SERVICE INFORMATION Changes or modifications to the front seat assembly trim materials may affect the proper operation of the Front Seat-Mounted Side-Impact Supplemental Air Bags and Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor and could result in serious personal injury or death. Nissan STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AGAINST making any change to seat trim materials from the factory equipped condition. This specifically applies to replacing the seat trim with non-factory materials; adding leather/cloth seat covers, seat pads, or seat storage pouches, etc. around or over the seat back and the passenger seat cushion. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Nissan Murano airbags problems
severe 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
2crashes
4injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 43 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 13 model years of Nissan Murano in our records for airbags problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NISSAN: SRS PRECAUTIONS DURING SERVICE;IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING INCORRECT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE SRS, CAN LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAUSED BY UNINTENTIONAL ACTIVATION OF THE SRS ON ALL NISSAN MODELS WITH THE SRS SYSTEMS. UPDATED 2/21/14.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for each vehicle. IMPORTANT: Turn the ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery terminals, and wait at least 3 minutes before performing any service on the SRS. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report the airbag warning light illuminates or flashes on the dash in a pattern: early in ownership (sometimes within weeks of purchase), often between 7,865 and 120,000 miles. The light stays on or recurs persistently. Dealers diagnose various faulty parts—airbag modules, spiral cables, crash zone sensors, wiring harnesses, passenger seat sensors—but no single cause emerges consistently across the cluster.
Repairs run $1,000 to $1,500+, yet problems recur within days to six weeks. Some owners report five, ten, or even sixteen dealership visits across multiple states with no permanent fix. One dealership told a customer that Nissan protocol allows only one system component per visit replacement, with no guarantee it will resolve the issue. Spiral cable replacements have been performed multiple times on individual vehicles without success.
Additionally, owners describe two safety failures: airbags that failed to deploy during actual crashes (resulting in injuries), and airbags that deployed unexpectedly at low speed without warning or impact, striking occupants. A separate pattern involves the driver's seat bracket fracturing and causing the seat to rock; these failures are often linked to airbag sensor warnings. Nissan acknowledges no recall and denies warranty assistance on out-of-warranty vehicles. Multiple owners note this problem is flagged as common in Muranos and Pathfinders, yet no factory remedy exists.
Same Nissan Murano airbags reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag warning light illumination/flashing
The SRS or airbag warning light on the instrument panel illuminates or flashes persistently, often immediately or shortly after purchase. Owners report the light comes on during normal driving or remains on continuously.
When: Typically between 7,865 and 120,000 miles; many cases occur early in ownership (under 50,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates on dashboard; Light flashes continuously or intermittently; Light does not turn off after dealer clearing diagnostic codes; Problem recurs within days to weeks after repairs
Codes mentioned: Faulty airbag diagnostic module, Faulty airbag control module, Faulty airbag sensor, Open circuit in spiral cable/steering column, Crash zone sensor fault, SRS restraint system indicator fault
Repairs/costs cited: Parts replaced include: airbag module ($800+ for part alone), spiral cable, diagnostic sensor, crash zone sensor, front wiring harness. Repairs typically $1,000–$1,500+. Dealers often clear diagnostic codes without finding root cause; problem frequently recurs within 4–6 weeks. Multiple complaints note repairs required 5–16 visits to various dealerships.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan informed owners no recall exists for this defect. Dealership diagnostics are inconsistent; some indicate five essential airbag system parts but only one can be replaced per visit. Nissan protocol reportedly allows only part-by-part replacement with no guarantee of fix. Warranty coverage limited to 3 years from new vehicle purchase; out-of-warranty owners denied assistance. One owner reported Nissan said if repaired before a recall is issued, they would reimburse, but no documentation provided.
Airbag sensor and wiring circuit failure
The airbag control sensor, spiral cable in the steering column, or wiring harness develops an intermittent or permanent fault that prevents proper sensor function or communication.
