10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
95,768 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Nissan Murano drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2003 Nissan Murano Owner Comments (Page 2 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #69

Apr 092014

Murano 6-cyl

  • 93,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was hearing some really loud noises while accelerating in the last couple of days prior to the "stalling/no acceleration" issue that I experienced on April 9, 2014. I was driving on a busy expressway in rush hour traffic and the vehicle wouldn't accelerate or would hesitate for 5 seconds or so and then it would "kick" in, albeit slowly. The car is at the dealership right now.

- Troy, MI, USA

problem #68

Sep 072013

Murano 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
We were driving home (my daughter was driving) about 45mph, and the car made a whinning noise then the rpms were going up and down, then when she pushed on the gas the car did not accelerate. Got the car home and my husband said he would look at it. Every time we start the vehicle makes a horrible whinning noise. We were going to have it towed to get it checked out and in the matter of a few days a squirrel had gotten under the hood and ate the main wire casing. So we had it towed to woodmen Nissan in Colorado springs since we couldn't do anything until that was fixed because the car had no wiring. That was 9-21-2013. We got a call from woodmen niss that the part was on back order and would be awhile, well 12-21-2013 we finally get a call that the car is done and we could come get it. While we are waiting for a car, I googled transmission problems with 2003 niss Muranos and found the ext the warranty to 10yrs or 120K, well we are under the mileage but 1 1/2 months over time. We purchased from our brother in law who was the original owner. He and well as us, took very good care of the vehicle it was well maintained. Niss said there is nothing they can do since it is over the 10 yrs. I looked back at the records and the vehicle was taken in on several occasions for leaking transmission... I too believe Nissan should be responsible for a new transmission as it was a bad transmission and they knew it was bad. They are not willing to do anything.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #67

Nov 172013

Murano 6-cyl

  • 80,100 miles
My wife and I were traveling 55 miles an hour when the transmission stopped working in our 2003 Nissan Murano, jerking the car (and us), and leaving the vehicle paralyzed in night traffic in the fast lane. Several cars nearly hit us until we could safely steer the car to the shoulder. We were obviously scared to death and hurt from the abrupt stop. The vehicle would then only carry us about 1 mile an hour along the shoulder until we could get to safety. This vehicle only has 80,100 miles on the odometer (over a 10 year period.) it is very well cared for and maintained. We took it to the Nissan dealer (woodmen Nissan of Colorado springs) for repair, and are now told it needs a new transmission. They will charge us $3,600 plus tax for a rebuilt transmission. Nissan motor company, ltd is aware that it put defective transmissions in this model year, because it later extended its power train warranty (after consumer complaints) for this model to 120,000 miles or 10 years, whichever came first. Again, my vehicle has only 80,000 and just went over the 10 year mark. This product is unacceptable and nearly cost me and my wife our lives. Nissan's mistake is also now potentially costing us thousands of dollars to fix. I want Nissan to take care of this defect by replacing the transmission in our car. I have contacted it's customer care center and am now waiting for a response. It is solely Nissan's fault., and it's responsibility to repair. I have informed millions as a news anchor across the country over the past 18 years, and I now work as a free-lance journalist with two national news networks, I will share Nissan's response to my request with every living person in my sphere of influence through every avenue of broadcast and social media I possibly can. We will see if a company that put it's customers in defective, dangerous vehicles will do the right thing.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #66

Nov 042013

Murano 6-cyl

  • 84,985 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Loud banging noise, louder as I increase speed, new transmission 3/2013.

