Power door locking sytem is failing
2012 Nissan Murano electrical problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
When does it fail?
Of the 12 electrical complaints filed for the 2012 Nissan Murano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2012 Murano with recurring electrical problems poses a serious safety risk—owners report sudden stalling while driving at highway speeds with no warning, parasitic battery drain that strands vehicles, and door lock failures. Multiple diagnostic attempts by dealers and mechanics have failed to identify or fix the root cause, making this a vehicle to avoid unless you can verify a complete electrical system overhaul by Nissan or have access to a trusted independent shop that will stand behind diagnosis work.
The 2012 Murano electrical complaints cluster around three dangerous patterns. First, unwarned engine stalling during normal driving—owners describe the car simply cutting off at highway speeds (70 mph on interstates, 30 mph in town, while turning or climbing hills) with no warning lights, then refusing to restart. One owner had this happen four times; another saw it three times, each time coasting to safety after losing power. Dealers and mechanics cannot replicate or fix it even after overnight diagnostics.
Second, parasitic battery drain. Multiple owners park their cars with nothing left on—not even interior lights working—and the battery is completely dead hours later. Replacement batteries last anywhere from 3 weeks to 1.5 years before the same drain kills them again. Dealerships cannot identify the source.
Third, door lock failures: all four actuators stop working, doors won't lock above 15 mph, and manually locked doors stay locked when you shut off the engine. One owner also reported a stuck rear hatch.
One complaint mentions an Intoxalock interlock device draining battery and killing power. Dashboard noises with GPS screen blackouts appear in two reports. Nissan has not issued recalls and has offered no solutions; owners are paying out of pocket for repeated part replacements with no resolution.
Same Nissan Murano electrical reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Stalling while driving with no restart
Engine shuts off completely while in motion without warning lights or indicators. Vehicle loses all electrical power or fails to restart after stalling. Occurs at various speeds and conditions (highway, turns, hills). Poses serious safety risk as steering and braking may still work but vehicle becomes immobile.
When: Various mileages reported: 72k, 125.6k miles. Incidents occur during normal driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off without warning; No dashboard warning lights prior to stall; Vehicle will not restart after stalling; Occurs while turning or going uphill; Loss of electrical power
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report battery replacements, alternator replacements (multiple times), sensor replacements. Dealers unable to diagnose or repair despite keeping vehicle overnight. Local mechanics also unable to replicate or fix issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan advised owner of no known recalls and directed them to mechanic. No warranty programs or TSBs mentioned.
Parasitic battery drain
Battery drains completely when vehicle is parked with nothing left on. Occurs suddenly and repeatedly. Dealership unable to identify source of drain. One owner notes AC fan was only item running; another reports identical incidents twice.
When: No specific mileage reported. Occurs within hours of parking (e.g., 1 PM to 5 PM same day).
Symptoms owners cite: Battery completely dead when parked; No known electrical accessories left on; Interior lights do not function; Remote door locks inoperative when battery dead; Repeated occurrences with replacement batteries
Repairs/costs cited: Jump-starting vehicle resolves immediate issue. Owners report multiple battery replacements (2-4 new batteries) within short periods. Dealership unable to locate fault source.
Door lock actuator failure
All four door lock actuators fail to function properly. Doors will not lock automatically at highway speeds (safety feature disabled). Manually locked doors will not unlock when engine is shut off, creating potential safety hazard.
When: No specific mileage or timing provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks do not engage above 15 mph; All four door lock actuators non-functional; Manually locked doors remain locked when engine shut off; Cannot unlock doors without power
Rear electrical door malfunction
Rear electrical door (hatch/liftgate) becomes stuck in open position and will not close. Indicates broader electrical system failure.
When: Occurred in October 2017 at 125.6k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Rear electrical door stuck in open position; Inoperative door control
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer (Cherry Hill Nissan, NJ) performed electrical repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was notified of failures.
Dashboard noise with GPS/screen blackout
Loud noise originates from underneath dashboard GPS screen area. Screen goes black temporarily then restores. Occurs during normal driving at moderate speeds.
When: At 9k miles (one instance); another instance at around 30 mph during normal operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from under dashboard/GPS screen area; Screen goes black; Screen restores after 45 seconds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to determine cause and identify what parts need replacement at 9k miles. Vehicle not repaired.
Aftermarket device interaction (Intoxalock)
Installation of Intoxalock interlock device causes complete loss of vehicle power while driving. Device continuously drains battery. No warning signs before power loss occurs.
When: No specific mileage or timing provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of vehicle power while driving; Continuous battery drain; No warning indicators; Safety risk to driver and other motorists
Repairs/costs cited: Device has had diagnostics performed but continues to cause safety issues.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While driving at around 30 miles per hour a loud noise coming from under the dashboard GPS screen was very noticeable and at the same time the screen went black for about 45 seconds then it came up alive again. *tr
While driving, vehicle just quits and all dashboard lights flash quickly and then the car stalls out and won't restart. This has happened 4 times now. Had battery replaced, alternator replaced for a 2nd time, sensor replaced. Now, I had the car towed to dealer who wanted to keep it for over the weekend to see if they could repeat the issue. My local mechanic had the same issue and he had…
Had electrical trouble with your 2012 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 electrical problem on the 2012 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 11,450 and 112,000 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,450; a quarter make it past 112,000. 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.
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/2012/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.