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2003 Nissan Murano

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Murano years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Murano are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

691 reports with mileage · 109 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 265 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 187 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

265 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · Jan 23, 2011
Power Train

NISSAN MUARANO 2003. WHEN HOT AND STOP AND GO, ACCELERATION CAN LAG BY 10 TO 30 SECONDS AFTER STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR PEDAL. VERY DANGEROUS. SEEMS TO BE A PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY WANT $3000 TO $5000 TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10378367

77,790 miles · Nov 27, 2010
Power Train

A WELL MAINTAINED NISSAN MURANO OF 7 YEARS STARTED MAKING LOUD THUMPING NOISES AFTER LESS THAN 78K MILES. OUR MECHANIC SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION RELATED ISSUES, WHICH OCCUR FREQUENTLY ON MURANO AND ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. NISSAN MECHANICS PINPOINTED A FAULTY TRANSFER CASE TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE…

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A WELL MAINTAINED NISSAN MURANO OF 7 YEARS STARTED MAKING LOUD THUMPING NOISES AFTER LESS THAN 78K MILES. OUR MECHANIC SUSPECTED TRANSMISSION RELATED ISSUES, WHICH OCCUR FREQUENTLY ON MURANO AND ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. NISSAN MECHANICS PINPOINTED A FAULTY TRANSFER CASE TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE. FURTHERMORE NISSAN INDICATED THAT IT WOULD BE TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED COMPLETELY DURING DRIVING, IT WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO COME TO AN IMMEDIATE HALT, WHICH IF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS HAZARD. SINCE THE TRANSFER CASE FAILURE WAS IMMINENT, IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2650. FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT TRANSFER CASE FAILURE IN MURANO IS COMMON, HOWEVER NISSAN HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS IT MAY CAUSE.

NHTSA ODI #10368772

114,000 miles · Nov 7, 2010
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MURANO. AT APPROXIMATELY 81,000 MILES I NOTICED A BURNING OIL SMELL AFTER DRIVING. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND THE TRANSFER CASE WAS OUT OF OIL. THE SERVICE DEPT. RESEALED THE TRANSFER CASE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. AT ABOUT 96,000 MILES I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT BEFORE END OF WARRANTY AND AGAIN THE TRA…

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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MURANO. AT APPROXIMATELY 81,000 MILES I NOTICED A BURNING OIL SMELL AFTER DRIVING. I HAD THE CAR CHECKED AND THE TRANSFER CASE WAS OUT OF OIL. THE SERVICE DEPT. RESEALED THE TRANSFER CASE UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. AT ABOUT 96,000 MILES I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED OUT BEFORE END OF WARRANTY AND AGAIN THE TRANSFER CASE LEAKED OUT THE OIL AND I HAD SERVICE ON TRANSFER CASE. THE SEALS HAD TO BE REDONE, ALSO UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE THE CAR IN NOW FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID FLUSH AND FILL AND BECAUSE I AM GETTING A STRANGE TICKING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING. NOTIFIED THAT CVT FLUID LEAKING ONTO OUTSIDE OF TRANSFER CASE. NEEDS TRANSMISSION SEAL REDONE. OVER $2000. I AM GETTING THE SEAL REDONE UNDER TRANSMISSION 120,000 WARRANTY FROM NISSAN. DEALERSHIP SAYS I SHOULD GET THE TRANSFER CASE SEALS REDONE BUT THEY ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY AND I CANNOT AFFORD THE CLOSE TO $2000 EXTRA THIS WOULD COST. SEEMS THAT THE SEALS SHOULD LAST MORE THAN 8,000 MILES AS THEY SEEMED TOO AFTER BUYING THE VEHICLE NEW AND NOT REPLACING THEM UNTIL AFTER 50,000 MILES. AFTER READING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT A PRESSURE VALVE AND OTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUES I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPLACED AS I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT JUST REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FORWARD SEAL(?) WILL NOT CORRECT THE LEAKING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL "GO OUT" AFTER THE FACTORY WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSFER CASE/TRANSMISSION IN THIS YEAR/MODEL OF VEHICLE AND THAT NISSAN KNOWS THIS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364351

