Service Brakes. Review the 253 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 91 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

24 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

635 reports

Mileage unknown · Nov 20, 2013

Power Train

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MY HUSBAND TOOK MY VEHICLE FOR A NORMAL OIL CHANGE. HE WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD A LEAK AND IT WOULD COST OVER $3,000.00 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND BETWEEN NISSAN AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I AM BEING JUGGLED AROUND AS TO WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THE FACTORY WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED DUE TO THE MANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON THE MURANO FOR QUITE SOME TIME. APPARENTLY IF THE TRANSFER CASE RUNS DRY OF THE SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL IT HAS, IT CAN LOCK UP THE ENTIRE DRIVETRAIN AND RENDER THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE. THE TRANSFER CASE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CVT AND MANY OF THE FAILED CVT'S VEHICLES HAVE HAD CRACKED OR LEAVING TRANSFER CASES. SINCE THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF INCIDENTS AND NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, IT SEEMS UNBELIEVABLE THAT THEY ARE NOT FIXING THE TRANSFER CASE ISSUE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. IT SEEMS FIT THAT SINCE NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS FOR REPAIRS WHICH INCLUDES LABOR, PARTS AND ANY OTHER RELATED EXPENSES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553082

700,049 miles · Oct 8, 2013

Power Train

I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT I HAVE LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE IN MY 2009 NISSAN MURANO AWD. I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THE LEAK COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF THE FLUID DRIPS ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. AFTER SEARCHING THE WEB, I FOUND MANY OTHER NISSAN MURANOS WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD BE FORCED TO MAKE TH…

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NHTSA ODI #10547318

66,000 miles · Sep 24, 2013

Steering

UPON EXITING MY DRIVEWAY THE STEERING WHEEL TILT/TELESCOPIC MECHANISM BEGAN TO GRIND AND THE STEERING WHEEL RATCHETED LOWER & LOWER ONTO MY LEGS. PRESENTING A DIFFICULT DRIVING POSITION AND MAKING INGRESS & EGRESS TO & FROM THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT. I AM AWARE OF A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM FROM NISSAN NTB-09-073 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545182

47,825 miles · Sep 11, 2013

Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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OUR VEHICLE IS A 2009 NISSAN MURANO SL WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. AROUND NOVEMBER OF 2010 THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS BEGAN TO RANDOMLY FAIL TO WORK ON THIS VEHICLE. OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS THE MALFUNCTIONING DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS SPREAD TO ALL FOUR OF THE DOORS ON THIS CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS AFTER HAVING LEARNED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON FAILURE ON MULTIPLE YEAR MODELS OF NISSANS. BOTH DEALERS EXPLAINED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD LIKELY RUN $1200 TO $1800 TO FIX ALL FOUR DOORS. LIVING IN THE HOUSTON AREA AND HAVING A GRANDCHILD, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NISSAN SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL THE VEHICLES SUFFERING FROM THIS DEFECT. OTHER VEHICLES THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR MANY YEARS NEVER SUFFERED A FAILURE OF SUCH A CRITICAL COMPONENT. THE PRICE DEALERS ARE CHARGING FOR THIS REPAIR IS OUTRAGEOUS IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT IT IS SO CRITICAL TO SAFETY. THE INABILITY TO QUICKLY AND SAFELY LOCK A VEHICLE INVITES OCCUPANTS TO BE EJECTED IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH AND MAKES OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE MUCH MORE VULNERABLE TO CAR JACKING OR OTHER FORCED ENTRY CRIMES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THE FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF THIS ISSUE AND FORCE NISSAN TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS VERY SIGNIFICANT DEFECT IN THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10543202

41,082 miles · Aug 20, 2013

Electrical System

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THE VEHICLE IS REGISTERED IN MY DAUGHTERS NAME. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY HAD COMPLETELY BURNT OUT DUE TO IT. THAT PUT THE MURANO INTO THE "FAIL SAFE" MODE. THIS OCCURRED AT A VERY DANGEROUS INTERSECTION, LEAVING MY DAUGHTER STRANDED IN THE #2 LANE AND THERE WAS NOT A SHOULDER AVAILABLE. AFTER RESEARCHING MURANO'S I FOUND THAT IT IS JUST LIKE WHAT HAPPEN TO THE 2005 MURANO'S THAT HAD TO RECALLED. AFTER WRITING AND CALLING NISSAN, THEY REFUSED TO HELP WITH THE MATTER. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO PUSH NISSAN FOR A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536409