- Westfield , MA, USA

problem #65

Jul 112012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 86,000 miles
While driving on a major freeway I began to hear my cvt transmission making a loud winding noise that sounded like a turbine engine revving up and then my engine light came on. After I noticed something was wrong, the vehicle went from 65mph to 15mph during extremely heavy high speed traffic and then I was not able to accelerate which brought the vehicle to a complete stop on the freeway. The vehicle constantly does a bunny hop in heavy stop and go traffic which almost caused me to rear end another car because of the sudden surge of acceleration. This has been an ongoing issue since I purchased the car and is now becoming a serious safety issue.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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problem #64

Feb 152013

Murano 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
My wife was driving down our road when the transfer case on her 2003 Nissan Murano locked up and locked the back wheels spinning her into the ditch and sign post. She wasn't hurt. I did alot of research on the problem, and it turns out that Nissan knows there was defective tranny and transfer cases on the 03, and 04 Muranos. They even issued T.S.B.S to the dealers about the defect. My question is, why they aren't being held accountable to fix the problem" why no recall? isn't your job to make the auto makers make a safe product and when they don't, call them on their faults. I know that there are alot of Nissan owners like myself that are getting nowhere with Nissan. Our domestic auto makers have to live with recalls, why not Nissan"

- Phelps, WI, USA

problem #63

Apr 212013

Murano 6-cyl

  • 142,410 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving down a hill road, I decided to turn back, I performed a legal U turn and when I tried to reverse the accelerator would not perform its duty. I was going downhill and hit the dirt curb and almost went off the cliff if I had not pressed the emergency brakes. This is not the only incident. As I go on the freeway I am not able to accelerate from time to time because the step motor cannot perform its duty in making sure gears switch at a proper time. I went to a transmission expert and was told it was the step motor which affects the transmission. This part is in charge in making sure gears switch properly. I went online and I have seen that many people have issues with this same problem. I called a Nissan dealership and was told that since I had passed the 120K mileage mark they could no longer service my transmission within the warranty limits. This means I will have to pay out of pocket $2,140 for a new transmission not including labor.

- Cudahy, CA, USA

problem #62

Oct 282011

Murano 6-cyl

  • 115,245 miles
Vehicle hesitates and does a bunny hop randomly during stop and go traffic. Vehicle won't move at all you can have it floored, than all of a sudden it takes off. Took it to Nissan, they keep telling me its the transmission, which makes no sense since it only does it once in awhile. I finally decided to file a complaint because I was driving home the other day slowed down to get on interstate and car wouldn't go... almost got side swiped by a tractor trailer and rear ended by the guy behind me who assumed I was going. I have done some research, it does not seem like anyone really knows the cause and I am very perplexed as to the number of people having this issue yet no recall... I guess someone will have to die for this issue to be taken seriously, usually how things get done in the us.

- York, PA, USA

problem #61

Apr 102012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 115,300 miles
From a stopped position when accelerating vehicle doesn't move for a few seconds then engages and jolts forward. Been happening for about a year now. All fluids are regularly replaced and maintained on schedule. No idea what to do, it is a known problem so trade in value is very low. Not worth putting in a lot of money to repair as the vehicle is 10 yrs old now and 124500 miles. Toyota stepped up with their vehicles problems with trade in incentives or recalls why won't Nissan?

- Fitchburg, MA, USA

problem #60

Jun 012011

Murano

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose acceleration power while sitting in traffic. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure in the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current was 111,400.

- Pueblo West , CO, USA

problem #59

Mar 222013

Murano 6-cyl

  • 199,412 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am pulling into the freeway in daly city and the vehicle will not engage transmission. I cruised going 10mph for a mile before I had to pull over on the freeway. I turned the vehicle off and sat there thinking on how to get home. After 10-15 minutes, I decided to drive the vehicle off the freeway. I parked the vehicle in the street and noticed the vehicle had power. I drove it to my technician that evening. Owner of the shop said it was very common and lucky that I did not have my family in the vehicle. The vehicle never revved even though I was stepping on the gas pedal. I have a 13 month old daughter and would not like to think what could of happened if I was stuck in an intersection on a busy street. These cars should be recalled since there are plenty of these cases online. I would like my money back on the transfer case I had to replace and now the new transmission I will have to buy.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #58

Feb 142013

Murano 6-cyl

  • 123,909 miles
The Nissan dealer told us in January that there was a fluid pressure drop and wanted to replace seals for around $1,700. In February the dealer told us the transmission valve body needed to be replaced for $1,700 plus resetting the tcm for another $300. I believe Nissan knows full well there is a problem with this design and they need to issue a recall to fix these problems.

