Recall 17V253 affects 30,038 2014-2017 Nissan Sentra and Leaf vehicles for passenger air bag inflator defects. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Nissan is recalling 30,038 2014-2017 Sentra and Leaf vehicles because a manufacturing error inside the passenger frontal air bag inflator can keep the air bag from deploying properly in a crash. That failure increases injury risk for passengers, and Nissan dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The passenger frontal air bag in the 2014-2017 Nissan Sentra and Leaf is built to cushion the front passenger in a crash. Inside that air bag is an inflator, a sealed device that produces gas quickly enough to fill the bag when the crash sensors call for deployment. The bag depends on that inflator opening and flowing correctly.
On affected vehicles, the problem is inside inflator components made under abnormal manufacturing conditions. Nissan traced the issue to parts with rust on a rod after long-term storage and a rod formed with worn tooling. Those conditions were corrected, but inflators from the affected production period can interfere with proper passenger air bag deployment in a crash.
There is no warning sign before failure. The dashboard can look normal, and the problem is not something an owner can confirm by driving or listening for a noise.
Who's affected?
Sentra coverage is listed for 2014, 2016, and 2017, while Leaf coverage is listed for 2015, 2016, and 2017; all share the air bag system component.
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | air bag system |
|---|---|
| 2014 Nissan Sentra | air bag system |
| 2017 Nissan Sentra | air bag system |
| 2016 Nissan Leaf | air bag system |
| 2017 Nissan Leaf | air bag system |
| 2015 Nissan Leaf | air bag system |
| Units affected | 30,038 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
In a crash, the front passenger air bag can fail to deploy properly, which increases the risk of injury to passengers. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and use caution with front passenger seating until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Nissan dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2014-2017 Nissan Sentra or Leaf is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag inflator replacement that fixes the passenger air bag deployment problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Nissan mailed one, or reference recall number 17V253 when you call.
- Avoid using the front passenger seat until the dealer replaces the inflator.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Nissan technician replaces the front passenger air bag inflator covered by recall 17V253. The replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. The remedy is available now, and Nissan began the recall on June 7, 2017. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the existing warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the subject vehicles are under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 13, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 27, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| June 7, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 11, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V253?
Recall 17V253 covers 30,038 Nissan Sentra and Leaf vehicles with a passenger frontal air bag inflator defect. In a crash, the passenger air bag can fail to deploy properly, increasing injury risk. Nissan dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator for free.
What should I do if my 2014, 2016, or 2017 Nissan Sentra or 2015-2017 Nissan Leaf is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V253. If it is, contact a franchised Nissan dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag inflator replacement. Reference recall number 17V253 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Nissan's remedy says dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator free of charge. The free repair applies at any franchised Nissan dealer.
Is it safe to drive my Nissan Sentra or Leaf before the repair?
This recall does not include a do-not-drive instruction. The safety risk is tied to crash protection for the front passenger, because the passenger frontal air bag can fail to deploy properly. Check your VIN, then schedule the free inflator replacement if your vehicle is included.
When did Nissan start this recall repair?
Nissan began the recall on June 7, 2017. Because the remedy is available, a franchised Nissan dealer can replace the front passenger air bag inflator for free if your VIN is included. Nissan customer service is available at 1-800-647-7261.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V253000 |
|---|---|
| Nissan customer service | 1-800-647-7261 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V253 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V253000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (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 →