Nissan Murano harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Suspension · CA

Component Affected: SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM Description of Defect: My 2020 Nissan Murano experienced a severe front suspension failure matching the exact structural symptoms described in Nissan Recall Campaign PC797 (the federal safety agency Campaign Number 21V170000) for defective front transverse links/lower control arms. The vehicle exhibited a loud popping and clunking noise coming from the front end, occurring primarily when applying the brakes and coming to a stop as the vehicle’s weight shifted forward. A professional diagnosis confirmed a failing front lower control arm and ball joint, creating a structural failure and an immediate risk of component separation, which threatens a total loss of steering control. This safety defect first manifested as a persistent noise last year while the vehicle was still well under the 84,000-mile mark when I took it in to have my transmission fluid changed. However, I thought it pertained to my front brakes and the repair man said when he drove it, he didn't hear the noise. But I continued to hear the noise when I braked in the front area. So, when I recently checked my 17-digit VIN on the official recall portal, after the inspection of my vehicle during an oil change, is when I was told about the front suspension. My vehicle shows "0 Open Recalls." Nissan Corporate Consumer Affairs refused to offer assistance or a goodwill repair due to the current mileage (99,488 miles), stating my VIN was excluded from the campaign. Because my vehicle is experiencing the exact structural defect, manufacturing flaw, and safety risk outlined in Campaign PC797, I am filing this complaint to urge the federal safety agency to investigate and mandate an expansion of the recall footprint to include excluded VIN blocks. I have paid $680 out-of-pocket to Torrance Motors to replace the defective control arm and perform a mandatory wheel alignment to keep the vehicle road-safe. I retain all itemized repair receipts for future reimbursement verification.

Filed Jan 21, 2026 · Transmission · MO

On Saturday, December 6, 2025 my [XXX] mother and I were driving back to my mom’s Saint Peters, Missouri home around 5:15 pm. I had just exited Missouri Highway 364 at Woodstone/Jungermann Road. I turned right onto Woodstone and heard a thud/clunk. Never heard that sound before. One hundred yards later, the 2015 Murano stopped accelerating right in the middle of the road. I put it in Park, Neutral and then Drive. Nothing. The vehicle wouldn’t go forward. It did engage in Reverse so I was able to back it to the side of road and out of the line of traffic. I again put the vehicle in Park, Neutral and then Drive. The vehicle wouldn’t go forward. I went back to the cargo area to retrieve my purse so I could access my AAA card and have the vehicle towed (first time in 50 years of driving I had to have a vehicle towed). I tried again to put the vehicle in Drive and it did engage this time and I was able to drive it the three to four miles to my mom’s house. Had the sudden loss of power happened ONE MINUTE before on the highway, the outcome would have been much different. It upsets me even now to think what could have occurred if the Murano suddenly stopped in the middle of the highway. I was in the second lane of the highway and could not get to the side of the highway. I would not be able to abandon the vehicle in the middle of the dark highway since my mom would not be able to exit it without her wheelchair and there was a high probability we would have gotten struck by other vehicles and/or caused a major pile up behind us. I took it to the local Nissan dealer and they confirmed the CVT transmission went out in the 2015 Murano with 131,000 miles. What makes me even more upset is that it is a KNOWN defect on the CVT and has been for so long. My mom and I could have been killed on the highway since the vehicle stopped in the middle of it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 11, 2022 · Body · 133,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a loud clunking type noise was present coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear subframe had separated due to severe corrosion and rusting and advised that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 133,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2022 · Suspension · KY

A clunking noise started in the rear of my Murano. Upon inspection I found that the rear suspension subframe crossmember has completely rusted through and the car is now unsafe to drive.

Filed Jul 30, 2021 · NY

2018 Nissan Murano. Consumer stated that there is a clunking noise coming from vehicle.

Filed Feb 26, 2021 · Suspension · 20,000 miles · AZ

Starting in november 2020, my 2019 murano has an unexplained clunking/clatter noise when going over small bumps in the road. It sounds as if it is the sway bar bushings but the dealers are not properly diagnosing it. The technicians take a ride with me in the vehicle and clearly hear and acknowledge an abnormal noise. However they proceed to drive another used vehicle and determine it is normal behavior. The problem is that there was no abnormal suspension noises when it was new and any new one also lacks the noise. One dealer proceeded to say it was because the power steering is fuel injected. Not only is that statement false it doesn't make sense since the power steering is hydraulic. Nissan has been informed but doesn't take responsibility, and also refuse to repurchase or replace my vehicle. Others on the online murano forums see my videos of the noise and also say they have that issue and dealers provide the same "normal behavior" reasons. I feel this should be investigated as a potential manufacturing defect and a potential safety issue. A vehicle with 20,000 miles should not have any suspension issues when there is no evidence of foul play. I am now having to pay out of pocket to have a suspension shop diagnose the issue.

