10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
55,670 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Nissan Murano:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #88

Jun 202021

Murano

  • miles
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.

- The Plains, VA, USA

problem #87

Feb 022021

Murano

  • miles
While driving I lost all power for the motor and had to have to battery replaced cuz lost all power

- Burlington, NJ, USA

problem #86

Mar 022021

Murano

  • 7 miles
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.

- West Monroe, LA, USA

problem #85

Jul 272019

Murano

  • miles
The car is stalling when I stop whining real bad

- Baldwyn, MS, USA

problem #84

Nov 092017

Murano

  • 72,000 miles
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.

- Addison, TX, USA

problem #83

Jun 302017

Murano

  • 150,000 miles
Car randomly shuts off while in motion at various times while on highway and city streets. Most recent occurrence we were attempting to make a left turn and car shut off and rolled into ditch while oncoming traffic was approaching.

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #82

Jul 102017

Murano

  • 162,000 miles
A wire broke inside the alternator causing the battery to stop from charging. My family was driving approximately 60mph on the highway when the charger warning and brake warning lamps came on. The battery began to discharge and the car lost power. We pulled over to the side of the road and the engine went into a "fall safe" mode (all dash indicators and radio display flashed rapidly) and then the engine stopped running. The engine would not restart and the car had to be towed.

- Kirkwood, IL, USA

problem #81

Apr 212017

Murano

  • 46,000 miles
Driving 2003 Nissan Murano on highway and when I began slow down my car turned off. Was able to turn the car back on and then it immediately turned off. Was told it was the alternator, but that it was not included in the recall (NHTSA campaign #05V319000), so Nissan would not replace it.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #80

May 052017

Murano

  • 122,800 miles
I was driving on a large bypass 55 mph. Suddenly, my speed and RPM's dropped even with pushing my gas pedal to the floor. I pulled over, put my car in park, and touched the gas pedal. The RPM's increased normally so I began driving again. Within a short distance it happened again. I got off the bypass and pulled into a parking lot. I turned the car off and checked my fluids. I restarted the car and pulled back out onto the road (40 mph highway). As soon as I pulled out it did it again. I pulled onto a backroad. I noticed then that my ABS light and battery light had come on. I turned on my 4 ways since my car would not go over 10 mph. When I turned them on I heard what sounded like an electric short and all of my lights and gauges began flickering wildly. With a very short distance I began losing power to everything until my car completely stopped. I was on the side of a dark road at 11 pm with no lights or power. When the tow truck arrived he said that sounds like the alternator. I looked up the cost of an alternator for my vehicle and found out there was a recall on my vehicle year, make and model: July 14, 2005 NHTSA campaign number: 05V319000 wire breaking inside alternator. This recalled described exactly what I had experienced. In the morning, I called the dealership regarding this and after a call back I was told that there was "no open recall" on my vehicle. Then I called customer affairs at Nissan corporate for clarification. I was told that my car's recall was repaired at a dealership (although they had no record of which dealership did the repair) on an unknown date "between 2005 and the present" so Nissan has closed this recall and is no longer responsible for the repair. I was informed that even if I took my car in and it was verified that this was the same problem, that they would not pay for it. I have a case number from my call to Nissan.

- Coatesville, PA, USA

problem #79

Jul 082014

Murano

  • 66,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. While reversing, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt after assistance from an eyewitness with jumper cables; however, the vehicle failed again. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed due to a burned wire. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V319000 (electrical system). In addition, the contact stated that the fuel sensor indicator illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced due to the location of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V003000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The manufacturer was made aware of the failures and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

- Chattanoga, TN, USA

problem #78

Mar 242017

Murano

  • 92,400 miles
Driving on a highway with children 65mph coming from airport, starting losing speed quickly, brake light and charging(battery) light came luckily made it side of highway despite, honking horns and screaming kids, someone could have been killed. This is on top of the acceleration problem where all of a sudden you will press on gas pedal and the car doesn't go and then suddenly lunges forward, I have almost been rear- ended on several occasions due to this. I have purchased new battery, alternator, etc. I have had the throttle sensor replaced. This car is so unsafe and has been a money pit. Many mechanics including Nissan mechanics say they test drive the vehicle and don't see the acceleration problem.