110,000 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 NISSAN MURANO AWD SL I SUDDENLY LOOSE ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE WILL NOT REV AND THE RPM INDICATOR IS 0, THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING, THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE ACCELERATOR WILL RE-ENGAGE AND THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS,…

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 NISSAN MURANO AWD SL I SUDDENLY LOOSE ACCELERATION, THE ENGINE WILL NOT REV AND THE RPM INDICATOR IS 0, THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING, THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES THE ACCELERATOR WILL RE-ENGAGE AND THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS, TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, NO CODES ISSUED. I HAVE REPLACED IN THE PAST 3 YEARS THE TRANSMISSION IN THE LAST 7 MONTHS THE FUEL PUMP, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE O2 SENSORS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS NOT A PROBLEM THEY HAVE BEEN AWARE OF AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT COULD BE...SOUND LIKE THEY ARE NOT BEING EXACTLY FORTHCOMING ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363731

108,000 miles · Oct 20, 2010
Power Train

2003 MURANO - WHEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR 5-10 SECONDS WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND FIRST SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEN NISSAN WOULD NOT APPROVE IT TO BE REPLACED EVEN UNDER WARRANTY. THEN TOLD ME IT WAS THE TCM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1000.00. THIS…

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2003 MURANO - WHEN IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE FOR 5-10 SECONDS WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. DEALERSHIP HAD MY CAR FOR 2 DAYS AND FIRST SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION BUT THEN NISSAN WOULD NOT APPROVE IT TO BE REPLACED EVEN UNDER WARRANTY. THEN TOLD ME IT WAS THE TCM THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $1000.00. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND REPLACE THESE FAULTY DANGEROUS PARTS FREE OF CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER! INSTEAD OF DIAGNOSING IMPROPER THINGS AND CHARGING THE CUSTOMER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR NON-FIXES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361339

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2010
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

2003 NISSAN MURANO. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE C…

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2003 NISSAN MURANO. CONSUMER STATES ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GRADUALLY STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, HE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED IN JULY 2007. BUT, THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. PRIOR TO THE FIRST TWO INCIDENTS, THE ENGINE STALLED ON MAY 10, 2010. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE CRANK SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER REPAIRS SUCH AS: ALTERNATOR FAILURE, THE PASSENGER DOOR LOCKS ROUTINELY MALFUNCTIONED DURING EXTREME HEAT, THE DRIVER'S POWER SEAT MALFUNCTIONED, THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE CRACKED, THE AXLES WERE LOOSE, AND THE INTAKE HOSE FAILED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10358691

160,000 miles · Sep 29, 2010
Power Train

2003 NISSAN MURANO HESITATES IN TRAFFIC AN ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATES WILDLY IN TRAFFIC... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358178

200 miles · Sep 10, 2010
Power Train

2003 NISSAN MURANO - SINCE THE FIRST DAY IT HAS HESITATED AND JERKED WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A FULL STOP. THIS IS LIKELY RELATED TO THE KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354949

83,794 miles · Sep 9, 2010
EquipmentFuel System, OtherPower Train

THIS STATEMENT IS IN ADDITION OF NUMURAS SAFETY RECALLS. JULY 2008 ON INTERSTATE 22 MYRTLE BEACH MY 2003 MURANO STALLED OUT WITH SON AND DAUGHTER. JULY 2009 IT STALLED OUT IN WHITEVILLE NC. IT STALLED AGAIN. ON BOTH OCCASIONS NISSAN REPLACED A BLOWN A BLOWN FUSE. NOTHING ELSE. AUGUST 2010 TRAFFIC THE MURANO STALLED AT 65 MPH IN…

