10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
103,889 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.

2004 Nissan Murano drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Nissan Murano Owner Comments (Page 4 of 5)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #28

Aug 012012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles

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

Delayed in acceleration. Faulty cvt transmission.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #27

Dec 172012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 119,800 miles
I was stopped at traffic light, when light turned green I began to accelerate. I began to smell burning thru air vents and then at about 40 mph the car would not respond to my acceleration of gas pedal. I had lost all power and control of vehicle. The car behind me had to swerve suddenly to avoid me and it almost caused a serious wreck with my 4 children inside. I had battery checked and alternator checked and was told alternator was bad. Well I replaced alternator and wouldn't you know it 2 weeks later, the same incident occurred, I was going about 35-40 mph and it just quit again. And again my 4 kids were inside as I was driving them to school! I've called to inquire about the recall for this issue and am told mine doesn't qualify. I've seen so many people with this issue. Why isn't it being addressed. Will it take having my 4 kids inside involved in an awful wreck? we need someone to help with this before something bad has to happen!!

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #26

Nov 232012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 59,200 miles
Driving to ct car dies in mid momentum and almost causes a serious accident. Fought to get over into the breakdown lane almost getting hit by a sixteen wheeler. After a $150 dollar tow the car starts up and I drove it to the dealer the next day. I was told that it was a cam position and cam shaft sensor. Total cost $650. Take car home two days later the surges started and the car starts sputtering again. Currently the car is at the dealer and I am being told that it might be a transmission issue on a car that does not have 60K on it. This is ridiculous how can Nissan allow these issues with the cvt go on with doing a recall. I mean I almost lost my life does it take someone to die before something happens.

- Hyde Park, MA, USA

problem #25

Oct 082012

Murano

  • 125,000 miles

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

As noted w all this complaints about this cvt, Nissan should have recalled this. Just paid almost 5 G for remanufactured transmission. It seems to me a lot of people got ripped off from this car, I hope your Agency can help from our losses and fear for this defective transmission.

- Brooksville, FL, USA

problem #24

Aug 012012

Murano

  • 134,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that the vehicle would not properly respond to acceleration attempts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that there was a failure with the transmission. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 134,000 and the current mileage was 134,300.

- Apple Valley, CA, USA

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problem #23

Sep 112010

Murano

  • 57,000 miles
I was driving my Murano and came to a stoplight when upon acceleration nothing happened. I have taken the car to the dealer several times about this and they have failed to fix the problem. It can be very dangerous if a car is approaching from behind and the car will not accelerate.

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #22

Apr 042012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 194,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that the vehicle would lose acceleration power sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer replaced the transmission fluid numerous times but the failure was not corrected. The failure would recur mostly when driving downhill and most recently, the vehicle would stall sporadically. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed, which located the failure as the transmission slipping and low pressure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 197,467. Updated 07/02/13 updated 7/31/13

- Foster , OR, USA

problem #21

Mar 262012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
Transfer case failed the first time around 75,000 miles when I was driving. Suddenly slowed down and hear loud bang noise. Noise continue as I coast the vehicle to a stop. Loud bang noise, and the vehicle would shake. Got it replace $3000. One year later at around 96,000 on 3/26/2012. It happen again. Same exact symptoms. Never buying a Nissan ever again. There is a service bulletin about it, so they are aware of the problem but yet they aren't doing anything about it. The extended cvt warranty does not cover the transfer case. Even though the transfer case is connected to the cvt.

- Somerset, NJ, USA

problem #20

Mar 142012

Murano

  • 63,000 miles
I have a 2004 Nissan Murano with only 63000 miles. I encountered a lack or decrease of power while driving at constant speed of 55mph. The engine was still on but the engine won't respond if I press on the pedal. And I had to slowly maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder while decelerating. Fortunately I had a chance to park the vehicle to the side of the road. I turned of the car and waited a minute and the car started back again but I notice a humming sound coming from the transmission especially when you let go of the gas pedal while driving. And I would say a 10 to 15% decrease of engine power when you try to accelerate compared before this incident happened. I hope this situation be fixed by Nissan before somebody gets hurt. Thank you for your time to listen to our concern. God bless.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #19

Mar 132012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 207,730 miles
When started a loud whine is heard and increases with engine speed. Upon initially accelerating after starting the vehicle will slow down to a crawl and not speed up even with pedal to the floor. Suddenly it will accelerate without warning while the whine changes in pitch. Then when you stop at a light it will not accelerate when the light turns green nearly causing people to run into the back of me. I almost didn't make it thought the light before it turned red. If you do get it going it will lose power without warning. This is an extremely dangerous situation to drive in. This behavior started after having the fluid changed at the dealership. I had the vehicle towed in and was told by the dealer that the belt was bad and the transmission needed to be replaced at a cost of $4268.55. It is obvious by Nissan doubling the factory warranty on these cvt's that they knew of a defect but chose not to issue a recall. It makes no sense to have to replace an entire transmission because of a part failure inside. This is a very poor design if it can not be repaired.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #18

Feb 102012

Murano

  • 76,144 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while attempting a right turn at 5 mph, there was a loud explosion and the transfer case failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the transfer case had failed. The failure and the current mileage was 76,144.

