2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,936 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Nissan Murano Owner Comments (Page 5 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #77

Oct 102008

Murano

  • 67,393 miles

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

There are two problems with the car that seem to keep happening over and over again, broken boot struts, but the major is with the acceleration/cvt system. It all of a sudden gives no gas when you push and then surges forward at a high speed which is very very dangerous- after reading many others posts it seems that this is a very common problem for the 03' Murano, for a vehicle that has a little over 65,000 miles just had the major 60K service done and has had all regular service visits by dealer and I am very concerned for my safety and this definitely seems like a recall problem- replaced crankshaft position sensors, sensor asm, camshaft, gasket sill ring rubb, O rings, etc.

- Delmar, MD, USA

problem #76

Sep 182008

Murano 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact noticed transmission fluid leaking from the transfer case. He had not noticed any issues, such as difficulty shifting. The dealer stated that the transfer case inner seal needed to be replaced. He spoke with the manufacturer who started a case and stated that they would get back to him with the resolution. The current mileage was approximately 49,700 and failure mileage was approximately 49,000. Updated 11/12/08 updated 11/13/08.

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #75

Oct 072007

Murano

  • 105,000 miles
After driving the car for about 30 min or so every time I step on the accelerator pedal the car is delayed in moving. In addition every time I drive the car I lose power. The check engine light comes on and the car slows to a crawl and stops. I will then have to coast the car off to the side of the road. Wait a few min and then restart. This is very scary every time I try to make left hand turns. Other times I am driving it just will not move for a long 5 to 8 sec delay. Cars coming at me in at any speed have almost hit me. There were no warnings prior the stalling. This happens every single time I drive the car. I read there was a NHTSA recall# 03V455000. The throttle body 3 times, transmission 2 times. Motor mounts and a host of other parts. Let's see oh yeah the tcm twice. Valve body replaced. Miles at 105,000. I have spent over $900 plus. The dealership I bought it from won't take it back. At this point I just want out of this car. Could anyone help me?

- Encino, CA, USA

problem #74

Jan 102008

Murano

  • 85,000 miles

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

I own a 2003 Murano and have had problems with transmission that the dealer lied to me about. As I was pulling into traffic the car jerked after pressing the accelerator and jumped in the road which proved to be very dangerous. This is a common problem with this vehicle and Nissan should recall it. I spent over $4500 to repair this. It is a factory defect that never was addressed. The poor consumer thinking they are buying a decent car at over 36K dollars is buying a piece of crap. This is a safety issue that should be addressed by the company or the federal Agency that governs the quality of a product being sold in this country.

- West Springfield, MA, USA

problem #73

May 152008

Murano

  • 135,000 miles
When in traffic under appx 10 mph, you accelerate and it does nothing, then suddenly takes off. You don't know when it is going to happen. It is very random and once it starts doing it, it keeps doing it until you stop the engine and restart the car. I have to pull out on a busy street in the afternoon, and have almost been hit. I have taken it to two Nissan dealerships and all they do is say it is a vacuum line. They said I needed new motor mounts to keep the engine stable so that they won't get loose. I had them replaced and it did not fix the problem. The problem does not throw an error code, so no one, including a very reputable auto repair garage, can fix it. We have even started guessing what the problem might be, ie, fuel injectors - had them cleaned - no change. I have now spent almost $3K and I still have the same problem. Nissan tells me that there is a recall, but not for my serial number. I have been dealing with this since about May.

- Gunter, TX, USA

problem #72

Oct 082008

Murano

  • 100,000 miles
My 2003 Murano is now clocking 133,000 miles. I notice a problem within the last 20,000 miles whenever I get stuck in stop and go traffic. I would step on the gas and nothing would happen for a few seconds and suddenly it takes off. I had to slam on my brake to prevent smacking into the car in front. This problem continues throughout the stop and go traffic ordeal. My dealer informed me that he is not aware of this problem and suggested a transmission service. This problem has continued but always after driving the car for a while or when I am in stop and go traffic. This is a safety issue. I understand from the dealer that it is a pressure sensor problem that is typical for model that I have. The problem is the cost repair is half of the value of the car.

- Cypress, TX, USA

problem #71

Sep 012008

Murano

  • 105,000 miles

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

Transmission problems with 2003 Nissan Muranos. Very widespread. Car needs new valve body and possibly new transmission. Up to $7000 to fix cars that may only be worth twice that.

- Henderson, MN, USA

problem #70

Aug 152008

Murano

  • 83,227 miles
2003 Nissan Murano-stalling out and barely going-took to local mec. And he replaced mass air flow sensor @ approximate 83,227miles. This problem started after the Murano was in the gray daniels Nissan shop here in jackson, ms for air filter and brake work. No help from them ; just my problem. Well I will voice my thoughts to everyone on not buying a Nissan. Edmonds has many complaints about this problem. Just another take your money with no service. Wkp

- Madison, MS, USA

problem #69

Apr 182007

Murano

  • 98,000 miles
During acceleration the vehicle will stall and the motor will rev to around 3 to 4000 RPM. Then instantly grab and jump down the road. It does this every few weeks for a extended amount of time... recently took a 100 mile trip, half way through the trip the problem started and continued for the remainder of the trip. On the way back the same day it no longer had the problem.

- Defiance, MO, USA

problem #68

Aug 132008

Murano

  • 70,000 miles
2003 Nissan Murano is failing at 70,000 miles. The car is jolting when the accelerator is pressed. Check engine light comes on. This apparently is happening to tens of thousands of Murano owners around the same mileage. It is a wonder that Nissan ends the warranty at 60,000 miles. They are neglecting the problem and should be recalling their product!

