VehicleVerdict

2008 Nissan Murano problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2008 Nissan Murano — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Murano years?

Murano NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 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, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Murano years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Nissan Murano problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission343%
Airbags114%
Lighting114%
Steering114%
Body & Structure114%

Does the 2008 Nissan Murano have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V521000Electrical SystemOctober 7, 2008 · 204,361 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TAKATA RECALL, "I BOUGHT A USED MURANO 2008AND I THINK I HAVE THE PROBLEM CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE UNTIL THE RPM IS OVER 2000 AND THEN IT JUST KINDA SURGES FORWARD A BIT. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT DURING THE TEST DRIVE AND IT JUST SHOWED UP AFTER BEING STUCK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 12, 2016

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, IT FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 22, 2015

“THE TAIL LIGHTS ON THE 2008 NISSAN MURANO ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. THEY BLINK AT A RATE THAT IS VISIBLE, LEAVING DOTTED RED TRAILS IN ONE'S VISION. THEY ARE ALSO EXCESSIVELY BRIGHT, BLINDING CARS BEHIND THEM. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 15, 2009

“I HAVE A NEW 2008 MURANO. I'VE HAD THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM FIXED THREE TIMES AND THE PART IS BROKEN AGAIN. I BELIEVE IT TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT RELATED TO POOR DESIGN. THE CHARGER LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR BELOW THE DASHBOARD POPS OUT OF THE DASH AND THE WIRES COME OUT WITH IT.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 20, 2008

“WHEN RIDING OVER 50 MILES WHEN YOU GAS THE CAR IT GOES TO THE LEFT AND WHEN YOU LET OF THE GAS IT GOES TO THE WRIGHT, I THINK IT IS THE BUSHING OF THE CHASSIS.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 1, 2019

2008 Nissan Murano — common questions

Is the 2008 Nissan Murano reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

Does the 2008 Nissan Murano have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 Nissan Murano. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.