- Hutchinson, KS, USA

problem #17

Jan 032012

Murano 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
Complete transfer case failure with no warning whatsoever. Mechanic advised damage may be due to operating the AWD feature on dry pavement which did not and has not occurred. Nissan has extended the warranty on the cvt transmission to 10 years/120,000 miles but it's not clear whether this includes the transfer case. Adding to this doubt, when I google this problem it seems hundreds of Murano owners have been having the exact same dilemma with their vehicles of similar age/mileage. I contacted Nissan North America this morning but their computers were down and they were unable to help me at that time. Even so, the transfer case should not fail so catastrophically on a vehicle of this age/mileage that has been regularly maintained and driven gently. Obviously this is a fairly major component to just fail without warning. I'm just wondering how many people will need to report this before Nissan will recognize and resolve this serious safety problem.

- Cockeysville, MD, USA

problem #16

Jun 162010

Murano 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The differential/cvt transfer case is defective. Which requires you to have to replace the AWD system at a cost of $4-6000. It also cause the car to have steering problems as well. This issue also causes the vehicle to burn a significant amount of fuel which require premium gas.I have read numerous complaints on the web about the same problems other people are having. This causes unnecessary financial hardship as most people are still paying a car loan on this vehicle.

- Avon, MA, USA

problem #15

Aug 252011

Murano 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Vehicle will not accelerate when pushing gas pedal. This has happened multiple times but it occurs randomly. This is a dangerous, well-reported and well-known problem about which multitudes of Nissan owners have complained and blogged. Apparently, Nissan corrected the problem in 2005. They will back up the transmission up to 10 years/120,000 miles but only if it fails completely. Otherwise, as in my case, they will not pay for repairing transmission parts, although the cost is in the thousands of dollars.

- Villanova, PA, USA

problem #14

Nov 012011

Murano 6-cyl

  • 1,040,000 miles
My 2004 Nissan Murano has been leaking transmission fluid due to a leak in the transfer housing case and is putting out an error code P0868. It now speeds up - slows down - rev's up over 5,000 rpms while not having any power to pull. I have spoken to Nissan reps at 3 different dealerships and told them I smell smoke/burning oil coming from the engine. None of them would acknowledge anything. I recently took it to the 4th dealership and decided to spend the $75 to have it inspected and they agreed that it was leaking and has no pressure and told me that it was a design flaw but they couldn't do anything about it. The service manager took me over and showed me a brand new 2011 that had the same issue and they were putting in a new transmission due to the same issue. Unfortunately my warranty has now run out and they want over $7000 to replace the transmission - but they won't fix the leak unless I replace the transmission as they say they don't want me to come back upset. Well I'm upset because I've read over 100+ post with the same exact problem and I just know this thing is gonna lock up or speed up right in the middle of traffic and it should be Nissan's responsibility to admit this is a major problem with the design of the '03 and '04 transmission/transfer case and step up and fix the issue.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #13

Jun 122011

Murano 6-cyl

  • 143,000 miles
Transfer case fail.

- Katonah, NY, USA

problem #12

Nov 232010

Murano

  • 100,000 miles
Traveling on the interstate and in the process of passing a car in passing gear the power of the car stopped. We slowed down and afterthat everytime we would give it gas it would power down again. We took it to a Nissan dealer service center, they said it was an electronic throtle. They replaced that then in less than 30 days it did the exact same thing, took it back to Nissan they said it was the transmission, they replaced the valve covers, then in February on the way to Texas it did it again only this time it was much worse, it would power down and you could creeep to the edge on the highway. Very dangerous in that the power stops as you are driving in high traffic areas at the speed of 60-65. We left it at a Nissan dealership in grapevine Texas, they had it for a month and guaranteed that they found the problem, they said it was a flow valve. On the way back from Texas, (13 hour) drive it did the exact same thing and we had to have it towed to sante fe, nm. We have spent $3,000 at this point. Now I have contacted corporate Nissan, they have told us to go get the car they cannot find anything wrong. However Nissan knows that the transmissions are bad on these cars for they have extended the transmission warranty to 120,000. They refuse to replace the transmission saying that the computer will not justify the problem. Do we have to wait until we are in a car wreck because of this problem for anyone to do anythng? somone needs to make Nissan take responsibility for this! I have had my Murano in the shop for over 50 days total. We are told that now Nissan is sending a tech, that was last week, he still has not arrived. We are wanting to warn people who won Nissan to be aware.

- Pagosa Springs, CO, USA

problem #11

Oct 122010

Murano

  • 117,000 miles
Murano stopped during traffic while child and wife in car - determined was transfer case causing loud banging.

- Toronto, 00, USA

problem #10

Aug 252010

Murano

  • 109,000 miles
I have a 2004 Nissan Murano that has been exhibiting acceleration problems for about 2 years. When I press on the gas pedal the rpms increase but the car does not move, then after two to five seconds the car picks up speed rapidly. This problem is most noticeable in hot weather and when I am in stop-and-go traffic. Yesterday while driving I heard a loud clunk, the car decelerated quickly and resisted accelerating...I had to drive home at 15 mph and had the car towed to a garage this morning.

- Salt Lake City , UT, USA

problem #9

Mar 182010

Murano

  • 112,300 miles
1. design flaw 2. defective transfer case. This is the third time it has occurred in a two year period. 3. the first two times, Nissan replaced the defective part. I am still waiting for them to tell me what they will do as Nissan contends this is part is not included in their cvt transmission 120000 mile warranty, even though the part hooks into the transmission. This part transfers power from the transmission to the all wheel drive components. The vehicle is a 2004 Murano.

- Brier, WA, USA

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