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THIS STATEMENT IS IN ADDITION OF NUMURAS SAFETY RECALLS. JULY 2008 ON INTERSTATE 22 MYRTLE BEACH MY 2003 MURANO STALLED OUT WITH SON AND DAUGHTER. JULY 2009 IT STALLED OUT IN WHITEVILLE NC. IT STALLED AGAIN. ON BOTH OCCASIONS NISSAN REPLACED A BLOWN A BLOWN FUSE. NOTHING ELSE. AUGUST 2010 TRAFFIC THE MURANO STALLED AT 65 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSING A TEN CAR PILE UP. WE WERE LUCKY. TOWED MURANO,TO NISSAN OF MYRTLE BEACH, FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. ON ALL THE RECALLS MAILED TO US REFER:THESE SAFETY RECALLS COULD CAUSE FIRE OR CRASHES. MY WIFE IS AFRAID OF OUR DEATH TRAP OF OUR 2003 MURANO. THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT A RECALL,BUT IF YOU LOOK UP COMPLAINTS ON FUEL PUMPS AND BLOWN FUSES YOU SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE MY CAR IS A DEATH TRAP. I WANT A INVESTIGATION DONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354703

Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2010
Power Train

2003 NISSAN MURANO SL: THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR WILL GO "INTO GEAR" AND MOVE. CAR WOULD LOSE DRIVE TRAIN POWER, BUT ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS, RADIO, AC, STEERING WOULD STILL WORK. THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT GO WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WA…

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2003 NISSAN MURANO SL: THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. THEN WITHOUT WARNING, THE CAR WILL GO "INTO GEAR" AND MOVE. CAR WOULD LOSE DRIVE TRAIN POWER, BUT ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS, RADIO, AC, STEERING WOULD STILL WORK. THE CAR SIMPLY WOULD NOT GO WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED. THEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN AND THEN QUIT ALL OF A SUDDEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351685

Official recalls

6

09V169000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

May 19, 2009

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 & remedy

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.

06V048000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Feb 13, 2006

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 & remedy

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.

06V003000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jan 10, 2006

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 & remedy

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.

05V319000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Jul 14, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 17, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

03V123000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Mar 31, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

PE08065 · Driver Seat Anchor Failure

Opened Nov 18, 2008 · Closed Jul 2, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE ANCHOR/BRACKET ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT.THE CONCERN IS THAT SUCH FAILURES MAY ALTER THE DRIVER'S SEATED POSITION SO AS TO REDUCE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM OR POTENTIALLY COMPROMISE VEHICLE CONTROL.FAILURE OF THE SUBJECT ANCHOR BRACKET RESULTS FROM METAL FATIGUE AND CAUSES REARWARD TILTING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT.THESE FAILURES USUALLY OCCUR DURING DRIVER INGRESS BUT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.THE SAFETY RELATED CONCERNS DURING ACTUAL VEHICLE USE WERE NOT VALIDATED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.WHILE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATIVELY HIGH, ONLY THREE VERY MINOR, UNDOCUMENTED INJURIES WERE REPORTED.THE REPORTED INJURIES OCCURRED DURING DRIVER INGRESS, NOT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE APPARENT RISK OF COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE CONTROL HAS NOT BEEN DEMONSTRATED.INVESTIGATION ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE APPARENT RISK OF COLLAPSE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK HAS NOT BEEN DEMONSTRATEDA SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AND THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

