Common problems

Nissan Murano Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 8 Nissan Murano model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated April 2026

Owner complaints
134

8 model years

Top recurring issue
Unknown Or Other

8 affected years

Crash reports
8

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
1

7 injuries · 0 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Nissan Murano problem categories

#1

Unknown Or Other

27complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2020.

#2

Forward Collision Avoidance

23complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 6 model years; highest in 2020.

#3

Service Brakes

9complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2020.

#4

Electrical System

9complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2025.

#5

Power Train

7complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2025.

#6

Exterior Lighting

5complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2020.

#7

Structure

3complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2023.

#8

Air Bags

5complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2019.

#9

Steering

4complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2020.

#10

Vehicle Speed Control

4complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2019.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Nissan Murano model year

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2020 Nissan Murano frequently report issues with the vehicle's glass components, particularly the sunroof and rear window, which they describe as unexpectedly shattering or exploding while driving. These incidents often occur at highway speeds, with glass fragments entering the cabin and posing potential injury risks. Additionally, some owners experience problems with the automatic emergency braking system, which they report as activating without warning or obstacles, leading to sudden stops and potential whiplash. Complaints typically arise within the first few months of ownership, with some vehicles having as few as 1,100 miles. These issues present safety implications, including the risk of injury from shattered glass and sudden braking, which could lead to loss of control.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners report that the 2020 Nissan Murano's forward collision avoidance system frequently activates unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to brake suddenly without any apparent obstruction. Complaints often describe this occurring under overpasses or on highways, with speeds ranging from 30 to 50 MPH. Multiple owners mention that their vehicles have been inspected by dealers, but no defects or error codes are found, leaving the issue unresolved. These unexpected braking incidents pose safety risks, particularly in traffic, as they can lead to abrupt stops that may result in rear-end collisions. Buyers considering this vehicle should be aware of these reported issues, as they may affect driving confidence and safety.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2019 Nissan Murano frequently report issues with the sunroof, specifically mentioning instances where the moon roof or panoramic sunroof explodes or shatters without any apparent external impact. Typical symptoms include a loud popping or explosion-like noise followed by glass falling into the vehicle, often described as occurring while driving at highway speeds. Complaints do not specify a consistent mileage range for these incidents. Safety implications noted by owners include the potential for injury from falling glass or distraction while driving, though no crashes are reported. Additionally, one owner describes unintended activation of the rear hatch motion sensor, causing it to lower unexpectedly when sitting at the rear of the vehicle.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners of the 2019 Nissan Murano frequently report issues with the forward collision avoidance system, particularly the automatic emergency braking (AEB) feature. Complaints commonly describe the AEB warning light activating without apparent cause, and instances where the vehicle unexpectedly engages the brakes in the absence of obstacles, often at speeds between 10 to 45 mph. These incidents typically occur in clear weather conditions and sometimes in parking structures, with mileage reports ranging from 4,500 to 48,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, as some owners express concern about the risk of rear-end collisions due to sudden stops. Multiple visits to dealers often do not resolve the problem, as diagnostics frequently fail to identify faults.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners report issues with the 2021 Nissan Murano's forward collision avoidance system, particularly involving unexpected braking and failure to activate when needed. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle's brakes engaging suddenly without any apparent obstacle, sometimes while driving at highway speeds or in parking structures, with mileage as low as 25,000. Additionally, some owners describe the cruise control's inability to maintain speed on downhill slopes, leading to significant speed increases. The sudden braking incidents pose potential safety risks, as they could result in rear-end collisions. These issues are reported even when the vehicle is relatively new, and dealers often struggle to replicate the problems or provide satisfactory resolutions.

AIR BAGS

Owners of the 2019 Nissan Murano frequently report issues with the airbag system, particularly involving the passenger side airbag not deploying or the passenger airbag warning light activating intermittently. Symptoms include airbag warning lights, passenger detection sensor failures, and airbags not deploying during collisions. These issues are reported at varying mileages, with one specific incident occurring at approximately 68,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as one complaint involves a crash where airbags deployed improperly, resulting in injuries. Buyers should be aware of potential airbag system malfunctions that could impact vehicle safety.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2025 Nissan Murano frequently report issues related to the electrical system, with several complaints highlighting problems with warning lights and error messages upon starting the vehicle, often at low mileages such as 700 miles. Climate control panel failures are also noted, leaving drivers unable to manage heating or airflow, with parts on backorder. Additionally, multiple owners describe incidents where the vehicle unexpectedly stops or shifts into park while driving, linked to the Engine Auto Start-Stop system, with failure mileages around 6,500. Another reported issue involves a "Key system error" message preventing the vehicle from starting after parking, creating potential safety hazards by leaving the vehicle disabled in traffic. These electrical problems may present safety implications, particularly the unintended stopping and inability to restart the vehicle.

STEERING

Owners of the 2020 Nissan Murano frequently report issues related to the steering system. Common symptoms include difficulty in turning the wheel and loud noises, such as clunking, when steering. Some complaints highlight unresolved steering defects that are similar to those described in existing recall campaigns, though affected owners state their vehicles are not included in these recalls. Reports indicate these issues can arise with vehicles around 62,000 miles, suggesting potential premature component wear. The symptoms described could imply safety risks, such as steering instability or loss of control, which are important considerations for potential buyers.

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Nissan Murano

When problems are reported to begin

  • Electrical system failures500–700 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Unintended acceleration7,000–7,500 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Automatic Collision Notification system failure16,000–24,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
  • Forward collision avoidance failures25,000–35,000 miles on the 2021 model-year record
  • Water intrusion and electrical issues45,000 miles on the 2021 model-year record
  • Forward collision avoidance malfunctions1,000–3,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record
  • Suspension issues19,000–35,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record
  • Exterior lighting failures28,000–84,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Test infotainment system for freezing at startup
  • Verify rear view camera functionality
  • Check for software updates or fixes for infotainment issues
  • Test infotainment system for freezing or display issues
  • Check for loud engine noise at startup
  • Inspect for any warning lights or error messages on dashboard
  • Verify proper operation of climate control panel
  • Test drive to check for unintended acceleration or lurching

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Nissan Murano data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Nissan Murano research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Nissan Murano research FAQ

What is the most common Nissan Murano problem?

Unknown Or Other is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 8 years with 27 complaints represented.

Which Nissan Murano year has the most reported problems?

The 2020 has the largest unknown or other count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Nissan Murano has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Nissan Murano you are considering.