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2003 Nissan Murano

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Murano years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Murano are substantially higher than the model-year median of 110.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

691 reports with mileage · 109 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 265 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 187 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 111 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

800 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2009
Power Train

2003 NISSAN MURANO, CAR WILL DRIVE AND THEN WHEN STOP AT LIGHT OR TRAFFIC CAR WILL NOT MOVE, THE CAR WILL STALL CAUSING TO PUT ME AND MY CHILD IN DANGER. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND IT HAPPENED DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290444

78,000 miles · Oct 29, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages

I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MURANO AND RECENTLY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY SINGLE TIME. THE DRIVER DOOR WON'T LOCK UNLESS I LOCK IT MANUALLY AND WON'T UNLOCK UNLESS DONE MANUALLY. THE PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR LEFT DOOR ARE MORE SPORADIC. SOMETIMES THEY LOCK SOMETIMES THEY DON'T SOMETIMES THE…

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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MURANO AND RECENTLY STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS. THE FAILURE OCCURS EVERY SINGLE TIME. THE DRIVER DOOR WON'T LOCK UNLESS I LOCK IT MANUALLY AND WON'T UNLOCK UNLESS DONE MANUALLY. THE PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR LEFT DOOR ARE MORE SPORADIC. SOMETIMES THEY LOCK SOMETIMES THEY DON'T SOMETIMES THEY LOCK HALFWAY AND THEN WON'T OPEN AND THERE IS NO KEYLOCK TO OPEN THE REAR AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS SO I HAVE TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR TO THEN TRY AND OPEN THE OTHER DOORS. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT NEW DOOR ACTUATORS ARE REQUIRED. I WAS LUCKY AND MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PAID FOR MY DRIVER'S DOOR REPAIR BUT REFUSED THE OTHER TWO DOORS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290266

70,678 miles · Oct 26, 2009
Seats

2003 MURANO DRIVER SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN DIFFERENT LOCATION. FIRST TIME WAS UNDER THE FRONT PART OF THE SEAT STEEL SUPPORT ROD WAS DISLODGED FROM STEEL SEAT SUPPORT ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND I HAD TO HAVE IT WELDED BACK TOGETHER. NOW THE BACK STEEL SUPPORT HAS BROKEN. NISSAN DEALERS SAY IT IS NOT COVERE…

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2003 MURANO DRIVER SEAT ASSEMBLY HAS BROKEN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN DIFFERENT LOCATION. FIRST TIME WAS UNDER THE FRONT PART OF THE SEAT STEEL SUPPORT ROD WAS DISLODGED FROM STEEL SEAT SUPPORT ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND I HAD TO HAVE IT WELDED BACK TOGETHER. NOW THE BACK STEEL SUPPORT HAS BROKEN. NISSAN DEALERS SAY IT IS NOT COVERED IN ANY WARRANTY THEY HAVE AND IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY 1000.00 FOR THEM TO ORDER A NEW SEAT AND INSTALL IT. I'VE READ MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS VERY SAME ISSUE AND THIS IS VERY CONCERNING AS THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NISSAN CHOOSES TO IGNORE. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289828

35,000 miles · Oct 18, 2009
Power Train

MY 2003 NISSAN MURANO HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE OF HOURS ON HIGHWAY, IT WILL NOT PULL UP A HILL, PASS A VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IF I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD, IT JERKS, SLOWS DOWN AND ALMOST STOPS. IT ONLY DOES THIS WHEN WARM/HOT. IT WON'T DO IT WHEN COLD, SO THE NISSAN DEALER CAN NOT SEE THE PROBLEM.…

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MY 2003 NISSAN MURANO HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE OF HOURS ON HIGHWAY, IT WILL NOT PULL UP A HILL, PASS A VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IF I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD, IT JERKS, SLOWS DOWN AND ALMOST STOPS. IT ONLY DOES THIS WHEN WARM/HOT. IT WON'T DO IT WHEN COLD, SO THE NISSAN DEALER CAN NOT SEE THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE WITH AGE. IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I DARE NOT LET ANYONE DRIVE IT IN THE FAMILY EXCEPT ME. NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A COMMON DEFECT FROM WHAT I READ ON THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288853

103,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Seats

MY NISSAN MURANO 03 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND WHEN I TOOK IT OUT MY DRIVER SEAT WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD OR BACK IT WASN'T THAT WAY WHEN IT WENT IN AND THE DEALER SAID IT IS A GEAR ON THE RAIL COST $700.00 ALSO AT THE SAME TIME THERE IS SOME ROCKING IN MY SEAT THEY SAID ITS A BEGINNER OF A CRACK RAIL , THE COST TO…

