YearToAvoid

2021 Nissan Murano Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

13/100

#14 most-complained of 16 Murano years

The 2021 Nissan Murano has 16 complaints and a Complaint Index of 13, ranking 14th of 16 model years — one of the better Murano years. No recalls are on file. The top problem area is Collision Avoidance & Cameras, at 44% of complaints.

Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22.5
20 city / 27.5 hwy

Top 2021 Nissan Murano problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (44%)
  2. Other4 (25%)
  3. Electrical System3 (19%)
  4. Engine3 (19%)
  5. Seat Belts1 (6%)
  6. Structure & Body1 (6%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers1 (6%)

What owners report

  • Owners report unintended automatic emergency braking that slams the brakes with no obstacle present, including one case on a parking garage ramp.
  • Some describe the brake pedal going to the floorboard, the vehicle failing to stop, then losing power while forward collision warning lights activated, at a median mileage of 35,000 miles.
  • Backup sensors reportedly alarm with nothing behind the vehicle, or fail to alarm when something is present, and dealerships could not reproduce the issue after repeated visits.
  • One owner reported cruise control failing to hold set speed on downhill slopes, gaining speed until the brake was applied.
  • Electrical complaints include random dashboard blackouts, stalling, a fuel gauge that stopped working, and a speedometer that jumps between incorrect readings.
  • A rear windshield reportedly shattered on its own with no object striking it, at 11,000 miles.
2021 Nissan Murano complaints: complaints filed per month4Jun 2021Apr 2022Dec 2022Sep 2023Sep 2024Jun 2025Jun 2026
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2021 to Jul 2026; peak Jan 2025 (4).

2021 Nissan Murano recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2021 Nissan Murano fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
27.5 MPG
Combined
22.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,875
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.

2021 compared with other Murano years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good2743123
2020Good3343223
2021Best1316022.5
2022Best76022.5
2023Best208022.5

All Nissan Murano years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Nissan Murano reliable?
NHTSA data shows 16 complaints for the 2021 Murano and a Complaint Index of 13, ranking 14th out of 16 model years — among the better years for this model based on owner complaints and recalls.
Does the 2021 Nissan Murano have any recalls?
No. NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2021 Murano.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Nissan Murano?
Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues make up 44% of complaints (7 of 16), including false automatic emergency braking and backup sensor alarms.
How does the 2021 Murano compare to other years?
Its Complaint Index of 13 is far lower than the worst years, such as 2015 (100) and 2010 (93), and its verdict is Best.
What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Nissan Murano?
EPA rates it at 22.5 mpg combined (20 city / 27.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,875.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.