2003 Nissan Murano: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 800 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 800 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2021
“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.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2021
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2019
“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 ???”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2019
“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”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2019
“In the middle of driving to work, vehicle just shut off without warning. New battery and cam sensor replaced very recently. No service engine light on, nothing...it just shut off. After 2 tries it started right back up. Very scary!!!”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2018
“While driving on a city street car lost charge would drive very slowly about 1 mile per hour. Brake and battery light came on. Have already replaced battery and alternator about a year ago but when same thing happened today. Per the VIN my car has not been recalled. I'll have to get invoice from tire choice to show what I paid for alternator and battery. Thank you.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan murano. While the vehicle was at a complete stop, it did not move when the accelerator pedal was depressed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan murano. While driving out of a parking lot at 10 mph and making a left turn, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle numerous times, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called mtn view nissan at (423) 756-1500 (located at 2100 south market street, chattanooga, tn 37408) and was awaiting a call back to schedule a diagnostic appointment. The contact stated that the same failure occurred in 2014. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 14 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Murano by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Nissan Murano reliable?
NHTSA has 800 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Nissan Murano. The most complained-about area is power train (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Murano problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,500 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Nissan Murano have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.