2005 Nissan Murano Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Nissan Murano ranks 2nd-worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95 and 986 complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Structure & Body issues, mainly driver seat failures, account for 60% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,500 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 21 Murano years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 986
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 12
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 17
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
Top 2005 Nissan Murano problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body592 (60%)
- Visibility & Wipers141 (14%)
- Electrical System104 (11%)
- Engine61 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain56 (6%)
- Airbags52 (5%)
- Other39 (4%)
- Fuel System32 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (2%)
- Brakes17 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Driver's seat frame or mounting bracket breaks or welds crack, causing the seat to lean or flop during normal driving or minor impacts.
- Steering wheel locks up unexpectedly at highway speed, leading some owners to lose control.
- Seat-back falls backward when the vehicle is rear-ended, even at moderate impact speeds.
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed collisions, leaving occupants without restraint protection.
- Brakes reportedly fail to decelerate the vehicle when pedal is repeatedly pressed, resulting in a crash.
- An engine compartment fire occurred shortly after brake work, with smoke and flames from the front right side.
2005 Nissan Murano recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 09V169000May 19, 2009Engine362,891 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling
Nissan is recalling 362,891 my 2003-2007 murano vehicles. The intake air ducts, which are connected to the intermediate resonator in the air intake system of the engine, may separate from the resonator with engine movement. This separation occurs due to the premature aging of the material used in the intake air ducts which causes excessive shrinking.
Risk: Engine may stall increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace/repair the appropriate components free of charge. The recall began on september 24, 2009. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 06V401000Oct 20, 2006Steering67,014 vehicles
Steering:column locking:anti-theft device
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." during an inspection of some vehicles at the assembly plant, it was found that the steering wheel was locked with the ignition knob in the "off" position but the vehicle transmission not being in the "park" position.
Risk: If the key is turned to the "off" position without the transmission being in the "park" position, it is possible that the steering wheel can lock when turned to the right.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the steering wheel lock assembly free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 06V054000Feb 21, 2006Fuel System14,268 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
On certain sport utility vehicles, a fitting for vapor recirculation, which is welded on the fuel tank, may come off the fuel tank because incorrect material was used.
Risk: This could result in the malfunction indicator light in the instrument panel coming on and may result in some fuel leakage. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank with a new one free of charge. The recall began on march 20, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2005 Nissan Murano fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Nissan Murano reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Murano ranks 2nd-worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 95, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Murano years.
- What is the main problem with the 2005 Nissan Murano?
- Structure & Body complaints dominate, making up 60% of all reports (592 of 986), largely centered on driver seat frame and mounting failures reported at a median of 67,500 miles.
- Does the 2005 Nissan Murano have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Murano covering the engine air intake ducts, steering wheel lock, fuel tank fittings, fuel tank protection, seat belt webbing, and alternator wiring.
- How does the 2005 Murano compare to later years?
- The 2005 model's complaint index of 95 is worse than most other years; only 2009 scores higher at 100, while years like 2021-2024 score between 5 and 20 and earn Best verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Nissan Murano?
- EPA rates the 2005 Murano at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.