Best & Worst Years of Nissan Murano – Graphs & Owner Surveys

Best Years of the Nissan Murano

FIXD Reliability and Owner Reliability Scores, NHTSA safety testing, and EPA fuel economy determine the best years of the Nissan Murano. Common diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) also help determine the results.

2016, 2018-2019, and 2021 Nissan Murano

With a few exceptions (2015, 2017, and 2020—on the worst years list), most model years of the third-generation Nissan Murano are winners. These vehicles receive top-notch (9-10 out of 10) ratings for the FIXD Reliability Score and Owner Reliability Score. 

That’s impressive because the surveys reveal several of these model years are well-used: the 2016 Murano has an average of 100,000 miles, while the 2018 edition has racked up 68,750 miles. 

Equally notable is that no owner of a 2016, 2018-2019, or 2021 Nissan Murano reported any costly ($500+) engine or transmission repairs, including those with higher mileage. 

Looking beyond a lack of major service work, this group of Muranos is also cheap to own. Owners of the 2021 model year reported spending only $250 last year to maintain their Muranos. And the 2018 version is slightly more costly, with an average of $313 spent in 2022. 

Average upkeep expenses rise for the 2016 Murano, but $625 is still below the $697 for all Muranos. Meanwhile, most owners of the 2019 model year won’t complain about the average $500 needed to keep their cars on the road.

High FIXD Reliability Scores translate into few check engine lights, and most of these error codes are centered around 2016 Murano. 

P0456, a leak in the evaporative (EVAP) emission control system, is common. Most of the time, this message involves the free fix of tightening the gas cap. More costly remedies can require a new gas cap ($20-$60) or EVAP line ($50-$100). Replacing a control valve ($150-$200) or the charcoal canister ($200-$600) may be in order, too. 

Code P0101 is also common to the 2016 Murano and involves a faulty mass air flow (MAF) circuit. With luck, a new air filter ($50-$70) will solve the problem. However, replacing a MAF sensor ($220-$320) could be necessary. In extreme cases, a new catalytic converter ($1,720-$1,780) is needed, but the work may be covered by Nissan’s eight-year/80,000-mile emissions warranty.

It’s unusual for a catalytic converter to fail on a relatively new vehicle, which could point to poor maintenance. Be sure to get a pre-purchase inspection for any used car under consideration. This examination should include a pressure test of the catalytic converter.

This group of Muranos also deserves kudos for excellent safety ratings. The 2019 and 2021 editions scored a near-perfect 4.8 out of 5 in NHTSA testing, while the 2016 and 2018 received a still notable 4.4. 

A look at recalls finds that the 2016 model year is subject to five official notices, including for a fire risk (leaking brake fluid causing a flammable incident). A quick look at the NHTSA recall website can confirm a vehicle’s recall status and determine if repairs have been completed. 

The brake fluid issue goes away for later models, with the 2019 Murano having one recall and the 2018 and 2021 editions having no recalls (as of this writing). 

Murano shoppers will find pricing that ranges from $15,000 to $36,000 among these models. These amounts reflect retail selling prices that vary depending on age, mileage, condition, and equipment. The cited KBB values are for private-party transactions, which are almost always lower than dealer pricing. 

Many model years within this group of Muranos are available as Nissan-certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. You’ll pay a premium over a regular used Nissan, but you’ll get extra powertrain protection (up to seven years or 100,000 miles from the initial service date). 

A Note About 2022-2023 Nissan Muranos: 

There’s too little available data to determine the reliability status of the 2022-2023 Nissan Muranos. Time and more information will tell if these latest examples should be added to the best years or worst years list.  

2011 and 2013 Nissan Murano

Regrettably, the bulk of the second-generation Murano model years are on the worst years list (covered below). However, there are two noteworthy exceptions, the 2011 and 2013 editions.

Respectable FIXD Reliability Scores (7-8) demonstrate reasonable dependability for decade-old vehicles, which is further confirmed by an Owner Reliability Score of 9 for both years. 

And despite the age, there are no owner reports of costly powertrain problems, which is remarkable because surveys show that the 2011 Murano has an average of 150,000 miles (125,000 miles for the 2013 model year). 

In addition, annual keep costs are reasonable. Owners of the 2011 Murano spent an average of $500 last year. Cut that amount in half for the 2013 Murano. We’re not saying these two Muranos will always be cheap to own. But for whatever reason, these owners enjoyed a year without major maintenance needs (like tires and brakes).

Eventually, check engine lights occur on every car, including the 2011 and 2013 Murano. The most common error code is P0101, a bad mass air flow (MAF) circuit detailed earlier. 