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MY NISSAN MURANO 03 I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND WHEN I TOOK IT OUT MY DRIVER SEAT WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD OR BACK IT WASN'T THAT WAY WHEN IT WENT IN AND THE DEALER SAID IT IS A GEAR ON THE RAIL COST $700.00 ALSO AT THE SAME TIME THERE IS SOME ROCKING IN MY SEAT THEY SAID ITS A BEGINNER OF A CRACK RAIL , THE COST TO REPLACE $1200.00 SOUNDS DANGEROUS AND WOULD THINK NISSAN TO RECALL THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE SEATS WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS IF STOPPING SUDDENLY THEY SHOULD RECALL AND GO AFTER THE SUPPLIER OF THE STEEL . WHY MAKE THE CITIZENS PAID FOR THERE MISTAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287156

102,000 miles · Oct 11, 2009
Power Train

I AM ONE OF PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF NISSAN MURANO OWNERS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I DRIVE A CONGESTED FREEWAY AND AT LEAST TWICE, SOMETIMES THREE TIMES A WEEK, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE CAR STARTS TO HESITATE WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. I ACTUALLY HAVE FOUND THAT "FEATHERING" IT HELPS FROM HAVING IT …

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I AM ONE OF PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF NISSAN MURANO OWNERS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I DRIVE A CONGESTED FREEWAY AND AT LEAST TWICE, SOMETIMES THREE TIMES A WEEK, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE CAR STARTS TO HESITATE WHEN I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. I ACTUALLY HAVE FOUND THAT "FEATHERING" IT HELPS FROM HAVING IT JERK FORWARD AS I STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR, BUT IT IS STILL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS IS CONTINUOUS WHEN I COME TO A STOP OR ALMOST TO A STOP UNTIL, AS OTHERS HAVE MENTIONED, I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF. DIFFICULT TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY. IT GOES AWAY FOR A WHILE AFTER I TURN IT OFF, BUT IF THE DRIVING CONDITIONS ARE THE SAME, IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS A SENSOR INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO FIX IT. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT, AS THERE ARE NO RE-BUILDS AVAILABLE AND NISSAN DOES NOT HAVE PARTS FOR THIS TRANSMISSION AVAILABLE FOR RE-BUILDS. THE QUOTE FOR REPLACEMENT IS OVER $8,000. I BELIEVE THIS IS APPROXIMATELY WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I AM CONCERNED THAT SOMEONE WILL BE INJURED OR WORSE AS A RESULT OF IT, IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287015

15,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Seats

2003 NISSAN MURANO FRONT SEAT FRAME BROKEN RIGHT REAR BACK SIDE. CAR HAS 74K MILES, THIS IS SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME AT ABOUT 10 OR 15K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286912

70,021 miles · Oct 8, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS MISSING AS IT WAS DRIVEN. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE #1 CYLINDER HAD NO COMPRESSION. THIS IS WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. IT ENDED UP NEEDED A VALVE JOB - $3,200. WHEN THEY TOOK OFF THAT PART OF THE ENGINE TO HAVE IT MACHINED, THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR CATALYT…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS MISSING AS IT WAS DRIVEN. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE #1 CYLINDER HAD NO COMPRESSION. THIS IS WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. IT ENDED UP NEEDED A VALVE JOB - $3,200. WHEN THEY TOOK OFF THAT PART OF THE ENGINE TO HAVE IT MACHINED, THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND THE FRONT ONE WAS ABOUT TO FAIL. IN THE CASE OF THE CYLINDER ISSUE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER ISSUE I WAS ABLE TO VISUALLY SEE AND CONFIRM WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. THEY SAID THAT THE PIECES OF THE FAILED REAR CATALYTIC CONVERTER MORE THAN LIKELY GOT SUCKED BACK INTO THE CYLINDER, SCRATCHING THE SURFACE OF IT AND CAUSING THE COMPRESSION LOSS. SINCE THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND IT WAS UNDER THE 8YEAR/80,000 LIMIT I CALLED NISSAN LOOKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT ON AT LEAST THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS COST. THEY SAID THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL 2011, WHICH IS EIGHT YEARS, BUT THAT IT WASN'T COVERED BECAUSE IT WOULD ONLY BE COVERED IF THERE WAS A RECALL. THAT IS NOT WHAT THE EPA FACT SHEET EPA420-F-96-020 SAYS. I WILL TRY TO CONTACT ANOTHER NISAN LOCATION ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME OR TRANSFER ME TO ANYONE ELSE. SO I NEEDED A VALVE JOB AND TWO NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BECAUSE OF THIS. AT THIS POINT, THE OLD CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286827

