The transfer case is leaking on the hot exhaust pipe. There is common failure of the transfer case seals in all Nissan Muranos from 2004-2008...there are many people complaining of this problem and quick search on this issue on the internet produces a vast number of complaints. The transfer case seal starts leaking on all these models and the trans-axle fluid drips on the very, very hot exhaust manifold pipe just below the seem of the transfer case where it mates with the cvt. The cvt is covered under a 120,000 mile warranty but Nissan claims that the transfer case portion is not. Regardless the is a serious safety issue as it could potentially start a fire and subsequent loss of the vehicle, the property around it or a loss of life from a fire. I would appreciate if NHTSA would investigate this issue to the fullest. There are reports that the loss of fluid has caused loss of control of the vehicle as well....this is a serious safety issue....in addition the cost of repairs exceeds $3000 dollars.

- Des Plaines, IL, USA

I first noticed a "burning rubber smell" that mechanics could not duplicate. At about 80,000 miles the car began to lose power when I would accelerate. I began hearing a loud squealing noise that to me (a total car novice) sounded like belts. Because of the power surges problems and not changing gears (rpms were low when I accelerate) I have been afraid to drive this vehicle. When I took it to the dealership (instead of my local mechanic) I was told to leave it there because it was unsafe to drive. Apparently it is a "transfer case" defect that they are going to repair at a huge expense to me. After searching the internet for this problem with other Murano owners, I was shocked at the number of Murano transfer case problems there are out there. I have definitely lost my confidence in Nissan because of this.

- Edwardsville, IL, USA

As I was driving on the highway, the car either accelerated or decelerated even though I maintained steady pressure on the gas pedal. I did take it for repair at my local Nissan dealership. Luckily, I had purchased the extended warranty and was still within the warranty time frame. My car was at the dealership repair shop for over 8 weeks. I was told that 2 new transmissions were placed in my car and then there was a problem with the wiring harness. Although it was "fixed" it has not driven quite the same. Now I am hearing a strange sound from my engine and think I'm in for another round of repairs. I am out of the warranty period and want to know if Nissan Corp. Has issued a recall.

- Covington, LA, USA

I noticed power steering fluid on the concrete under my vehicle. A mechanic told me my hose was leaking and I found out it cost about $500 to fix. I checked with Nissan dealer to see if there was a recall. He told me no. There should be a recall on this problem because it is dangerous. The fluid is all underneath my vehicle. The fluid could ignite by hitting the exhaust pipe or anything hot.

- Bolivar, TN, USA

Nissan dealer informed me that the transfer case seal is broken and needs to be resealed. Only Nissan has serviced the transmission fluid. This seems to be a Nissan continuously variable transmission (cvt)-related problem. The car has 66,000 miles on it, and the warranty on the cvt was previously doubled to 120,000 miles. The original warranty was for 60,000 miles. However, Nissan alleges that the transfer case is unrelated to the cvt and therefore, not covered by the extended warranty. This seems to be disingenuous, at best. From polls and threads I've seen, it seems that this is a frequent problem in Muranos and Nissan is attempting to put up a wall instead of accepting responsibility. It seems that there is a widespread problem that has been going on for the duration of the Murano life cycle, across the years, and as is somewhat typical of powertrain problems, they don't manifest for a number of years and miles. The threads indicate that resealing the transfer case (for an exorbitant $1250) only staves off the failure and that it occurs again. This recurring problem eventually manifests in failure of the cvt itself. In that case it costs in the range of $6500 to repair. There seems to be a design flaw here that should be addressed. If the cvt seizes up on the road it could certainly be a major safety issue.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

Loud thumping, could barely steer.

- Worcester, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, she heard a loud noise that she could not distinguish and drove the vehicle to a local mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the vehicle had a fractured rear differential and stated that it needed to be replaced. The dealer did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer failed to offer any assistance either because there were no recalls addressing the failure. The vehicle was awaiting repairs at a private facility. The failure and current mileages were 75,000.

- Mountaintop, PA, USA

I purchased my car labor day of 2010. In April 2011, my car was diagnosed with having a cracked transfer case. I spent $1800 to have it fixed and now December 27, 2011 my transfer case is cracked again. I have only had my car for a little over a year and I don't believe I should be going through this and putting our more money when I owe so much on it. I don't understand what is going on but I am convinced it is a manufacture problem...

- Essex, MD, USA

This vehicle is only four years old with only 84000 miles, while driving I heard a loud sound coming from under the vehicle. I took the vehicle in to five towns Nissan they told me that I have a big problem, my transfer case is not good. The transfer case, seal-oil and seal- oil ring would be $2750.82. Labor and tax would be bring it to $4074.33. Now we all know owners of this very cute vehicle that it has a factory defect and we need more people like myself to come forth so the would have no choice but to recall these vehicles.

- Jamaica, NY, USA

2007 Nissan Murano AWD w/ 84K miles. Took vehicle into Nissan dealer service dept. In July for noises in engine area. Diagnosed as bad wheel bearings on 1 side of vehicle cost $600. Returned to dealer approx. 1 month later, again hearing noises coming from engine area. Was again diagnosed w/bad wheel bearings on other side & was told replacement from 1 month prior was defective & needed replacement again. Questioned dealer service dept. Diagnosis, indicating that I also smelled either oil burning or some kind of fluid burning when driving. Without further examination of vehicle, service dept. Recommended a fluid flush, I indicated that the fluids had just been flushed 1 month prior, was told no other problems were indicated when vehicle was inspected earlier that day. Smell of oil or fluid was dismissed by service dept. Received a call later that day from service dept. Indicating repairs to defective wheel bearing & second wheel bearing completed, car ready for pick up $400 bill. Picked up vehicle @ approx. 5:30 pm. As I drove home there was a good amount of traffic & vehicle speed did not exceed 30 mph for majority of trip. Upon clearing of traffic & further acceleration to approx. 45 mph, there was an extremely loud bang that came from what sounded like the engine area of my vehicle, accompanied by a dragging & grinding sound coming from the bottom of my vehicle bringing my vehicle to a quick stop. It sounded like the bottom of my vehicle fell off. I managed to pull vehicle over to safety & next day had vehicle towed back to dealer. I was then informed by dealer that the transfer case on my vehicle had broken, that the vehicle was beyond the warranty & the repair cost is $3,400. This may be a problem in the AWD model. There are many similar incidents posted on the internet. This part is defective & needs investigation, had I been on a highway when this happened the outcome could have been catastrophic, please help! don't wait until a true tragedy occurs.

- Yorkville, IL, USA