The transfer case on my Nissan Murano developed an oil leak. a leaking transfer case that is low or complete loss can cause overheating, internal damage or sudden failure of the transfer case while driving, resulting in a loss of power to the wheels, unexpected vehicle deceleration, loss of all-wheel drive capability increasing the risk of crash creating a safety hazard. no warnings from the car are giving that this is happening, so a sudden loss of control can happen at any time. service fee from Nissan accumulates to 4,000 for replacement or 2,000 for re-seal. there is a TSB regarding the sealing of the transfer case.
Nissan Murano loss of power problems
178 of the 5,970 owner complaints about the Nissan Murano describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2003 model year.
- owner complaints
- 178
- worst model year
- 2003
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,225
- typical mileage
- 82,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 33Check engine light 27CVT failure 23Transmission failure 19Jerking 19Power steering loss 10Won't start 9Slipping 7
Trouble codes mentioned
P1778 1P0868 1P0463 1P0345 1P0340 1P0335 1P0021 1P0011 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that on two occasions while making a left and right turn, the vehicle lost power and the vehicle was drifted to a safe location on the side of the road while advising others to go around her. There were no warning lights or messages. The vehicle was put into park (P) but then the vehicle was put into drive (D) and reverse (R) the vehicle did not accelerate or reverse as intended. The contact stated that her husband attempted to change gears until the vehicle finally accelerated while in drive (D) after 15 minutes, and the vehicle was taken to the residence. During the first occasion, the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,476.
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.
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)
the federal safety agency Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2018 Nissan Murano Submitted by: [XXX] Vehicle: 2018 Nissan Murano VIN: [XXX] Mileage at time of issue: Approx. 93,500 miles Location: Albuquerque, NM Date of issue onset: [XXX] Summary of the Problem: Shortly after my vehicle was serviced at a Nissan dealership, it began exhibiting serious mechanical and electrical issues. These include: - Transmission jerking and slipping between gears - Uncommanded RPM surging while accelerating - Occasional loss of power, particularly at highway speeds - Dashboard flickering, resetting, and other electrical irregularities - Brake caliper drag and significantly reduced gas mileage Third-Party Diagnosis: A certified independent repair shop reported the following: - Transmission malfunction (needs full replacement) - Dragging brake caliper - Engine overfilled with oil - Erratic RPM behavior Despite these findings, the dealership dismissed all concerns and returned the vehicle unrepaired, with no adequate documentation of the work performed. Additional Concerns: I believe the vehicle was accessed and tampered with while at the dealership. After their service: - My dashboard and door panels were visibly unsealed or repositioned - The vehicle was held for extended periods (multiple weeks) - No paperwork was provided showing any actual mechanical repairs I have before-and-after photographs and text messages confirming this timeline and change in condition. Safety Impact: The transmission failure, RPM spikes, and braking inconsistencies make the vehicle unsafe to drive. These problems pose a significant crash risk, especially in highway traffic or while merging. I’m submitting this report to the federal safety agency to contribute to any ongoing investigations related to this vehicle make/model and to help prevent further consumer risk. Additional Observation – Abnormal Heat After Driving After driving the vehicle, extreme heat can be felt rising from underneath the dr INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My vehicle stop on the highway. Jut cut off out of nowhere. And has been cutting off and losing power. I replaced the battery which I thought was the problem. Then I thought it was the alternator so I took it to nissan to have a diagnostic and they said it was not and that no codes came up that a positive battery cable had to be replaced. I was charged 342 for a diagnostic and to change a cable. They told me to pick up my vehicle and got home it was still cutting off. I took it to O'Reilly they said it was the alternator. Nissan just took my money. Also they printed out a list of other problems that were not addressed or need be repair on this vehicle that i purchased at 118,000 miles. I dont even drive this vehicle to have all these part to have yo be replaced. The powers steering is leaking and the air bag and seat belt light appears to stay on.
The installation of Intoxalock for safety has caused the car to completely lose power while driving and it is safety device. The device drains the battery and causes complete interruption of an operable vehicle. This puts my safety at risk and other motorists. The component has had diagnostics and continues to cause safety issues. There are no warning signs during operation of the vehicle. The devices are often faulty and showed be removed from the market.
My transmission is on recall the CVT transmission is malfunctioning The transmission flutters and shudders loses power in slow motion when starting to pull off from lights or going up heels, there’s a slipping, feel to the transmission very unsafe to drive during wet, rainy days and snowy days some days absolute power loss this has been a problem since I purchased a vehicle in 2021 until current and it’s getting worse every day I was told about a Nissan Dealership this is just how the transmission shift. I know this information is incorrect because it’s very unsafe to drive.
No warning lights,no issues that car was having any problems 4/20/25, next day I backed out driveway, put into drive, transmission would not engage drive? Managed to roll and park it. Then steering wheel lost power, bunch of warnings appeared, car shut down? Turned on today, 4/22/25 but no power steering? And no drive engagement. Called nissan tunersville, also received LETTER LAST WEEK ABOUT CTV, but cant find letter yet? Saw tons of same issue on line? Dealer said not recall? Yet all over internet coverage problems? I havnt had it towed yet for mechanic to check out.
Loss power i ,studding had a overheating in transmissonsounds whinning , bumps, locking up hesatation sudden lurching at home in driveway.
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 loss of power
Which Nissan Murano years have sudden loss of power problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2003 (67 complaints), 2004 (27 complaints) and 2007 (14 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the Nissan Murano?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,225 (median of 20 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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