- Flower Mound, TX, USA

problem #57

Aug 112004

Murano 6-cyl

  • 34,000 miles
Initially, this car would stop in the middle of intersection and on the highway due to a faulty alternator. I almost got in an accident. The car would loss power and then take off and finally the car would stop on a busy highway. I almost got killed 3 times due the car stalling out on me. The transmission died on me 3 times. The first two times, I had only 20-30,000 miles. ( I purchased the car brand new). The very last time they replaced the transmission (costing me $6, 000) I had about 160,000 miles. Even after having Nissan replace the transmission 3 times, the car still stalls or shuts off while in motion. About a year ago, I had new cat converters installed, a new manifold and exhaust installed. It ran for about 6 months and now it is still stalling out and stopping (while in motion) me. This is very dangerous. Now Nissan thinks the crank shaft positioning is the cause of the problem but refuse to do it for free because the VIN# to my car is not listed with the rest of the 2003 Murano's (recall list). This I think is ridiculous. It seems to me that Nissan has alot problems with their older Murano's with regards to stalling, stopping suddenly while in motion. They seem to care less if the owners life is at risk. I have been dealing with these issues, since I first purchased the car. It is a piece of junk and it is an extreme hazard to drive on the highway.

- Cromwell, CT, USA

problem #56

Oct 122012

Murano

  • 105,000 miles
While driving the transmission in the car spontaneously downshifted. As a result of the transmission failure, the engine has had a rod failure. Nissan will not fix the car.

- Fidhers, IN, USA

problem #55

Oct 152012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 15 miles
Driving and engine shutoff!!!!!!! could not brake or accelerate !!!! was terrified as I was in middle of intersection making a left with two children in the back! tuned key to off and restarted. Nissan says there is a recall for this issue but my VIN does not fall under it please help.

- Sylmar, CA, USA

problem #54

Sep 152012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 89,002 miles
Pulled off interstate because transmission was not acting correctly. When I pulled of the interstate at the stop sign, I tried to apply the accelerator and car would not move. I was almost hit in the rear. Finally able to get car to parking lot. Had car towed to Nissan dealer for repair. Waiting on call for cost of repairs.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #53

Apr 202011

Murano 6-cyl

  • 89,000 miles
Was driving on a highway and heard thumping sounds from the engine. Slowed down towards the side and the noise started increasing. It sounded like someone hitting the engine with a sledge hammer. I parked the car on the side of the highway and looked under the hood and under the car. I saw something leaking. I got my car towed to the nearest dealer and they told me that it was my transfer case. Cost to fix was close to $5,000. I contacted Nissan for help and they informed me that they couldn't do anything. I asked if this problem was common and they replied no. I had the car fixed at my own expense and 14 months later the problem occurred again. Warranty was for 12 months or 12,000 miles which ever came first. I was over by 2 months but mileage was under. They quoted me additional $3,000 to fix. I can not believe that this car has not been recalled for this problem. The car is still at the mechanics because I am still in shock of being forced to pay $8,000 for the same problem and within a little over a year.

- Fort Lee, NJ, USA

problem #52

Jul 012012

Murano

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated to accelerate from stops. The vehicle rapidly jerked forward when it finally began to accelerate. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #51

Jun 212012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 162,000 miles
Vechicle abrubtly loss power in drive train while accelerating through busy cross section. Vechicle progressed no more than 10 miles while pulling off the road. Once the engine was turned off, vechicle would ignition did not have power, albeit all other power (windows, lights, etc..) was ok. Dealer says ABS control unit and transmission failure.

- Lisle , IL, USA

problem #50

Dec 072011

Murano

  • 82,000 miles
Cvt transmission fails to accelerate after driving at low speeds...ie like thru a parking area or while in heavy stop and go traffic. Than while pulling out in traffic will not not respond to the gas pedal while pressing down than it will suddenly surge and rapidly accelerate. I can not safely send my wife or daughter out in this car. Had it back to the dealer many times the transfer case for the AWD was replaced some time back when it cracked. But the cvt acted up occasionally long before that.!! this is a serious safety issue and should be a recall to repair these transmissions.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

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