Buy Nissan Murano Headlight Assembly

Summary
The Nissan Murano headlight-also called the headlamp, front lamp, or lighting assembly-has evolved from simple halogen projectors in the first-generation SUV to today's full-LED adaptive units. Across all model years (2003-present) it remains a bolt-on part that keeps you safe, helps the Murano earn strong crash-test grades, and can be swapped at home with basic hand tools.

Overview

The Murano's headlights sit high on the sculpted front fenders, giving wide road coverage and the SUV's trademark "boomerang" look . Nissan's newest Adaptive LED Headlight (ALH) can shade its high-beam pattern around oncoming cars to light dark shoulders without blinding other drivers . On the safety side, the 2023 Murano earned a top "Good" rating in IIHS crash tests, and its LED lamps contributed to that score .

Generations & Fit Guide

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Bulb & Tech Details

• Halogen basics - Early Muranos use 55-watt H11 low-beam bulbs that last ~450 hours before dimming. They throw a warm 3 200 K light that's easy on oncoming traffic.
• HID option - Second-gen LE trims gained D2S xenon capsules, doubling brightness while cutting draw to 35 W.
• Full LED move - Third-gen Platinum introduced a sealed LED array inside the lamp. The LED driver lives on the lamp's back shell . Unlike bulbs, the whole assembly must be replaced if an LED fails.
• Adaptive beam - Nissan's ALH splits the high beam into 12 segments that switch off individually to avoid glare while still lighting roadside hazards .

Common Issues

• Moisture & fogging - A thin mist or a few water drops inside are normal after heavy rain; beads or pooling mean a cracked seal and the lamp should be replaced .
• Low-beam outage - If both lows quit but highs work, check the 15-amp HEADLAMP (LH/RH) fuses in the third fuse-panel near the driver's knee .
• Condensation recall? - No Murano headlight recall exists, but Nissan issued a technical bulletin that explains which moisture levels are acceptable .
• Beam aim drift - Plastic adjuster gears can strip on older units; thread them back in carefully with a 6 mm hex driver .

Maintenance & DIY

1. Access - Turn wheel inward, remove three fender-liner clips, and reach the bulb door. Trim clips pop out with a panel tool .
2. Unplug & twist - Rotate the H11 counter-clockwise a quarter-turn, then pull out. Avoid touching the glass.
3. Torque spec - When reinstalling the lamp assembly, headlamp bracket bolts seat at 4.5 N·m (40 in-lb) .
4. Aim check - Park 25 ft (7.6 m) from a wall on level pavement. The top cut-off of each low beam should sit at or just below the lamp-center height line .

Upgrades & Accessories

• Plug-in LED bulbs - Aftermarket H11 LED replacements are bright but can scatter in the halogen projector; use focused LED chips and verify cut-off against a wall .
• Projector retrofit - Enthusiasts bake the lamp at 225 °F (107 °C) for 15 minutes to split the lens, then install bi-LED projectors for razor cut-off .
• Clear protective film - A 6-mil TPU film shields the polycarbonate lens from rock chips and UV haze.
• Amber sequential DRL strips - Flexible LED strips slide under the lens edge to add modern turn-signal flow without drilling.

Safety & Regulations

• State laws - All 50 U.S. states require headlights to be on from sunset to sunrise and when wipers are active. Some mandate two working front lamps of equal intensity.
• Color & brightness - Federal FMVSS 108 limits white headlamp color temperature to <7 000 K and peak beam candlepower to 75 000 cd.
• Crash ratings - A-headlamp alignment error over 0.4° can drop IIHS headlight scores from "Good" to "Poor," reducing overall safety grade .

Environmental & Disposal

Burned-out halogen bulbs can go in household trash, but HID capsules contain mercury and should be turned in at local hazardous-waste sites . LED assemblies are e-waste; remove any metal heatsinks and recycle the circuitry with electronics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What bulb fits my 2014 Murano low beam?
A: Use an H11 halogen or D2S xenon if your SUV came with the HID package .

Q: Can I swap LED lamps from a Platinum into my SV?
A: The LED housing bolts in, but the wiring harness and body-control module differ, so it's not plug-and-play .

Q: My headlight is foggy-do I need a new assembly?
A: Light mist that clears in 10-20 minutes is normal; standing water or large droplets mean the seal failed and you should replace the headlamp .

Q: How hard is it to change the whole headlight?
A: DIYers rate it "medium." It takes about 60 minutes, removes the bumper cover, and needs 10 mm sockets plus clip pliers .

Q: Do LED upgrades void my warranty?
A: Using non-OEM bulbs can affect coverage for headlight-related wiring faults. Keep originals so you can reinstall if needed .

Q: Why are my low beams dead but DRL works?
A: Check the headlight fuses first . If fuses are good, the multi-function switch or BCM relay may be bad .

Q: How often should I aim the lamps?
A: Check alignment every six months, after big pothole hits, or when replacing bulbs .

Q: What torque should I use on the mounting bolts?
A: Tighten them to 4.5 N·m (40 in-lb) to avoid cracking the plastic brackets .

Citation List

Nissan Murano Forum - Headlight condensation issue (nissanmurano.org)
Nissan Murano Forum - Headlight adjustment method (nissanmurano.org)
Nissan Global - Adaptive LED Headlight technology (Nissan Global)
IIHS - 2023 Murano crash-test & headlight rating (IIHS Crash Testing)
YouTube - 2016 Murano LED headlight teardown (YouTube)
YouTube - Fuse-box location 2015-2018 Murano (YouTube)
Nissan Murano Forum - Halogen adjuster screw location (nissanmurano.org)
NHTSA Service Bulletin - Lamp fogging/condensation (NHTSA Static)
Nissan Murano Forum - LED retrofit limitations (nissanmurano.org)
Nissan Murano Forum - Service-manual torque spec (nissanmurano.org)
NICOclub - Factory service manual archive (NICOclub)
Business Insider - 2025 Murano refresh with ALH (Business Insider)
Axios - 2020 Murano boomerang LED styling (Axios)
Nissan Murano Forum - Both low beams not working (nissanmurano.org)
JustAnswer - Step-by-step headlight casing replacement (justanswer.com)