED FORWARD AND THE CONTACT HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE AND CHEST MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT FILED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER CARMAX (7180 N PALM AVE, FRESNO, CA 93650 (559) 490-7901) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. *DT

NHTSA ODI 11316392

MY CAR WAS STATIONARY AND THE FAULT THAT MANY NISSAN SENTRA HAVE WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COMES OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO BE CHECKED. THERE ARE MANY CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT COMES FROM THE FACTORY.

NHTSA ODI 11269477

I WAS INVOLVED IN A WRECK GOING OVER 10 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT COME OUT AND I FEEL THAT IS UNSAFE, THOUGH THEY CLAIMED THEY FIXED THE RECALL AT NISSAN. I FEEL AS THOUGH THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO MY LIFE AND OTHERS AS WELL. I WAS IN CALIFORNIA ON THE 10 FREEWAY AS MY BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING. *DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11191378

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHTS UP REPEATEDLY - SYSTEM RESET THREE TIMES AT DEALER, AND PARTS REPLACED. IT IS IN SHOP FOR FIFTH TIME IN A YEAR! CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY - THINKING ABOUT TRADING IT IN BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES.

NHTSA ODI 11089602

WE RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REGARDING OCS (NON-OPERATION) OF PASSENGER AIR BAG. CONTACTED DEALER TO DISCUSS PROBLEM. WAS GIVEN THE SAME( NO ACTION ) ANSWER THAT WE GOT ON PREVIOUS VISITS. THIS SITUATION IS TOTALLY UNEXCEPTABLE. THAT AIR BAG SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE PASSENGER FROM CRASHING INTO THE DASH OR WINDSHIELD. I BELIEVE THE SOLUTION IS OUT THERE. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY PASSENGER.

NHTSA ODI 11078436

TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN SENTRA .... CONTACT STATED AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING...AIRBAG ON DRIVERS SIDE NOT WORKING... INQUIRED ABOUT AIRBAG LIGHT THAT IS STILL ON IN VEHICLE.....HAD VEHICLE AIRBAG REPAIRED BEFORE. ....

NHTSA ODI 11051162

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI 11047580

AT RANDOM THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF WITH A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN . IT HAS STAYED ON UP TO 20 MILES AND AS LESS AS AROUND 5 MILES . A PART TO FIX IT WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED BUT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE . WE TOOK IT TO ANOTHER NISSAN DEALER AND THEY REPROGRAMMED IT BUT THAT DIDN'T FIX IT . WE ASK 2 MORE TIMES FOR THEM TO CHECK IT STATING IT'S NOT SAFE . ONE DEALER SAID STOP AND CUT CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART . THE OTHER DEALER SAID WE WEREN'T SITTING FURTHER ENOUGH BACK IN THE SEAT FOR THE SENSOR AND TO RAISE UP AND SLIDE BACK . THE LIGHT ISSUE STILL ISN'T SOLVED . WE HAVE DEALERS RECEIPTS AND WE HAVE PICTURES WITH THE CAR IN MOTION SHOWING PASSENGERS LEGS , AIRBAG LIGHT ON AND SPEEDOMETER TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS . WE HAVE MULTIPLE PICTURES WITH DIFFERENT DATES . THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN MAY 2015 .

NHTSA ODI 11045240

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INCORRECTLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO VEER OFF THE ROAD AND INTO MULTIPLE TREES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. BRIDGEWATER NISSAN OF BRIDGEWATER LOCATED IN NEW JERSEY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI 11045026

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INCORRECTLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO VEER OFF THE ROAD INTO MULTIPLE TREES. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. BRIDGEWATER NISSAN IN BRIDGEWATER, NEW JERSEY WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI 11045028

TAKATA RECALL - CAR WAS SOLD TO ME BY JENKINS ACURA 2025 SW COLLEGE RD OCALA FL 34471 AND NEVER TOOK CARE OF THIS DANGEROUS AIRBAG PS RECALL. THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT ON IT AND IT STILL HAS A SHAKE AT 40MPH. THERE WAS A ARCING OF WIRES FOR FRONT DS HEADLIGHT HARNESS. LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR PASSENGER SEATBELT SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. TRANSMISSION WENT OUT A DAY AFTER BEING AT THE SAME ACURA DEALERSHIP ON FRIDAY LAST WEEK. TODAY IS 5/9/17. LEMON OF A CAR

NHTSA ODI 10984576

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SHOULDER BURN FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V242000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. ..UPDATED 05/23/17 *BF ....UPDATED 06/21/17 *BF UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS UPDATED 9/28/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 10983477

MY DAUGHTER TURNED OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY AND TRAVELED ABOUT 75 YARDS AND SHE SAYS THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT A DRIVEWAY CULVERT. SHE WAS ONLY UP TO ABOUT 35 MPH AT THE TIME OF THE ISSUE ON A STRAIGHT SECTION OF ROAD...UPDATED 06/06/17 *BF *AS

NHTSA ODI 10968313

OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) "FROM OWNERS MANUAL" AFTER IGNITION SWITCH IS PLACED IN THE "ON" POSITION, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATES FOR ABOUT 7 SECONDS AND TURNS OFF OR REMAINS ILLUMINATED DEPENDING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED STATUS. *UNOCCUPIED FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT: THE LIGHT IS OFF AND THE FRONT AIR BAG IS OFF. AND WILL NOT INFLATE IN A CRASH. ON MY VEHICLE THE LIGHT REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY EVEN WHEN UNOCCUPIED, IT DOES NOT TURN OFF AS STATED. AFTER READING NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER NISSAN OWNERS, IT IS APPARENT THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM AND JUST CREATES ARGUMENT OVER THE STATUS OF THE LIGHT EVEN WHEN SHOWN THE OWNERS MANUAL ON THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT. IT IS VERY DISTRACTING AND ANNOYING WITH THIS BRIGHT YELLOW LIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DASH, CONSTANTLY ON, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS MOST NOTICEABLE. THE LIGHT COMES ON FROM THE TIME YOU START THE CAR UNTIL YOU TURN THE CAR OFF, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY SAY IT IS WORKING IF THE LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN WHEN THE FRONT SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED. THAT IS NOT WHAT THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES, NOR IS IT WHAT OTHER NISSAN OWNERS HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT. THE LIGHT SHOULD NOT STAY ON WHEN THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED.

NHTSA ODI 10957730

WHEN PASSENGERS SIT IN FRONT SEAT, INTERMITTENTLY THE AIRBAG LIGHTS GOES ON AND OFF. DON'T KNOW IF THE AIRBAG IS REALLY GOING TO WORK WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO. TAKEN TO DEALER AND THEY SAY NOTHING WRONG, BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WHEN 200 POUND PERSON SITTING THERE AND THE AIRBAG SAYS IT IS TURNED OFF. DEALER WON'T DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. TELLS ME THE CAR IS SAFE. I DON'T FEEL IT IS SAFE AND NOW FEEL I HAVE TO TAKE PICTURE OF AIRBAG NOTIFICATION WHEN DRIVING JUST IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT TO PROTECT MYSELF. SHOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE A VEHICLE THAT HAS SAFETY FEATURES THAT DON'T WORK PROPERLY. THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM OCCURS WHETHER THE CAR IS RUNNING OR NOT RUNNING WHEN THE PASSENGER GETS IN.

NHTSA ODI 10954897

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK HEAD ON BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIBS AND BACK, AND SUFFERED A WHIPLASH. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, BACK, AND NECK. THE REAR PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LIP, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,475. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/19/17 *LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI 10949134