There are also numerous instances of code P0420, a faulty catalytic converter. Another frequent emissions-control-related error message is P0455, a leak in the EVAP system (repairs are similar to P0456).

There are no recalls to date for the 2011 Murano, and the 2013 model year has just one recall (for a detached power steering hose). 

If there’s anything less-ideal about the 2011 and 2013 model years, it’s the crash test scores. With 4.2 for the 2011 Murano and 4.0 for the 2013 edition, the results are far from terrible but still below most other model years. 

Pricing is particularly appealing for these Muranos, with dealers charging $10,000 to $15,000 for a 2011 or 2013 example in decent condition. Given today’s volatile used car market, these Nissans represent a sweet spot for shoppers looking for an affordable modern crossover. 

2005 Nissan Murano

We’ll be upfront. The 2005 Murano is far from perfect, as evidenced by a FIXD Reliability Score of 3. But, for those looking for a Murano for well under $10,000, it’s your only choice. Despite the subpar engine reliability rating, there are other redeeming qualities to consider about this Nissan.

Yes, an Owner Reliability Score of 7 isn’t a screaming endorsement, but survey data uncover a few other positive attributes worth talking about. 

We’re surprised that an almost 20-year-old vehicle has no owner reports of expensive engine and transmission work in 2022. We even double-checked the data out of disbelief. 

That’s not to say these cars are trouble-free. Some owners reported spending $500 or more to fix the electrical system or brakes. However, repairs have escaped the more costly areas. We’ll take that as a good sign.

Maintenance outlays are also reasonable. In 2022, owners of the 2005 Murano spent an average of $650. That’s not bad and is almost impressive for vehicles with 175,000 miles of use. 

It’s crucial to mention that the 2005 Murano is not immune to check engine lights. Interestingly, the more frequent error codes are more unique to the 2005 model year. Except for P0420, a bad catalytic converter, we don’t see many of these codes in other model years. 

P1320 indicates malfunctioning ignition coils, which cost $51-$173 to replace. Code P0720, a bad speed sensor (Nissan calls this the revolution sensor), also appears mostly in the 2005 Murano. A bad batch of components, mainly for this model year, may account for the unique concentration of these DTCs. 

Like other first-generation Muranos (see below), this model year has several recalls. In fact, the 2005 Murano has six recalls, making it (along with the 2003 edition) the most-recalled Murano to date. 

We’ll admit the 2005 Murano may not be an ideal used vehicle. But its record of low repair and maintenance expenses makes it a viable option for budget-conscious car shoppers.

The Worst Years of the Nissan Murano

Regrettably, more than half of all Nissan Murano model years get a thumbs down. Low FIXD Reliability and Owner Reliability Scores, costly repairs, high maintenance expenses, and other factors are reasons not to include these crossovers on your shopping list.

2003-2004 and 2006-2007 Nissan Murano

Except for the 2005 model year (covered earlier), the first-generation Nissan Murano is a bust. This starts with staying away from the first year of an all-new vehicle or generation, as debut vehicles can be prone to problems. 

That means the 2003 model year shouldn’t be on your list of used Muranos—a FIXD Reliability Score of 2 further seals its fate. Scores are equally bad for the later examples from this group, with the 2004 Murano receiving a bottom-of-the-barrel 1 for FIXD Reliability. The 2006-2007 model years aren’t much better; they’re ranked with a 3. 

Owner Reliability Scores from 5-8 may seem encouraging. But any optimism here is quickly dashed when survey data reveals the extent of expensive engine repairs. One in five surveyed owners of a 2004, 2006, or 2007 Murano spent at least $500 last year on engine repairs. Meanwhile, 15% of those with a 2006-2007 model year incurred costly transmission repairs. 

Overall, these unfavorable odds don’t encourage a smooth ownership experience for the Muranos from 2003-2004 and 2006-2007. 

Maintenance costs don’t make owning one of these Nissan any better. Yearly upkeep expenses are well above the $697 average for all model years. Specifically, the 2004 Murano crosses the $1,000 threshold ($1,050), and the 2007 edition comes close ($985).

Let’s move on to DTCs and the first-generation Nissan Murano. To begin with, the 2007 model year has the second-highest number of check engine lights than any Nissan Murano with an installed FIXD sensor. 

Further, all model years in this worst years grouping are known to have trouble with the catalytic converter, code P0420. This is unfortunate because replacing this component can be almost half what these older Muranos are worth. 

P0300 is another frequent cause of check engine lights in first-generation Muranos. This error message deals with a potentially serious engine misfire. At a minimum, repairs might require installing new spark plugs ($66-$250), spark plug wires ($180-$240), or ignition coils ($230-$640). The solution may be sealing a vacuum leak ($100-$200). However, replacing the fuel pump ($1,300-$1,700) or the fuel injectors ($1,500-$1,900) could be part of the process. 

