VehicleVerdict

2016 Nissan Murano problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Nissan Murano is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 141 owner complaints run below the Murano median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (19), transmission (15), and brakes (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

141

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Murano years?

See all Murano years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Nissan Murano problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other1913%
Brakes1511%
Transmission1511%
Engine1511%
Seats129%
Electrical System129%
Airbags118%
Body & Structure118%
Speed Control96%
Visibility & Wipers96%
Driver Assistance54%
Suspension32%
Steering21%
Seat Belts21%
Tires & Wheels11%

Does the 2016 Nissan Murano have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V807000BrakesNovember 8, 2019 · 391,479 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Nissan Murano, 2016-2018 Nissan Maxima, and 2017-2019 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60 vehicles. These vehicles were previously recalled and unrepaired, or inspected and determined to not need a repair, under recall number 18V-601. In addition, this recall expands the previous population. The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, currently expected to be during summer 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: If the ABS warning light remains illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

18V601000BrakesSeptember 7, 2018 · 215,124 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Nissan Murano, 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2017-2018 Nissan Pathfinder, and 2017 Infiniti QX60 vehicles. The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak on the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

16V636000BrakesSeptember 2, 2016 · 120,329 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima vehicles manufactured February 10, 2015, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, 2015-2017 Murano vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to August 19, 2016 and equipped with Intelligent Cruise Control, and 2015-2016 Murano Hybrid vehicles manufactured August 22, 2014, to July 19, 2016. The affected vehicles have Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) actuator pumps that may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal electrical circuit board.

Consequence

A brake fluid leak onto the circuit board may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS Actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. Note: When brake fluid has leaked onto the circuit board, the ABS warning lamp will remain illuminated for more than 10 seconds after engine start up. If this occurs, owners are advised to park the vehicle outdoors away from other vehicles or structures and to not drive the vehicle.

16V244000AirbagsApril 26, 2016 · 3,296,947 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Nissan Maxima, 2013-2016 Nissan Altima, NV200, LEAF, Sentra, and Pathfinder, 2014-2016 Nissan NV200 Taxi, Infiniti QX60, QX60 Hybrid, and Q50 Hybrid, 2014-2017 Nissan Rogue and Infiniti Q50, 2015-2016 Nissan Murano, Murano Hybrid, and Chevrolet City Express, 2014-2015 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, and 2013 Infiniti JX35 vehicles. In these vehicles, the front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied. As a result, the passenger frontal air bag may be turned off and not deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Nissan will notify their owners. Chevrolet City Express owners will be notified by General Motors. Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) in Altima, Maxima, Murano, Rogue, and Sentra vehicles, and replace the OCS ECU in LEAF, NV200, NV200 Taxi, Pathfinder, Infiniti Q50, JX35, and QX60 and Chevrolet City Express vehicles, free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669, Infiniti customer service at 1-888-833-3216 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020.

16V193000BrakesApril 7, 2016 · 12,616 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2016 Murano vehicles manufactured December 17, 2015, to February 11, 2016, and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to February 12, 2016 and equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). The ABS actuator may have a damaged O-ring that may result in a lack of brake fluid pressure.

Consequence

Insufficient brake fluid pressure may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ABS actuator, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 16, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

BACK UP CAMERA DISPLAY IS OFTEN, BUT NOT ALWAYS, SHOWING A BLACK SCREEN WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. I HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN REVERSE AGAIN TO MAKE IT WORK. THIS HAPPENS ANYWHERE, IN THE GARAGE, IN A PARKING LOT OR ANYPLACE I HAVE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. IT IS NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 10, 2020

CVT- transmission,Pulley, Tearing of belt The safety of myself as well as others was put at risk do to the vehicle loosing power while driving on the freeway,yes the dealership ran a diagnostic which produce a report of a failing CVT-transmission ,Pulley and tearing of belt. No, there hasn't been…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 8, 2025

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN MURANO. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOP, IT LUNGED FORWARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. MARTIN NISSAN (5240 GOLF RD, SKOKIE, IL 60077, [PHONE]) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL AND THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET BEFORE STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE "PLEASE PUT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND PRESS THE START BUTTON" WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. A POLICE REPORT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 11, 2016 · crash

1. DRIVERS SEAT ROCKS AS IF IT IS BROKEN. COULD CAUSE PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYING IN A CRASH. 2. REAR SHOCKS/STRUTS SEAM TO BE WEAK OR COLLAPSED. MAKES VEHICLE SIT LOWER IN REAR, THIS CAUSES THE SUN TO REFLECT IN DRIVERS EYES BLINDING THE DRIVER. OUR VEHICLE IS SILVER IN COLOR. I*DT *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · March 14, 2019

2016 Nissan Murano — common questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Murano reliable?

It is close to typical for the Murano: 141 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 Murano problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (19 complaints), transmission (15 complaints), brakes (15 complaints).

Does the 2016 Nissan Murano have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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.

How safe is the 2016 Nissan Murano?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.