While driving the vehicle the engine completely shut down and an "engine failure" light came on, and the vehicle became completely stationary. Electrical seemed to be running. I had to put the vehicle in park, turn it off and turn it back on to move it off the road. A couple weeks prior, the vehicle was making strange revving noises that I am unsure if they are related. I was in the middle of the road, and thankfully, cars behind me were stopped at a red light. I often drive on the highway and this could be deadly if it happens while driving 70 mph. The dealer was unable to reproduce the issue and told me the car is fine. The looked for codes, and only found communications errors. They checked the battery which also showed no signs of errors. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle.
Nissan Murano engine failure problems
44 of the 5,969 owner complaints about the Nissan Murano describe engine failure, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 44
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical mileage
- 63,000
By model year
Often reported together
Check engine light 12Loss of power 5Stalling 4Won't start 3Power steering loss 3Knocking 3Oil consumption 2CVT failure 2
What owners say
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that on several occasions, while driving or while idling, there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. On one occasion, while making a left turn, the sound from the engine compartment became louder, and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact stated that the speedometer failed to operate as intended and remained at 0 MPH. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was driven back to the residence but stalled before reaching the driveway. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,120.
Engine failure.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and started to coast. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer, and the dealer determined there was corrosion on the battery terminals. The battery cables were repaired. The dealer also mentioned potential engine failure. The engine was not repaired. The failure occurred 3 times. The contact stated that after the second failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the dealer was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The contact inquired about the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V774000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Hybrid Propulsion System). The dealer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after the third failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who claimed that the decoration the contact applied around the push-start button was causing a malfunction in communication. The failure persisted. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle with alternator failure, and the alternator was replaced. The contact received a notice about an extended warranty coverage for the Control Variable Timing (CVT) valve. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was opened. The manufacturer confirmed the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V774000 ( Engine and Engine Cooling, Hybrid Propulsion System) and under the extended warranty coverage. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH on the highway, the vehicle started to shake and vibrate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the body of the vehicle thumped ten times in a row and constantly seized. The check engine warning light was illuminated. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact inspected under the hood and became aware that there was coolant all over the engine bay. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via email, and informed the contact that they could not assist with the cost for the repair of the engine. The approximate failure mileage was 44,830.
Upon initial state safety inspection for brand new car, nissan service reported metal shavings were found in oil pan and oil was shiny. Check engine light and oil light were not on when car was presented for inspection, and would not go off. Servicer reported that the long block engine was replaced (did not obtain consent or inform me of what the defect was) and work summary stated problem with oil pump. For the week I drove the car, I could sometimes smell funny smell when exiting vehicle after turning off the engine, but attributed it to new car smells.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 nissan murano. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. Additionally, there was oil leaking from engine. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and was towed to the local dealer jeff schmitt nissan located at 725 alpha rd, beavercreek, oh 45434 who diagnosed that the transmission, engine and catalytic converter were faulty and needed to be replaced. The engine, transmission and catalytic converter were replaced however, the failure recurred approximately 3,000 miles later. The engine was replaced a second time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.
I needed to replace the transmission of murano 13, twice in '17 and again in '18. Now in late 2019, I again started to hear cranking sound while pushing gas. Then in 2020, vehicle seized at the middle of the road, but after 5 mins it got started to drive about .3 mile. After that vehicle is unable to start, after sending to nissan dealership, it was diagnosed as transfer seal leaking problem. My murano seems to have a generic powertrain problem. After contacting nissan murano consumer affair, no help this time. They help to replace the transimission 2 times though. Not sure if the transfer case problem was caused during transmission replacement or it is a manufacturing fault.
I have a repeated electrical issue with my car. At first, I thought my issue was diagnosed improperly but I was recently on the federal safety agency page and found over 20 complaints that expressed the same exact issue I have been having. That issue being the fact that my car, when in motion will completely shut off on me and go into neutral. This will happen without any warning and for me has happened both times on the highway while going 75 MPH. Once the car stalls out, the power steering will also go out in about 30 seconds and the engine will completely shut off at that time. Therefore, you have about 30 seconds to roll your car to a safe spot in order to avoid a crash. There is no turning the car off and then back on, as when you try to do so all of the dash lights will come on and the engine will not start back up as the battery is dead or close to it. If you are lucky you can get jumped but the battery becomes so drained that it cannot even hold a charge for a miles worth of power. Both times I have had to have my murano towed into a shop. The first time this issue occurred I was told I need my battery replaced as it was dead and that was the cause of my engine failure. This sounded strange to me at the time, as the battery that I had was a little less than a year old but I was just wanting to pickup a working car and put this behind me. My car worked properly for 48 days before I again, had the same exact issue occur to me, while again traveling on the highway going 75 MPH. This time, there was not adequate space on the highway to pull over and I had to call 911 in order to avoid a crash. Again, I had my car towed and was now told it was an issue with the alternator, which I then had replaced. I am now worried this issue will reoccur as people are stating they have had their alternator replaced 2 and 3 times and are still being put in these scary, engine failure situations
I was on the highway when the car shut down on me. I took it to 2 mechanics and they both said the motor seized. They mentioned that the car was burning oil after the fact. There was no signs on my dashboard. The only difference on the car that I noticed was the car had been running a bit sluggish . I've replaced the timing chain and fuel pump. The car only has 96,600 miles. The mechanic can't give me a straight answer just that the motor seized .
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 09V169000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 03V455000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Murano engine failure
Which Nissan Murano years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (11 complaints), 2004 (8 complaints) and 2007 (6 complaints).
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