Muranos are also prone to seeing code P0011, a problem with intake camshaft timing (a stop-driving immediately situation). At best, an oil change ($20-$60) could correct things. And sometimes, a new oil control valve or variable valve timing control solenoid is needed ($300-$400). In a worst-case scenario, a new engine is the answer, with costs starting at $3,000.   

It hardly seems worth mentioning recalls when engine replacements creep into the conversation, but this information is useful, especially if you own a first-generation Murano.

There are six recalls for the 2003 model year, while the 2004 and 2006 editions have four each. Recalls dropped to two for the 2007 Murano. 

2009-2010, 2012, and 2014 Nissan Murano

While not as bad as most of the first-generation Muranos, the majority of the second-generation model years fail to make the grade. This isn’t because of terrible poor FIXD Reliability or Owner Reliability Scores. These Nissans actually do reasonably well in these areas. 

Instead, the elevated number of engine and transmission repairs doom the 2009-2010, 2012, and 2014 Nissan Muranos. Due to engine troubles, 20% of surveyed owners with a 2009 or 2010 had a $500 or larger service bill. The numbers are almost the same for the transmissions in the 2012 and 2014 versions. 

The maintenance costs for these Nissan are among the highest of all Murano model years. Surveys show that with $1,286 in upkeep costs last year, the 2012 model year is the priciest to maintain. The 2009 and 2010 editions aren’t cheap to own either, with $929 and $1,100 annual repair bills (respectively). 

We also need to call out the 2009 Murano again, and not in a good way. Not only is it the first year of the second generation (remember what we said about first-year models?), but it has the misfortune of having more check engine lights than any other Murano model year with a FIXD sensor. It’s double the error code occurrences compared to the runner-up (2007).

And while some error codes (like for a dead battery or loose gas cap) aren’t attributable to reliability, most check engine lights can be tied into dependability (or a lack of it). 

There’s no shortage of familiar error codes with this cluster of worst year Nissan Muranos. Primarily, this centers around P0420 (a problematic catalytic converter). However, a pair of other DTCs become part of the dialogue. P0171 and P0174 deal with a lean fuel mixture (too much air or insufficient fuel) and involve a laundry list of possible repairs.

Cleaning the MAF sensor ($100) or stopping a vacuum or exhaust leak ($100-$200) can correct things for the least amount of money. More elaborate steps include replacing the MAF sensor ($300), air-fuel or oxygen sensor ($200-$300), fuel pressure regulator ($200-$400), or fuel pump. 

The 2009 Murano is hit with nine recalls, but the tallies are less for subsequent years. The 2012 and 2014 have one each, while there are zero recalls for the 2010 Murano. 

2015, 2017, and 2020 Nissan Murano

You could do worse than the 2015, 2017, and 2020 Nissan Murano (we’ve already covered those in earlier entries on the worst years list). On the surface, these members of the third-generation Murano set appear worthy. They’ve got notable FIXD Reliability and Owner Reliability Scores, strong safety ratings, and decent fuel economy. Maintenance costs are average or below, too.

But a dive into the data reveals a worrisome problem that overrides all the other ratings. The FIXD surveys show powertrain problems, which shouldn’t be part of the discussion for newer vehicles like these.

As the first year of the third generation, the 2015 Murano gets assigned to the worst years penalty box by default. This is backed up by the 14% of survey owners encountering expensive engine work in 2022. A similar number of 2020 Murano owners had the same problem. 

In addition, 13% of surveyed owners with a 2017 Murano had transmission troubles that cost at least $500 to fix. The 2020 edition has the double whammy of having 11% of owners also dealing with expensive transmission repairs. 

In older vehicles, these problem rates might be tolerable. But they’re inexcusable with newer cars like the 2015, 2017, and 2020 Murano.

Newness doesn’t ward off check engine lights with these Nissans. Codes P0456 (a leak in the EVAP system), P0101 (a bad MAF circuit), and P0300 (engine misfires) are among the frequent error messages known to occur in the 2015, 2017, and 2020 Muranos. 

Recalls start high with five for the 2015 Murano but decrease for subsequent years. There are three recalls for the 2017 model year and two for the 2020 edition. 

FAQs

What years of the Nissan Murano have engine and/or transmission problems?

Nissan Muranos from the 2004, 2006-2007, 2010, 2012, 2014-2015, 2017, and 2020 model years are vulnerable to expensive engine problems. The 2006-2007, 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2020 model years are known to have transmission issues. 

