VehicleVerdict

2003 Nissan Murano engine problems

The 2003 Nissan Murano has 143 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

143

Engine complaints

14%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2003 Nissan Murano have?

NHTSA has 143 complaints about the 2003 Nissan Murano engine — 14% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Nissan Murano engine?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the engine: 03V455000, 09V169000.

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.