2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,936 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Nissan Murano transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Nissan Murano Owner Comments (Page 6 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #57

May 272008

Murano

  • 68,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving on rt 80 and my 2003 Nissan Murano, the "check engine light" went on, and shortly thereafter my car started losing power. As I accelerated, the car would not regain speed and started bucking. I had to slow down, pull over and turn off the engine. I restarted it a few mins later and the power returned. I took the car to Nissan to investigate and ended up needing a new transmission. The car is less than 4 years old (I purchased it new in August 2004) and has 68,000 miles on it. I filed a claim with Nissan and they informed me there was nothing they could do. I had to replace it at my cost. In searching the internet, I have discovered hundreds of similar cases to mine as well as other complaints to the NHTSA. This seems to be a chronic issue with the make and model car I own and I think Nissan needs to be investigated as im guessing there needs to be some sort of recall for this. If it was worse, I could have caused a very serious accident on a major highway.

- Boonton, NJ, USA

problem #56

Apr 102008

Murano

  • 70,000 miles
2003 Murano has faulty transfer case, leaks fluid and has burning oil smell.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #55

Apr 202008

Murano

  • 70,000 miles
Faulty transfer case.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #54

Jul 112008

Murano

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a Nissan Murano. Ever since I purchased the car it is used, I have nothing but trouble with it. The place I got it from replaced the transmission and the new one is slipping everytime I drive it.

- Encino, CA, USA

problem #53

Jul 282007

Murano

  • 53,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at different speeds he experienced hesitation which as a consequence hinders acceleration. He took the vehicle to the dealer on numerous occasions in which technicians repeatedly advised him that because they could not duplicate the problem they could not provide a remedy. Eventually, a dealership stated that he needed to replace the valve body in the transmission at an expense of $1800 because his vehicle exceeded its warranty. He has not had the vehicle repaired. He contacted the manufacturer and was not provided with any assistance. The failure mileage was 53,000 and the current mileage was 73,000.

- Avondale, AZ, USA

problem #52

Jul 262008

Murano

  • 75,000 miles
Transmission failure with 2004 Nissan Murano. The car would not accelerate at a stop and stalled. Long delay and finally slowly picked up again. Also making loud noises that appeared to come from the front.

- Castle Rock, CO, USA

problem #51

Apr 192008

Murano

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I brought my Nissan into the dealer the beginning of April 2008 because the "service engine soon" light was on...and I was told my car's computer needed to "re-learn" something. That cost me $100. Then, about two weeks later, I was on the interstate, my engine started making a straining noise, and I began to lose power. Of course, my "service engine soon" light popped on. No matter how hard I pressed the gas pedal, my car would not speed up... and the RPM seemed to be stuck on 4,000. My speed steadily decreased, and I had to finally stop my car in the breakdown lane. I left it sit for about 15 minutes, restarted it, and it miraculously fixed itself. I made it off the interstate, but it eventually started acting up again. I pulled into a parking lot and let it sit for about 2 hours. That was long enough for it to fix itself again and make it to the Nissan dealer. It didn't give me any trouble on the way to the dealer, so I was completely shocked when they told me that I needed a new transmission!!! that absolutely never even occurred to me that something that major could be wrong! my Murano has just over 70,000 miles on it.... unbelievable! it ended up sitting at the dealer for more than a week because they had to order the transmission. The total cost would've been $5,700, but my extended warranty covered it. That's a big relief, but now I've lost faith in my Murano. I've had minor problems before, and it even completely died on me and had to be towed (I guess I need to lookup that problem and report it too)... but I just thought "these things happen no matter how new a car is." It is comforting to know that so many other people have had the same problem... thanks to this website. Nissan really needs to do something. This is a huge mistake on their part, and to keep bragging about how awesome their Nissan transmissions are... is very wrong. Nissan needs to stand behind their product.

- Hammond, LA, USA

problem #50

Jun 032006

Murano

  • 69,990 miles
I owned a 2003 Nissan Murano for less than 11 months before I was forced to trade it in. During the first 7 months of ownership I had nothing but a great experience with this vehicle. Within the 8th - 11th months however I began experiencing problems with my vehicle. I took it to the dealer and was informed that my vehicle's transmission was burning up and slipping. I took it to another Nissan dealer and allowed them to do a diagnosis. I was told that the transmission only had a short amount of life left and that it would cost $5,000+ to have it shipped to Japan and replaced. They told me that the fluid installed in the transmission was atf and not the $25/quart cvt fluid. I believed this and have been telling this story for years. I learned today that this was nonsense. I bought the car from a reputable dealer and only had the car serviced by Nissan. Where would the fluid get into my ride in that case" I bought a warranty on the recommendation of the dealers representative who informed me that I would want coverage for the transmission in hopes of avoiding the $5,000 tag for replacement. He was a prophet because I ended up needing a new transmission less than 11 months later, but my warranty refused to cover the cost citing the failure to service the transmission at 60K though it was serviced at 61K. I traded this vehicle in with less than 70K on the odometer. In a year when I should have no car payment, I must accept another 4 years of car payments. What a shame, what a waste. How much I miss my ride, but what would it have been worth to me to keep it without knowing the same thing wouldn't continue?!?!!?!" please help me and those others out there who need relief from this nightmare. I want to recoup my money that was stolen from me by Nissan and for the upsidedown deficit I was thrust into by having to prematurely trade in my vehicle.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #49

Jul 172008

Murano

  • 79,752 miles
2003 Nissan Murano with 3.5L engine and cvt transmission. Vehicle hesitates, then suddenly surges forward in slow traffic after being driven on highway. Very dangerous problem with vehicle. Frequency: Problem occurring about every day lately. Dealer will not mention this problem yet.

