VehicleVerdict

2003 Nissan Murano problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,050 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 6.5 times the median Murano year — the 2003 model ranks #2 of 24 Murano years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 9 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 271 reports (26% of the total).

1,050

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

9

Injuries

1

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Murano years?

See all Murano years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Nissan Murano problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission27126%
Electrical System23723%
Engine14314%
Seats11111%
Speed Control586%
Visibility & Wipers464%
Fuel System434%
Other262%
Latches & Locks242%
Body & Structure212%
Suspension172%
Steering172%
Brakes151%
Lighting91%
Seat Belts61%
Airbags40%
Tires & Wheels10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2003 Nissan Murano have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09V169000EngineMay 19, 2009 · 362,891 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

06V048000Seat BeltsFebruary 13, 2006 · 203,000 units

Defect

ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, THE WEBBING OF A REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT MAY CONTACT THE REAR SEAT BACK HINGE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE HINGE.

Consequence

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

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTORS OVER THE WEBBING OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V003000Fuel SystemJanuary 10, 2006 · 205,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK, IN THE EVENT THAT A VEHICLE FRONT TIRE RUNS OVER A SMALL, SHARP OBJECT IN THE ROAD, CATCHES IT AND PROPELS IT TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IT MAY STRIKE AND PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.

Consequence

A PUNCTURED TANK COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTORS IN FRONT OF THE TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

05V319000Electrical SystemJuly 14, 2005 · 125,466 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGER WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL IMMEDIATELY COME ON AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE. AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL GO INTO A "FALL SAFE" CONDITION WHICH WILL LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A NEW VERSION WHICH HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF THE COIL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

03V455000EngineNovember 17, 2003 · 630,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

03V123000TransmissionMarch 31, 2003 · 128 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

THE PROBLEM WITH MY NISSAN MURANO LIKE SO MANY OTHERS IS THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND I WASTED $125 DOLLARS. I ALSO CONTACTED NISSAN COOPERATE AND THEY HAVE NOT DID ANYTHING. NISSAN KNOWS THIS IS A MANUFACTORY PROBLEM AND THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. I AM SO FRUSTRATED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 15, 2016 · crash

STOPPED BEHIND A TRUCK AND AS THE DRIVER STARTED TO GO AROUND IT, THE VEHICLE FIRST SWERVED TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND AS THE DRIVER TRIED TO STABILIZE IT, IT SWUNG TO THE LEFT HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND THEN SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND OF THE ROAD, HITTING A TREE. BASICALLY THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 7, 2004 · crash

VEHICLE IN FRONT HER ROLLBACK AND HIT THE GRILL, NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE UPON INSPECTION. 1/4 MILES ON THE ROAD NOTICE THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND DIAGNOSIS THE RADIATOR WAS BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 7, 2003 · crash · fire

2003 NISSAN MURANO DRIVERS SEAT BRACKET BROKE AT 42,000, REPAIRED BY DEALER FOR $850, " NOT COVERED" THEY CLAIMED. BROKE AGAIN AT 105,000, BUT I SUSPECT IT BROKE AROUND 90,000, NOT SURE SINCE I'M ONLY REGULAR DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. SAME PROBLEM WITH THE IDENTICAL LOCATION ON BRACKET DEALER DOES NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · March 1, 2008

WHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AS A RESULT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *JB THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · June 30, 2004 · crash

2003 Nissan Murano — common questions

Is the 2003 Nissan Murano reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,050 complaints put the 2003 model at #2 of 24 Murano years. It is one of the Murano years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Murano problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (271 complaints), electrical system (237 complaints), engine (143 complaints).

Does the 2003 Nissan Murano have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Nissan Murano. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Nissan Murano under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Murano years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Murano years to avoid are 2005, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2004, 2009, 2015. The cleanest record among Murano years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.