60,000 miles · Oct 5, 2009
Seats

THE DRIVERS SEAT ON MY 2003 NISSAN MURANO HAS BROKEN. IT WOBBLES AND LEANS FORWARD AND TO THE LEFT. AFTER SEARCHING FOR A SOLUTION ON-LINE, I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. NISSAN WILL NOT FIX IT. IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286343

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2009
Visibility

2003 NISSAN MURANO - THE SUNVISOR ASSEMBLY COMES LOSE AND IMPAIRS VISION FROM BEING ABLE TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT SET BACK INTO PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE MANUFACTURER BUILT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286113

Official recalls

6

09V169000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

May 19, 2009

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 & remedy

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.

06V048000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Feb 13, 2006

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 & remedy

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.

06V003000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Jan 10, 2006

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 & remedy

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.

05V319000 · Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

Jul 14, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.

Consequence & remedy

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.

03V455000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 17, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

03V123000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Mar 31, 2003

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

PE08065 · Driver Seat Anchor Failure

Opened Nov 18, 2008 · Closed Jul 2, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

THIS INVESTIGATION CONCERNS STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE ANCHOR/BRACKET ON THE LEFT REAR SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT.THE CONCERN IS THAT SUCH FAILURES MAY ALTER THE DRIVER'S SEATED POSITION SO AS TO REDUCE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEM OR POTENTIALLY COMPROMISE VEHICLE CONTROL.FAILURE OF THE SUBJECT ANCHOR BRACKET RESULTS FROM METAL FATIGUE AND CAUSES REARWARD TILTING OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT.THESE FAILURES USUALLY OCCUR DURING DRIVER INGRESS BUT MAY ALSO OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.THE SAFETY RELATED CONCERNS DURING ACTUAL VEHICLE USE WERE NOT VALIDATED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.WHILE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM IS RELATIVELY HIGH, ONLY THREE VERY MINOR, UNDOCUMENTED INJURIES WERE REPORTED.THE REPORTED INJURIES OCCURRED DURING DRIVER INGRESS, NOT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION.INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT THE APPARENT RISK OF COMPROMISE TO VEHICLE CONTROL HAS NOT BEEN DEMONSTRATED.INVESTIGATION ALSO DISCLOSED THAT THE APPARENT RISK OF COLLAPSE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BACK HAS NOT BEEN DEMONSTRATEDA SAFETY RELATED DEFECT TREND WAS NOT IDENTIFIED AND THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

PE05050 · Fuel Tank Punctures From Road Debris

Opened Sep 13, 2005 · Closed Jan 31, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION BASED ON FOUR VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ'S) INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANKS WEREPUNCTURED BY ROAD DEBRIS UNDER NORMAL, NON OFF-ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS.AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2005, THE COMPLAINT TOTAL INCREASED TO 12.NISSAN SUPPLIED ODI WITH 31 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES, INCLUDING 26 NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO ODI FROM THE VOQ RECORDS. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 9, 2006, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. NOTIFIED ODI OF ITS PLAN TO RECALL APPROXIMATELY 209,000 MODEL YEAR 2003 - 2006 NISSAN MURANO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 24, 2002 (START OF PRODUCTION OF MY 2003) THROUGH NOVEMBER 24, 2005 (INCLUDING A PORTION OF MY 2006 VEHICLES) TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY IN FUEL TANK SHIELDING FROM ROAD DEBRIS.THIS RECALL HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NHTSA NO. 06V-003.RECALLED VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING FOR THE FRONTAL PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF PUNCTURE BY PROJECTILES FROM THE FRONT WHEELS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION BASED ON FOUR VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ'S) INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANKS WEREPUNCTURED BY ROAD DEBRIS UNDER NORMAL, NON OFF-ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS.AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2005, THE COMPLAINT TOTAL INCREASED TO 12.NISSAN SUPPLIED ODI WITH 31 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES, INCLUDING 26 NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO ODI FROM THE VOQ RECORDS. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 9, 2006, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. NOTIFIED ODI OF ITS PLAN TO RECALL APPROXIMATELY 209,000 MODEL YEAR 2003 - 2006 NISSAN MURANO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 24, 2002 (START OF PRODUCTION OF MY 2003) THROUGH NOVEMBER 24, 2005 (INCLUDING A PORTION OF MY 2006 VEHICLES) TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY IN FUEL TANK SHIELDING FROM ROAD DEBRIS.THIS RECALL HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NHTSA NO. 06V-003.RECALLED VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING FOR THE FRONTAL PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF PUNCTURE BY PROJECTILES FROM THE FRONT WHEELS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly

