2004 Nissan Murano: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed May 11, 2023 · NJ

I’ve changed the timing belt, brakes, batteries, fuel injectors and all and still after thirty minutes of me driving Nissan Murano 2004 I have to continuously push on the gas to get the car to move . My car always has a smell of burning rubber after a long period of time driving it . I then pull over for 20/25 minutes to let the car reset or cool down I guess and then when I turn it on it drives ok until the next 25/30 minutes go by. I’ve gotten two alternators brand new and I’m still having the same issues . When I slow down to come to a full stop it feels like my car is jerking on a chain slowly. When I put the car in neutral to come to a stop it doesn’t make the car tremble . I hope and pray I can get some answers or help to guide me in the right direction . I’ve spent over $2000 in labor to this car to still have the same problem.

Filed Mar 29, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 117,000 miles · HI

The car will stutter at random even if filled with a full tank. Smell of burning and check engine light comes on. Car starts to violently shake. This is horrible as I drive with my toddler. I have been now reading this is common and I'm lucky I have not had an accent by my car stalling

Filed May 21, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 146,000 miles · TX · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan murano. While driving various speeds, the battery and the ABS indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the alternator failed and replaced the part three different times. The contact stated that the alternator caught fire without warning. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. An independent mechanic extinguished the fire. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 146,000.

Filed Mar 26, 2017 · Transmission · 46,000 miles · NY

My nissan murano sl had 35k miles when purchased. Complained 5 times to the dealership about groaning noise and major oil leak. Major vibrations occurred while driving and pulled over so I couldn't drive anymore. Burning smell of oil that was leaking for months and was not noticed by certified mechanics. Also bucking motions. Towed murano for repair and later diagnosed as transfer case and tail shaft destroyed. The CVT transmission needed slight repairs too with transfer case. Cost ~$3500

Filed Jan 7, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 119,800 miles · OH

I was stopped at traffic light, when light turned green I began to accelerate. I began to smell burning thru air vents and then at about 40 MPH the car would not respond to my acceleration of gas pedal. I had lost all power and control of vehicle. The car behind me had to swerve suddenly to avoid me and it almost caused a serious wreck with my 4 children inside. I had battery checked and alternator checked and was told alternator was bad. Well I replaced alternator and wouldn't you know it 2 weeks later, the same incident occurred, I was going about 35-40 MPH and it just quit again. And again my 4 kids were inside as I was driving them to school! I've called to inquire about the recall for this issue and am told mine doesn't qualify. I've seen so many people with this issue. Why isn't it being addressed. Will it take having my 4 kids inside involved in an awful wreck? We need someone to help with this before something bad has to happen!!

Filed Dec 20, 2011 · Steering · 98,000 miles · TX

The pressure hose of the power steering is leaking extensively, to the point where it required the reservoir to be refilled an about 10 days. Upon closer inspection, the power steering fluid can be seen dripping onto the exhaust, creating smoke and a burning smell when outside the vehicle. This failure probably began several months ago, but the vehicle was already leaking oil from the upper oil pan (the aluminum shroud around the crank). Once the upper oil pan leak was fixed, the ps pressure hose leak became more evident. Apparently, this problem has gotten worse just recently, because I added some fluid to the ps reservoir when I fixed the upper oil pan, and much of this replaced fluid drained out within the following 10 days. Certainly not what I'd call a safe situation, and from reading the online forums on nissan murano's, it appears this is a common situation.

Filed Feb 23, 2011 · Transmission · 146,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan murano. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal cracking noise from the front end. The contact then noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The cpntact pulled over and shut the engine off. The contact then noticed the transfer case was fractured and the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the transfer case was fractured and leaking fluids. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 146,00 and the current mileage is 147,000. Updated 03/22/11*lj updated 11/16/11

Filed Jul 31, 2009 · Transmission · 86,589 miles · NY

I own a well maintained 2004 nissan murano sl awd. The transfer case spontaneously broke without any warning. Once the event occurred, I immediately lost the ability to accelerate on a very busy stretch of road. The are also, almost immediately, went from about 40mph to 15mph while I was trying to accelerate. There was traffic behind me moving at 40mph, and this unintentional deceleration occurred without any brake light warning to the driver behind me. This could have caused a fatal collision. Thankfully it did not, and I was able to put my hazard lights on and roll to a stop on the shoulder lane. I had the car brought to the nearest dealership for prompt repair. I paid $3500 for a new transfer case to be placed. The day I drove the vehicle home, I noticed an oil burning smell, which was later found to be a transfer case leak. This was a leak from the new transfer case. My car is currently being re-repaired as we speak. This is almost 2 weeks now that I have been without my car. I have noticed that this is an ongoing problem with the nissan murano particularly in the 2003-04 year vehicles. My vehicle is out of the 5 year/ 60000 mile drivetrain warranty, and therefore I had to bear the financial burden of this apparently defective component.