RoadVitals

2003 Nissan Murano Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
800
Latest Jul 12, 2021
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
19
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 7, 2003

What this page shows

Our database holds 800 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Nissan Murano. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 800 · page 1 of 32

BrakesEngine
Filed Jul 12, 2021

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and restarted however, after driving for several miles, the failure recurred. The contact pulled over to side of the roadway and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle and slowly drove to the residence. The contact stated that the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

NHTSA ID
11424485
Incident
Jun 21, 2021
Mileage
162,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 9, 2021

Rusting excessively

NHTSA ID
11424032
Incident
Jun 21, 2021
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jul 8, 2021

REAR SUBFRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED CANT BELIEVE NISSAN USED SUCH CHEAP STEEL

NHTSA ID
11423987
Incident
Jun 20, 2021
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 8, 2021

ABS STAYS ON THEN THE (BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL IMMEDIATELY COME AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL GO INTO A "FALL SAFE" CONDITION WHICH WILL LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING AND TURN OFF ON ME. ALSO MY SUBFRAME IS ROTTEN AND IS NOW DISCONNECTED THE MECHANIC QUOTED ME $2,600 TO REPAIR JUS THE SUBFREAME.

NHTSA ID
11423979
Incident
Jun 20, 2021
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed May 19, 2021

While driving down the highway with my infant child the vehicle lost power I could not accelerate went from 75mph to a struggling 5mph. No matter how far I pressed the gas pedal there was no acceleration no revving of engine just complete nothing just pure panic. I was able to pull off to the side of the freeway in a not so safe place however I had no choice. I out hazard lights on and turned off the car. After waiting approx 5 min. I attempted to start car to no avail. The battery light as well as abs light stayed on. I again waited for another 5 -10 min and tried again nothing but same warning lights. I eventually had to wait for approx 45-_60 min when it finally started however I was only allowed to go no fastethan 5 mph. I was able to exit freeway where I parked car for several hours and walked home. Upon retrieving vehicle it still had same results. I drove home @ 5mph. I took car in for repairs and was told I needed a new battery wiring harness. I had that ordered a d repaired. Car drove home just fine however the following day the same incident occurred. Took car back in and was told I needed a new alternator which I replaced. However the following day the same thing occurred. Upon driving car back to a major dealership to notify them of the same problem, however once in their parking lot the mechanic attempted to drive car into the service bay and car wouldn't start. Immediately the mechanic said " oh you hear that clicking sound?" " That's the starter you need a new one". I once again had them service my car and put in a new starter.Yet once again the following day the same problem. In all these occurrences the car had just out of no where with no warning lost power leaving my children and I in a potentially dangerous situation multiple times. The vehicle has been parked in my garage. I can't afford replacing parts just to have the same incident. As far as dates go there were multiple dates that the vehicle stalled on me and had no acceleration.

NHTSA ID
11417746
Incident
Jul 24, 2020
Electrical
Filed May 15, 2021

WHILE DRIVING I LOST ALL POWER FOR THE MOTOR AND HAD TO HAVE TO BATTERY REPLACED CUZ LOST ALL POWER

NHTSA ID
11416756
Incident
Feb 2, 2021
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 31, 2021

WHILE DRIVING THE MURANO IT SLOWED DOWN AND WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 20MPH. AFTER ABOUT A MILE IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING & WOULDN'T CRANK BACK UP. ALL THE FLUIDS WERE AT THE RIGHT LEVELS. TOOK IT TO A JOHNNY'S MECHANIC SHOP & THEY SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE.

NHTSA ID
11405762
Incident
Mar 2, 2021
Mileage
7 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 26, 2020

THE CAR KEEPS ON SHUTTING OFF ON ME THE MOTOR AND WAS CAUSED A BIG ACCIDENT

NHTSA ID
11322256
Incident
Apr 25, 2020
Suspension
Filed Feb 9, 2020

WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF 2003 NISSAN MURANO; IT HAS ONLY 92K MILES, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE REAR WHEELS JUST STARTED TILTING INWARD AT THE TOP; A MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE REAR SUBFRAME AND SUSPENSION WAS ROTTING, AND ADVISED THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO WORSEN UNTIL THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE JUST COLLAPSES. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. NISSAN IS IGNORING IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT (THEY USED CRAPPY STEEL), THAT IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD, AND IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY THEM. SEARCHING ONLINE REVEALS MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE, MANY JUST RECENTLY MADE, AND AS A CONSUMER IT IS VERY UNFAIR TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON A NEW VEHICLE AND KEEP IT NICE AND FULLY FUNCTIONAL, EXPECTING IT TO LAST FOR A FEW MORE YEARS TO COME, TO SURPRISINGLY HAVE THE SUBFRAME FAIL ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN TWENTY YEARS OLD AND NOT EVEN AT 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID
11307992
Incident
Feb 7, 2020
Mileage
92,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 11, 2020

DURING THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS IN THE PHOENIX ARIZONA AREA I'VE EXPERIENCED HESITATION (ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC) WHEN EITHER MOVING SLOWLY ALONG OR TRAFFIC PICKS UP OR TURNING AND I HAVE TO MASH HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR, SOMETIMES 2-4 TIMES!!! THIS IS FRIGHTENING !! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AS I'VE CHECKED FILTERS, GAS, INTAKE? AND ASKED MECHANIC ???

