Reliability
Nissan

Murano (Z50)

2003-2007 · Midsize SUV · 2 engines
3,919 NHTSA Complaints
9 Recalls
17 Fire Reports
59 Crash Reports
View all 3 generations of the Nissan Murano → Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

5.0 / 10

Reliability score

More owner complaints than similar midsize SUVs

The class average is 7.0. Based on complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the engine, transmission or drivetrain.

Research found a documented powertrain problem on this generation that owners took to dealers, so the score does not reflect it. See "On the record" below.

Complaints of a failed or replaced engine, transmission or drive unit run well above similar vehicles. They set this score.

Owners filed 1,010 powertrain complaints. A typical midsize SUV fleet of this size and age would have drawn about 587.

Scores this low have often eased: the three years after looked about 1.5 points better in the typical case.

Most of the complaints came before 2023.

Breakdown
Complaints overall1,010 complaints against about 587 for similar vehicles
5.5
Last three years
n/aNot enough data
Engine, transmission or drive unit failed or replaced224 complaints against about 105 for similar vehicles
4.8
Oil consumption, fuel in the oil or overheating37 complaints against about 28 for similar vehicles
6.3

Each line scores one view of the same complaints the same way, so the lines overlap. The mark on each bar is the class average. A line needs 20 expected complaints to show a number.

By model year
  • 20032.6
  • 20044.1
  • 20056.8
  • 20067.4
  • 20077.3

Similar vehicles are others in the same class, compared at the same age and in the same years. The score counts complaints owners filed with NHTSA, per vehicle built, which is different from the share of vehicles that fail. How the score is worked out

On the record · researched

Warranty extensionNissan CVT Customer Satisfaction Program (2009)
2003-2007 (program 2003-2010) · 10 years / 120,000 miles, past repairs reimbursed source
Recall09V169
2003-2007 source

Complaints by Engine Code

Nissan Murano Unidentified Engine

3,893 complaints 778.6 per year
16 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

interior
1299
other
651
transmission
562
electrical
494
engine
369

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Nissan Murano, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Interior: 1,301 owner complaints
Transmission: 565 owner complaints
Electrical System: 498 owner complaints
Engine: 374 owner complaints
Body/Trim: 356 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2003-2007 Nissan Murano

On a used 2003-2007 Nissan Murano, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the seats, seat belts and interior (1,301), the transmission and drivetrain (565) and the electrical system (498). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 1,301 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano about the seats, seat belts and interior.
  2. Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 565 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano about the transmission and drivetrain.
  3. Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 498 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano about the electrical system.
  4. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 374 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano about the engine.
  5. Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 356 owner complaints on the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano about the body and structure.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano

Recalls (9)

09V169000May 19, 2009serious
Engine & Cooling

NISSAN IS RECALLING 362,891 MY 2003-2007 MURANO VEHICLES. THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS, WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERMEDIATE RESONATOR IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE, MAY SEPARATE FROM THE RESONATOR WITH ENGINE MOVEMENT. THIS SEPARATION OCCURS DUE TO THE PREMATURE AGING OF THE MATERIAL USED IN THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS WHICH CAUSES EXCESSIVE SHRINKING.

08V521000Oct 7, 2008serious
Air Bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

06V401000Oct 20, 2006cosmetic
Steering

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." DURING AN INSPECTION OF SOME VEHICLES AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED WITH THE IGNITION KNOB IN THE "OFF" POSITION BUT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

06V054000Feb 21, 2006serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A FITTING FOR VAPOR RECIRCULATION, WHICH IS WELDED ON THE FUEL TANK, MAY COME OFF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE INCORRECT MATERIAL WAS USED.

06V048000Feb 13, 2006serious
Seat Belts

ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, THE WEBBING OF A REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT MAY CONTACT THE REAR SEAT BACK HINGE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE HINGE.

Show 4 older recalls
06V003000Jan 10, 2006serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK, IN THE EVENT THAT A VEHICLE FRONT TIRE RUNS OVER A SMALL, SHARP OBJECT IN THE ROAD, CATCHES IT AND PROPELS IT TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IT MAY STRIKE AND PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.

05V319000Jul 14, 2005serious
Electrical System

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.

03V455000Nov 17, 2003serious
Engine & Cooling

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.

03V123000Mar 31, 2003serious
Powertrain

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE NUT THAT ATTACHES THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR SHAFT TO THE CONTROL VALVE LEVER IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRANSMISSION NOT ACTUALLY BEING IN THE GEAR INDICATED BY THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION POSITION DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY NOT BE ON OR MAY BE INCORRECT.

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5 (15.1% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
—
Side Crash
—
Rollover
4/5
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No

Alternatives in Midsize SUV

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2003-2007 Nissan Murano complaints?

Owners have filed 3,919 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano. The systems they name most often are the interior, the transmission and the electrical system.

Is the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano a good used car?

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 3,919 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano have?

NHTSA has 3,919 owner complaints on file for the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano?

NHTSA lists 9 recalls covering some 2003-2007 Nissan Murano vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Nissan Murano?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the interior, the transmission and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Murano?

The 2007 Nissan Murano received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars (15.1% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Optional. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 3,919 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.

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