2011 Nissan Murano: complete transmission failure

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Transmission · NH

In July 2023, at 55,496 miles on the odometer, the original CVT transmission failed and was replaced at Port City Nissan (120 Spaulding Tpke N, Portsmouth, NH 03801), an authorized Nissan dealership, with a Nissan-supplied rebuilt CVT transmission at a cost of approximately $7,000. The rebuilt transmission was warranted for one year. Approximately 2.5 years and only 26,500 miles after installation, the rebuilt CVT transmission has failed again at approximately 82,000 miles. CVT transmission failure while driving presents a serious safety hazard, as the vehicle may lose power unexpectedly, particularly dangerous at highway speeds, during merges, or in intersections. Pattern of Defect: Nissan’s CVT transmissions have been the subject of widespread consumer complaints and multiple class action lawsuits across various model years. Significantly, Nissan recently updated its warranty on rebuilt CVT transmissions from one year to three years with unlimited mileage for replacements performed after July 2024. This warranty extension strongly suggests Nissan is aware of systemic premature failures in its rebuilt CVT units. The failure of a rebuilt transmission at only 26,500 miles indicates a fundamental quality control or design deficiency in the rebuilt units Nissan is supplying to dealerships. Safety Concern: Sudden CVT failure causes immediate loss of propulsion and can result in loss of vehicle control. This is particularly hazardous on highways, in heavy traffic, and during adverse weather conditions. Given the pattern of premature failure in Nissan’s rebuilt CVT units, I believe this constitutes a safety defect affecting a population of vehicles and warrants investigation. I request that the federal safety agency investigate Nissan’s rebuilt CVT transmission program and the adequacy of Nissan’s response to known premature failures.

Filed Aug 28, 2023 · Transmission · PA

While driving car several times on the highway, when accelerating all power went out from the CVT transmission (like running out of gas), rendering the car without power on the highway. This was and continues to be a big concern as we were left on a high speed road with no power to move the car. This has occurred several times and we have been fortunate to be in the right hand lane to get off the main road and not cause an accident. This condition is known by Nissan and other repair facilities as the Infiniti dealer in Orlando, Fla conducted a diagnostic test and noted the car needed a transmission replacement at approximately 88,000 miles. This replacement was for $12,220 dollars, which was far more than the car was worth and with a car that should have many more miles left to operate and maintained very well. As this is a major safety issue, one of several with this car, we are submitting another incident report indicating our concern with this car, which there are many (rear subframe rusting, rear passenger door locks). The car got towed approximately 200 miles to our local mechanic who knew of these issues, but after a few days of test driving could not duplicate the issue on local roads. We still operate the car on local roads below highway speeds, but are concerned that at any point power will be lost. Even selling the car is an ethical dilemma for us as we know of several safety issues submitted to the federal safety agency and Nissan has not issued any recalls or corrections to this year vehicle. Someone from the federal safety agency should take action with Nissan to recall this vehicle for safety issues! As with other incidents, we have all the documentation from these events.

Filed Jun 25, 2023 · MN

Transmission failure. Car has been losing power, slowly getting worse with episodes of near stalling when stepping on gas from a stop. No engine warning lights . When pulling out in heavy traffic, car would nearly stall. Scary and dangerous. I finally took car to Nissan dealer where I purchased the car and they immediately diagnosed transmission failure. At that point, I had 143,209 miles after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment.

Filed Oct 13, 2022 · Fuel system, Transmission · NC

2011 Nissan Murano, transmission issues. This is the second time I have had to report this problem, please also refer to my first complaint #11474221 on this vehicle for the same problem. When at a stop, and pushing the gas pedal to move forward, there is a hesitation or two before the vehicle moves forward. This is a big problem when trying to enter a highway, after a stop sign. With giving enough distance to merge, having the hesitation issue has almost caused an accident. This hesitation occurs in town driving and hi-way. The dealership Crown Nissan (Greensboro, NC) diagnosis indicated that the transmission was failing and needed to be replaced. Our local Nissan shop ordered a new transmission directly from Nissan, and installed into our car, by mechanics that were trained by Nissan. Received Murano back with replaced new transmission, and within two days it was hesitating again. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and it was confirmed that the ‘new’ transmission that was installed, was defective and when driving, also had the hesitation issue. A 2nd new transmission was ordered from Nissan, installed by Nissan trained mechanics, and delivered two weeks later. We received our Murano back on Oct.12, 2022 and when driving it there was a slight hesitation, but then started to buck very hard… I’m surprised that I don’t have whiplash. The 2nd new transmission installed is a ‘lemon’ as it is worse than the original AND the 1st new replacement, by bucking as well as the hesitation. Our Nissan Murano appears to be unfixable, as the company keeps sending transmissions that have serious flaws and will eventually hurt or kill someone. Where do we go from here, especially since we have paid off the loan a year ago.

Filed Apr 1, 2021 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · CO

2011 murano stalls when starting from a stop. Goes into limp mode and is super dangerous when trying to turn left across traffic. Nissan extended warranties on 2010 for this exact issue but not the 2011. Dealership quoted me $5500 for a new transmission. The codes being pulled from the transmission are the same ones the LED nissan to 'extend' the warranty to 10 years and 120k miles. This car is extremely dangerous and should be pulled off the roads. I contacted consumer concerns for nissan and was told by a very rude representative named john - nothing they will do and refused to allow me to speak to someone else on this matter.

Filed Jul 13, 2020 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 nissan murano. The contact stated that while attempting to shift the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle lunged forward without warning. The brake pedal was depressed to prevent the vehicle from crashing into a parked vehicle. The vehicle was towed to anderson nissan (6555 e state st, rockford, il 61108), where the transmission was replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2019 · Transmission · 63,400 miles · NY

Vehicle has only 63,400 miles on it. Malfunction light came on and on the way to autozone to have code checked the car just stopped driving. I was stopped for a light and when I went to go nothing happened. Towed it to nissan and they said it needed a new transmission. (used) transmission installed and then the car stalled again during the test drive by mechanic. Now they say they have to replace the starter, which I did, so they can recheck the transmission. Got the car back and the very next day the same light came back on. I drove it straight to dealer and now they say that it needs catalytic converter. Replaced and now they say that it needs the front catalytic converter. Said there was a problem with the transmission seal when they got it. Probably what is causing all these other problems. Still have no idea when I will get the car back. It has been a month now. Have totally lost faith in nissan.

Filed Oct 27, 2018 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · IL

Only 62,000 miles and needs a new transmission. Car would not go over 20mph.

Filed Aug 6, 2018 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · GA

Transmission failed at a high rate of speed while driving on a public road. There was no indication of transmission issues with my vehicle. Matter of fact I just had my car serviced on july 13,2018, at nalley nissan of atlanta and the mil-point inspection which includes checking the transmission pass all systems in the green. This will be the third transmission on the vehicle including the original transmission in 6 years and only 122000 miles.

Filed May 11, 2018 · Transmission · 165,000 miles · TN

Right at 165000 miles the CVT transmission went out. It started slipping and went completely out 3 days later.

Filed Jul 26, 2017 · 130,000 miles · TX

Transmission failure. Began by losing power at higher rates of speed or during acceleration. Finally gave out at a stop sign. Could not accelerate through the intersection. Could have been a very dangerous situation.

Filed May 23, 2016 · Transmission · 51,000 miles · NY

The vehicle lost power while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic lot and then to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000.