VehicleVerdict

2005 Nissan Murano problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,169 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.3 times the median Murano year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 24 Murano years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 22 injuries in total across these filings.

Seats leads the complaint categories with 457 reports (39% of the total).

1,169

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

2

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

22

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Murano years?

See all Murano years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Nissan Murano problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seats45739%
Visibility & Wipers14312%
Latches & Locks11910%
Electrical System1059%
Transmission575%
Airbags565%
Engine514%
Other383%
Body & Structure353%
Fuel System333%
Suspension151%
Brakes141%
Steering141%
Speed Control121%
Tires & Wheels71%
Lighting50%
Seat Belts50%
Child Seat20%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2005 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.

06V401000SteeringOctober 20, 2006 · 67,014 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." DURING AN INSPECTION OF SOME VEHICLES AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED WITH THE IGNITION KNOB IN THE "OFF" POSITION BUT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

Consequence

IF THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION BEING IN THE "PARK" POSITION, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE STEERING WHEEL CAN LOCK WHEN TURNED TO THE RIGHT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V054000Fuel SystemFebruary 21, 2006 · 14,268 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A FITTING FOR VAPOR RECIRCULATION, WHICH IS WELDED ON THE FUEL TANK, MAY COME OFF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE INCORRECT MATERIAL WAS USED.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMING ON AND MAY RESULT IN SOME FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. 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.

I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED FOR A LIGHT AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT-BACK FELL BACKWARDS AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT. THE SPEED LIMIT IN THE AREA IS 50MPH AND I AM NOT SURE HOW FAST THE OTHER DRIVER WAS GOING. THE CAR HAS BEEN SCRAPPED BY THE OTHER DRIVER'S INSURANCE CARRIER. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · September 9, 2011 · crash

DRIVERS SIDE VISOR DROPS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING, INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING. OCCURS DURING HOT WEATHER, COLD WEATHER, ON SHORT DRIVES OR LONG ~ NO CONSISTENCY. UNSCREWED THE VISOR TO ATTEMPT TO FIND LOOSE SCREWS, NONE OF WHICH THERE WERE. ATTEMPTED TO USE VELCRO TO SECURE VISOR TO INTERIOR ROOF, BUT DID…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 18, 2010

THE FRONT PASSENGER LOCK WOULD NOT OPEN USING THE KEY FOB OR THE INTERIOR LOCK BUTTONS. THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR IS UNLOCK. RECENTLY ( SPRING OF 2013, 129K MILES), THE DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE LOCKS WOULD NOT OPERATE UNLESS MANUALLY UNLOCKED, AT FIRST…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · August 1, 2011

CAR HAS A BROKEN SUSPENSION AND STABILIZATION BAR, CAR IN PREVIOUS ACCIDENT NOT DISCLOSED TO BUYER. CAR SHOULD NOT BE ON ROAD AS IT IS VERY UNSAFE TIRES ARE SPREADING IN A TRIANGULAR DIMENSION DUE TO PREVIOUS DAMAGE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 28, 2018 · crash

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE ENGINE ACTED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL AND WOULDN'T RESPOND BY GIVING IT GAS. THEN IT JUST LURCHED FORWARD ABRUBTLY AND BEGAN TO RUN NORMALLY. THEN AFTER ABOUT 2 MORE BLOCKS WHILE WE'RE GOING 45 MPH IT COMPLETELY STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A 3 LANE ROAD. THIS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 13, 2018 · crash

2005 Nissan Murano — common questions

Is the 2005 Nissan Murano reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,169 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 24 Murano years. It is one of the Murano years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Murano problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seats (457 complaints), visibility & wipers (143 complaints), latches & locks (119 complaints).

Does the 2005 Nissan Murano have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Nissan Murano. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Nissan Murano under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 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.