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 ↗2006 Nissan Murano airbags problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
1crash
1injury
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
Airbag warning lights are the dominant complaint—they illuminate or flash continuously on driver or passenger sides, sometimes reset temporarily but recur. Multiple owners report encountering this across different Murano model years and mileage ranges (12,000 to 177,771 miles), typically between 50,000 and 150,000 miles. One dealership technician admitted seeing this problem "quite often" on the same vehicle; Nissan NA acknowledged knowing some Muranos have the issue but stated they cannot fix it. Dealers recommend spiral cable ($197–$371 total repair cost), airbag computer replacement ($1,500), full passenger seat replacement, or airbag sensor replacement—none covered under warranty or recall. One owner reported three separate driver-side airbag repairs with the warning light still remaining on. Manual reset procedures (cycling ignition on/off) work temporarily for some owners.
A critical safety report describes all airbags except front bags deploying spontaneously during a normal left turn at 37 mph, causing burns, bruising, and injury with no preceding accident. Another owner reported airbags that failed to deploy during an actual collision, resulting in steering-wheel impact and sternum fracture. Seatbelt-linked sensor lights flash when the seatbelt is engaged during motion. Owners cite the absence of recalls or TSBs despite clear pattern evidence and question why expensive safety-system repairs fall to consumers rather than the manufacturer.
Same Nissan Murano airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag Warning Light Illumination / Flashing
Airbag warning light comes on and stays illuminated or flashes continuously, sometimes intermittently. Often occurs without accident or impact. Light may reset temporarily but return. Reported on driver side, passenger side, and general system warnings.
When: Ranges from 12,000 to 177,771 miles; most commonly between 50,000–150,000 miles. Some owners report sudden onset while driving or after engine start.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated or flashing on dashboard; Light remains on continuously or blinks repeatedly; Light resets temporarily then reappears; Occurs with no collision or impact to vehicle; Passenger seat airbag light flashing; Driver side airbag light on
Codes mentioned: B1054 (Driver Side Air Bag Open)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealership recommendations include spiral cable replacement ($197 parts + $104.93 labor in one case), airbag computer replacement ($1,500), passenger seat replacement (full seat), airbag sensor replacement, seatbelt pretensioner replacement. Some owners report reset procedure (turning vehicle on/off cycle) temporarily resolves issue. One owner reported three separate repairs of driver side airbag with warning light still remaining on.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealership technicians report no known TSB or recall in 2010. One technician stated seeing the problem 'quite often' on same vehicle. Nissan NA acknowledged knowing some Muranos have this problem but unable to fix it. No recalls mentioned for this specific issue; potential recall on seatbelt pretensioner for 2005 Murano mentioned by one owner but not confirmed for 2006.
Spontaneous Airbag Deployment
Airbags deploy without accident or collision. Owner reported all airbags except front driver and passenger bags exploded during normal left turn at low speed.
When: Occurred during normal driving at approximately 37 mph while making a left turn; no prior accidents or damage to vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping sound; Burning sensation on left arm and back of shoulder; Dizziness and blurred vision; All airbags except front driver and passenger bags deployed; Burns and bruising on left arm, neck, and side of face; Difficulty opening vehicle door after deployment
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided; incident required emergency response.
Airbag Non-Deployment During Collision
Vehicle collided with dump truck at approximately 50 mph; airbags did not deploy. Owner struck steering wheel and suffered sternum fracture despite wearing seatbelt. Dealership determined airbag sensor was not struck, so airbags should not have deployed per design, but lack of deployment raised concern.
When: During collision at approximately 50 mph; involved impact with dump truck
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during collision; Owner struck steering wheel; Sternum fracture sustained; Seatbelt was worn
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to dealership; police report taken.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership determined airbag sensor was not struck and airbags should not have deployed per system design.
Seatbelt Pretensioner / Sensor Issues
Seatbelt airbag light flashes when seatbelt is fastened, particularly while vehicle is in motion. Related to seatbelt pretensioner or sensor malfunction.
When: Occurs when seatbelt is engaged while vehicle in motion
Symptoms owners cite: Seatbelt airbag light flashes constantly when seatbelt fastened; Light flashes during motion; Back seat belt locks not functioning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner mentioned seatbelt pretensioner replacement covered under recall for 2005 Murano (not confirmed for 2006). Nissan technician recommended seatbelt pretensioner replacement as solution to airbag warning light in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall on seatbelt pretensioner mentioned for 2005 Murano by owner research; not confirmed as applicable to 2006.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 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 2006 Nissan Murano?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 60,000 and 150,000 miles, with the median around 112,618. A quarter of owners report trouble before 60,000; a quarter make it past 150,000. 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/2006/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.