Same problem on my 2005 Maxima. The front passenger door failed, then two weeks later, the rear passenger door. More specifically, when the lock system is activated electronically, the doors typically fail to completely lock or unlock completely. Visually, the inside lock 'button' only moves partway.

Here is a picture of the Maxima door lock assembly:

According to my local Nissan dealer, this is not a problem they have experienced. What I would like to know is this: Is the problem related to one of the cables (parts 7, 8, 10, or 11 - cheap repair), the door lock assembly (part 9 - expensive repair), or is it probably just something that needs lubrication?

Also, for CPS: what fraction of the cost of the repair that you described was for parts and what fraction for labor? Any ballpark estimates of the cost for this repair? (I assume that the only parts supplier for this is Nissan.)

How do you get at the door lock actuator. I pulled the door finisher off but see a sheet metal plate blocking access to the interior of the door. Where is the lock actuator located? It replacement an easy job?

Thanks for the help.

As for the gas door lock, we finally got it open and I bent the lock tab back enough so the lock latch doesn't engage. Now we can put gas in the car.

I'm very interested to hear from anyone that's mechanically/electrically informed enough confirming if my theory holds any water. It would make much more sense that a circuit board is failing to deliver the right DC current impulse to all the solenoids than all these individual solenoid going out at the same time.

What did your shop charge the customer for this?

DO you guys have aftermarket alarms and experiencing problems?

So i took the alarm off and now my drivers seat is not working properly meaning it wont slide front and back and car will sometimes start and shut down right away. Is this all coincidence??? or did i do something wrong???!!? Please help

I believe that a problem to all our actuator problems is bmc. This is the part that sends current to locks , power seats and some more thinks.Would explain why my car is geting worst.

Ideas??!?!?

I have created a petition to Nissan to fix this issue. Please sign it!

http://www.tighelory.com/2008/....html

I will change that relay you mentioned for the gas cap and see if that improves that function. Thanks for that tip.

With enough complaints filed the NHTSA will do something about it. They share all complaints with Nissan. If Nissan gets enough complaints filed with NHTSA, that helps to bring the defect to the forefront of discussion for recall.

So why is it a safety issue? You can use this justification when filing:

1. Having a secure environment is paramount in certain neighborhoods. When locking the doors it's imperative nobody can gain access at will by walking up to the car. If anyone can simply open the door to gain access, carjacking, injury, or even murder is easier. If the doors locked properly this provides a more secure environment for this type of scenario.
2. Nissan knowing there is a security problem with their locking mechanism and not recalling them for safety concern is negligent. It's an open door to a lawsuit if someone were to be murdered due to a door that didn't lock, although the driver pushed the lock button and heard the locking noise. Remember, in this case there's no obvious indication the door isn't locked unless someone walks up and opens it from the outside. The drive "THINKS" the door is locked, when in reality it's an "OPEN DOOR" for carjacking or robbery.

This failure is an intermitance of operation. Sometimes the doors lock OK, other times they don't. In addition, sometimes the doors unlock OK, other times they don't.

3. In emergencies it's important to be able to unlock doors QUICKLY. Since 99% of the time we all use the button to lock and unlock doors, using the manual locking lever is unfamiliar. And the Murano's design is such that it's not easy to comprehend if it's not your car, for instance a rental car. I can easily understand how some people would be confused how unlock a door using the manual level in an emergency when they virtually have no experience with it. In emergencies every second counts. The locking/unlocking solenoid malfunctioning is clearly a high risk in emergency scenarios. Some people who cannot afford the $1600 to have all the solenoids replaced (as quoted by dealers) will forgo getting them fixed, putting their family members at risk with the above mishap examples. This shouldn't be, Nissan should recall them.

It's only a matter of time till someone gets robbed, hurt or killed from a malfunctioning door lock, disabling the security which the driver "THINKS" he has when he locks the car. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen, especially in California where there are ambulance chasers on every corner.