2011 Nissan Murano problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 2011 Nissan Murano sits mid-pack among Murano years: 190 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 161, with no recalls and no defect investigations. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 2 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (39), transmission (37), and other (24), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.
190
NHTSA complaints
0
Recalls
0
Investigations
11
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
2
Injuries
1
Deaths
4
NCAP overall · of 5 stars
How does 2011 compare to other Murano years?
What are the most common 2011 Nissan Murano problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 39 | 21% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 37 | 19% | — flat |
| Other | 24 | 13% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 15 | 8% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 14 | 7% | — flat |
| Electrical System | 13 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Body & Structure | 13 | 7% | — flat |
| Suspension | 10 | 5% | ▼ down |
| Engine | 7 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Fuel System | 6 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Speed Control | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Seats | 3 | 2% | — flat |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 1% | — flat |
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WITHOUT WARNING, BRAKES BEGIN TO FEEL SPONGY, HAVE TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO FLOOR BEFORE RESPONSE. SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS NOW AS A RESULT OF INTERMITTENT CHANGED BRAKING PERFORMANCE. AS A RESULT, HAD BRAKES CHECKED, FLUID DRAINED, MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED, BRAKE LINES DRAINED, NO CHANGE IN…”
“THE CVT WENT BAD IN THE VEHICLE AND NISSAN NEVER FIXED WHAT WAS REPORTED IN THE PAST WITH 2012S PEOPLE WITH 2013 TO CURRENT ARE ALL STILL HAVING CVT TRANSMISSIONS FAIL AND NISSAN IS NOT RECALLING OR FIXING THE ISSUE. WELL DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING AND LOST COMPLETE POWER…”
“WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE I HEARD A LOUD SOUND LIKE A GUNSHOT. THERE WEREN'T ANY CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND I DIDN'T JUST GO UNDER AN OVERPASS. UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND NO FOREIGN OBJECTS WERE VISIBLE THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED IT. SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A…”
“WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 45 MPH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME AND NO OVERPASS OR TREES ABOVE ME , MY SUNROOF EXPLODED (IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WENT OFF) AND THEN I HEARD A CRACKLING NOISE WHICH AS SOON AS I PULLED OVER I FOUND IT HAD EXPLODED UPWARDS AND SHATTERED. I HAVE PICTURES…”
“ON FRIDAY APRIL 27, 2012 I WAS IN ALBUQUERQUE PROCEEDING EAST IN THE PASSING LANE OF CENTRAL AVENUE SE, GOING 20 MPH. A BLACK CAMERO, PROCEEDING NORTH ON JEFFERSON ST NE, RAN A STOP SIGN, SPED INTO THE INTERSECTION AND COLLIDED WITH THE FRONT OF MY 2011 NISSAN MURANO. WHEN THIS HAPPENED NOT ONE…”
2011 Nissan Murano — common questions
Is the 2011 Nissan Murano reliable?
It is close to typical for the Murano: 190 NHTSA complaints, 0 recalls, and no investigations on file.
What are the most common 2011 Murano problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (39 complaints), transmission (37 complaints), other (24 complaints).
Does the 2011 Nissan Murano have recalls?
No. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2011 Nissan Murano.
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.
How safe is the 2011 Nissan Murano?
In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Nissan Murano earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
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.