What is considered high mileage for a Nissan Murano?

A look at the FIXD survey research shows that the Murano is capable of solid six-figure usage. Average mileage among these surveyed vehicles includes 200,000 miles for the 2003 model year and 175,000 miles for the 2005 Murano. Several other model years approached or exceeded the 150,000-mile mark. 

Among all the analyzed Muranos, these Nissans have an average of 114,000 miles. This creates an excellent dividing line between regular and high-mileage usage. We’ll set the high-mileage bar at 115,000 miles for simplicity’s sake. 

So, how much life is left in a Murano with 115,000 miles? The answer is it depends on the individual vehicle. A well-cared-for example with 150,000 miles of mostly highway use is likely to keep running for tens of thousands of more miles. The data shows this is possible. On the other hand, a 100,000-mile Murano that’s regularly overdue for scheduled maintenance and has only been used in stop-and-go traffic could be on its last legs. 

A professional mechanic is the best person to determine the longevity of a used Murano or any vehicle. Getting a pre-purchase inspection should be standard practice for every used car shopper. 

What other vehicles should I consider?

Nissan fans wanting a different crossover/SUV other than the Murano can choose the larger Pathfinder and Armada, or go smaller with the Rogue, Rogue Sport, or Kicks. 

Outside of the Nissan brand, there are many alternatives for two-row mid-sized utilities. Options include the Ford Edge, Honda Passport, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota 4Runner, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross. 

What owners of the Nissan Murano like to use their cars for:

Frequent Use Categories:	How Useful? (Out of 5 Stars)
Family Vehicle	*****
Lots of Driving (travel/long commute)	***
Luxurious Driving	*
Hauling/Towing	*
Office on Wheels	*
Outdoor/Off-Road	*
Sport/Fast Driving	*

A Note About Data and Information Sources

This article has many details about Nissan Murano reliability; here’s what we used for our assumptions and recommendations.

• FIXD Reliability Score & Data: Engine reliability information is captured via the FIXD App. 

The FIXD Reliability Score is calculated using the number of DTCs per year, weighted by mileage. This is then turned into a scale of 1-10 for easy graphing. 

This is an objective score.

• Owner Reliability Score & Data: This data is the result of surveying Nissan Murano owners who use FIXD. 

The Owner Reliability Score comes straight from the owners of the Nissan Murano.  

This is a subjective score.

To determine the Owner Reliability Score, we ask each car owner:

How reliable would you say your Nissan Murano is?

a. Just point A to point B driving

b. A Daily Commuter

c. Good for a 100-mile road trip

d. Good for a 500-mile road trip

e. I could take a cross-country road trip, no problem

From here, we translate their answers into the Owner Reliability Score:

a. = 2

b. = 4

c. = 6

d. = 8

e. = 10

Keep in mind owners may think their car is more or less reliable than it actually is. 

One potential problem is that people often buy the same make or model they are used to when they go car shopping, just a newer year.

Ford, for instance, has a number of consumer loyalty awards for the Ford F-Series, Ford Mustang, and Ford Expedition.

Car owners may be so loyal to the make or model they currently own that they would have trouble accurately comparing their cars’ reliability to others. 

It’s for this reason that we ask car owners a question that is relative to mileage rather than relative to other cars. 

Still, be mindful of the accuracy of these Owner Reliability Scores; people’s perceptions and unconscious blindspots can skew data. 

We suggest looking at both the FIXD Reliability Score and the Owner Reliability Score for this reason.

• KBB Value: Average private-seller valuations as supplied by Kelley Blue Book (KBB), based on a Nissan Murano with typical mileage for that respective model year.
• Fuel Economy: Mileage-per-gallon estimates according to the EPA MPG on Fueleconomy.gov
• Annual Maintenance/Repair: Upkeep expenses as reported by surveyed Nissan Murano owners
• Safety Rating: Crash test data collected and reported by NHTSA. We average all ratings for each year to come up with a simplified, average safety score. This makes it easier to look at on a graph.

References

1. Nissan Murano model-specific information, edmunds.com (various dates). Retrieved July 7, 2023, from https://www.edmunds.com/
2. Model-specific recall information as per the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). Retrieved July 7, 2023, from https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls
3. Nissan Certified Pre-Owned Program Information. Retrieved July 7, 2023, from https://www.nissanusa.com/shopping-tools/certified-pre-owned.html
4. 2019 Nissan Warranty Information Booklet. Retrieved July 7, 2023, from https://www.nissanusa.com/content/dam/Nissan/us/manuals-and-guides/shared/2019/2019-nissan-warranty-booklet.pdf