WORST Nissan Murano Years To Avoid, as per Real Owner Complaints

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David Lawrence

When thinking about a Nissan Murano, it’s important to know which model years to avoid which might give you more trouble than they’re worth.

The 2004, 2005, 2011, and 2015 models have a bad reputation for transmission problems and other big issues like soft brake pedals and even sunroofs that can explode. These problems can lead to expensive repairs and safety concerns.

Nissan Murano Years To Avoid

Before you decide to buy, knowing about these problematic years could save you from a bad experience.

So, which Murano years are a safer bet with fewer problems? Let’s look into it and find out.

Key Takeaways

  • Stay away from the 2004, 2009, 2011, and 2015 Murano models because they have major transmission problems.
  • The 2004 and 2006 models have expensive brake issues and faulty door handles.
  • The 2015 model has high repair costs for its transmission problems.
  • The 2004 Murano often has transmission failures around 160,000 miles.
  • Exploding sunroofs and problems with the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system have led to recalls and lawsuits.

Overview of Nissan Murano

The Nissan Murano, a midsize crossover SUV first introduced in 2002, is known for its stylish design and comfortable ride.

However, if you’re thinking about buying a used Murano, there are certain years you might want to avoid. Specifically, the 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2015 models have had a lot of problems with their transmissions.

Owners often report issues that can lead to expensive repairs and safety concerns. These transmission problems make it important to be cautious about choosing these particular years when buying a used Nissan Murano.

Common Murano Problems

When thinking about getting a Nissan Murano, you should be aware of some common problems. Many owners have reported issues like soft brake pedals, sun visors that don’t stay up, and problems with the sunroof.

The brake pedals often feel soft or spongy, which can make it harder to stop the car. The sun visors tend to fall down, blocking your view. There have also been cases of sunroofs exploding, which is a big safety risk.

Transmission problems are common too, making the ride rough and unreliable. Other issues include problems with the airbag system and gas spills because of clogs in the EVAP system. These recurring problems have led to many complaints, service bulletins, and recalls.

Model Years to Avoid

Certain years of the Nissan Murano are best avoided due to common problems and high repair costs.

For example, the 2004 model often has faulty door handles and expensive repairs.

The 2009 Murano had serious brake issues, leading to a recall and costly fixes.

The 2015 model suffers from major transmission problems, which are also expensive to repair.

The 2005, 2006, and 2007 models have issues like broken driver seats, steering problems, and electrical system failures.

Additionally, the 2011 Murano has reported transmission issues and many complaints from owners.

These troublesome years can result in significant headaches and expenses.

2004 Nissan Murano Issues

If you own a Nissan Murano, especially certain models, you might run into some serious problems that can be expensive and frustrating to deal with.

For example, the 2015 Murano often has transmission issues that can cost up to $4,000 to fix.

The 2009 model is known for having brake problems, which can also be pricey to repair.

The 2004 Murano has a common issue with faulty door handles, leading to many complaints.

Other frequent problems include issues with the power steering hose, which can cost around $420 to repair, and problems with the driver seat.

These issues can’t only drain your wallet but also make your car less reliable and affect your driving experience.

2005 Nissan Murano Issues

If you’re thinking about getting a Nissan Murano, there are some issues you should know about for certain years.

For the 2004 model, the door handle often breaks, and it costs about $200 to fix.

The 2005 model has problems with the driver seat breaking, which costs around $1,150 to repair.

The 2006 model has both steering issues and a broken seat, so it’s also a year to be cautious about.

The 2009 Murano has serious brake problems that can cost $2,430 to fix and might also have transmission issues.

Finally, the 2015 model is known for transmission problems that can cost as much as $4,000 to repair.

Being aware of these issues can help you avoid expensive repairs.

2006 Nissan Murano Issues

When looking at the Nissan Murano, there are six main issues you should know about from different model years. First, the 2004 Murano had a problem with the door handle that was expensive to fix.

Second, the 2009 model had serious brake issues, with repairs costing over $2,400.

The 2015 Murano had transmission problems that could cost up to $4,000 to repair. Some years also had engine issues that hurt how the car performed.

There were also problems with the power steering hose, which made the car harder to steer.

Lastly, various models had issues with the driver’s seat that affected both comfort and safety.

These problems show why you should be careful when considering certain years of the Nissan Murano.

