Here Are The Nissan Murano Years To Avoid
If you’re in the market for an SUV crossover, you might be considering the Nissan Murano. It’s certainly a popular pick among consumers. Unfortunately, it isn’t without complaints. So to help you make the best buying decision, we’re discussing the Nissan Murano years to avoid.
Quick Answer: The Nissan Murano years to avoid include 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2015.
While that might seem like a long and daunting list, it’s not as bad as it sounds. The biggest issue with Muranos is a faulty door handle.
As such, it’s a relatively easy and inexpensive repair. So if you want a good, reliable SUV crossover, the Nissan Murano is worthy of your consideration.
Understandably, you need more information before you can make a sound decision, and we have it here for your review. So let’s take a deep dive into which Nissan Murano years to avoid.
Which Nissan Murano Years Should You Buy Used?
The Murano has been in production for quite some time now. Having begun its initial run in 2002, the mid-sized crossover is a mainstay for Nissan to this day, with 2008 being the only year not to offer a new Murano model.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEARS FOR THE NISSAN MURANO
Let’s walk through the different generations of the Nissan SUV and determine the most reliable Nissan Murano year and which ones are not worth the investment.
As you explore SUV crossovers to consider investing in, you’re likely to find the Murano ranked much lower than other makes and models. But don’t let that deter you from looking into this vehicle.
The Murano is a solid performer, boasting a powerful engine, user-friendly interior controls, comfortable seating, and gentle riding prowess.
Moreover, the Murano has retained these features and more throughout the years, earning its spot among the better SUV crossover investments. The Murano’s best years include:
- 2003 Nissan Murano
- 2010 Nissan Murano
- 2011 Nissan Murano
- 2012 Nissan Murano
- 2013 Nissan Murano
- 2014 Nissan Murano
- 2015 Nissan Murano
- 2017 Nissan Murano
- 2018 Nissan Murano
- 2019 Nissan Murano
- 2020 Nissan Murano
- 2021 Nissan Murano
As you can see, you have a lot to choose from. The most notable models are the ones made between 2019 and 2021. Those three years saw some of Nissan’s best work, with minimal complaints.
According to CarComplaints, a gap in the moonroof is the biggest concern among consumers. It’s worth noting that there have been about 20 drivers coming forward to report an exploding sunroof issue, although this was mostly reported in Canada and not by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).
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Still, the problem was of enough concern to warrant news stations to report on it. The only other concern of note does, in fact, come from the NHTSA.
According to data reported on by CarComplaints, the 2019 Murano has a unique lip on the hood that can distract you when sunlight hits it just right.
You should be aware that the number of these complaints is incredibly low. As such, it’s more than possible that you won’t be affected by them. So aside from these minimal issues, the Murano has a lengthy selection of quality models to consider investing in.
Nissan Murano Years to Avoid
According to data from CarComplaints, the Nissan Murano years that you should avoid include the following models:
- 2004 Nissan Murano
- 2005 Nissan Murano
- 2006 Nissan Murano
- 2007 Nissan Murano
- 2009 Nissan Murano
- 2015 Nissan Murano
The 2004 model has the most ratings for complaints. However, it’s important to note that the complaints are for a faulty door handle.
Just behind the 2004 model is the 2009 Murano. It’s here that things get a bit more serious. There is a total of 226 NHTSA complaints regarding brake problems, with an additional 38 coming from drivers.As a result, a recall was ultimately issued for brake pedals that feel either too soft or too stiff upon compression. Worse still, some of these problems were reported by drivers whose vehicles had low mileage.
Therefore, you’ll want to keep this information in mind as you research and compare Nissan Muranos. Other potential problems include a faulty power steering hose (2006 model), broken driver seating (2006), and transmission issues (2009, 2015).
The average cost to repair a faulty power steering hose is about $420 while repairing a broken driver seat can run you upwards of $600.
Repairs costs for transmission issues can cost you thousands of dollars, with the average coming out to about $4,000.
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If you’re ready to start shopping for a used car and reliability is a priority for you, take a look at our list of the top 10 most reliable used sedans on the market today.
Overview of Nissan Murano Problems by Year
Feel free to examine the overview below to assist you in your research. As it turns out, the cost of repairs is in order from lowest to highest.
2004 Nissan Murano: Faulty Door Handle
2005 Nissan Murano: Broken Driver Seat
2006 Nissan Murano: Steering/Broken Seat
2007 Nissan Murano: Broken Seat
2009 Nissan Murano: Brake Problems
2015 Nissan Murano: Transmission Issues
The 2004 Nissan Murano has the most complaints among consumers, but the cost is minimal comparatively. You can expect to pay about $200 to have your door handle fixed if it breaks.
If you have a broken driver’s seat, the fix is a bit more expensive. The average cost of repair is around $1,150, according to CarComplaints. However, some drivers were able to perform the necessary repairs (welding) by themselves and save.
The most expensive repair comes by way of the 2015 model’s transmission issues, which can cost upwards of $4,000. The NHTSA currently has 36 complaints regarding drivetrain problems.
Another point of contention is the fact that these issues can develop in low-mileage Muranos. The average mileage of 2015 Muranos that experienced drivetrain/transmission trouble was 21,465.
Behind the 2015 Murano is the 2009 model for the most expensive repair. The average cost to fix the brake problems in 2009 Muranos was around $2,430.
Common Nissan Murano Problems
Below are the general reliability issues of the Murano across all model years:
- Damaged seat adjuster assembly: Owners of 2003-2007, 2009, 2010, and 2016 Muranos often face problems with seat adjuster assemblies. This results in unstable, difficult-to-adjust seats accompanied by squeaking noises.
- Failing engine mounts: Particularly in models from 2003 to 2015, faulty engine mounts can cause the engine to move excessively. This leads to abnormal vibrations, strange noises, and potential damage to surrounding components.
- Brake issues: The 2009 Murano model is infamous for its severe brake problems, including a soft brake pedal that may depress completely to the floor. Problems often require replacing the ABS actuator, brake pads, master cylinder, or booster.
- Transmission problems: Also notable in the 2009 Murano are transmission issues characterized by hard jerking and difficulty accelerating. These may escalate to complete transmission failure, potentially costing up to $5,000 in repairs.
- Broken door handle: The 2004 Murano model has received complaints about easily broken door handles that require replacement.
- Issues with interior accessories: In the 2004 Murano, issues such as breaking sun visors, malfunctioning stereo speakers, and stuck power locks are frequently reported. These are generally resolved by replacing the faulty parts.
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In Closing
If you can overlook the Nissan Murano years to avoid, you will find the crossover SUV to be a solid contender that’s worth looking into. Most notably, the newer Murano models have very few problems.
That said, it’s still too early to definitively say that they will stay this way. It’s certainly possible that issues will develop in the coming years. But for now, drivers are happy with their performance.
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