- Houton, TX, USA

problem #67

Nov 102007

Murano

  • 109,000 miles

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

After driving the car for about 30 min. Everytime I step on the gas there is a 4 to 6 second delay on acceleration. I have talked with the dealer and have taken it to their repair shop and at 1st it goes away ( after I get the car back) only to come back. I have stopped trying to make left hand turns, just cause it is so dangerous. The shop that I was directed to take the car to( by the dealership) from time to time would tell me that he would not fix the car or that I needed to get a different car. He would say that the car is a piece of junk or that he would not fix it. This has been going on for over one year.

- Encino, CA, USA

problem #66

Sep 042008

Murano

  • 60,000 miles
Purchased this vehicle with 20,000 miles on it, kept well maintained, drove 90% highway miles mostly commuting to care for elderly person. Front struts leaked and failed without warning at approx 60,000 miles, then had loss of power, transmission/driveshaft began "howling noise" and we could smell faint oil smell, took to dealer were told it was the transmission valve body which they fixed under warranty, that they could detect no oil smell or source for same, and that cvt howl was just the normal sounds of that type of transmission. We specifically asked whether there are any known problems or failures with drivetrain assemble components, because we heard of many other strut failures by Murano owners after our struts failed prematurely. We were told there were no reports of any trouble, not to worry about it. The howl never went away, and the oil smell came and went. Sept. 4, we pulled out of our driveway drove about 50 yards down the street and hear a horrible thumping noise, like a flat drive, we stopped immediately and checked, no flat tire. We started the car again and drove a few feet, same noise. We parked the car and had it towed to dealer. We are told the transfer case "grenaded" that we must have been driving it hard (we were going about 10 mph), that it would be $4000 to repair! the tech asked if we had been hearing any unusual noises before the failure, we told him we had, and we had reported it to the dealer when it was under warranty, but they refused to help with the repair costs. I checked on the internet and spent 6 hours reading thousands of similar transfer case failure stories on Muranos with all levels of mileage on them, many had been told, like we were, that warning signs were nothing when their vehicles were still under warranty. The dealer also tried to charge us $2800 for the part, which we found for $1518 from another Nissan dealer. This is a known problem, has caused vehicles to stop in traffic and should be a recall defect. Thank you

- Edgerton, WI, USA

problem #65

Aug 282008

Murano

  • 84,000 miles
My Murano has a loss of power after sitting in traffic. After stopped in traffic, I press the gas pedal and the car doesn't move for about 6 or 7 seconds. Then it takes off quickly. This dangerous because someone may hit me from behind when the light turns green and the Murano doesn't go. Nissan dealer says the car doesn't show any failure codes, but thinks the transmission needs replacing. 84,000 miles.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #64

Jul 302008

Murano

  • 80,000 miles
Failure involves loss of power when the gas pedal is depressed. This problem occurs after car is warmed up and then put in a stop and go driving environment (heavy city traffic). Car will lurch forward, but only after pedal is depressed close to the half way point. This obviously is a dangerous situation and I have so far avoided accident by allowing distance between myself and the car in front. Problem occurs 70-80% of time aforementioned circumstances are present. Nissan dealer says problem would be very difficult to diagnose because no warning light appears on dashboard.

- Raritan, NJ, USA

problem #63

Aug 222008

Murano

  • 69,844 miles
Complete transmission failure at 69,000 miles on 2003 Nissan Murano. Fortunately failure occurred in a parking lot.

- Lakeville, MN, USA

problem #62

Aug 212008

Murano

  • 61,000 miles
At about 61,000 miles, my 2003 Murano (bought new in 2004) began hesitating when I accelerate from a stop in traffic. This occurs everytime I'm in stop-and-go traffic for about 10 minutes. When I press on the gas, the car doesn't move and then a few seconds later surges. It's very scary, especially when trying to turn left in traffic. Very dangerous. I've seen many similar complaints. I have not yet brought it into the dealership.

- Denton, TX, USA

problem #61

Aug 212008

Murano

  • 55,000 miles
Engine periodically hesitates, sometimes severely, upon acceleration from a complete stop. Usually when engine is warm, after stop and go traffic. Had it into dealer while still under warranty but they said they could not identify the problem. Car is now out of warranty, problem is worse. Now they say it is valve body assembly of Nissan cvt transmission. Cost is $2100 for repair.

- Orange, CA, USA

problem #60

Aug 172008

Murano

  • 61,000 miles
My 2003 Murano has been slowing to 35 - 40 mph on the freeway. I took it to the dealership and they say I need a new transmission for $5,500. My car has 61,000 miles on it. I am very disappointed with this vehicle. Rather than pay this, I am forced to trade it in for another vehicle which will put me upside down.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #59

Jul 262008

Murano

  • 95,000 miles
When driving home from work one day in stop and go traffic, car will hesitate a few seconds before accelerate slowly forward. This increase the risk of getting hit from the vehicle behind because the Murano simply would stand still for a few seconds when traffic light turns green and driver behind me expect the car to be moving. Car has only 95K miles, this is similar to the transmission issues other drivers have that Nissan wouldn't address or recall. I hope Nissan would stand behind their products and address this.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #58

Apr 112007

Murano

  • 92,000 miles
Nissan Murano transmission failure after 92,000.

- La Mirada, CA, USA

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