Best and worst Nissan Murano years — which to avoid

Buying a used Nissan Murano gets a lot easier once you get to know the problematic model years. Even with the capable V6 engine and rugged structure, there have been some Nissan Murano years to avoid and we’ll show you the way around these in this guide.

Our team did its best to deliver verified information on the best Murano years and the worst ones to avoid by looking at official NHTSA reliability reports, complaint logs and recalls issued by Nissan. We also examined driver reviews and other sources as we’ll further explain in this guide, so tag along for dedicated buying advice.

Why you can trust REREV’s advice on which car model years to avoid: Our car experts look at official data, ask real drivers what they think, and talk to experienced mechanics to make sure our list is useful. This reliable info can make buying a car easier for you. Want to know how we do it? Find out more about our research methodology.

How we rated the best and worst Nissan Murano years

While evaluating the best and worst Nissan Murano years, we had a lot of work to do finding reputable sources of information and making sure everything was verified twice. That’s why didn’t experiment a lot and mainly put our focus on reliable sources and sites of prominent automotive safety organizations like NHTSA and their records on customer complaints and recalls.

We also wanted to hear from drivers through their testimonies reviews and ratings of the car by model year. All of that enabled us to pinpoint the exact years that had the most issues reported, which we also confirmed through Nissan Murano forum threads, so let’s take a closer look:

Most common Nissan Murano problems 

The Nissan Murano is undoubtedly bolder and more urban-oriented when discussing SUVs, and car users find it appealing due to its high safety and reliability records. But like every other model, the Nissan Murano has some common issues related to certain model years, so here’s an overview of those:

1. Engine mount failure

Some Nissan Murano models from 2003 to 2015 models have been reported with the problem of bad motor mount symptoms. Engine mounts are made of rubber, a material prone to wear and tear. As time goes on, the elasticity of the rubber reduces, and it can no longer function optimally.

When the car is in motion, a thumping sound will be heard or felt on the car’s floor. When there is a mount failure, the engine shakes more than it should, which can damage the machine, and in most cases, there will be a need for an engine replacement. 

Engine mount failure will not only affect the engine; the vibration from the damaged engine can also affect other car components like the radiator hoses and fan belts. 

2. CVT transmission problems 

One transmission problem is shudders at low RPM; the CVT transmission may begin to shake, resulting in poor acceleration when the vehicle’s engine runs at 1,000 RPMs, The 2015 Nissan Murano is the model with this problem mostly.

Also, the 2004 Nissan Murano’s automatic transmission experienced abrupt forward surge even when the driver applied a small amount of gas; the aftermath was a starting failure. Again, The transmission may fail to engage the first gear when you try to put the car in motion, even if pressing the gas pedal. People who drive the Nissan Murano 2009 model complain about this problem the most.

The CVT transmission problems start showing up when a 2004 Nissan Murano reaches the 160,000-mile mark. Poor fuel efficiency and intermittent power losses proceed with transmission failure. This issue is called transmission failure. 

3. Interior accessories issues

Nissan Murano also has interior accessories issues, especially the earlier models. Users complained about the sun visor of the Nissan Murano degenerating quickly, especially in cold areas. The sun visor doesn’t stay up, which will inconvenience the user; this issue can also threaten the user’s safety and should not be treated as a minor issue. 

Another interior accessories problem is a damaged seat adjuster assembly where the car seat screeches and wobbles back and forth, and this will discomfort the user to a great extent. 

Worst Nissan Murano years to avoid

The whole point of discussing the common problems of Murano as a model is to relate them to problematic model years worth avoiding. As your purchase decision draws near, you might be wondering – what are the worst Nissan Murano years?

The worst Nissan Murano years are 2005 and 2009, but we’d also warn you about purchasing any of the model years from this list:

• 2003
• 2004
• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2009
• 2015

To help you better understand why these should be avoided, here’s a detailed brief for each by generation model:

First-generation Nissan Murano (2003-2006 model years)

The 2004 Nissan Murano has body and paint issues – the rusting of the undercarriage and the peeling off of the chrome paint on the grills. The vehicle will appear old even when it is pretty new.

It also has issues with interior accessories, where the main complaint was the sun visor breaking easily and the power lock getting stuck frequently. The 2004 model year also had some severe engine-related issues including rough idling, oil leaks, vibrations due to bad motor mounts, or even increased emissions due to failed catalytic converters

The major problem with the 2005 model year is engine mount failure. A faulty engine mount makes the engine move resulting in strange noises, unusual vibrations, and engine damage. The engine needs to be secured to protect other components of the car. 

The 2006 model year has a faulty seat adjuster as its most enormous red flag. The seat will make a squeaky sound and move back and forth when the seat adjuster is defective, and this issue can prevent the seat from moving backward and forward or up and down. 

Second-generation Nissan Murano (2007-2009 model years)

Most complaints received about these model years are about the brakes. Some complained of a soft brake pedal and some nonfunctional ABS controllers.

This issue often starts when the car reaches about 90,950 miles and will cost about $2000 to fix. When you consider factors like mileage, repair cost, and severity, the issue of soft pedals is a very serious one. Electrical problems and transmission issues were also pretty common, so we’d advise against going for one of these two model years if you are looking for a used Murano.

Third-generation Nissan Murano (2015 model year)

One issue with the 2015 Nissan Murano is the CVT. A jerky motion is often noticed whenever the car is made to accelerate from a complete stop. It’s terrible that this problem can start at low mileage. Some car users even complain of abnormal acceleration from 10,000 miles. 

What are the best Nissan Murano years to buy?

Even though there were quite a few bad model years, not all of the Murano models have been so unreliable. In fact, there are some models that you should aim for when buying a used one, so here’s a full list:

• 2002
• 2013
• 2016
• 2019
• 2020
• 2021  

We’ll take a detailed look at these best model years as well to show you why these deserve your attention when buying:

2013 Nissan Murano

The 2013 Nissan Murano is one of the most dependable midsize crossover SUVs thanks to several fantastic features beyond just its looks. This variant had a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 260 horsepower. You can choose an all-wheel drive or a conventional front-wheel drive system, and the engine and transmission are coupled.

It’s one of the most reliable options based on driver reviews and deserves a place on the list of best second-gen Murano models.

2016 Nissan Murano

The 2016 Nissan Murano is yet another dependable version. This comfortable and adaptable midsize SUV is a fantastic option if you’re seeking a V6-powered crossover with a clean roof line and dramatic curves. Aside from its potent engine, the crossover SUV gets 24 mpg on average, which is better than other V6-powered SUVs.

Plus, it didn’t have any major issues with the engine or transmission, and it only had some minor issues with the brakes, interior accessories, and the electrical system.

Is the Nissan Murano worth buying?

The Nissan Murano is a pretty solid SUV if you avoid the years highlighted above. The SUV is ideal for buyers who prioritize fuel economy, style and comfort over practicality. While the Murano is not the most practical SUV on the road, it excels in terms of safety, refinement, and general appeal.

If you’re in the market for an SUV that can handle both your daily needs and occasional adventures, make sure to check our articles on Nissan Xterra years to avoid, Mitsubishi Outlander years to avoid, and Dodge Journey years to avoid. Our guides focus on pointing out the years that might be best to avoid, based on factors like reliability, common issues, and overall performance.