ODI OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION BASED ON FOUR VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQ'S) INDICATING THAT THE FUEL TANKS WEREPUNCTURED BY ROAD DEBRIS UNDER NORMAL, NON OFF-ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS.AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2005, THE COMPLAINT TOTAL INCREASED TO 12.NISSAN SUPPLIED ODI WITH 31 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL TANK PUNCTURES, INCLUDING 26 NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN TO ODI FROM THE VOQ RECORDS. IN A LETTER DATED JANUARY 9, 2006, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. NOTIFIED ODI OF ITS PLAN TO RECALL APPROXIMATELY 209,000 MODEL YEAR 2003 - 2006 NISSAN MURANO VEHICLES BUILT FROM APRIL 24, 2002 (START OF PRODUCTION OF MY 2003) THROUGH NOVEMBER 24, 2005 (INCLUDING A PORTION OF MY 2006 VEHICLES) TO CORRECT A DEFICIENCY IN FUEL TANK SHIELDING FROM ROAD DEBRIS.THIS RECALL HAS BEEN DESIGNATED NHTSA NO. 06V-003.RECALLED VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH PROTECTIVE SHIELDING FOR THE FRONTAL PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF PUNCTURE BY PROJECTILES FROM THE FRONT WHEELS.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CLOSED.

EA05006 · Alternator Failure / Engine Stalling

Opened Mar 25, 2005 · Closed Aug 17, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

ODI RECEIVED 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE ON MY 2003-2004 MURANO (SUBJECT) VEHICLES.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE04-077 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA05-006 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING EA05-006, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WERE IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.ON JULY 12, 2005, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2003-2005 MURANO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM APRIL 8, 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 (RECALL 05V-319).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ALTERNATOR CAN OCCUR DUE TO WIRE FATIGUE CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF THE ROTOR COIL DURING RAPID CHANGES IN ENGINE SPEED IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT).HIGHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE IN THE MURANO COMPARED TO OTHER NISSAN MODELS MAY ALSO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE WIRE FATIGUE.NISSAN ALSO REPORTED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGE WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE.AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL THEN ENTER A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT LIMITS VEHICLE SPEED.VERY SHORTLY AFTER REACHING THIS CONDITION, THE ENGINE WILL STOP.NHTSA'S TESTING, HOWEVER, SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE SPEED IS LIMITED TO ONLY 4-7 MPH RATHER THAN WHAT NHTSA CONSIDERS A FAIL SAFE MODE. NISSAN WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY NISSAN DEALER FOR AN ALTERNATOR INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF REQUIRED.NOTE:SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALTERNATOR PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

ODI RECEIVED 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE ON MY 2003-2004 MURANO (SUBJECT) VEHICLES.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE04-077 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA05-006 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING EA05-006, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WERE IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.ON JULY 12, 2005, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2003-2005 MURANO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM APRIL 8, 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 (RECALL 05V-319).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ALTERNATOR CAN OCCUR DUE TO WIRE FATIGUE CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF THE ROTOR COIL DURING RAPID CHANGES IN ENGINE SPEED IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT).HIGHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE IN THE MURANO COMPARED TO OTHER NISSAN MODELS MAY ALSO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE WIRE FATIGUE.NISSAN ALSO REPORTED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGE WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE.AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL THEN ENTER A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT LIMITS VEHICLE SPEED.VERY SHORTLY AFTER REACHING THIS CONDITION, THE ENGINE WILL STOP.NHTSA'S TESTING, HOWEVER, SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE SPEED IS LIMITED TO ONLY 4-7 MPH RATHER THAN WHAT NHTSA CONSIDERS A FAIL SAFE MODE. NISSAN WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY NISSAN DEALER FOR AN ALTERNATOR INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF REQUIRED.NOTE:SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALTERNATOR PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