2007 Nissan Murano Issues

Looking into the main problems with different Nissan Murano model years shows some serious concerns for potential buyers. For example, the 2004 model has issues with faulty door handles, with 650 complaints. The 2005 Murano is known for broken driver seats, with 952 complaints. The 2006 model year has many steering problems, making it a risky choice. The 2007 Murano has 667 complaints, indicating various issues. Most importantly, the 2015 Murano has significant transmission problems.

Model Year Major Issue Number of Complaints
2004 Faulty door handle 650
2005 Broken driver seat 952
2006 Steering problems N/A
2015 Transmission problems N/A

These problems make certain Nissan Murano model years troublesome.

2009 Nissan Murano Issues

Looking at the common problems with the Nissan Murano, there are some important issues to keep in mind:

  1. Transmission Problems: Models from 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2015 often have serious transmission issues. These can be expensive to fix and happen quite often.
  2. Faulty Door Handle: The 2004 Nissan Murano often has problems with its door handle, which can be annoying and might even be a safety concern.
  3. Lots of Complaints: The 2007 Murano has received a lot of complaints, showing that many owners weren’t happy with it.

These points show why it’s important to check out specific model years carefully before buying a Nissan Murano. Knowing these common problems can help you make a better choice and avoid future issues.

2015 Nissan Murano Issues

Some years of the Nissan Murano have specific problems that make them less attractive to buyers. The 2004 Murano often has faulty door handles, which cost around $200 to fix.

The 2005 model is known for having broken driver seats, with repairs costing about $1,150.

For the 2006 Murano, both steering issues and broken driver seats are common problems.

The 2009 Murano has serious brake issues that can cost up to $2,430 to repair.

Lastly, the 2015 Murano has transmission problems, with repair costs reaching $4,000.

These issues are important to consider if you’re thinking about buying one of these specific years of the Nissan Murano.

Problematic Murano Components

When thinking about buying a Nissan Murano, it’s important to know which parts often cause trouble in different model years. Knowing this can help you avoid future hassles and expensive repairs.

  1. 2004 Model: This year is known for having bad door handles, which can be pricey to fix.
  2. 2007 Model: Stay away from this model because it often has transmission problems, which can be both common and costly.
  3. 2011 Model: This year has issues with the power steering hose and the driver’s seat, which can affect comfort and safety.

Even the 2015 Murano has serious transmission problems and high repair costs. These tips on which Murano years to avoid show why it’s important to do your homework before buying.

Transmission Problems

Transmission problems have been a common issue in several Nissan Murano models, making them less reliable and costly to fix. The 2004 and 2005 models are especially known for their transmission failures, with the 2004 model often having issues around 160,000 miles.

The 2011 model also has many complaints about transmission troubles. The 2015 Nissan Murano has similar problems, which hurts its reliability too. These transmission issues can lead to expensive repairs and frequent trips to the mechanic.

If you’re thinking about getting a Nissan Murano, it’s wise to avoid the 2004, 2005, 2011, and 2015 models to save yourself from potential problems and high costs.

Brake Issues

If you’re thinking about getting a 2009 or 2010 Nissan Murano, know that these models often have brake pedal problems. These issues raised serious safety concerns and could be expensive to fix, sometimes costing as much as $2,430.

Plus, the 2009 model had brake system recalls, which shows how serious the problem was.

Recurring Brake Pedal Problems

The 2009-2010 Nissan Murano models have a reputation for ongoing brake pedal problems, including soft and spongy pedals that make driving unsafe. These issues have led to many recalls and serious safety concerns. If you’re thinking about buying a Nissan Murano from these years, it’s better to steer clear because of the high risk of brake problems.

Key issues include:

  1. Soft Brake Pedal: Owners have reported a squishy feel, making it hard to stop the car effectively.
  2. High Repair Costs: Fixing these brake problems could cost around $2,430.
  3. Safety Concerns: Poor brake performance poses serious safety risks.

Always do a thorough inspection before buying to spot any brake pedal issues in these model years.

Brake System Recalls

When looking at a used Nissan Murano, it’s crucial to know about brake system recalls for the 2009 and 2010 models because of serious safety issues.

The 2009 Nissan Murano had major brake problems, including reports of soft brake pedals, raising big safety concerns. These recalls show the risks tied to these model years, making them ones to avoid.

Fixing these brake problems often came with a high price tag, with repairs for the 2009 Murano’s brakes costing around $2,430.

