Nissan Murano Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Nissan Murano years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2015, based on NHTSA complaint indexes as high as 100 and clusters of Structure & Body, Brakes, and Transmission & Powertrain complaints. The Best years are 2021-2024, each with complaint indexes of 20 or below and few or no recalls.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2009Avoid 2010Avoid 2015Best 2021Best 2022Best 2023Best 2024
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 4,472
- Recall campaigns
- 24
- Crashes reported
- 117
- Fires reported
- 26
- Top problem area
- Structure & Body
Murano Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Murano problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 95 | 986 | 12 | 1 | 6 | Structure & Body | 20 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 90 | 803 | 13 | 2 | 4 | Structure & Body | 19.5 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 85 | 676 | 6 | 3 | 2 | Structure & Body | 19.5 | — |
| 2008 | Good | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | — | — |
| 2009 | Avoid | 100 | 635 | 24 | 4 | 4 | Brakes | 20 | — |
| 2010 | Avoid | 80 | 192 | 11 | 1 | 0 | Brakes | 20 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 60 | 148 | 7 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 20 | 4★ |
| 2012 | Caution | 50 | 135 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20 | 4★ |
| 2013 | Good | 30 | 74 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Electrical System | 20 | 4★ |
| 2014 | Caution | 70 | 145 | 6 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20 | 4★ |
| 2015 | Avoid | 75 | 203 | 10 | 5 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 24 | 4★ |
| 2016 | Caution | 40 | 107 | 3 | 1 | 5 | Engine | 25.5 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Caution | 65 | 107 | 8 | 2 | 3 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 45 | 113 | 3 | 5 | 2 | Brakes | 24 | 5★ |
| 2019 | Good | 25 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 23 | 5★ |
| 2020 | Good | 35 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 23 | 5★ |
| 2021 | Best | 20 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2022 | Best | 10 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2023 | Best | 15 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | Brakes | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2024 | Best | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 22.5 | 5★ |
| 2025 | Caution | 55 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
Murano years to avoid: what went wrong
2009 Nissan Murano Index 100 · 635 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2009 Murano has the highest complaint index of any year (100) from 635 complaints. Brakes dominate at 43% of complaints with a median 88,000-mile failure point. Owners report brake pedals that fail to slow the vehicle, including one case where speed increased instead of decreasing in a parking lot, plus airbags that failed to deploy in crashes and an electrical fire that started while the vehicle was parked. Four recalls apply, including a 2018 brake ABS hydraulic unit fix and a TPMS nut recall.
2009 brakes problems →2009 airbags problems →2009 electrical system problems →
2005 Nissan Murano Index 95 · 986 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2005 Murano has the third-highest complaint index (95) among all years, driven mainly by Structure & Body problems, which account for 60% of its 986 total complaints, with a median failure mileage around 67,500. Owners describe seat weld and mounting bracket failures that let the driver's seat lean or flop during driving. Visibility & Wipers and Electrical System issues each add double-digit shares. NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for this year, including engine intake duct separation, a steering wheel lock defect, and a fuel tank fitting recall.
2005 structure & body problems →2005 visibility & wipers problems →2005 electrical system problems →
2006 Nissan Murano Index 90 · 803 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2006 Murano carries a complaint index of 90 with 803 total complaints. Structure & Body problems make up 52% of complaints at a median 69,506 miles, and Visibility & Wipers adds another 22%. Owners report sun visors that fail to stay up and brake pedals that go to the floor without stopping the vehicle. Four recall campaigns cover this year, including the same steering wheel lock issue as 2005 plus a seat belt webbing defect that can be cut by a sharp seat hinge in a crash.
2006 structure & body problems →2006 visibility & wipers problems →2006 engine problems →
2007 Nissan Murano Index 85 · 676 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2007 Murano has a complaint index of 85 across 676 complaints. Structure & Body issues are 44% of complaints at a median 75,500 miles, followed by Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 16% with a median 139,000 miles. Owners describe unintended acceleration incidents, a differential failure on the highway, brake pedals sinking to the floorboard, and steering wheels locking mid-drive. Two recall campaigns apply, covering engine intake ducts and an occupant classification sensor signal issue.
2007 structure & body problems →2007 suspension, wheels & tires problems →2007 engine problems →
2010 Nissan Murano Index 80 · 192 complaints · 0 recalls
The 2010 Murano has a complaint index of 80 from 192 complaints, with Brakes as the top area at 29% and a median 99,500-mile failure point, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 21% with a median 88,000 miles. Owners describe brake systems that lose pressure suddenly after hitting bumps or in snowy conditions, and airbags that failed to deploy during a crash. This model year carries no NHTSA recall campaigns despite the complaint volume.
2010 brakes problems →2010 transmission & powertrain problems →2010 electrical system problems →
2015 Nissan Murano Index 75 · 203 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2015 Murano has a complaint index of 75 from 203 complaints. Transmission & Powertrain leads at 26% with a median 39,100-mile failure point, and Engine follows at 19%. Owners report ABS actuator problems that caused smoke and fires near the front wheel, brake warning lights illuminating before failures, and adaptive steering that stopped responding on icy roads. Five recall campaigns apply, including two brake ABS actuator recalls marked park-outside due to fire risk.
2015 transmission & powertrain problems →2015 engine problems →2015 airbags problems →
Most common Nissan Murano problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Structure & Body1,478 (33%)
- Brakes559 (13%)
- Visibility & Wipers534 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain480 (11%)
- Other443 (10%)
- Electrical System432 (10%)
- Engine419 (9%)
- Airbags320 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires266 (6%)
- Steering195 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Which Nissan Murano years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2015 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100 and problem clusters in Structure & Body, Brakes, and Transmission & Powertrain.
- What is the best Nissan Murano year to buy?
- 2021 through 2024 are rated Best, each with complaint indexes of 20 or below; 2024 has the lowest at 5, though its complaint volume is also small.
- Does the 2015 Nissan Murano have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists five recall campaigns for the 2015 Murano, including two ABS actuator recalls in 2018 and 2019 marked park-outside because of fire risk.
- Why is the 2009 Murano rated Avoid?
- The 2009 Murano has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, with Brakes accounting for 43% of its 635 complaints and a median failure mileage of 88,000.
- Is the 2008 Nissan Murano reliable?
- The 2008 Murano is rated Good with a complaint index of 0, but NHTSA notes the verdict is capped at Good because complaint records for 2005-2009 model years are less complete.