NHTSA recalls, safety ratings, and consumer complaints for the 2003 Nissan Murano.
| Overall Rating | Not Rated |
| Frontal Crash | Not Rated |
| Side Crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover |
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
NISSAN IS RECALLING 362,891 MY 2003-2007 MURANO VEHICLES. THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS, WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERMEDIATE RESONATOR IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE, MAY SEPARATE FROM THE RESONATOR WITH ENGINE MOVEMENT. THIS SEPARATION OCCURS DUE TO THE PREMATURE AGING OF THE MATERIAL USED IN THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS WHICH CAUSES EXCESSIVE SHRINKING.
Consequence: ENGINE MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE/REPAIR THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, THE WEBBING OF A REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT MAY CONTACT THE REAR SEAT BACK HINGE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE HINGE.
Consequence: IF THE WEBBING IS COMPLETELY SEPARATED, IT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTORS OVER THE WEBBING OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGER WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL IMMEDIATELY COME ON AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE. AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL GO INTO A "FALL SAFE" CONDITION WHICH WILL LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and restarted however, after driving for several miles, the failure recurred. The contact pulled over to side of the roadway and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle and slowly drove to the residence. The contact stated that the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.
Rusting excessively
ABS STAYS ON THEN THE (BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL IMMEDIATELY COME AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL GO INTO A "FALL SAFE" CONDITION WHICH WILL LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING AND TURN OFF ON ME. ALSO MY SUBFRAME IS ROTTEN AND IS NOW DISCONNECTED THE MECHANIC QUOTED ME $2,600 TO REPAIR JUS THE SUBFREAME.
REAR SUBFRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED CANT BELIEVE NISSAN USED SUCH CHEAP STEEL
While driving down the highway with my infant child the vehicle lost power I could not accelerate went from 75mph to a struggling 5mph. No matter how far I pressed the gas pedal there was no acceleration no revving of engine just complete nothing just pure panic. I was able to pull off to the side of the freeway in a not so safe place however I had no choice. I out hazard lights on and turned off the car. After waiting approx 5 min. I attempted to start car to no avail. The battery light as well as abs light stayed on. I again waited for another 5 -10 min and tried again nothing but same warning lights. I eventually had to wait for approx 45-_60 min when it finally started however I was only allowed to go no fastethan 5 mph. I was able to exit freeway where I parked car for several hours and walked home. Upon retrieving vehicle it still had same results. I drove home @ 5mph. I took car in for repairs and was told I needed a new battery wiring harness. I had that ordered a d repaired. Car drove home just fine however the following day the same incident occurred. Took car back in and was told I needed a new alternator which I replaced. However the following day the same thing occurred. Upon driving car back to a major dealership to notify them of the same problem, however once in their parking lot the mechanic attempted to drive car into the service bay and car wouldn't start. Immediately the mechanic said " oh you hear that clicking sound?" " That's the starter you need a new one". I once again had them service my car and put in a new starter.Yet once again the following day the same problem. In all these occurrences the car had just out of no where with no warning lost power leaving my children and I in a potentially dangerous situation multiple times. The vehicle has been parked in my garage. I can't afford replacing parts just to have the same incident. As far as dates go there were multiple dates that the vehicle stalled on me and had no acceleration.
The 2003 Nissan Murano has 6 NHTSA recalls and 799 consumer complaints on file. It received an overall safety rating of Not Rated out of 5 stars in NHTSA crash testing. The high number of complaints suggests potential reliability concerns — review the complaint details above before purchasing. For the most detailed information about a specific vehicle, decode its VIN using our free decoder above.
Enter a specific VIN to get the full report — specs, recalls, safety ratings, complaints, investigations, and technical service bulletins.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A NEW VERSION WHICH HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF THE COIL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK, IN THE EVENT THAT A VEHICLE FRONT TIRE RUNS OVER A SMALL, SHARP OBJECT IN THE ROAD, CATCHES IT AND PROPELS IT TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IT MAY STRIKE AND PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence: A PUNCTURED TANK COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTORS IN FRONT OF THE TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE NUT THAT ATTACHES THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR SHAFT TO THE CONTROL VALVE LEVER IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRANSMISSION NOT ACTUALLY BEING IN THE GEAR INDICATED BY THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION POSITION DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY NOT BE ON OR MAY BE INCORRECT.