Costly Brake Repairs

Steer clear of the 2009 and 2010 Nissan Murano models because of the expensive brake repairs that many owners report. These models are known for having brake problems, with lots of owners complaining about soft and spongy brake pedals, which are a big safety risk.

The 2009 Murano, especially, has brake issues that lead to costly repairs, averaging around $2,430.

Here are the main reasons to avoid the 2009-2010 Murano models:

  1. Ongoing brake problems: Repairs often don’t fix the safety issues.
  2. High repair costs: Brake repairs can cost about $2,430 on average.
  3. Safety risks: Soft and spongy brake pedals make driving unsafe.

Avoid these years to dodge these expensive and risky problems.

Interior Accessory Failures

The Nissan Murano has a lot going for it, but issues with interior accessories can really hurt its appeal.

Many early models have had problems with the sun visors and seat adjusters. The sun visors tend to wear out and stop working properly, which can be inconvenient and even dangerous. The seat adjusters can also break, making it uncomfortable to sit in the car.

These ongoing issues with the sun visors and seat adjusters mean you should be careful if you’re thinking about buying an older model. Fixing these problems is important for keeping the car comfortable and safe.

Legal Issues and Recalls

When thinking about getting a Nissan Murano, it’s important to know about some major legal issues and recalls.

There have been lawsuits about problems with the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system and sunroofs that can explode.

Recently, there have been recalls due to fire risks from ABS actuator pumps and brake fluid leaks.

There was also a big recall for 3.8 million vehicles because of faulty occupant classification systems (OCS), which has led to ongoing safety worries and legal problems.

Class-Action Lawsuits

Nissan Murano owners have faced several lawsuits because of ongoing problems with the AEB system, sunroof defects, and other major safety concerns. These lawsuits point out important issues you should know about:

  1. AEB Problems: Cases like Kemp v. Nissan and Bashaw v. Nissan focus on the Automatic Emergency Braking system not working properly.
  2. Sunroof Issues: Legal actions like Janelle Horne v. Nissan have been filed because sunroofs are allegedly exploding.
  3. Safety Concerns: Lawsuits also address the faulty ABS actuator pump, which can lead to fires, and the defective Occupant Classification System, which can cause airbag issues.

If you’re thinking about getting a Nissan Murano, these lawsuits are important to understand, as they affect various model years.

Recall Campaigns

Over the years, several recall campaigns have brought to light major safety issues with the Nissan Murano, affecting its reputation and reliability. These recalls have led to class-action lawsuits, with problems including forward emergency braking malfunctions, defective airbag systems due to faulty Occupant Classification Systems (OCS), and ABS actuator pumps that posed serious fire risks.

Here’s a quick look at the main recall issues:

Issue Impact
Forward Emergency Braking Safety concerns
ABS Actuator Pump Fire risks
Occupant Classification Systems (OCS) Airbag malfunctions

These recalls not only highlight important safety problems but also raise concerns about Nissan’s transparency and reliability in fixing these issues.

Reliable Murano Model Years

If you’re looking for a reliable Nissan Murano, consider the 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016-2019 models. These years are known for their solid performance and fewer issues.

Here’s what you should do to find a reliable Nissan Murano:

  1. Look for Murano models from these years to get the best mix of cost and reliability.
  2. Search local listings for a ‘Murano for sale near you’ to find these dependable options.
  3. Compare features and prices among these Murano model years to pick the best one for you.

With a careful choice, you can get one of the most reliable Nissan SUVs around.

When looking at performance cars, make sure to check out our guides on models like the Nissan Murano, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Sentra and Nissan Titan. Knowing which model years to target and which to avoid is crucial. Our expert reviews break down these models, providing insights into the years that are celebrated for their engineering excellence and driving satisfaction, as well as those that are best to avoid due to potential issues.

Conclusion

If you’re thinking about getting a Nissan Murano, it’s best to avoid the 2004, 2005, 2011, and 2015 models. These years are known for problems like transmission failures and soft brake pedals, which can be a real headache.

Instead, consider models from 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2016-2019. These are much more reliable and will give you a smoother, worry-free drive.

Make a smart choice to ensure your car is dependable and your ride is enjoyable.

About the author
David Lawrence
David grew up among mechanics and off-road enthusiasts, gaining deep knowledge in car mods, off-roading techniques, and automotive engineering, making him a trusted 4x4 expert.

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