Check a VIN

Nissan Murano transmission failure problems

173 of the 5,970 owner complaints about the Nissan Murano describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2003 model year.

owner complaints
173
worst model year
2003
typical repair cost reported
$5,000
typical mileage
87,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

Often reported together

CVT failure 59Stalling 19Loss of power 19Jerking 17Slipping 14Check engine light 13Hesitation 11Shudder 5

Trouble codes mentioned

P1778 3P0868 1P0302 1P0300 1

What owners say

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Transmission · IA

CVT Transmission failed at 82k miles. Diagnosed at Midas, specific Transmission shop and local Nissan dealership as needing full replacement. Notified Nissan Consumer Affairs, they created a case but refused to fully replace it, offered to pay only 50% of approximately $9k.

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 Mar 15, 2026 · Fuel system · UT

Vehicles of previous model years, this model year, and future model years have all experienced this issue. Issue was reported on thru a youTube channel in order to let the public know and understand the issue and how to fix/repair the issue. It was then discovered thru view time and the linking of the part to repair that this was a rempent issue of concern for possible recall. Issue of hesitation upon acceleration was noticed for 18 months. Vehicle was taken into dealership for diagnosis - main Nissan dealer and second repair facility diagnosed the need for a new transmission. Transmission was replaced thru the second repair facility for $7500.00. Issue of hesitation upon acceleration was not repaired thru the replacement of the transmission. Owner of the vehicle researched the issue and determined it was caused by holes and degredation of the "Air-Intake-Hose" assembly. This part is a $35.00 part availalbe on Amazon and easily replaced in about 10 minutes time by the owner. The need for recall is that Nissan does not throw an error code in order to diagnose this problem. The only error code thrown is for a NEW TRANSMISSION.

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 13, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · NM

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)

Filed Aug 8, 2024 · Transmission · FL

When starting my vehicle, it would shake and hesitate to turn on. While driving, It would hesitate when accelerating. When driving at 70 miles, the vehicle would hesitate then drop 3 to 4 miles below speed on its own. The dashboard would indicate drive mode then change to reverse mode then back to drive mode, then reverse mode continuously while driving. The car was also making a loud clanking noise. When I was at a standstill at a red light with foot on the brake, the car was jerking forward on its own. I was driving the car with my 2 year old when this happened and decided to take it to a mechanic who confirmed that it is a transmission problem as well as a broken axle on the left. I left the car at his shop and started shopping around for a transmission replacement which is very costly. My concern is, if this has been a faulty issue with 2009 Nissan Murano transmissions, then it is likely that this can happen again if I purchase a used transmission which at this time, I cannot afford so it is sitting at the mechanics repair shop until I either save money for a transmission or use the money to get a better used vehicle. At this time I have to take my mom to work and use her car so i can go to work. I’ve been doing this for the past 2 weeks and unsure as to how much longer I can keep doing this as our work hours are conflicting.

Filed Jul 31, 2024 · Engine · MD

The Nissan Murano’s were recalled back in 2020 stating their CVT was causing stalling issues mid driving and overheating in extreme weather (heat). I complained to Nissan prior to this recall and was told it was filter issue then a battery issue. Of course if was neither. The recall was completed, however for the past year and half my Nissan Murano Hybrid stalls when the air condition is on during the summer. The car drives fine in the winter and late fall. I have taken my vehicle to 2 Nissan dealerships Owings Mills and Ellicott City wanted to ensure of the issue. Both came back with the same answer, for the Consumer rep Ali suggested getting a second opinion and I informed him I did. The Hybrid CVT is overheating mechanical failure due to a part inside the transmission. Nissan refuses to fix stating I need to pay $11,000 for a new transmission to fix the issue. The service rep John stated no other Murano has ever had this happen and of course they no longer make my year (2016). I have contacted Nissan Consumer line twice and was informed they will not be doing a good will either. The cost is so high was told because they have to build a new one. I believe NIssan knew of this problem and ignored and was hoping the recall would fix the shudder and shut off of the vehicle. Another recall needs to be done on CVT’s for the brand Nissan and should be responsible for fixing this.

Filed Mar 20, 2024 · Transmission · 166,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Murano SL. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who would not perform the work due to recalls on the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but has not been repaired. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under a previous manufacturer recall that replaced the transmission, however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2024 · Transmission · MO

I bought a Murano on 3/31/2016 with 17,000 miles on it. I now have 58,000 miles on it & dealership says I need a new transmission.I had no idea that there was a CVT transmission when i bought it. It was never explained or disclosed about the class action lawsuit with these transmissions. I understand these defective transmissions can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicles when it stuttering & jerking at low speeds. My car has been doing this at about 20,000 miles. I have had every recommended service done on the car, including the 30,000 miles transmission maintenance. There have been 2 Disturbance Alerts with 2 issues that come up on a app on my phone stating 2 Issues Critical. 1. Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected/Code P0302 & 2.Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected/Code P0300. I told the dealership about these issues but they could never find anything wrong with the car.

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.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported March 31, 2003 · 128 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain sport utility vehicles, the nut that attaches the transmission gear selector shaft to the control valve lever in the transmission may not be adequately tightened. This could result in the transmission not actually being in the gear indicated by the gear selector lever. In addition, the transmission position display in the instrument panel may not be on or may be incorrect.
Risk
If the gear displayed is different from the gear engaged, this could result in unexpected vehicle movement and a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will check the affected nut in the transmission shift lever linkage, and tighten it if necessary. Owner notification began april 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 03V123000 · Recall details

Questions about the Nissan Murano transmission failure

Which Nissan Murano years have complete transmission failure problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2003 (53 complaints), 2004 (26 complaints) and 2011 (13 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Nissan Murano?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,000 (median of 60 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Nissan Murano?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history