Nissan Sentra B18 (2020-2025) Owner's Manual: Driver and front passenger supplemental knee air bags

Driver's side

The supplemental knee air bag in the Nissan Sentra is installed within the knee bolster on both the driver’s side and the front passenger’s side. All information, cautions, and warnings provided throughout this Owner’s Manual apply to this system and must be strictly followed. The knee air bag is engineered to deploy in higher-severity frontal collisions, although it may also inflate if collision forces in other types of impacts are comparable to those of a severe frontal impact.

In certain collision scenarios, the knee air bag may not deploy.

Front passenger's side

Visible vehicle damage, or the absence of noticeable damage, is not always an accurate indicator of whether the knee air bag system in the Nissan Sentra has operated correctly.

When the knee air bag deploys, a fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by the release of a smoke-like substance. This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a fire. However, care should be taken to avoid inhaling it, as it may cause temporary irritation or choking. Occupants with respiratory conditions should seek fresh air as soon as possible.

The knee air bag helps absorb and distribute impact forces to the knees of the driver and front passenger, helping to reduce the risk of serious lower-body injuries.

However, deployment of the knee air bag may result in minor abrasions or other injuries. Unlike some other air bag systems, the knee air bag is specifically designed to provide restraint to the lower body.

The knee air bag inflates very quickly to help protect occupants. Due to this rapid inflation, the force of deployment may increase the risk of injury if an occupant is seated too close to, leaning against, or pressing directly against the knee air bag module at the moment of inflation. After deployment, the knee air bag will deflate quickly, or in some cases may remain inflated for a short period of time.

The knee air bag operates only when the ignition switch of the Nissan Sentra is placed in the ON position.

After placing the ignition switch in the ON position, the supplemental air bag warning light illuminates. The supplemental air bag warning light will turn off after approximately 7 seconds if the system is operating correctly.

WARNING

• Do not place any objects between the knee bolster and the driver’s or front passenger’s seat. Such objects may become dangerous projectiles and cause serious injury if a knee air bag inflates.
• Immediately after deployment, knee air bag system components will be hot. Avoid touching these components, as doing so may result in severe burns.
• No unauthorized changes should be made to any components or wiring of the knee air bag system. This precaution helps prevent accidental deployment or damage to the knee air bag system.
• Do not make unauthorized modifications to the vehicle’s electrical system or suspension system, as this could negatively affect proper operation of the knee air bag system in the Nissan Sentra.
• Tampering with the knee air bag system may result in serious personal injury. For example, do not modify the driver or front passenger knee bolster or install additional trim material around the knee air bag module.
• It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for any service work on or around the knee air bag system. It is also recommended that a NISSAN dealer perform the installation of electrical equipment. The SRS wiring harnesses* must not be modified or disconnected. Unauthorized electrical testing equipment or probing devices must never be used on the knee air bag system.

*The SRS wiring harness or connectors are yellow or orange for easy identification.

When selling your Nissan Sentra, please inform the new owner about the knee air bag system and direct them to the appropriate sections of this Owner’s Manual for important safety and operating information.

Seat belt with pretensioner(s) (front and rear outboard seats)

WARNING

• The pretensioner(s) cannot be reused after activation. They must be replaced together with the retractor and buckle as a complete unit.
• If the vehicle is involved in a collision but the pretensioner(s) are not activated, the pretensioner system should still be inspected and, if necessary, replaced. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
• No unauthorized changes should be made to any components or wiring of the pretensioner system. This helps prevent accidental activation or system damage. Tampering with the pretensioner system may result in serious personal injury.
• It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for any service work on or around the pretensioner system. It is also recommended that a NISSAN dealer perform the installation of electrical equipment. Unauthorized electrical testing equipment or probing devices must not be used on the pretensioner system.
• If disposal of the pretensioner(s) or scrapping of the vehicle is required, it is recommended that this service be performed by a NISSAN dealer. Improper disposal procedures may result in personal injury.

The pretensioner system in the Nissan Sentra may activate together with the supplemental air bag system during certain types of collisions. Working in coordination with the seat belt retractor, the pretensioner(s) automatically tighten the seat belt when the vehicle is involved in specific collision scenarios, helping to securely restrain front and rear outboard seat occupants and reduce forward movement.

The pretensioner(s) are integrated into the seat belt system and are housed within the seat belt retractor as well as the seat belt anchor that is securely mounted to the floor structure of the Nissan Sentra.

These seat belts are used in the same manner as conventional seat belts during normal driving conditions, requiring no special action from the occupant.

When the pretensioner(s) activate, a loud noise may be heard and a small amount of smoke may be released. This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a fire. However, care should be taken to avoid inhaling it, as it may cause temporary irritation or choking. Occupants with a history of respiratory conditions should seek fresh air promptly.

After pretensioner activation, integrated load limiters may allow controlled release of seat belt webbing, if necessary, to help reduce excessive forces applied to the chest during a collision.

The supplemental air bag warning light is used to indicate possible malfunctions in the pretensioner system. For additional information, see “Supplemental air bag warning light.” If the operation of the supplemental air bag warning light indicates a malfunction, have the system inspected as soon as possible. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service to ensure proper operation of the Nissan Sentra safety systems.

When selling your Nissan Sentra, please inform the new owner about the pretensioner system and direct them to the appropriate sections of this Owner’s Manual for important safety and operating information.

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