Owner report · 2003 model year

2003 Nissan Murano

Crash-test image: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. Department of Transportation.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Transmission & Drivetrain

Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 265 of 800 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Steering include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Data last changed Nov 7, 2026. Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints: 800
Recall campaigns: 6
EPA fuel cost per year: $3,100
Combined MPG: 20

Complaints by model year

8002003
6782004
9872005

Where owners report problems

Transmission & Drivetrain265 (33%)
Electrical187 (23%)
Body, Seats & Latches152 (19%)
Engine137 (17%)
Driver Assistance & Speed Control58 (7%)
Visibility & Lighting50 (6%)

Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 3 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.Also cataloged for 2003: 1 configuration(s) of a different vehicle class, excluded from the comparison bar only (but included in the figures above).
Category	2003	2004	2005	vs. 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Annual fuel cost ($)	3,100	3,100	3,100
Combined MPG	20	20	20
City / Highway MPG	18 / 23	18 / 23	18 / 23
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	444	444	444
Complaints filed	800	678	987	Not compared
Recalls issued	6	4	6	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	14	14	12	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	5	6	1	Not compared
Injuries reported	9	23	17	Not compared
Deaths reported	1	0	0	Not compared
Configurations compared	1	1	1

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Murano have?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Nissan Murano?

Transmission & Drivetrain: 265 of 800 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Murano get?

EPA rates it 20 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Nissan Murano?

EPA estimates $3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Similar Vehicles

EPA-Rated Configurations (2)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	6	3.5L	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD	18 mpg	23 mpg	20 mpg	$3,100	444 g/mi
Configuration 2	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	6	3.5L	4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive	Regular	Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD	18 mpg	23 mpg	20 mpg	$3,100	444 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries	Deaths
Engine	137	1	1	0	0
Transmission & Drivetrain	265	6	2	0	0
Fuel System	42	0	2	0	0
Electrical	187	0	1	0	0
Brakes	22	3	0	2	0
Steering	17	1	0	3	1
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	17	0	0	0	0
Airbags & Restraints	10	3	0	4	0
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	58	3	0	0	0
Body, Seats & Latches	152	0	0	0	0
Visibility & Lighting	50	0	0	0	0
Other	30	1	0	0	0

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (6)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Campaign 09V169000 · May 19, 2009
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
Campaign 06V048000 · Feb 13, 2006
Defect
ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, THE WEBBING OF A REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT MAY CONTACT THE REAR SEAT BACK HINGE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE HINGE.
Consequence
IF THE WEBBING IS COMPLETELY SEPARATED, IT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTORS OVER THE WEBBING OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Campaign 06V003000 · Jan 10, 2006
Defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK, IN THE EVENT THAT A VEHICLE FRONT TIRE RUNS OVER A SMALL, SHARP OBJECT IN THE ROAD, CATCHES IT AND PROPELS IT TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IT MAY STRIKE AND PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.
Consequence
A PUNCTURED TANK COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTORS IN FRONT OF THE TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Campaign 05V319000 · Jul 14, 2005
Defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.
Consequence
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGER WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL IMMEDIATELY COME ON AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE. AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL GO INTO A "FALL SAFE" CONDITION WHICH WILL LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A NEW VERSION WHICH HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF THE COIL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Campaign 03V455000 · Nov 17, 2003
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S). VEHICLES INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS RECALL CAMPAIGN, 01V357, ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THIS NEW CAMPAIGN. THE REPLACEMENT SENSORS USED IN THAT CAMPAIGN ARE ALSO AFFECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 22, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Campaign 03V123000 · Mar 31, 2003
Defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE NUT THAT ATTACHES THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR SHAFT TO THE CONTROL VALVE LEVER IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRANSMISSION NOT ACTUALLY BEING IN THE GEAR INDICATED BY THE GEAR SELECTOR LEVER. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION POSITION DISPLAY IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MAY NOT BE ON OR MAY BE INCORRECT.
Consequence
IF THE GEAR DISPLAYED IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GEAR ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE AFFECTED NUT IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER LINKAGE, AND TIGHTEN IT IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.