10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,300 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #5

Jan 132010

Maxima

  • 85,000 miles
Airbag burn/ injury ' my car hydroplaned and crashed against center divider on freeway during rainy weather. The driver-side airbag deployed upon crash and caused a bruise and 2nd degree burn to my left arm (inner forearm). The bruise injury was from the impact of the airbag deployment. Additionally, the Nissan logo (decal) on the steering wheel impacted my arm and caused a 2nd degree burn - this burn has now left a permanent scar in the shape of the Nissan logo on my left arm. I noticed that this is a design defect on the Nissan cars ' their Nissan logo decals are not flush with the steering surface (like other car manufacturers) and hence can severely impact the driver in case of airbag deployment.

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 172005

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,500 miles
I was stopped behind a pickup truck when I was hit from behind. Upon impact, my 2003 Nissan Maxima was slammed into the pickup truck. The impact to both the back and front of my car caused the passenger's side airbag to deploy, but not the driver's side air bag. I am happy to say that I walked away from the accident. However....for an air bag to fail to deploy when a car is hit in the middle of the front bumper... with enough force to total the vehicle.... is very concerning. Two days after the accident, I called Nissan and patiently recounted the events of the accident including specific vehicle information, driver information, street locations and police case number. After 33 minutes of answering questions, I was told that my Nissan case #507-46-73 would be forwarded to an 'air bag specialist.' I was not permitted to speak to anyone at that time accept the information gathering phone agent. On a weekday, during business hours, there was nobody in a position of responsibility who I could be transferred to, not even a supervisor. So as I sit here five weeks later, I have decided to forward the details to the NHTSA in hopes that you can improve upon the general apathy at Nissan and have someone stand and take notice of the only salient point of my whole call to Nissan: Your equipment malfunctioned...call me. At this point, I have purchased a new vehicle (not a Nissan) and have moved on, but my hope is that if someone is seriously injured due to an airbag defect, that they can reference my experience so they can take Nissan to the cleaners. Maybe then Nissan will finally bother to take an interest in their product.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 152004

Maxima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While applying the brake pedal, the vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and it crashed into a parked vehicle. Upon impact, both frontal airbags did deploy. However, no one was injured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #2

May 102004

Maxima

  • miles
While driving 55 mph consumer applied the brakes and vehicle failed to stop. This caused the driver to crash into a guard rail. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. Consumer sustained minor injuries. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection.

- Fall River, MA, USA

problem #1

Oct 312003

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 17,000 miles
The passenger's side air bag deployed while driving at approximately 70 mph. The vehicle was not involved an accident.

- Atlanta, GA, USA