Filed Jan 22, 2021 · Body, Suspension · 160,000 miles · OH

When traveling down the road you can hear a very audible squeak and clunk coming from the passenger rear of the vehicle. After arriving home I pulled into the garage to determine the location of the noise, I placed a jack under the rear door on the pinch weld and raise the wheel off the ground and removed the tire. Upon further inspection I noticed the the right rear subframe which connects to the rear frame of the vehicle was completely rusted from top to bottom with only a fraction of the metal remaining around the bushing. The driver side rear subframe connection is also rusted from top to bottom, the subframe on the driver is contacting about 90 percent of the bushing the passenger side of the subframe is contacting about 10 percent of the bushing. The rust on the rest of the vehicle frame and front subframe is slightly rusted. My vehicle is 2009 nissan murano with 160,000 miles. This is my main vehicle for transportation for my kids and family. This issue has been known to nissan as many people have notified nissan of this manufacturing issue. This had been an issue on the 2006 nissan altima in which nissan issued a recall for the rear subframe rusting which is the same issue this and many other nissan murano owners are having but nissan has not yet issued a recall

Filed Oct 14, 2020 · Engine · 110,000 miles · CT

While driving on freeway (in middle of nowhere)car started jerking/shaking/vibrating & clunking/banging sound, felt like driving over millions of nails. Car could barely drive at 40 MPH in slow lane w/hazards until I could get to safety an hour away. Car cannot go above 5 MPH to get it home. Rpm going wacky no power when step on gas but engine revs. Engine light on steady then flashes when car gets going at only 5 MPH (cannot go faster) but I finally got the car home & I was safe. Now car can't be driven & must be towed to a garage. Car has oil leak & I replaced the oil pan along with faulty alternator which killed battery just 2 months ago. Bought car used 2/1/20. Has 110,000 miles now. Engine hot/smells hot but temp gauge doesn't reflect that. I was nearly killed on freeway by passing tractor trailers & traffic having to speed by me recklessly when it happened to avoid collision-no warning. Very dangerous & scary. I see there are nearly 600 other cases exactly like this!!! Single mom with 2 kids in car - very dangerous. This should be recalled. It sounds by reading complaints that it's the transfer case?

Filed Dec 4, 2019 · Suspension · 154,000 miles · OH

Recently my wife had been informing me of a problem on our 2007 nissan murano was unstable when being driven, and makes loud clunking noises when turning and reversing at low speed. I drove the SUV myself on december 2nd, and while turning a corner at a major intersection it went over a small bump or manhole cover. At that time the rear end of the car fishtailed, and I nearly lost control of the vehicle. The rest of the drive home the vehicle felt unstable while driving at approximately 35 MPH on a dry, smooth, and straight road. Upon arriving home, about 1 mile from where the incident happened I noticed the driver side rear wheel was cambered inwards about 10-15 degrees. I contacted my mechanic by phone, and he told me to not drive the car and have it towed to his independent repair shop for an inspection. When he lifted the vehicle off the ground he discovered the problem. He sent me the attached picture, and said the vehicle's subframe has 'extreme' rust which is unusual for only being 12 years old, and that it is 'not safe to drive'. Additionally I have read many articles of other nissan vehicles having problems with corrosion underneath the vehicle for states that use road salt in the winter. Currently there is a repair campaign going on with nissan altima corrosion issues, and I am concerned many other murano have the same problem as mine. I have also contacted nissan, and opened a safety concern with them. The reference number is 38078953 nissan says there are no recalls or campaigns with this 2007 nissan murano for corrosion.

Filed Nov 4, 2019 · Suspension · 117,000 miles · IL

2009 nissan murano. Broken rear crossmember making vehicle unsafe to drive, needing replacement of crossmember. Nissan has problems with crossmembers on multiple models rusting and breaking. Clearly they know of problem but have been able to get away with manufacturing these vehicles to just last long enough to make past warranty. There has been a recall in 2006/2007 on altima and maxima I believe for this problem. We first noticed broken crossmember when clunking noises from rear started while driving. Also alignment affected with steering wheel off center is an indicator. So used nissan vehicles being purchased by young new families with children is a disaster waiting to happen.