98,000 miles · Aug 7, 2013

Power Train

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I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND WAS TOLD THE FACTORY WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO DOUBLE THAT OF ITS ORIGINAL OFFER DUE TO MANY PROBLEMS. I TOOK MY MURANO TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE CVT REPLACED AND WHILE I WAS THERE, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE TRANSFER CASE WAS LEAKING ALSO AND WOULD NEED A NEW SEAL BUT IT WAS EXPENSIVE. I RECEIVED A CALL LATER FROM THE DEALER STATING THAT MY PARTICULAR VIN CONTAINED A TRANSFER CASE THAT HAD NO SEPARATE SEAL OPTION AND THE ENTIRE CASE WOULD NEED REPLACED FOR OVER $3,000. WITH VERY LITTLE LOOKING I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON THE MURANO FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND THEY HAVE CHANGED THE WARRANTY TO COVER THE FAULTY CVT TRANSMISSION BUT NOT THE TRANSFER CASE WHICH HAS GONE HAND IN HAND WITH PREVIOUS CVT'S. (IF IT'S ONE, IT'S BOTH) APPARENTLY, IF THE CASE RUNS DRY OF OIL (WHICH IT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH IN THE FIRST PLACE) IT CAN LOCK UP THE ENTIRE DRIVETRAIN AND RENDER THE VEHICLE UN-DRIVABLE. THE TRANSFER CASE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CVT AND MANY OF THE FAILED CVT'S VEHICLES HAVE HAD CRACKED OR LEAKING TRANSFER CASES AS WELL. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS AND AWARENESS OF NISSAN WITH THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS ABSURD THEY NOT REMEDY THE TRANSFER CASE ISSUE, ESPECIALLY WITH IT BEING A POTENTIAL SAFETY CONCERN. BUT KNOWING THAT THE TRANSFER CASE IS UNSERVICEABLE AND A FULLY ENCLOSED, INTEGRAL PART OF THE MAIN DRIVE TRAIN SHOULD CLEARLY PUT NISSAN IN THE HOT SEAT FOR ALL COSTS FOR REPAIRS LABOR, PARTS, AND ANY OTHER RELATED EXPENSES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533968

19,991 miles · Jul 1, 2013

Steering

WHEN MY WIFE GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE AUTOMATIC STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTING MOTOR MADE A TERRIBLE NOISE AND STOPPED WORKING LOCKING THE WHEN IN THE DOWN POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522675

69,120 miles · Jul 1, 2013

Electrical System

UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVER'S AND PASSENGERS FRONT DOOR. WAS FINALLY ABLE TO OPEN PASSENGER FRONT DOOR STILL UNABLE TO OPEN DRIVER'S. IF YOU WANT TO DRIVE CAR AT THIS POINT MUST CLIMB OVER SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10522672

76,000 miles · Jun 25, 2013

Steering

THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING COLUMN GEARS ARE BROKEN AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521666

51,000 miles · Jun 22, 2013

Air Bags

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AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON. UPON REVIEW BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT COULD BE THE REASON THE LIGHT WAS BLINKING. THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE $2500.00. UPON REVIEW ON THE NISSAN WEBSITE THIS INFORMATION WAS FOUND "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. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT." MY VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, YET I WAS INFORMED BY NISSAN THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. IT SEEMS AS IF THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521191

Official recalls

18V916000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Dec 19, 2018

Nissan of North America, Inc (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009 Murano vehicles. The valves within the ABS Hydraulic Control Units (HCU) may react with brake fluids containing specific corrosion preventative additives. This reaction may cause the valves to not close properly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the valves do not properly close, additional brake pedal travel may be required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Nissan has notified owners, and dealers will flush the brake system with DOT 4 fluid. The HCU will then be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition. If necessary, the HCU will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2019. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

09V393000 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

Oct 5, 2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. THE MATERIAL IN THE NUT USED TO SECURE THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY CORRODE AND POTENTIALLY CRACK IN AREAS WITH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT. IF THIS OCCURS, THE NUT MAY COME OUT OF THE SENSOR-TRANSMITTER AND THE TPMS LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE TPMS LAMP IS DISREGARDED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, THE TIRE WILL QUICKLY LOSE AIR PRESSURE AT A CONSISTENT RATE RESULTING IN A FLAT TIRE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE TPMS NUT WITH A NEW, MORE ROBUST NUT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 AND INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

08V521000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:software

Oct 7, 2008

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. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Air Bags

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

08V066000 · Air Bags

Feb 12, 2008

NISSAN IS RECALLING 16,365 MY 2008 INFINITI EX35 AND MY 2009 NISSAN MURANO VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING, THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU) MAY CAUSE THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED IF THE VEHICLE BATTERY BECOMES SIGNIFICANTLY DISCHARGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG NOT INFLATING IN A CRASH IN WHICH IT WAS DESIGNED TO DO SO, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ACU IN AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

EA18001 · Extended Braking Distances

Opened Apr 18, 2018 · Closed Jan 17, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip

On April 18, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Engineering Analysis (EA) 18-001 to investigate reports of braking concerns in model year (MY) 2009 Nissan Murano vehicles. A failure of the hydraulic control unit (HCU) portion of the antilock brake system (ABS), which involves improper operation of an internal hydraulic control valve(s), can cause extended brake pedal travel and may result in a reduction in overall braking effectiveness. Tier-one supplier Continental manufactured the HCU for Nissan.The corrosion-preventive, zinc coating used on the armatures of the normally closed (NC) valves within ABS HCU may react with brake fluids lacking sufficient corrosion-preventative additives. This reaction can cause the formation of a gelatinous material, which may cause the NC valves to close slowly. Over time, the gel can solidify to an extent such that the spring used to return the valve to the closed position may not be able to overcome the gel buildup, allowing the NC valve to remain open. If any of the four NC valves remains open, fluid will be diverted to one or two accumulator(s). This misdirected fluid has the net effect of causing brake pedal travel to increase, however enough stroke remains in the pedal to generate braking force. Although the hydraulic braking system remains intact and full braking force is maintained once the pedal travels the additional distance, when this condition occurs, the initial increase in brake pedal travel could result in increased stopping distance. An existing Nissan Service Campaign was launched for MY 2009 vehicles built prior to 11/1/2007. After consultation with ODI as part of EA18-001, Nissan decided to expand this population to the full range of MY2009 Murano vehicles. Later Murano vehicles exhibit significantly lower rates of malfunction.During this investigation 156 complaints were identified that related to the braking concern. Within the complainants 2 allege crashes with 4 injuries. The Nissan reports from investigation Information Request letter responses, were similar in content and identified 870 reports with 16 crashes and no injuries.On December 19, 2018, Nissan notified ODI it would conduct a safety recall (18V916) to remedy the ABS modules on certain MY 2009 Nissan Murano vehicles. The remedy procedure involves dealers flushing the brake system with DOT 4 fluid. The HCU will then be tested to detect a possible stuck valve condition. If necessary, the HCU will be replaced. The 2010-14 Murano SUVs outside the recall population and equipped with zinc-coated armatures will be inspected under a service campaign P0A08 using the same procedure as recall 18V916.Continental HCUs with a redesigned armature coating were phased into new vehicle production after December 2014 and do not appear to be experiencing corrosion. The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI. Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or MY vehicles outside of the recall scope. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For a complete summary of this investigation and related consumer complaints, please see attached closing resume document.

PE17002 · Extended Braking Distances

Opened May 3, 2017 · Closed May 4, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Air:antilock; Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is closing this Preliminary Evaluation and upgrading to an Engineering Analysis (EA) 18-001.During the PE, ODI requested and reviewed information provided by Nissan including consumer complaints and other field and technical data related to failures of the hydraulic control unit (HCU), an electro-mechanical brake system component that provides antilock braking and other functionality in the subject model year (MY) 2009 Murano.The subject failure of the HCU, which involves improper operation of an internal hydraulic control valve, can cause extended brake pedal travel and may result in a reduction in overall braking effectiveness.Tier-one supplier Continental manufactured the HCU for Nissan.ODI currently recognizes 484 subject vehicle complaints that appear related to the alleged defect.Fourteen crash allegations, with three non-life threatening injuries are under evaluation also.ODI has been monitoring consumer complaints received, and in some cases has obtained suspect HCUs from complainants' vehicles.Recovered HCUs sent to NHTSA's Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) in East Liberty, Ohio are under evaluation, and VRTC has conducted limited vehicle testing also.In a July 28, 2017 submission, Nissan acknowledged that a failure of the HCU can result in increased brake pedal travel during braking.Nissan's analysis of returned parts revealed that a zinc coating used on the normally closed valve assemblies inside the HCU may react with certain brake fluid constituents.The reaction results in the formation of a gelatinous material that can harden with time and prevent the valve from closing after opening in an ABS event.When this occurs, Nissan maintains that the hydraulic brake system remains intact and that full braking is available once the pedal travels an additional distance, about 36 mm according to Nissan.Although still under investigation, Nissan states it has not determined the condition represents an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety, citing low rate and vehicle age as additional factors.In March 2018, Nissan began conducting a customer satisfaction campaign on certain MY 2009 Murano to service (flush and replace the brake fluid), and then test and replace the HCU as needed.The campaign is being conducted free of charge to customers.During the EA, ODI will request VRTC continue to evaluate the cause and consequence of HCU failures, including the affects of multi-valve failures.ODI will further study the potential scope of the alleged defect as it understands similar HCUs and brake fluid is used in other MY Muranos, and potentially in other Nissan models as well.ODI notes that improved valve coatings were introduced on Nissan HCUs at some subsequent stage.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module

Service Brakes, Air:antilock

Service Brakes