Electrical System

ODI RECEIVED 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE ON MY 2003-2004 MURANO (SUBJECT) VEHICLES.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.BASED ON THESE COMPLAINTS, ODI OPENED PE04-077 AND LATER UPGRADED TO EA05-006 FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.DURING EA05-006, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WERE IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE.ON JULY 12, 2005, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA OF A SAFETY DEFECT ON MY 2003-2005 MURANO VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM APRIL 8, 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2004 (RECALL 05V-319).THE NOTIFICATION STATED THAT AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ALTERNATOR CAN OCCUR DUE TO WIRE FATIGUE CAUSED BY MOVEMENT OF THE ROTOR COIL DURING RAPID CHANGES IN ENGINE SPEED IN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT).HIGHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT TEMPERATURE IN THE MURANO COMPARED TO OTHER NISSAN MODELS MAY ALSO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE WIRE FATIGUE.NISSAN ALSO REPORTED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGE WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE.AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL THEN ENTER A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT LIMITS VEHICLE SPEED.VERY SHORTLY AFTER REACHING THIS CONDITION, THE ENGINE WILL STOP.NHTSA'S TESTING, HOWEVER, SHOWED THAT ALTHOUGH THE WARNING LAMPS ILLUMINATE, THE VEHICLE SPEED IS LIMITED TO ONLY 4-7 MPH RATHER THAN WHAT NHTSA CONSIDERS A FAIL SAFE MODE. NISSAN WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO RETURN THEIR VEHICLES TO ANY NISSAN DEALER FOR AN ALTERNATOR INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT, IF REQUIRED.NOTE:SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE HAD THE NEWLY DESIGNED ALTERNATOR PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED UNDER WARRANTY.CONSEQUENTLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.ODI WILL MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE REMEDY AND TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED.

PE04077 · Alternator Failure/ Engine Stalling

Opened Nov 19, 2004 · Closed Mar 25, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

ODI OPENED PE04-077 BASED ON 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.DURING PE04-077, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE . DURING THE INVESTIGATION, NISSAN IDENTIFIED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ALTERNATOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ROTOR COIL CAUSED BY WIRE FATIGUE. ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWS FAILURE RATES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO ODI AND INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS CONTINUING TO OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWS THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE ALTERNATOR WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED RESULTED IN ENGINE STALLS AND AT LEAST 25% OF THE ENGINE STALLS RESULTED IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.HOWEVER, IN 71% OF THE WARRANTY DATA SUBMITTED, ODI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE CONSUMER COULD RESTART THE VEHICLE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN, TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator

ODI OPENED PE04-077 BASED ON 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.DURING PE04-077, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE . DURING THE INVESTIGATION, NISSAN IDENTIFIED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ALTERNATOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ROTOR COIL CAUSED BY WIRE FATIGUE. ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWS FAILURE RATES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO ODI AND INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS CONTINUING TO OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWS THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE ALTERNATOR WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED RESULTED IN ENGINE STALLS AND AT LEAST 25% OF THE ENGINE STALLS RESULTED IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.HOWEVER, IN 71% OF THE WARRANTY DATA SUBMITTED, ODI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE CONSUMER COULD RESTART THE VEHICLE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN, TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.

Electrical System

ODI OPENED PE04-077 BASED ON 14 REPORTS OF ALLEGED ENGINE STALLING DUE TO ALTERNATOR FAILURE.ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS REPORTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED AFTER THE STALL OCCURRED.DURING PE04-077, ADDITIONAL FAILURE DATA WAS IDENTIFIED AS NOTED IN THE FAILURE REPORT SUMMARY ABOVE . DURING THE INVESTIGATION, NISSAN IDENTIFIED THAT THERE HAD BEEN ALTERNATOR WARRANTY REPLACEMENTS DUE TO AN OPEN CIRCUIT IN THE ROTOR COIL CAUSED BY WIRE FATIGUE. ODI?S ANALYSIS SHOWS FAILURE RATES THAT ARE OF CONCERN TO ODI AND INDICATES THAT THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS CONTINUING TO OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.ODI'S ANALYSIS ALSO SHOWS THAT NEARLY ALL OF THE ALTERNATOR WARRANTY CLAIMS SUBMITTED RESULTED IN ENGINE STALLS AND AT LEAST 25% OF THE ENGINE STALLS RESULTED IN A NO RESTART CONDITION.HOWEVER, IN 71% OF THE WARRANTY DATA SUBMITTED, ODI HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE IF THE CONSUMER COULD RESTART THE VEHICLE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS CONCERN, TO ASSESS THE POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND TO DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE AFFECTED POPULATION.