VehicleVerdict

2004 Nissan Murano problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 850 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.3 times the median Murano year — the 2004 model ranks #5 of 24 Murano years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 36 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (147), visibility & wipers (133), and electrical system (126), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

850

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

36

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Murano years?

Murano NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted1,169 complaints2003: 1,050 complaints2004: 850 complaints2005: 1,169 complaints2006: 916 complaints2007: 899 complaints2008: 7 complaints2009: 805 complaints2010: 221 complaints2011: 190 complaints2012: 167 complaints2013: 90 complaints2014: 172 complaints2015: 266 complaints2016: 141 complaints2017: 155 complaints2018: 172 complaints2019: 56 complaints2020: 62 complaints2021: 21 complaints2022: 5 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 5 complaints2025: 36 complaints2026: 2 complaints
Murano NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Murano years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Nissan Murano problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission14717%
Visibility & Wipers13316%
Electrical System12615%
Seats9411%
Engine8310%
Latches & Locks486%
Speed Control354%
Fuel System354%
Other304%
Body & Structure293%
Steering263%
Brakes202%
Suspension152%
Tires & Wheels81%
Airbags81%
Seat Belts71%
Lighting40%
Driver Assistance10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2004 Nissan Murano have recalls?

4 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL* - THE CONTACT STATES THAT ON 12/20/06 AROUND 10:00 AM THE CONTACT DROVE HER 2004 NISSAN MURANO OUT OF HER DRIVEWAY AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE DOWN AN ALLEY AT ABOUT 2 MPH. AFTER MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO THE MAIN ROAD OF A RESIDENTIAL AREA, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO ABOUT 50 MPH WITHOUT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 20, 2006 · crash

“MY NISSAN MURANO HAS A DEFECTIVE DRIVER SIDE VISOR. IT CONSTANTLY FALLS FROM THE "UP POSITION" INTO DRIVERS VISION. THIS CAUSED AN ACCIDENT!!! I WAS TRAVELING DOWNHILL ON A SNOW/ICE COVERED ROAD, I HIT A BUMP AND THE VISOR FELL INTO MY VISION I REACHED TO PUT THE VISOR BACK INTO THE UP POSITION.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 1, 2010 · crash

“THE DASHBOARD STARTED SMOKING WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT/ THE NAVIGATION DEVICE/ STEREO SYSTEM, AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE MOUNTED. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE SMOKE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS LOCATED BEHIND THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 22, 2004 · fire

“THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BRACKET FAILED DURING ROUTINE CORNERING. THE SEAT NOW SITS SEVERAL INCHES LOWER TO THE LEFT AND ROCKS DURING CORNERING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHS SPEEDS. THIS APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND I FIND IT HARD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 26, 2014

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND SMOKE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE IN THE ENGINE AS IF IT HAD BEEN PUNCTURED BY A COMPONENT. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 18, 2009 · fire

2004 Nissan Murano — common questions

Is the 2004 Nissan Murano reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 850 complaints put the 2004 model at #5 of 24 Murano years. It is one of the Murano years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Murano problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (147 complaints), visibility & wipers (133 complaints), electrical system (126 complaints).

Does the 2004 Nissan Murano have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Nissan Murano. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 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.