PE05050 · Fuel Tank Punctures From Road Debris

Opened Sep 13, 2005 · Closed Jan 31, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION BASED ON FOUR VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ'S) INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANKS WEREPUNCTURED BY ROAD DEBRIS UNDER NORMAL, NON OFF-ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS.AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2005, THE COMPLAINT TOTAL INCREASED TO 12.NISSAN SUPPLIED ODI WITH 31 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES, INCLUDING 26 NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO ODI FROM THE VOQ RECORDS. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 9, 2006, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. NOTIFIED ODI OF ITS PLAN TO RECALL APPROXIMATELY 209,000 MODEL YEAR 2003 - 2006 NISSAN MURANO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 24, 2002 (START OF PRODUCTION OF MY 2003) THROUGH NOVEMBER 24, 2005 (INCLUDING A PORTION OF MY 2006 VEHICLES) TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY IN FUEL TANK SHIELDING FROM ROAD DEBRIS.THIS RECALL HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NHTSA NO. 06V-003.RECALLED VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING FOR THE FRONTAL PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF PUNCTURE BY PROJECTILES FROM THE FRONT WHEELS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION BASED ON FOUR VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ'S) INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANKS WEREPUNCTURED BY ROAD DEBRIS UNDER NORMAL, NON OFF-ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS.AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2005, THE COMPLAINT TOTAL INCREASED TO 12.NISSAN SUPPLIED ODI WITH 31 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES, INCLUDING 26 NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO ODI FROM THE VOQ RECORDS. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 9, 2006, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. NOTIFIED ODI OF ITS PLAN TO RECALL APPROXIMATELY 209,000 MODEL YEAR 2003 - 2006 NISSAN MURANO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 24, 2002 (START OF PRODUCTION OF MY 2003) THROUGH NOVEMBER 24, 2005 (INCLUDING A PORTION OF MY 2006 VEHICLES) TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY IN FUEL TANK SHIELDING FROM ROAD DEBRIS.THIS RECALL HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NHTSA NO. 06V-003.RECALLED VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING FOR THE FRONTAL PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF PUNCTURE BY PROJECTILES FROM THE FRONT WHEELS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION BASED ON FOUR VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ'S) INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANKS WEREPUNCTURED BY ROAD DEBRIS UNDER NORMAL, NON OFF-ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS.AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2005, THE COMPLAINT TOTAL INCREASED TO 12.NISSAN SUPPLIED ODI WITH 31 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES, INCLUDING 26 NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO ODI FROM THE VOQ RECORDS. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 9, 2006, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. NOTIFIED ODI OF ITS PLAN TO RECALL APPROXIMATELY 209,000 MODEL YEAR 2003 - 2006 NISSAN MURANO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 24, 2002 (START OF PRODUCTION OF MY 2003) THROUGH NOVEMBER 24, 2005 (INCLUDING A PORTION OF MY 2006 VEHICLES) TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY IN FUEL TANK SHIELDING FROM ROAD DEBRIS.THIS RECALL HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NHTSA NO. 06V-003.RECALLED VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING FOR THE FRONTAL PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF PUNCTURE BY PROJECTILES FROM THE FRONT WHEELS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

EA05006 · Alternator Failure / Engine Stalling

Opened Mar 25, 2005 · Closed Aug 17, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

ODI RECEIVED 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE ON MY 2003-2004 MURANO (SUBJECT) VEHICLES.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE04-077 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA05-006 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING EA05-006, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WERE IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.ON JULY 12, 2005, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2003-2005 MURANO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM APRIL 8, 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 (RECALL 05V-319).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ALTERNATOR CAN OCCUR DUE TO WIRE FATIGUE CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF THE ROTOR COIL DURING RAPID CHANGES IN ENGINE SPEED IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT).HIGHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE IN THE MURANO COMPARED TO OTHER NISSAN MODELS MAY ALSO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE WIRE FATIGUE.NISSAN ALSO REPORTED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGE WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE.AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL THEN ENTER A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT LIMITS VEHICLE SPEED.VERY SHORTLY AFTER REACHING THIS CONDITION, THE ENGINE WILL STOP.NHTSA'S TESTING, HOWEVER, SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE SPEED IS LIMITED TO ONLY 4-7 MPH RATHER THAN WHAT NHTSA CONSIDERS A FAIL SAFE MODE. NISSAN WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY NISSAN DEALER FOR AN ALTERNATOR INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF REQUIRED.NOTE:SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALTERNATOR PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