NHTSA ID
11298580
Incident
Jun 14, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 27, 2019

THE CAR IS STALLING WHEN I STOP WHINING REAL BAD

NHTSA ID
11235320
Incident
Jul 27, 2019
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 10, 2019

DRIVER SEAT REAR METAL SUPPORT FRAME BROKEN. I NOTICED WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THAT THE SEAT WAS SHIFTING. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICE THAT THE DRIVER SEAT LEFT REAR SEAT SUPPORT FRAME BROKEN.

NHTSA ID
11230756
Incident
Jul 7, 2019
Mileage
100,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 3, 2019

THE CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE FREEWAY . ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH . IT DID IT SUDDENLY I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OVER .I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH WHILE THE A/C WAS BLOWING IT COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED

NHTSA ID
11205429
Incident
May 1, 2019
Mileage
166,000 mi
Interior & seatsPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 6, 2019

DRIVER SIDE SEAT GOES SIDEWAYS/I HAVE I HAVE REPLACED THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL 4 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS [KEEPS LEAKING]

NHTSA ID
11194375
Incident
Mar 4, 2019
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 25, 2018

MY 2003 MURANO SE/SL AAWHEN I FIRST START THE ENGINE IT MAKES A SOUND LIKE IT HAS NO OIL OR ENGINE IS CHOKING BUT ITS STARTS BUT IF ENGINE IS IDLING FOR 5 MINS OR SO ITS SHUT OFF BUT I CAN START IT AGAIN BUT AFTER WHEN IM DRIVING ENGINE JUST DIES OFF AMD WONT START AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. THAT PROBLEMS HAS BEEN GOING ON CONSTANTLY WHEN IM ON THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN OR BY MYSELF LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL AND I WAS WAITING TO TURN LEFT AND ONCE I WAS TURNING MY MURANO DIED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD LUCKILY THE ON COMING TRAFFIC HAD A RED LIGHT SO I HAD A CHANCE TO PUSH IT OF THE INTERSECTION, ONE OTHER TIME I WAS PICKING UP DINNER AMD ENGINE JUST DIED OFF ON ME WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND GEAR COULDNT BE RELEASED OF DRIVE AND KEY WOULDN'T TURN EITHER SOME HOW WHILE I WAS JERKING THE KEY I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK AND KEY WAS RELEASED THAT TIME I WAS LUCKY ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED NEXT TO ME AND TURN THEIR EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHT BECAUSE MY CAR SEEMED LIKE THE VEHICLE WASNT RESPONDING AT ALL NOT EVEN JUMP STARTING WORKED AND AFTER 20 25 MIMS IT JUST STARTED AGAING . IVE ALREADY FIXED THE FAULTY CODE BUT IT STILL DOES IT AND NOW THE CAM AND CRANK SHAFT CODES APPEARED

NHTSA ID
11153617
Incident
Oct 19, 2018
Mileage
3 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 25, 2018

IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING TO WORK, VEHICLE JUST SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. NEW BATTERY AND CAM SENSOR REPLACED VERY RECENTLY. NO SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON, NOTHING...IT JUST SHUT OFF. AFTER 2 TRIES IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP. VERY SCARY!!!

NHTSA ID
11142732
Incident
Oct 24, 2018
Mileage
175,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 24, 2018
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK TO AVOID A POTENTIAL CRASH, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND FIRST OCCURRED TWO YEARS AGO. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. A DEALER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000. *LN CONSUMER STATED FAILURE HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. UPDATED 12/11/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11142456
Incident
Oct 22, 2018
Mileage
107,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT DID NOT MOVE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11133128
Incident
Jul 1, 2018
Mileage
110,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 26, 2018

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET CAR LOST CHARGE WOULD DRIVE VERY SLOWLY ABOUT 1 MILE PER HOUR. BRAKE AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. HAVE ALREADY REPLACED BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ABOUT A YEAR AGO BUT WHEN SAME THING HAPPENED TODAY. PER THE VIN MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I'LL HAVE TO GET INVOICE FROM TIRE CHOICE TO SHOW WHAT I PAID FOR ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11122451
Incident
Aug 26, 2018
Mileage
134,876 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 25, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED MTN VIEW NISSAN AT (423) 756-1500 (LOCATED AT 2100 SOUTH MARKET STREET, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37408) AND WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED IN 2014. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

NHTSA ID
11103715
Incident
Jun 22, 2018
Mileage
96,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 7, 2018

MY 2003 NISSAN MURANO STALLS OUT ON ME WHILE DRIVING, AND MULTIPLE TIMES JUST TODAY 06/07/18 WHILE DRIVING AT A NORMAL SPEED LIMIT, VEHICLE JUST SLOWS DOWN CAUSING ME TO PUT MY HAZARDS. I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR MYSELF AND MORE IMPORTANT MY CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE WITH ME. MY VIN# DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL, BUT READING OTHER CONSUMER'S COMMENTS THERE IS A MAJOR ISSUE. IT'S MY HOPE THAT THIS CAN BE RECALLED SO THAT WE THE CONSUMER'S WILL HAVE A PIECE OF MIND AND BE SAFE WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROADS.

