2012 Nissan Murano Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2012 Nissan Murano carries a Caution verdict with a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th out of 21 model years. Transmission & powertrain complaints lead at 30 (22%), followed by airbag issues at 26 (19%), with one recall on record.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Murano years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 135
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2012 Nissan Murano problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain30 (22%)
- Airbags26 (19%)
- Other25 (19%)
- Visibility & Wipers19 (14%)
- Engine15 (11%)
- Brakes13 (10%)
- Electrical System13 (10%)
- Structure & Body10 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (5%)
- Steering5 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers report unexpected forward or backward surges when shifting into gear at low speed, leading to collisions in parking lots.
- Owners describe brake pedals sinking to the floor and failing to stop the vehicle, sometimes causing a crash.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a collision that totaled the vehicle.
- Several owners report sudden battery drain that left the vehicle stranded, with dealers unable to find the cause.
- Some describe abnormal noises from the dashboard area, including a moonroof that shattered while the vehicle was parked.
- Engine complaints include coolant odor and leaks that dealers could not permanently fix.
2012 Nissan Murano recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 12V068000Feb 22, 2012Suspension, Wheels & Tires2,983 vehicles
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 murano and rogue vehicles, manufactured from november 23, 2011 through january 11, 2012. During assembly, the tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) was not activated. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 138,âtire pressure monitoring system.â
Risk: A non-active tpms cannot warn a driver that a tire is underinflated. Underinflated tires can result in tire overloading and overheating, which could lead to a blowout and possible crash.
Remedy: All of the affected vehicles are still in dealer inventory. Dealers have been instructed to activate all of the tire pressure monitoring systems.
2012 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.
2012 compared with other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Nissan Murano reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Murano a Caution verdict, with a complaint index of 50 and 135 complaints logged, ranking 11th out of 21 model years for this model.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Murano?
- Transmission & powertrain issues account for 30 complaints (22% of the total), followed by airbag problems at 26 complaints (19%) and visibility/wiper issues at 19 complaints (14%).
- Does the 2012 Nissan Murano have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (12V068000) was issued for the tire pressure monitoring system, which was not activated during assembly on some vehicles built between November 2011 and January 2012.
- How does the 2012 Murano compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 50 places it in the middle of the range; years like 2008 and 2013 score much lower (0 and 30) while 2005 and 2009 score much higher (95 and 100).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Nissan Murano?
- The EPA rates it at 20 mpg combined (18 city / 23 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.