Recall 17V144 affects 54,751 2012 Nissan Versa vehicles for side-impact sensor connector-pin degradation. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 54,751 2012 Versa vehicles because side impact sensor connector pins can degrade and trigger the curtain and seat-mounted air bags when a door is slammed. Unexpected air bag deployment can increase the risk of injury, and Nissan dealers will repair the defect free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The side impact sensor on the 2012 Nissan Versa is part of the air bag system that detects a side crash. Its connector carries the sensor signal through the wiring harness to the air bag control unit, which decides when the curtain and seat-mounted air bags should deploy.
On affected Versa vehicles, the connector uses dissimilar metals: a gold female connector and a tin male connector. Movement at that connection creates fretting and oxidation on the pins, which interrupts communication between the satellite sensor and the air bag control unit. Under the condition described in NHTSA campaign 17V144, slamming the door can trigger an unexpected deployment of the curtain and seat-mounted air bags.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because the problem is inside the sensor connector, an owner will not have a reliable early symptom to point to before an unexpected deployment occurs.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Nissan Versa | side air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 54,751 |
Not every 2012 Nissan Versa is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unexpected deployment of the curtain and seat-mounted air bags can injure occupants. There is no warning sign listed before deployment, so if your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon and use extra care until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Nissan Versa is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free jumper-harness and side-impact-sensor repair that corrects the sensor-pin degradation behind unexpected air bag deployment.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V144 when you call.
- Avoid slamming the doors until the repair is complete, and ask passengers to close doors gently.
- Call Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261 with questions about scheduling or dealer availability.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician installs a new jumper harness and replaces the side impact satellite sensors tied to the air bag system. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Nissan's owner notification includes reimbursement instructions for owners who paid for the same repair before the recall notice because these vehicles are no longer under warranty. If you already paid for a related side impact sensor or jumper harness repair, bring documentation for that work to the service desk or contact Nissan customer service before your appointment.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 6, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 9, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| November 28, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V144?
Recall 17V144 covers 54,751 2012 Nissan Versa vehicles with side impact sensor connector pins that can degrade. If a door is slammed, the curtain and seat-mounted air bags can deploy unexpectedly, increasing injury risk. Nissan dealers install a new jumper harness and replace the side impact satellite sensors for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Nissan Versa is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Versa is included in recall 17V144. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the jumper harness installation and side impact satellite sensor replacement. Reference recall number 17V144 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair recalled safety defects at no cost, and Nissan's remedy for recall 17V144 is free at a franchised Nissan dealer. The dealer installs a new jumper harness and replaces the side impact satellite sensors.
Is it safe to drive my 2012 Nissan Versa before the repair?
NHTSA campaign 17V144 does not list a do-not-drive order. The safety concern is that degraded side impact sensor connector pins can let the curtain and seat-mounted air bags deploy unexpectedly if the door is slammed, increasing injury risk. Schedule the free dealer repair promptly.
What if I bought my Nissan Versa used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Nissan never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Versa is included, then call a franchised Nissan dealer with recall number 17V144.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V144000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V144 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V144000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →