903 of the
7,478 complaints filed about the Nissan Murano
are about the transmission —
12% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
903
Complaints
12%
Share of all complaints
15
Crashes
4
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
CVT Transmission failed at 82k miles. Diagnosed at Midas, specific Transmission shop and local Nissan dealership as needing full replacement. Notified Nissan Consumer Affairs, they created a case but refused to fully replace it, offered to pay only 50% of approximately $9k.
NHTSA complaint #11750646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that on two occasions while making a left and right turn, the vehicle lost power and the vehicle was drifted to a safe location on the side of the road while advising others to go around her. There were no warning lights or messages. The vehicle was put into park (P) but then the vehicle was put into drive (D) and reverse (R) the vehicle did not accelerate or reverse as intended. The contact stated that her husband attempted to change gears until the vehicle finally accelerated while in drive (D) after 15 minutes, and the vehicle was taken to the residence. During the first occasion, the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,476.
NHTSA complaint #11739551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:CVT:BELT
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that multiple issues were experienced with the vehicle while driving, including the following: the transmission has odd noises, is not changing gears properly, and emits a burning smell; the vehicle randomly overheats; the brake fluid bubbles when the vehicle is turned on; the AC compressor has failed three times; and the serpentine belt and power steering fluid randomly fail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a pressure test was performed indicating issues with the Continuously Variable Transmission, engine, and brakes. Only the AC compressor was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,600.
NHTSA complaint #11735510 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sluggish engine, delayed engine engagement, delayed throttle response. Engine noise under acceleration. My safety is being put at risk when pulling out into oncoming traffic on the highway, engine is not shifting, vehicle not moving as fast as it should. Technical Expert sent out by Arbitrator with the BBB Autoline who confirmed multiple issues with the engine. Vehicle has been to Nissan dealerships, but one dealership said it was a normal characteristic of the vehicle and other states unable to duplicate. Going up railroad track vehicle shifts really hard coming down. Keep receiving warning light for sensor malfunction, also had issue with pumping fuel, driver's front door bolt coming out, video to prove and paperwork from dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11735216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
In July 2023, at 55,496 miles on the odometer, the original CVT transmission failed and was replaced at Port City Nissan (120 Spaulding Tpke N, Portsmouth, NH 03801), an authorized Nissan dealership, with a Nissan-supplied rebuilt CVT transmission at a cost of approximately $7,000. The rebuilt transmission was warranted for one year. Approximately 2.5 years and only 26,500 miles after installation, the rebuilt CVT transmission has failed again at approximately 82,000 miles. CVT transmission failure while driving presents a serious safety hazard, as the vehicle may lose power unexpectedly, particularly dangerous at highway speeds, during merges, or in intersections. Pattern of Defect: Nissan’s CVT transmissions have been the subject of widespread consumer complaints and multiple class action lawsuits across various model years. Significantly, Nissan recently updated its warranty on rebuilt CVT transmissions from one year to three years with unlimited mileage for replacements performed after July 2024. This warranty extension strongly suggests Nissan is aware of systemic premature failures in its rebuilt CVT units. The failure of a rebuilt transmission at only 26,500 miles indicates a fundamental quality control or design deficiency in the rebuilt units Nissan is supplying to dealerships. Safety Concern: Sudden CVT failure causes immediate loss of propulsion and can result in loss of vehicle control. This is particularly hazardous on highways, in heavy traffic, and during adverse weather conditions. Given the pattern of premature failure in Nissan’s rebuilt CVT units, I believe this constitutes a safety defect affecting a population of vehicles and warrants investigation. I request that NHTSA investigate Nissan’s rebuilt CVT transmission program and the adequacy of Nissan’s response to known premature failures.
NHTSA complaint #11728892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
This statement is to the best of my knowledge. I was driving my 2015 Nissan Murano and when I was almost back to mine [XXX] house the transmission stopped working. I took it and had it towed over Gilman Nissan in Rosenberg. I have a warranty on it through endurance warranty company. They came and inspect the transmission. They indicated that the transmission fell, but also I know that Nissan recall these transmission on the CVT which is going out. The warranty company indicated that the CVT inside the transmission fell. Also, the alternator failed on the vehicle. They indicating that the all drip from somewhere on to the alternator was made. The alternator fail but I look on the website and I also noticed that if the alternator go out in these 2015 Nissan Murano it's messed up the transmission. So this need to be looking into and taking care cuz I believe they card not telling the real truth on what's going on with this transmission and the reason I couldn't get my car repaired because the mileage has already passed and I got mine recall letter real late INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11725576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
New leased 2025 Nissan Murano vehicle 7,386 miles with recent software upgrade by Nissan dealer, Keyport, New Jersey. As I accelerated from a complete stop, the vehicle experienced an unintended increased excessive speed acceleration and when I applied the brakes to slow the vehicle, the acceleration wouldn't stop knocking me back into my headrest hurting my neck and right ankle. I had to shut off the vehicle to stop it. I then proceeded to attempt restarting to exit the roadway safely and it failed to start keeping in the lane of traffic. A message displayed to update the vehicle software which I did immediately and was unable to restart during vehicle requested update. I put on my hazard lights remaining in the vehicle as snow banks covered each side of the road and it wasn't safe to exit my vehicle with traffic and ice conditions. I was put into a situation where I could not exit the roadway and vehicles were approaching my rear as I was in a single lane roadway with traffic had going around me when safe to pass. After the upgrade I attempted to restart the vehicle and it would not until I opened the door and reapplied the brake pedal realizing that moment I injured my ankle pressing on the brakes so hard to stop my speeding vehicle. It did finally start after the 5th attempt afyer the software upgrade. After this event upon starting the vehicle I drove it off the roadway and the seats began to heat up hotter than tolerable and I could smell what seemed like burning plastic with the steering wheel heating up too hot to touch. I called Nissan and spoke with Angel in her servixe department to find out if there was any recalls or other vehicles with this issue and she didn't know. They confirmed they'll be be accepting my vehicle for service tomorrow morning Jan 30, 26' at 830 where I'll have Nissan roadside service take the vehicle into the dealership.
NHTSA complaint #11714325 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On Saturday, December 6, 2025 my [XXX] mother and I were driving back to my mom’s Saint Peters, Missouri home around 5:15 pm. I had just exited Missouri Highway 364 at Woodstone/Jungermann Road. I turned right onto Woodstone and heard a thud/clunk. Never heard that sound before. One hundred yards later, the 2015 Murano stopped accelerating right in the middle of the road. I put it in Park, Neutral and then Drive. Nothing. The vehicle wouldn’t go forward. It did engage in Reverse so I was able to back it to the side of road and out of the line of traffic. I again put the vehicle in Park, Neutral and then Drive. The vehicle wouldn’t go forward. I went back to the cargo area to retrieve my purse so I could access my AAA card and have the vehicle towed (first time in 50 years of driving I had to have a vehicle towed). I tried again to put the vehicle in Drive and it did engage this time and I was able to drive it the three to four miles to my mom’s house. Had the sudden loss of power happened ONE MINUTE before on the highway, the outcome would have been much different. It upsets me even now to think what could have occurred if the Murano suddenly stopped in the middle of the highway. I was in the second lane of the highway and could not get to the side of the highway. I would not be able to abandon the vehicle in the middle of the dark highway since my mom would not be able to exit it without her wheelchair and there was a high probability we would have gotten struck by other vehicles and/or caused a major pile up behind us. I took it to the local Nissan dealer and they confirmed the CVT transmission went out in the 2015 Murano with 131,000 miles. What makes me even more upset is that it is a KNOWN defect on the CVT and has been for so long. My mom and I could have been killed on the highway since the vehicle stopped in the middle of it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11712482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On multiple occasions now the transmission has failed to switch gears causing the RPM's to stay elevated while no additional power has been created. This happens mostly on the highway at 55 to 60 mph but has also happened on side/back roads especially when changing elevation (up or down hill). The repair shop said it is throwing transmission repair codes and that this type of transmission is not worth fixing. They would simply need to order a new one from Nissan at between $7,500.00 to $8,500.00 dollars. Great money making scheme for Nissan. There are multiple complaints of this problem for the 2014 Murano and there are recalls on Nissan transmissions from other years. This seems to be a significant problem with the 2014 Murano as well and should be considered a recall situation for which Nissan is responsible.
NHTSA complaint #11708165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While accelerating there's a delay when pressing the gas pedal and then a surge in power with understeer causing dangerous lurching forward. Dangerous to merge into traffic and very unpredictable.
NHTSA complaint #11706871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Have noticed when turning a corner vehicle has some slight jerking motions before it picks up speed. Vehicle also has a whining/humming sound that it’s making somewhere in the transmission (CVT). I haven’t ever received a recall or CVT extended warranty about this vehicle before but I received this warranty in the mail last week 11-12-25..This warranty would have covered my problems with the vehicle but I was told it expired last year.. Why send it to me this year and it’s useless
NHTSA complaint #11700472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have done a lot of research on these Nissan Muranos and other Nissan models. There are recalls for this exact same issue on models 2015-2019 and I have a 2014. I have viewed many complaints and reviews that state owners also have problem with the CVT transmission. Mine is giving error messages and been acting up while on the interstate. It will jolt into 4 rpm and higher and stay there. This always happens on the interstate and has happened a few times on slower speed limit roads. Seems like the issue is mainly when the car is over 60mph on the interstate. It seems very dangerous and I know Nissan CVT transmission have been recalled. I only have 132,000 miles on my vehicle and many mechanics have told me that it should not be going out like this with this few miles.
NHTSA complaint #11681175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Transmission randomly at the blue stopped. The car has a CVT engine and I see that there’s a recall on it. I also received a letter in the mail stating that there was a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11675904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
[XXX] at 1378 miles received a malfunction warning light for lane departure. [XXX] at 1875 miles pulling out from my home to Railroad Street the engine started sounding really loud like a motorcycle engine and started to decelerate which could have caused an accident. Video was taken, vehicle was taken to Matt Bowers Nissan 7/11/25 and states issue could not be duplicated and that the engine noise is normal. Engine sounds really loud each time the vehicle is started and again was told by Service Technician Foreman Ken that he has seen similar vehicles with the same problem, and this is normal and preceded to tell me about other noises that I will here that is also normal. Here a sound like valves is tapping. New vehicle should be quiet, and this one is very noisy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11673023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle will not accelerate. I will drive it a few miles, and it will be just fine. I drive it more, and it will stall and not accelerate. In fact, on 6/30/25, I was getting on the highway and it wouldn't accelerate and 8 warning lights came on. It has a brand new battery, alternator, idle sensor, and throttle position sensor. My dad and grandpa both know a lot about cars, and they are at a loss.
NHTSA complaint #11671067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at 5 MPH, the vehicle shuddered, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle intermittently returned to normal functionality. The contact checked the transmission fluid and noticed the fluid was burnt and emitted a foul odor. The contact found metal shavings inside the transmission fluid pan. The contact who is a mechanic used a Thinkcar Scanner and retrieved DTC: P17F1. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure had progressively worsened, and the vehicle was no longer driven and remained parked at the residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.
NHTSA complaint #11668612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Error P17F1 Judder Code. This is a known issue and my VIN is not covered under a recall when this is a known issue due to the ongoing CVT transmission lawsuit.
NHTSA complaint #11663565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission started slipping. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 216,000.
NHTSA complaint #11660467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.