9.2
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $2,000
- Average Mileage:
- 134,100 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 5 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace suspension system (4 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
I purchased the Nissan Murano in the winter of 2017 with approximately 100,000 miles, and in good condition. I had my trusted mechanic perform a used car inspection, and with all of the normal items, everything checked out ok.
Fast forward to November 2019, my wife starts complaining that something is broken in the SUV, it isn't driving right, it feels like it is hard to control, and wants to go into the other lane. Additionally, she says at low speeds, while maneuvering in a parking lot, it makes loud crunching, popping noises. So my mechanic (also my Dad) test drives the car, and can't put his finger on the problem by just a test drive, but it should be safe to drive.
So, I drove the car on December 2nd for a short trip to a muffler shop, because the Murano also needed exhaust work (but that's a whole 'nother story). On my way back home from the muffler shop, I was going around a corner, when the Murano went over a small bump or manhole cover, and the car began to fishtail, and I thought I was going to lose control.
When I arrived back home, I notice the wheel/tire on the driver side, in the rear was cambered inwards at the top of the tire. I called my mechanic (Dad), and he informed me the car is not safe to drive anywhere like that, and to have it towed to his shop, so he can put it on his lift.
When he lifted the vehicle he noticed "excessive" rust on the subframe that is "unusual" (those were his exact words) for a 12 year old car. The entire subframe needs to be replaced, and it is a job that costs well over $1000. In addition to that, the normal crap that goes wrong with a Murano also affected my Murano. Driver seat broken, cracked exhaust manifold. I have replaced the car with a Toyota that doesn't break, and am waiting to see what kind of scrap offers I can get a few hundred bucks to take this old paperweight off my hands, as it is not worth dumping $2500 of repair work into a $3000 car.
- Michael V., Dayton, OH, US
Couldn't believe what I saw when I looked under the car. Had noticed the handling was different especially in wet conditions, the car kept feeling like the back will slide out on me at anytime. Then one day while checking tires I noticed excessive wear on the inner side of the tires. Went to get new tires and when they raised the vehicle they showed me the state of the subframe, it was completely rotted away. One side of the sway bar was loose (no longer mounted to the frame, though the bolts were still in place) and the other side was paper thin.
I've owned several vehicles and have never seen this bad of a frame rust. Usually the floor pan of the car rusts away before the frame gets to this condition. I was told I could pick up a "refurbished" subframe for under $1000, but that the labour costs would put the repair close to 3K. So now I have a parts car sitting in my driveway as the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
Wish Nissan had done a better job of manufacturing/rust protection on this cause overall it was a fun vehicle to drive/own.
- Ronald W., Germantown, US
I have never heard of a rear sub-frame rotting away to point of breaking on any vehicle especially one that is only 12 years old. It has to have been broken longer before we noticed it. My truck is basically unsafe to drive unless fixed. I would think Nissan would have a better assembly and parts that this. I read somewhere they only cover rust to 60,000 miles. That's barely broken in for most vehicles. To much money for a vehicle that will rust out 1/4 of its life span. Really disappointed and was even thinking of getting another Nissan but this has turned me off forever. With such a big and successful company you would think Nissan would do much better by their customers.
- Margo H., Osceola, IN, US
suspension tables have rusted despite rigorous maintenance
Suspension tables have rusted within less than 9months since the last alignment; the consequence of this problem is the alignment; than can be no longer performed unless all suspension tables are replaced;i the car has been maintained rigourously by the Nissan dealer according to schedule. Nissan Canada refuses to cover this under the warranty despite the car has been maintained as per schedule, by the dealer, and the car had an alignment done at 80 000 km. Nissan says the car has not been maintained properly, and the warranty for rust is good until 60 000 km.
- dumontl, Québec, QC, canada
Bought a used 2007 Murano from a private party and learned a very important lesson. When driving it home, I lost control of the vehicle on a patch of ice and went in the ditch. The subframe has completely rusted and broken in several spots and compromising other suspension components as well. And yes, I looked for rust before I bought it, but didn't think to climb under the car. Like I said, important lesson, I get it.
I notified Nissan and they said sorry about that but oh well. The car only has 146K miles on it, and the body has virtually no rust at all. There is NO reason why the frame should be this badly damaged. NONE. Shame on you Nissan, over 800 complaints about this issue for this model and year with the NTSB. How is there no recall on this? It is going to kill someone.
- Jennifer H., Whitehall, MI, US