Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Nissan Murano owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an unknown speed, the passenger's side air bag light flashed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the battery was reset, and the warning light disappeared. A few weeks later, the warning light returned, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer diagnosed the failure with a defective sensor inside the passenger's side seat. Upon investigation, the contact linked that failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V521000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The manufacturer was notified and informed that contact that there were no open recalls on the vehicle. The contact was also provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
I was going 35 MPH, normal operation speed and there was no extreme weather or road conditions. I slowed down to get into the center turn lane ended up coming to a complete stop due to on coming traffic. I was stopped for about 30 seconds to maybe a minute when I finally had enough clearance to make my turn. When I pressed the accelerator it began to accelerate but stalled out almost immediately. So I pressed and depressed the accelerator rapidly several times then it finally accelerated. When it did finally accelerate it accelerated much to quickly like it just took off. I'd like to say that this excessive acceleration was terrible but it saved my passenger from getting slammed by the now on coming traffic due to the lack of power. …
This has happened on two different occasions. While driving the vehicle the alternator has gone out and there is no warning that there is any problem but you lose your throttle control and the car loses power and is unable to accelerate. The 1st time this happened I was in the middle of an intersection trying to make a left turn and lost all power to be able to move the car. Luckly no one was coming in the other direction, or I could have been involved in a serious accident!!! I had the alternator check and it was bad, so we replaced it. The second time this happened was two days ago I was doing 65 MPH on a four-lane highway and without any warning I lost power and could not accelerate I was able to pull to the side of the road, but m emergency flashers were of no use due to the battery was low because the entire car was using it for power. …
As with the current Nissan recall the car just shutoff. On two separate occasions, one at highway speed on a high speed heavy traffic road and once of a neighborhood road. Both times spontaneously and without any warning or trouble lights or indications of a problem. Vehicles was towed and serviced at a Nissan dealership.. Both incidents were extremely dangerous one to get to shoulder in high speed traffic and to exit vehicle next to traffic and the other at night in a dark neighborhood. Dealer was without explanation on cause so we dont know if the problem is fixed or not. Prior request #602941
My battery went dead, and I was trapped inside my car, there is not way to get out of the vehicle with out someone having the hidden key inside the fob, or lock smith, or break the window, this is a huge safety issue especially in extreme weather or hazardous situations. I parked my vehicle to get gas in a small town, and was stuck inside my car for over 30 mins, until I finally got someone to assist me,
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Murano. While driving at unknown speeds, the rear seat warmers were activated. As a result, a hole was burned through the seats and all the warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that a three year old child was seated in a safety seat at the time of the failure, but there were no injuries reported. A police and a fire report were not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.
I was driving down the highway. There were no warning lights on my dashboard aside from the TPMS light. There was a loud pop noise, so I pulled over to check it out. Within 30 seconds smoke came from under the hood and quickly turned from white to black. Then the vehicle caught on fire. It was completely burned with nothing but the trunk left in tact.
Two major problems I've had with my Murano are the brakes loosing pressure causing me not to be able to brake in time, caused an accident on a roundabout. The second is the steering wheel lock column going out, causing my not to be able to start the vehicle
1-10-2016 between 7:00 and 7:30 I was on my way home, car in motion on a busy city street. It was dark outside and snowing, thus slick roads. Brake and battery light came on, car began to lose power. Barely moved and very quickly all electrrical components went dead. Stuck in the middle lane at an intersection, I turned on my hazards in fear of being rear ended. My hazards fairly quickly got dimmer and dimmer. Called 911 and asked to have a patrol car park behind me with lights on until my husband could get there to try to jump me. Car would not srart. Windshield wipers were on doing there own thing. Could not shut them off. Eventually they too died. Could not pull over due to heavy traffic and car moved to slow when issue began. Patrol car did come and parked behind me with lights on in order to prevent an accident. Husband came and was able to jump start vehicle. …
I was driving in city heights on 43 and university when my 09 urano just died in the middle of the intersection . It was night time I was by myself and thankgod for a man who helped me get the car to the side of the road I had no power or anything thought it was the battery bought a new one and it happend again on the freeway as I was getting of in lemon grove turnoff I was lucky I was getting off the freeway because I had no lights power nothing worked come to find out it is the alternator from what im reading online hundreds of 09 owners have this same problem and it needs to get dealt with before someone dies because when your car loses power its done not even a jump will help please recall these alternators . Buying a new one doesnt fix the problem. The same problem with the 04 mrano alternators. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Software
Nissan is recalling 204,361 my 2007-2008 altima, altima hybrid, 350z, 350z roadster, my 2008 altima coupe, rogue, my 2009 murano, and Infiniti my 2007-2008 g35 sedan, my 2008 g37 coupe and ex35 passenger vehicles equipped with continental automotive systems' occupant classification system (ocs) control units.
Remedy: Dealers will test the signal between the ocs and acu systems using a special tool to check that it is functioning as designed.
Electrical complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 83 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Nissan Murano, 13% of the model year's 635 complaints. The component named most often is software (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Nissan Murano electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-521 (software, Oct 7, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Nissan Murano electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.