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2003 Nissan MuranoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 800 owner complaints about the 2003 Nissan Murano, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

2003 Nissan Murano
16
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid5.1× the Murano median · #3 of 18 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints80025 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage86kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 12, 2021. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Nissan Murano has problems

800 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train2658
Electrical system1871
Seats1110
Engine and engine cooling981
Vehicle speed control583
Engine450
Visibility420
Fuel system, gasoline301
Latches/locks/linkages240
17 other systems1269

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

2003 Nissan Murano recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 06V-048 · Feb 13, 2006 · 203,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THE WEBBING IS COMPLETELY SEPARATED, IT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator

Recall 05V-319 · Jul 14, 2005 · 125,466 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGER WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL IMMEDIATELY COME ON AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 03V-455 · Nov 17, 2003 · 630,000 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)

Recall 03V-123 · Mar 31, 2003 · 128 vehicles

Risk. IF THE GEAR DISPLAYED IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GEAR ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

86kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 238 power train complaints. 69% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
17under 30k miles164under 100k miles74100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

67 owners mentioned a cost

$4,000median

Middle half: $2,120 – $5,000

Seats

31 owners mentioned a cost

$1,000median

Middle half: $825 – $1,200

Engine and engine cooling

14 owners mentioned a cost

$1,072median

Middle half: $575 – $2,375

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Murano year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Murano median. How we score

'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Nissan Murano safety ratings

2003 Nissan Murano 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2003 Nissan Murano frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Rollover: 4 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Nissan Murano, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ALTERNATOR FAILURE / ENGINE STALLINGEA05006 · closed Aug 17, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-319
  2. ALTERNATOR FAILURE/ ENGINE STALLINGPE04077 · closed Mar 25, 2005
    No recall
  3. FUEL TANK PUNCTURES FROM ROAD DEBRISPE05050 · closed Jan 31, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-003
  4. DRIVER SEAT ANCHOR FAILUREPE08065 · closed Jul 2, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What Murano owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE CAR SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE FREEWAY. ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH. IT DID IT SUDDENLY I WAS UNABLE TO PULL OVER.I WAS GOING ABOUT 65 MPH WHILE THE A/C WAS BLOWING IT COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONED
Complaint 11205429 · May 3, 2019 · 166,000 miles
MY 2003 MURANO SE/SL AAWHEN I FIRST START THE ENGINE IT MAKES A SOUND LIKE IT HAS NO OIL OR ENGINE IS CHOKING BUT ITS STARTS BUT IF ENGINE IS IDLING FOR 5 MINS OR SO ITS SHUT OFF BUT I CAN START IT AGAIN BUT AFTER WHEN IM DRIVING ENGINE JUST DIES OFF AMD WONT START AGAIN FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. THAT…
Complaint 11153617 · Nov 25, 2018 · 3 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK TO AVOID A POTENTIAL CRASH, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE…
Complaint 11142456 · Oct 24, 2018 · 107,000 miles

Own a 2003 Murano?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.