VehicleVerdict

2018 Nissan Murano problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2018 Nissan Murano sits mid-pack among Murano years: 172 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 161, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across driver assistance (30), electrical system (29), and other (29), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

172

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Murano years?

Murano NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Murano years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Murano problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Driver Assistance3017%
Other2917%
Electrical System2917%
Brakes2615%
Speed Control2313%
Visibility & Wipers74%
Seat Belts53%
Engine53%
Transmission53%
Body & Structure32%
Lighting21%
Seats21%
Airbags21%
Suspension11%
Tires & Wheels11%
Latches & Locks11%
Steering11%

Does the 2018 Nissan Murano have recalls?

2 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.

19V654000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“My 2018 Nissan Murano Intelligent Forward Collision Warning System (IFCWS) kicks on randomly and inadvertently when there is no forward collision risk. This causes the IFCWS light to come on and the cruise control to be disabled while driving causing a higher risk of an accident. This is a known…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · January 28, 2023

“I RENTED THIS VEHICLE FROM ENTERPRISE AND WHILE DRIVING ON OLD COUNTRY ROAD IN WESTBURY, NEW YORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE FILLED THE CAR AND MY FOOT FELT REALLY HOT LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. THIS OCCURRED SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS, CAUSING ME TO LOSE VISIBILITY AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 29, 2020 · crash · fire

“Car was parked for two hours in a private parking space. Onlooker reported seeing it on fire and called 911. Car was completely destroyed by fire. Insurance company reported it was related to this recall.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 21, 2025 · fire

“I RENTED THIS VEHICLE FROM ENTERPRISE AND WHILE DRIVING ON OLD COUNTRY ROAD IN WESTBURY, NEW YORK, ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE FILLED THE CAR AND MY FOOT FELT REALLY HOT LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE. THIS OCCURRED SUDDENLY WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS, CAUSING ME TO LOSE VISIBILITY AND CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 29, 2020 · crash · fire

“PURCHASED 2018 NISSAN MORANO SL SUV ON 12/14/2019. DRIVING FROM DEALER ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY, APPROX. 3 MI., DASHBOARD DISPLAYED 'UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION'. IT HAS RANDOMLY DISPLAYED THIS EVER SINCE. NISSAN DEALER STATED THEY HAVE BEEN 'DESENSITIZING' THE RADAR AS A REMEDY BUT DENIED HAVING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · December 14, 2019

2018 Nissan Murano — common questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Murano reliable?

It is close to typical for the Murano: 172 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2018 Murano problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are driver assistance (30 complaints), electrical system (29 complaints), other (29 complaints).

Does the 2018 Nissan Murano have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 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 2018 Nissan Murano?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Nissan Murano earned an overall rating of 5 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.