- Westminster, CO, USA

problem #77

Nov 282016

Murano 6-cyl

  • 148,000 miles
My car was running sluggish and low power when turned on lights, when tested battery it was fine but voltage low so I guess its not charging battery. Doesn't start alot of times. Engine runs hot quick, put new battery did same and one day the battery and brake light stayed on and then while driving it just stopped like I was giving it gas but car wasn't moving. Now it wont start at all. There may be a tiny oil leak but don't know from where and it drives rough but they say my shocks and struts and suspension and everything is ok.

- Hemet, CA, USA

problem #76

Oct 182016

Murano

  • 109 miles
Driving car lost power and came to a stop, had to have it tow because it wouldn't stay running.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #75

Jun 282013

Murano

  • 80,000 miles
The car stops in traffic with no warning. It stalls in traffic there is a recall for this but my VIN is not included this is so dangerous and Nissan doesn't care. They have a recall for my year and model for the same thing my car is doing but because my VIN # is not on there they won't fix it so I guess someone has to die before something is done. So many people have the same situation as I do. It is disgusting that you pay all this money for a reliable car and they N know there is an extremely dangerous situation and they don't care. The electrical system is bad engine light going on all the time alarm going off all the time. Engine burnes oil very quickly. All these things are wrong with this year car it is just a lemon that U have to keep pouring money into ands it dangerous on top of it.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #74

Apr 132016

Murano

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 15 mph and approaching the driveway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred four times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- Wallingford, CT, USA

problem #73

Jun 042015

Murano

  • 110,000 miles
On June 18th 2015 my car felt as if was losing power and then my brake light and battery came on. I came to a slow moving pace, like 10 mph. Very dangerous I was on the highway. Lost all power. Would not crank. Replaced battery and worked for about 2 weeks and then again same thing. Could have really caused a bad accident.... did some research and had alternator tested. Bad alternator. Replaced it. And again today same thing. This is so dangerous and getting to be very expensive. I see there was a recall about this issue but not my car. Very upset. Something needs to be done to correct this issue before someone causes an accident that could very well take someone's life. I have replaced the censor, battery and now two alternator's within 2 months.

- Macon, GA, USA

problem #72

May 312015

Murano

  • 100,008 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. While driving at 35 mph, the vehicle felt as if it were going to stall and the slip, service engine, and dcv off warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,008.

- Lakewood, CO, USA

problem #71

Mar 112015

Murano 6-cyl

  • 133,327 miles
Driving car and it cuts out while in motion. Recalls: www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/owners/searchresultsbyurlcode.action?referencesearch.requestid=45839&referencesearch.urlcode=vvanyoql53pimw1 recall subject : intake air ducts/resonator report receipt date: May 19, 2009 NHTSA campaign number: 09V169000 component(s): Engine and engine cooling recall subject : wire breaking inside alternator, 1 investigation(s) report receipt date: Nov 17, 2003 NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 component(s): Engine and engine cooling.

- Reisterstown, MD, USA

problem #70

May 202014

Murano

  • 159,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact indicated that the charger warning and brake warning lamps illuminated. The contact mentioned that the battery would be completely drained intermittently. In addition, the contact stated that the engine went into a fail safe mode and prevented the vehicle from accelerating. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop. The technician advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection and repair. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V319000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #69

Dec 202013

Murano

  • 89 miles
I was driving my Nissan Murano going 45mph when suddenly the engine light flashed, the air went out, and the car shut off. I was pressing the gas but it wouldn't do anything and it suddenly shut off. I've been to several shops that can't find a problem so they told me about the recall on the 2003 Nissan Murano. They think it's maybe electrical or engine cooling.

- Chalmette, LA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »