2009 Nissan Murano Key Replacement

The 2009–2014 Murano uses the same key setup, so everything on this page applies to those years too. The full picture is on the Nissan Murano key guide.

2009 Nissan Murano: key facts

Key type: Smart / proximity key
Push-to-start: Yes
Transponder chip: ID46 (Hitag-2, PCF7952)
Programming: OBD
All keys lost: We can originate new keys on site

Z51 Intelligent Key with push-button start across the line (KR55WK48903-style fob, OBD registration per a locksmith source); ESCL faults are a known era issue.

What kind of key does a 2009 Nissan Murano use?

The 2009 Murano does not have a key you turn in an ignition. It comes with Nissan's Intelligent Key, a smart proximity fob. The car senses the fob inside the cabin, and you start the engine with the push button. Inside the fob is a transponder chip from the ID46 family (Hitag-2, PCF7952), which is verified in our reference data for this year.

The fob also holds a mechanical backup key. That blade is for the door if the fob battery dies or the fob stops responding. It does not start the car on its own.

What this means for you: a replacement is not a quick copy at a hardware store. The new fob has to be registered to the Murano's computer before the car will accept it. That extra step is why a lost smart fob costs more to replace than the older bladed keys many people remember.

Is it the key, or something else, when the Murano will not start?

Before you pay for a new fob, it is worth ruling out two common causes on this generation of push-button Nissans. Neither one needs a new key.

If the fob is simply out of battery, the car usually tells you the key is not detected. There is a workaround: hold the fob right up against the start button and try again. If the car starts that way, you most likely need a fresh fob battery, not a new fob.

The other cause is the electronic steering-column lock, often called ESCL. When it fails, the Murano will not start and the key light flashes. It looks exactly like a key problem, but a new fob will not fix it. We would rather tell you that up front than program a fob you did not need.

Message that the key is not detected: try holding the fob to the start button, then check the fob battery.
No start with a flashing key light: a failing steering-column lock is a real possibility, especially if your fob otherwise works the doors.
Fob lost, broken, or never had a spare: that is where replacement and programming come in.

Duplicate a fob or replace after all keys are lost?

For this setup, duplicating a fob requires an original working key. We use it to add a second fob so you are not down to one. That is the more economical route, and it is worth doing before the only fob goes missing.

If every key is gone, a replacement is still possible. Registration for this Murano is done through the OBD port under the dash, and our data shows no NASTF SDRM credential is required. Because the work is done at the car, it can usually be handled where the Murano is parked, using one of our mobile vans, or at our Westwood storefront if you can bring the car to us.

You call (213) 577-1366 and we confirm the exact vehicle, including the VIN.
We ask for proof that the car is yours, such as ID and registration.
We check whether an existing fob is still usable and whether the symptoms point to a dead battery or the steering-column lock rather than a lost key.
We provide the fob and a mechanical backup key for the door.
We register the new fob to the car through the OBD port.
We test starting the car, the push button, the door locks, and the backup blade before we leave.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the price of a 2009 Murano key replacement?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because the honest answer depends on your situation. These are the things that move the cost:

Whether you have a working fob to duplicate from, or all keys are lost. Duplicating is usually the lighter-cost option.
How many fobs you need registered at once.
Whether the fob is a new part or a suitable used or aftermarket one, and what is available for your exact VIN.
Where the car is. Coming to you with a mobile van is different from you coming to the storefront.
Time of day. We answer around the clock, and after-hours calls can involve different scheduling.
Whether the real fault is the steering-column lock, in which case the repair is different from key work.

What we confirm by VIN, and why call us

One honest note. Our data shows a Z51-style Intelligent Key with push-button start across the Murano line, and the OBD registration detail comes from a locksmith source rather than a manufacturer document. The ID46 chip family is verified. Exact fob part numbers can still vary, so we confirm by VIN, and in person, before ordering or programming anything.

Wilshire Lock & Key has been in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile vans serving 140 cities across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. When you call, you reach us, not a dispatch middleman, and David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for it before they start, including us. For more on your Murano, see our Nissan Murano key page, the wider Nissan key guide, or all car key services. You can also contact us directly.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2009 Nissan Murano have a transponder chip?

Yes. The Intelligent Key contains an ID46 transponder chip (Hitag-2, PCF7952), which is verified in our reference data. The car must recognize that chip's registration before it will start.

Can you make a Murano key if I lost all of them?

Yes, an all-keys-lost replacement is possible for this model. We confirm the VIN and your ownership, then register a new fob to the car through the OBD port.

My Murano says the key is not detected. Do I need a new fob?

Not necessarily. First hold the fob against the start button and try again. If it starts that way, the fob battery is the likely cause. If not, call us and we will work out whether the fob is the issue.

The key light flashes and the Murano will not start. Is that the key?

It might not be. A failing electronic steering-column lock (ESCL) causes the same symptom on this era of push-button Nissans and is often mistaken for a key problem. A new fob will not repair it.

Is a spare fob cheaper than replacing after losing every key?

Usually yes. Duplicating from a working original is generally the more economical route than an all-keys-lost job. Cost still depends on the fob, your location, and timing.

Does the fob have a regular key inside it?

Yes, there is a mechanical backup key. It opens the door when the fob battery is dead, but it does not start the push-button car by itself.

Do I have to go to a dealer?

For this Murano, no dealer visit is needed according to our data. Programming is done through the OBD port, and we confirm the details for your VIN before we start.

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Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.