When: Mileage varies; documented between 31,000 and 195,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent airbag light flashing; Open circuit in spiral cable detected on diagnostic; Horn fails to work (connected to spiral cable/steering wheel functions); Steering wheel button functions impaired
Codes mentioned: Open circuit in steering column spiral cable, Airbag sensor open circuit, Diagnostic wiring harness fault
Repairs/costs cited: Spiral cable replacement required; estimated cost over $1,000. One dealership was instructed by Nissan to replace front wiring harness but refused due to labor time. Multiple spiral cable replacements have been performed on individual vehicles without permanent resolution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledged instruction to at least one dealership to replace front wiring harness (per narrative #20). No manufacturer recall issued.
Airbag non-deployment in crash
Driver-side or dual airbags fail to deploy when vehicle is involved in collision, resulting in injury to occupants.
When: Failure occurred at 99,000–122,000 miles during actual crashes
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy during frontal/rear collision at 20–25 mph; No warning light present before crash (in at least one case); Seat belts also fail to restrain occupants properly
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed or not repaired following crash. No post-crash diagnosis or repair performed in either documented case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified of these failures. No recall or service bulletin identified in complaints.
Unintended airbag deployment
Airbags deploy without warning or cause during normal operation, not in response to a collision.
When: Documented at 99,000 and 100,230 miles; one case involved opening rear liftgate door
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise followed by sudden airbag deployment at low speed (20 mph) while driving; Airbag strikes face/body causing minor injury in one case; Deployment occurs with no warning light illuminated beforehand; Passenger-side seat belt system 'exploded' without warning in one incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles were towed; no repairs were completed or diagnosed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was not notified in either case. No recall issued.
Driver seat bracket fracture
The support bracket beneath the driver's seat fractures or shears, causing the seat to rock or move laterally. In multiple complaints, seat bracket failure is linked to airbag sensor warnings.
When: Documented between 80,952 and 120,000 miles; one case cited ongoing failure since 2006
Symptoms owners cite: Seat rocks or moves side-to-side; Seat will not hold position or raises only on one side; Clicking or snapping sound heard when driving; Seat is very loose; Airbag warning light illuminates simultaneously with or shortly after seat failure
Repairs/costs cited: Seat bracket welded or replaced; repairs appear temporary. One owner reported bracket broke a second time after initial dealer repair. Costs not specified in complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined responsibility; consumers told they are 'on their own.' One complaint notes owner escalated to North American HQ with no resolution. No recall issued.
Passenger-side seat weight sensor fault
Diagnostic code indicates passenger-side seat weight sensor failure requiring seat or cushion replacement, even when seat appears intact.
When: Approximately 51,000 miles on vehicle less than 2 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light flashing; Diagnostic codes point to passenger seat cushion replacement
Codes mentioned: Passenger seat weight sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Estimated repair cost exceeding $1,000 for seat replacement. Owner questioned relevance of seat cushion failure to airbag function.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated this problem is 'common in Muranos and Pathfinders.' No recall offered.
Airbag light with no root cause found
Airbag warning light illuminates but diagnostic testing fails to identify a specific defective component, or dealer clearing of codes results in temporary resolution with recurrence.
When: Various mileages; recurrence within days to months
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light flashing; No diagnostic codes retrievable on first visit; Light reappears after dealer code clearing
Codes mentioned: No codes found or documented
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleared diagnostic trouble codes without performing component replacement; light returned. Some dealers advised bringing vehicle in with light actively flashing for diagnosis. Costs variable; one diagnostic charged $85.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Incidental airbag deployment during battery replacement
Airbags deploy when battery is disconnected and reconnected for service, with no accident or impact involved.
When: During routine battery replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Side curtain and side seat airbags deployed; No ignition in progress (vehicle idle, driver door open, no passengers)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented.
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Airbag light continues to flash, and horn stopped working.
Had airbags trouble with your 2005 Nissan Murano?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2005 Nissan Murano?
It's a meaningful issue. 43 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 28,000 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 81,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 98,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Nissan/Murano.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.