2008 Nissan Murano Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2008 Nissan Murano has just 5 NHTSA complaints and 1 recall, giving it a complaint index of 0 and the lowest (best) rank among 21 model years. Its verdict is capped at Good rather than Best because complaint records for 2005-2009 are less complete.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 0/100
- #21 of 21 Murano years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2008 Nissan Murano problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (60%)
- Airbags1 (20%)
- Electrical System1 (20%)
- Steering1 (20%)
- Structure & Body1 (20%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission fails to accelerate while idling, with instrument panel lights illuminating and the transmission needing repair around 65,000 miles.
- Some owners describe a CVT-like surge: the car doesn't move until RPM climbs, then lurches forward, especially after sitting in traffic.
- One owner reported the vehicle pulling left under acceleration and right when releasing the gas, suspected to be a chassis bushing issue.
- A charger mounted below the dashboard reportedly popped out repeatedly along with its wiring, described as a manufacturing defect, at around 2,000 miles.
- Tail lights were reported to blink at a visible rate and appear excessively bright, described as a visibility hazard for following drivers.
2008 Nissan Murano recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 08V521000Oct 7, 2008Electrical System204,361 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Nissan is recalling 204,361 my 2007-2008 altima, altima hybrid, 350z, 350z roadster, my 2008 altima coupe, rogue, my 2009 murano, and infiniti my 2007-2008 g35 sedan, my 2008 g37 coupe and ex35 passenger vehicles equipped with continental automotive systems' occupant classification system (ocs) control units. A varistor in the ocs control unit located in the passenger seat cushion may have been manufactured out of specification. Under certain conditions, this could cause an interruption of signal between the ocs and the air bag control unit (acu).
Risk: This could result in the passenger air bag being suppressed which could fail to provide adequate protection in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will test the signal between the ocs and acu systems using a special tool to check that it is functioning as designed. If necessary, the seat cushion (containing ocs hardware) will be replaced with a new one manufactured to specification. The recall began on november 4, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or infiniti at 1-800-662-6200.
2008 compared with other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Nissan Murano reliable?
- NHTSA lists only 5 complaints for the 2008 Murano, the lowest total among all 21 model years, and its complaint index is 0. It ranks best of all years but carries a Good verdict rather than Best because 2005-2009 records are considered less complete.
- Does the 2008 Nissan Murano have a transmission problem?
- Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area for this year, accounting for 3 of the 5 complaints (60%), with a median mileage at failure of 65,000. Owners describe hesitation on acceleration and CVT-like surging.
- What recalls affect the 2008 Nissan Murano?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2008 Murano, campaign 08V521000, covering the electrical system and an occupant classification sensor signal issue. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2008 Murano compare to other years?
- The 2008 model has a complaint index of 0, far below years like 2009 (100) and 2005 (95), which are both rated Avoid. Among all 21 years tracked, 2008 ranks the lowest in complaints.