ODI RECEIVED 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE ON MY 2003-2004 MURANO (SUBJECT) VEHICLES.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE04-077 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA05-006 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING EA05-006, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WERE IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.ON JULY 12, 2005, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2003-2005 MURANO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM APRIL 8, 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 (RECALL 05V-319).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ALTERNATOR CAN OCCUR DUE TO WIRE FATIGUE CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF THE ROTOR COIL DURING RAPID CHANGES IN ENGINE SPEED IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT).HIGHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE IN THE MURANO COMPARED TO OTHER NISSAN MODELS MAY ALSO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE WIRE FATIGUE.NISSAN ALSO REPORTED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGE WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE.AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL THEN ENTER A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT LIMITS VEHICLE SPEED.VERY SHORTLY AFTER REACHING THIS CONDITION, THE ENGINE WILL STOP.NHTSA'S TESTING, HOWEVER, SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE SPEED IS LIMITED TO ONLY 4-7 MPH RATHER THAN WHAT NHTSA CONSIDERS A FAIL SAFE MODE. NISSAN WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY NISSAN DEALER FOR AN ALTERNATOR INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF REQUIRED.NOTE:SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALTERNATOR PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Electrical System

ODI RECEIVED 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE ON MY 2003-2004 MURANO (SUBJECT) VEHICLES.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE04-077 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA05-006 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING EA05-006, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WERE IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.ON JULY 12, 2005, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2003-2005 MURANO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM APRIL 8, 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 (RECALL 05V-319).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ALTERNATOR CAN OCCUR DUE TO WIRE FATIGUE CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF THE ROTOR COIL DURING RAPID CHANGES IN ENGINE SPEED IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT).HIGHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE IN THE MURANO COMPARED TO OTHER NISSAN MODELS MAY ALSO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE WIRE FATIGUE.NISSAN ALSO REPORTED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGE WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE.AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL THEN ENTER A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT LIMITS VEHICLE SPEED.VERY SHORTLY AFTER REACHING THIS CONDITION, THE ENGINE WILL STOP.NHTSA'S TESTING, HOWEVER, SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE SPEED IS LIMITED TO ONLY 4-7 MPH RATHER THAN WHAT NHTSA CONSIDERS A FAIL SAFE MODE. NISSAN WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY NISSAN DEALER FOR AN ALTERNATOR INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF REQUIRED.NOTE:SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALTERNATOR PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

PE04077 · Alternator Failure/ Engine Stalling

Opened Nov 19, 2004 · Closed Mar 25, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

ODI OPENED PE04-077 BASED ON 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.DURING PE04-077, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE . DURING THE INVESTIGATION, NISSAN IDENTIFIED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ALTERNATOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ROTOR COIL CAUSED BY WIRE FATIGUE. ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWS FAILURE RATES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO ODI AND INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS CONTINUING TO OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWS THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE ALTERNATOR WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED RESULTED IN ENGINE STALLS AND AT LEAST 25% OF THE ENGINE STALLS RESULTED IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.HOWEVER, IN 71% OF THE WARRANTY DATA SUBMITTED, ODI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE CONSUMER COULD RESTART THE VEHICLE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN, TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

ODI OPENED PE04-077 BASED ON 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.DURING PE04-077, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE . DURING THE INVESTIGATION, NISSAN IDENTIFIED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ALTERNATOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ROTOR COIL CAUSED BY WIRE FATIGUE. ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWS FAILURE RATES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO ODI AND INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS CONTINUING TO OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWS THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE ALTERNATOR WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED RESULTED IN ENGINE STALLS AND AT LEAST 25% OF THE ENGINE STALLS RESULTED IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.HOWEVER, IN 71% OF THE WARRANTY DATA SUBMITTED, ODI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE CONSUMER COULD RESTART THE VEHICLE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN, TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.

Electrical System

ODI OPENED PE04-077 BASED ON 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.DURING PE04-077, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE . DURING THE INVESTIGATION, NISSAN IDENTIFIED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ALTERNATOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ROTOR COIL CAUSED BY WIRE FATIGUE. ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWS FAILURE RATES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO ODI AND INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS CONTINUING TO OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWS THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE ALTERNATOR WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED RESULTED IN ENGINE STALLS AND AT LEAST 25% OF THE ENGINE STALLS RESULTED IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.HOWEVER, IN 71% OF THE WARRANTY DATA SUBMITTED, ODI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE CONSUMER COULD RESTART THE VEHICLE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN, TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.