NHTSA ID
11100421
Incident
Jun 7, 2018
Mileage
106,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 9, 2018

DRIVING CAME TO A STOP AT A LIGHT CAR DIED. RESTARTED IT, DROVE HOME. CAR WOULDN'T START, REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. VEHICLE STARTED WAS DRIVING GOT ON THE FREEWAY HAD NO ACCELERATION CONTROL, LOUD KNOCKING NOISE ALL OF A SUDDEN, TURNED AROUND WENT BACK HOME AND BEFORE I GOT TO MY FRONT DOOR THE RADIATOR EXPLODED! THE WHOLE TOP OF IT CRACKED OPEN.

NHTSA ID
11083970
Incident
Apr 1, 2018
Mileage
5 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 18, 2017

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME SHAKY AND WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL NEARLY CAUSING THE DRIVER TO GO OFF THE ROAD. DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME HAD NEARLY RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 WITH AROUND 130,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS USED PRIMARILY TO DRIVE TO AND FROM WORK ON PAVED HIGHWAYS. WHEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE FURTHER, I NOTICED THAT THERE WERE MULTIPLE OTHER OWNERS OF FIRST GENERATION NISSAN MURANOS WHO EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES, INCLUDING ONE WHOSE FRAME ACTUALLY BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING (THANKFULLY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN IN OUR CASE). THE ISSUE APPEARS TO RELATE TO THE FRAME AND/OR SEALANT ON THE FRAME CORRODING DUE TO THE SALT USED ON THE ROADS DURING THE WINTER TIME IN THE NORTHERN US. OUR VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN MICHIGAN. NISSAN CONDUCTED RECALLS FOR SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OTHER MODELS (ALTIMA, PATHFINDER AND INFINITY QX4) WHICH SHOWS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED EVENT. AS SUCH, I FEEL THIS ISSUE IS PRESENTS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK TO THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT RECALL AND THAT I WOULD NEED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR THE REPAIR AND THEN SUBMIT A COMPLAINT WHICH WOULD BE ESCALATED TO THE REGIONAL TEAM BUT, THAT THEY WERE UNLIKELY TO PROVIDE ANY SUPPORT. HOWEVER, AS THE CAR IS CURRENTLY INOPERABLE, THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE SO THE REPAIR WILL NEED TO BE DONE BY THE LOCAL, CERTIFIED MECHANIC. IF YOU NEED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] OR BY PHONE AT [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11055322
Incident
Dec 13, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 13, 2017

THIS CAR HAS HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES. THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES AND THE ECU HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE SUNROOF IS ALSO DEAD. THE BOSE STEREO IS ALWAYS GOING OUT. I'M UPSET BECAUSE THERE WAS MANY VINS THAT NISSAN COVERED BECAUSE THEY RECOGNIZED THAT THERE WAS A ISSUE, BUT MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD! YOUR CAR CAN DIE AT ANY TIME, ANY SPEED AND ANY WHERE. MY CAR IS NOW IN THE SHOP FOR THE 3RD TIME WITH CAM SENSOR ISSUES AFTER BEING STRANDED TWICE. THE CAR JUST WON'T START. THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER ALL CHECK OUT GOOD.

NHTSA ID
11045606
Incident
Nov 9, 2017
Mileage
72,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 25, 2017

AFTER DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC OR AFTER DRIVING LONG ENOUGH FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO GET WARMED UP, WHEN ACCELLERATOR IS PUSHED THE CAR IS UNRESPONSIVE FOR 5 TO 10 SECONDS THEN SUDDENLY LUNGES FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC! THIS HAPPENS IN ALL DRIVING SITUATIONS. THE ONLY REQUIREMENT IS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE DRIVEN ENOUGH TO BE WARMED UP. IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE'S CVT TRANSMISSION FAILING! THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL AFFECTED CVT'S SHOULD BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED! NISSAN HAS RECALLED OTHER VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE EXACT SAME TRANSMISSION AND EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME ISSUES BUT THEY HAVE IGNORED TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE 2003 MURANO'S TRANSMISSION! LOOK HERE AT YOUR COMPLAINTS AND YOU WILL FIND HUNDEREDS OF PEOPLE CLAIMING THE SAME THING. SOME ARE EXPLAINING THE ISSUE WITH KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND MANY OTHERS ARE REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE JUST WITHOUT PROPER CAR KNOWLEDGE SO IT MAY NOT BE REPORTED AS THE SAME ISSUE. IF YOU LOOK INTO THESE COMPLAINTS YOU CAN SEE THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS A SAFETY HAZZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR LIFE OF THE VEHICLE!

NHTSA ID
11039670
Incident
Oct 25, 2017
Mileage
110,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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