- Edmond , OK, USA

problem #48

Feb 132008

Murano

  • 75,000 miles
When in heavy stop and go traffic the car fails to accelerate after about 5 seconds it jerks so you basically drive with one foot on the brakes and the other on the gas very dangerous especially when making a left hand turn this happens about 3-5 time daily.

- Maricopa, AZ, USA

problem #47

Jun 152008

Murano

  • 87,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2003 Nissan Murano. It's been a great car since I purchased it new. I have recently heard a whining noise. The dealership and another source tell me I need a new transmission for about $5000. The car has 68K miles. The dealership told me it will just die one of these days. My fear is where will I be or what will I be doing when that happens. Nissan just says, "too bad" its out of warranty.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #46

Jul 072008

Murano

  • 67,000 miles
Purchased used Nissan Murano in November 2007 with 61K miles. While driving vehicle at 55 mph the car suddenly shift to a lower gear. Would not accelerate at a safe rate and the transmission never shift to higher gear. Gear indicator light went out as well.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #45

Jul 112008

Murano

  • 74,000 miles
I have a 2003 Nissan Murano with 76K miles. During stop and go traffic anywhere between 0 and 30 mph, I step on the gas pedal and the car does not move for a few seconds then suddenly it lurches forward. This is happening intermittently over the past three month. I am very scared to push the throttle because in a few secs, it just suddenly lurches forward and could cause a accident in front of me. I am not the only one, as there seems to be many people with this problem. I think this should be a recall from Nissan. Please don't let this become an accident with injuries before action is taken. Thank you.

- Seabrook, NH, USA

problem #44

Dec 292007

Murano

  • 81,000 miles
I have a 2003 Nissan Murano with 94K miles. During stop and go traffic, I step on the gas pedal and the car does not move for a few seconds then suddenly the car jerks forward. This happens intermittently over the past month. Its when I drive it to work its about 38 miles and I get off the ramp at the turn signal and I want to accelerate and don't go am very scared to push the throttle because in a few secs, it just kicks and could cause a accident in front of me. I don't let my wife use this car no more, I feel my children and my wife could get in accident that's why am writing this complaint. I found all this complaints in the web. townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F133968/20 )am not the only one. Thank you. I think this is a recall

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #43

Mar 202008

Murano

  • 95,000 miles
Nissan Murano 2003 - fails to accelerate when gas pedal is pushed.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #42

Jun 122008

Murano

  • 95,000 miles
Car while in stop and go traffic and also from a stop will hesitate and the engine and transmission will engage a few seconds later while the car lurches forward. This problem has been occurring for over a year with no resolution presented. I have been in too many close calls while trying to make turns in traffic and it is a nightmare to drive in stop and go traffic. A fix or resolution to this problem would be greatly appreciated.

- Gold Canyon, AZ, USA

problem #41

Sep 012005

Murano

  • miles
I recently submitted a complaint. I read over the other complaints after submission and realized that 90% of the complaints submitted are same or similar to my problem. I was in fact told two different reasons for my car issues from two dealers in two different states. I am afraid that Nissan does not know what the problem is or is not relaying it to their tech's. my car is loosing power during take off and thrusting forward. This mostly occurs in stop and go traffic. To remedy, I have to pull over and turn off the car. Are we not addressing this issue because it costs Nissan to much to fix all the vehicles in need or is your Agency turning a blind eye until an actual accident or death occurs. This problem will occur on the hwy, local street, anywhere. It does not discriminate and costs much to fix. The biggest problem is that I am under the assumption that if they "fix" it may still be broken due them not knowing the problem. I have been told it was the following: Throttle body, valve body, and transmission.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #40

Jan 012008

Murano

  • 75,000 miles
Have yet to attempt to fix the problem, due to information relating to this specific problem. 2003 Nissan Murano which over the past year has experience significant delays in acceleration when in stop/go traffic.

- Wildwood, MO, USA

problem #39

Jun 242008

Murano

  • 70,000 miles
While sitting at stop lights or in traffic, the vehicle fails to move for 20-30 seconds, then lurches forward at a high rate of speed. This has been occurring since I reached 70K miles and according to all other 2003 Nissan owners on numerous websites, they are experiencing the same issues. Does someone have to be seriously injured or killed for someone to take notice? Nissan refuses to recognize the issue. This vehicle should be recalled right away!

- Farmingville, NY, USA

problem #38

May 102008

Murano

  • 30,000 miles
I have experienced several time when my readmission would slip and not engage on my 2003 Nissan Murano. Now while driving down the highway with my carpool from work with me, a small beep from under the dash goes off and my transmission goes completely out. Now I find out that Nissan has had this problem for several years and has done nothing to recall or fix this problem. I was going to buy another Murano but now I am looking at a $5,000 bill just to get it running. I am very upset with Nissan as this car should not have lost a transmission so fast.

- Eufaula, OK, USA

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