CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Murano electrical problems
moderate 43 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
When does it fail?
Of the 43 electrical complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Murano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Owners have filed 43 electrical 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 14 model years of Nissan Murano in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect âTest with DCAâ and âReplaceâ results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT: ï· CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-500
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a pattern of complete electrical system failures in the 2007 Murano that dealers struggle to diagnose. The most critical issue is unexpected engine shutdown while driving—sometimes at highway speeds, sometimes in traffic—with no warning lights. After these stalls, the vehicle either requires a jump start or restarts on its own, but the underlying cause remains unidentified across multiple dealership visits. Battery failure is common, with owners reporting batteries dying within 12–36 months despite Nissan's 12-month coverage policy. Alternators fail repeatedly in short intervals—one owner replaced theirs three times in six months—suggesting the charging system itself is faulty rather than just the alternator. Fuse box failures have occurred even at low mileage (19,000 miles), cutting all power without recovery. Power windows and door locks operate erratically or won't respond to key fobs; the rear hatch, which has no manual opener, stays electrically disabled. Air bag warning lights stay on despite repairs, and owners report brake pedals and accelerators moving on their own. The seat belt system locks intermittently, making it difficult to secure children. Some owners encounter security failures where the ignition can be started without a key. Nissan dealerships consistently offer routine maintenance recommendations or claim warranty has expired rather than addressing the root electrical fault, leaving owners with mounting repair costs and safety concerns.
Same Nissan Murano electrical reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Complete engine stall while driving
Vehicle loses all electrical power and shuts down without warning while in motion, often on highways or in traffic. Some owners report needing jump starts to restart; others report the vehicle restarts on its own. Multiple dealers and mechanics unable to diagnose root cause or provide permanent fix.
When: Occurs randomly while driving at speeds ranging from 25 mph to 80 mph on highways or residential roads; some incidents after extended normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off completely while driving; Loss of all electrical power (no lights, no steering assist, no brakes); Vehicle coasts to a stop; Requires jump start or restarts on its own; Multiple occurrences over time
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite battery replacement, alternator replacement (3+ times in some cases), fuse box replacement attempted; no permanent fix achieved in most cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealerships offer routine maintenance recommendations (transmission fluid, brake repair, battery replacement) but do not identify or address underlying electrical fault
Battery failure and premature battery death
Batteries fail prematurely, often within 12–36 months, well before standard industry warranty (36+ months). Nissan replaced failed batteries with another Nissan battery rather than higher-quality alternatives. Owner reports seeing multiple similar vehicles at dealership with identical complaints.
When: Typically 12–36 months of ownership; one owner reported battery failure at 24 months despite no prior issues
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; Battery dead despite recent charge; Repeated battery failures on replacement batteries
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement cost $75 at dealership; owner reports Nissan refused to replace with higher-quality brand (Interstate) and supplied another Nissan battery
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan warranty covers 100% for first 12 months, then prorated charges; owner reports manufacturer does not disclose defect during sale/lease
Alternator failure
Alternators fail repeatedly in short intervals, suggesting an underlying electrical system fault rather than the alternator itself. One owner replaced alternator 3 times within 6 months; another replaced it twice within 2–6 months.
When: Varying intervals: 4 months, then 2 months later in one case; within 6 months in another; at 186,000 miles in another instance
Symptoms owners cite: Battery warning light illuminates; Alternator output fails to charge battery; Vehicle loss of power after short operation
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement at independent mechanics and dealerships; labor and parts covered under various warranties; multiple replacements indicate systemic issue
Fuse box failure
Fuse box fails to distribute power downstream despite receiving incoming power. One owner reported fuse box failure at only 19,000 miles and age of 2 years, causing complete engine shutdown on interstate at 60 mph. Another reported burning smell and ABS module/ECM failure secondary to fuse box fault.
When: Can occur at low mileage (19,000 miles); one instance at 160,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power and engine shutdown while driving; Power arrives at fuse box but does not exit to vehicle systems; Burning smell from under hood; Secondary failures (ABS, ECM) resulting from fuse box malfunction; Multiple indicator lights failure
Repairs/costs cited: Fuse box replacement required; ABS module and ECM also replaced in one case due to secondary damage
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership diagnosed failure as uncommon; vehicle replaced after incident
Power window and door lock control failures
Windows roll down or operate intermittently without driver input, sometimes while vehicle is parked and locked. Doors fail to lock or unlock via key fob, or lock only partially. Rear hatch fails to open electrically (the only means of access on this model).