Consequence: IF THE GEAR DISPLAYED IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GEAR ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE AFFECTED NUT IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER LINKAGE, AND TIGHTEN IT IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
WHILE DRIVING I LOST ALL POWER FOR THE MOTOR AND HAD TO HAVE TO BATTERY REPLACED CUZ LOST ALL POWER
WHILE DRIVING THE MURANO IT SLOWED DOWN AND WOULDN'T GO ABOVE 20MPH. AFTER ABOUT A MILE IT JUST STOPPED RUNNING & WOULDN'T CRANK BACK UP. ALL THE FLUIDS WERE AT THE RIGHT LEVELS. TOOK IT TO A JOHNNY'S MECHANIC SHOP & THEY SAID IT WAS THE ENGINE.
THE CAR KEEPS ON SHUTTING OFF ON ME THE MOTOR AND WAS CAUSED A BIG ACCIDENT
WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF 2003 NISSAN MURANO; IT HAS ONLY 92K MILES, IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WELL MAINTAINED. THE REAR WHEELS JUST STARTED TILTING INWARD AT THE TOP; A MECHANIC IDENTIFIED THE REAR SUBFRAME AND SUSPENSION WAS ROTTING, AND ADVISED THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO WORSEN UNTIL THE BACK END OF THE VEHICLE JUST COLLAPSES. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. NISSAN IS IGNORING IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT (THEY USED CRAPPY STEEL), THAT IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY HAZARD, AND IT SHOULD BE FIXED BY THEM. SEARCHING ONLINE REVEALS MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME ISSUE, MANY JUST RECENTLY MADE, AND AS A CONSUMER IT IS VERY UNFAIR TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON A NEW VEHICLE AND KEEP IT NICE AND FULLY FUNCTIONAL, EXPECTING IT TO LAST FOR A FEW MORE YEARS TO COME, TO SURPRISINGLY HAVE THE SUBFRAME FAIL ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN TWENTY YEARS OLD AND NOT EVEN AT 100,000 MILES.
DURING THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS IN THE PHOENIX ARIZONA AREA I'VE EXPERIENCED HESITATION (ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC) WHEN EITHER MOVING SLOWLY ALONG OR TRAFFIC PICKS UP OR TURNING AND I HAVE TO MASH HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR, SOMETIMES 2-4 TIMES!!! THIS IS FRIGHTENING !! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AS I'VE CHECKED FILTERS, GAS, INTAKE? AND ASKED MECHANIC ???
THE CAR IS STALLING WHEN I STOP WHINING REAL BAD
DRIVER SEAT REAR METAL SUPPORT FRAME BROKEN. I NOTICED WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN THAT THE SEAT WAS SHIFTING. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICE THAT THE DRIVER SEAT LEFT REAR SEAT SUPPORT FRAME BROKEN.
THE CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE FREEWAY . ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH . IT DID IT SUDDENLY I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OVER .I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH WHILE THE A/C WAS BLOWING IT COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED
DRIVER SIDE SEAT GOES SIDEWAYS/I HAVE I HAVE REPLACED THE OUTPUT SHAFT SEAL 4 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS [KEEPS LEAKING]
MY 2003 MURANO SE/SL AAWHEN I FIRST START THE ENGINE IT MAKES A SOUND LIKE IT HAS NO OIL OR ENGINE IS CHOKING BUT ITS STARTS BUT IF ENGINE IS IDLING FOR 5 MINS OR SO ITS SHUT OFF BUT I CAN START IT AGAIN BUT AFTER WHEN IM DRIVING ENGINE JUST DIES OFF AMD WONT START AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. THAT PROBLEMS HAS BEEN GOING ON CONSTANTLY WHEN IM ON THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN OR BY MYSELF LAST WEEK I WAS DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL AND I WAS WAITING TO TURN LEFT AND ONCE I WAS TURNING MY MURANO DIED OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD LUCKILY THE ON COMING TRAFFIC HAD A RED LIGHT SO I HAD A CHANCE TO PUSH IT OF THE INTERSECTION, ONE OTHER TIME I WAS PICKING UP DINNER AMD ENGINE JUST DIED OFF ON ME WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN AND GEAR COULDNT BE RELEASED OF DRIVE AND KEY WOULDN'T TURN EITHER SOME HOW WHILE I WAS JERKING THE KEY I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT TO PARK AND KEY WAS RELEASED THAT TIME I WAS LUCKY ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPPED NEXT TO ME AND TURN THEIR EMERGENCY HAZARD LIGHT BECAUSE MY CAR SEEMED LIKE THE VEHICLE WASNT RESPONDING AT ALL NOT EVEN JUMP STARTING WORKED AND AFTER 20 25 MIMS IT JUST STARTED AGAING . IVE ALREADY FIXED THE FAULTY CODE BUT IT STILL DOES IT AND NOW THE CAM AND CRANK SHAFT CODES APPEARED
Showing 15 of 799 complaints