2017 Nissan Altima Airbag Light Stays On

If your 2017 Nissan Altima's airbag light is on, there's probably a problem with the airbag—and so far there's no official recall to suggest otherwise.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The 2017 Nissan Altima's airbag light indicates a malfunction with the vehicle’s supplemental restraint system—in other words, the airbags. If you notice this warning light, bring your car to a mechanic as soon as possible.
Airbags became a safety staple almost immediately after their invention. Just like seat belts, you won't find a single modern car without them. If you see the airbag warning light illuminate, it's understandable to feel panicked—what’s wrong? Are you and your passengers safe? Do you need expensive
car repairs
?
To answer your questions, we’ve gathered everything we could find about what's going on when your 2017 Nissan Altima airbag light stays on. Buckle up and read on!

What does the airbag light mean on a 2017 Nissan Altima?

Every time you turn on the ignition in your Altima, its computer scans for faults in every major component, including the airbags. If a problem is detected, the airbags are disabled and the
airbag indicator light
will illuminate or blink. It resembles a seated figure with a crossed circle in front of it and the label "OFF". The number "2" in the bottom right corner indicates a problem with the front passenger airbag.
Unfortunately, there's no single reason for a 2017 Nissan Altima's airbags could fail. Here are a few possibilities:
  • Faulty sensors: There's no way for your car to deploy its airbags without first sensing a crash, which it does with crash sensors. They tell your
    airbag control module
    when to deploy the front and side airbags. Seat sensors tell the system whether the car has occupants and should be active in the first place. Burnt or broken sensors can cause the airbag indicator light to come on.
  • Malfunctioning airbag module: We've already covered why the airbag control module is important, so it should come as no surprise that the airbag indicator light will come on if the module is wet, broken, or shorted out. Check your
    owner’s manual
    to find it and give it a check-up.
  • Wiring problems: The separate components of your airbag system communicate by wires—a broken link in the chain will result in your airbag indicator light illuminating.
  • Drained airbag backup battery: When your
    car battery
    fails, your Altima begins to draw power from the airbag backup battery. When it runs dry, there's no longer any power for the airbags, which will cause the airbag light to flash. 
  • Damaged airbag clock spring: The airbag clock spring within your car's steering wheel expands and contracts during steering, keeping the driver-side airbag in contact with the power supply. Just like any other mechanical part, it'll eventually wear out and break—which is why you might be seeing a warning light right now.
There are many other reasons your airbag indicator light could be on, some of which are only discoverable by a mechanic. If you own an OBD-II scanner, you can check for trouble codes to help you pinpoint the problem. If not, better make an appointment at the nearest garage.
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What you need to know about the 2013-2016 Nissan Altima airbag recall

Nissan issued an official recall for the occupant classification sensors (OCS) in many of its vehicles in 2016, including the 2013-2016 Altima. The fault lay in the front passenger seat sensors, which would deactivate the airbags for the safety of any child riders. The problem was that they often mistook adults for children.
The recall was not extended to the 2017 Altima, making their owners ineligible for free replacements or repairs. Despite this, the NHTSA has recorded
26 complaints related to the model's airbags
, some made as recently as January 2023. Whether Nissan plans to extend the OCS recall to the 2017 model year or issue a new one remains unknown.

How to reset the airbag warning light on a 2017 Nissan Altima 

If you're lucky, turning off the airbag indicator light in your Nissan Altima could be as simple as resetting the system. Here's what to do:
  1. Make sure the front passenger seat is empty of any people or objects. Turn the ignition to the "ON" position without starting the engine. The airbag indicator light will appear and then, after a few seconds, begin to flash. Try this step once before starting the sequence in earnest so you can note the light's timing; it'll be important later.
  2. After the airbag indicator light turns off, but before it begins to flash, turn off the ignition.
  3. Wait five seconds and then turn the ignition to the "ON" position, again without starting the engine.
  4. Repeat the first three steps twice more for a total of three times. On the third try, pause to let the airbag indicator light blink for 30 seconds. It should flash slower than before.
  5. Turn off the ignition and wait five seconds before turning it back to "ON" and starting the car properly. The airbag indicator light should flash and then remain off.
If the light continues to stay on (even after you try the process multiple times), you're going to need a mechanic to help you find a fix. Due to the high cost of parts, the sensitivity of the system, and the large amount of wiring involved,
we don't recommend installing an airbag yourself
.
MORE: Nissan reset indicator lights

Is it safe to drive with the airbag light on? 

The engine might turn on, your lights might work, and your car might function as normal, but it's not safe to drive for long with the airbag light on.
Airbags play an essential part in driver and passenger safety, but only when they're functioning as intended. The problem isn't just that they might not deploy—they could also deploy improperly, killing or severely injuring you or your passengers. If the airbag light comes on, better see a mechanic just to be safe.
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