When: Intermittent; can occur repeatedly over time or sporadically
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger/driver windows roll down without input while parked; Windows operate erratically (open/close repeatedly); Windows lock mechanism engaged to prevent unwanted operation; Key fob fails to lock all doors; some doors remain unlocked; Rear hatch does not respond to button press or key fob activation; Interior lights and exterior lights activate without input
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of window regulators, fuse replacement, control module replacement attempted without permanent fix; hatch opener control module and fuse tested in one case
Air bag warning light illumination
Passenger air bag warning light illuminates and remains on, indicating potential deployment failure in a crash. Some owners report light continues after dealer replacement of seat belt or other components. NHTSA recall campaign 08V521000 may be related, but affected VINs may not be included despite having identical symptoms.
When: Can occur early in ownership or after several years; one case at 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Air bag warning light on instrument panel illuminates; Light remains on despite repairs; Manual states air bag may not deploy in accident
Repairs/costs cited: Seat belt replacement attempted without resolving warning light; dealer diagnostic performed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall campaign 08V521000 (Electrical System: Software) exists but manufacturer states affected VIN not included in recall despite identical problem and year/model/make match
Electrical system fires and burn marks
Burn marks appear on interior and exterior vehicle components (seats, tailgate, ceiling, glove compartment) with no clear documented cause. Suggests electrical system arcing or short circuit.
When: One case reported at 160,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burn marks on front and rear seat upholstery; Burn marks on ceiling interior; Burn marks on glove compartment; Burn marks on tailgate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership only offered upholstery repair rather than root cause diagnosis; vehicle not repaired
Horn and safety warning system failures
Horn does not work, eliminating a critical safety feature. One owner also reports high-pitched ringing when driver door is unlocked and key fob false-alarm warnings.
When: Multiple instances; one reported at 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Horn does not sound; No warning indicators illuminated for horn fault; Intermittent high-pitched ringing when driver door unlocked; Key fob triggers 'key not in vehicle' alarm while in pocket during driving
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty expired when complaint made; manufacturer declined to address
Dashboard lighting flicker and headlight dimming
Dashboard and headlight brightness flickers or dims erratically when headlights are turned on, indicating voltage regulation or charging system issues.
When: Observed at night while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard lights flicker from dim to bright when headlights activated; Headlights dim significantly when first turned on, then normalize
Fuel level sensor failure
Fuel gauge does not register accurate fuel level, creating safety risk of unexpected fuel depletion and breakdown. Diagnostics indicate sensor harness open, shorted, or poor connection.
When: Chronic issue across multiple complaints
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge reads incorrect level; Service engine soon warning light illuminated; Cannot determine actual fuel remaining
Codes mentioned: Service engine soon (fuel level circuit related)
Rear door latch and seat attachment failures
Driver seat bracket broke; rear door flew open while vehicle in motion. Both represent serious safety hazards that could lead to injury or ejection of occupants.
When: Rear door failure occurred mid-street; seat bracket failure time not specified but noted as common problem by dealer
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side seat left bracket broken; Rear door flies open while driving; Seat moves or shifts during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Entire driver seat replacement required; dealer noted it is a common problem but not covered under extended warranty
Limp mode and reduced power operation
Vehicle enters limp mode with severely reduced power output (10 mph maximum), often accompanied by warning lights. Occurs while turning or during normal driving without warning indicators.
When: At 186,000 miles in one case; while turning in another
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle speed limited to 10 mph; Loss of normal acceleration power; Charger and brake warning lamps illuminate; No warning before onset
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement made in at least one case
Power distribution loss (main power switch)
All powered accessories (windows, locks, seat adjusters, alarm, rear hatch, brake pedal assistance) lose power simultaneously and independently, indicating main power distribution point failure at the driver-side window/lock switch panel.
When: Sudden onset during or after normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: No power to main window switch panel; Power windows inoperative; Power locks inoperative; Seat adjusters inoperative; Alarm inoperative; Rear hatch inoperative; Brake pedal assistance lost
Key fob and ignition security failure
Vehicle can be unlocked and started without a key, and ignition cannot be locked, creating extreme car-jacking and theft risk.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Doors unlock without key fob; Ignition can be started without key; No way to lock ignition; No way to prevent door opening
Seat belt locking malfunction
Rear seat belts lock up and will not release, or lock intermittently, making it difficult or impossible to secure child in car seat.
When: Intermittent; multiple occurrences to lock/unlock
Symptoms owners cite: Rear seat belts lock and do not release; Takes 3–4 attempts to return slack and release belt; Prevents proper child seat buckling
Pedal assembly electrical defect
Brake pedal and accelerator pedal move on their own, suggesting defective wiring or control system. Serious safety hazard.
When: Not specified; complaint notes dealer agreed to fix 2 years prior but did not
Symptoms owners cite: Pedals move without driver input; Appears to be defective wiring
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer wanted $315 to diagnose and repair
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Doors can be unlocked and the car ignition can be started without a key, and there is no way to lock the ignition, and no way to stop anyone from opening the doors. This creates an extremely dangerous condition for car jacking and harm to the occupants. *tr
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2007 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 32 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 55,000 and 145,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 145,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.