2003 Nissan Murano Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jul 12, 2021 · 800 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Murano years
Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 24 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 800 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Nissan Murano. That ranks 3rd out of 24 Murano model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (265 complaints, 33%), typically at around 86,250 miles. Complaints mention 14 crashes, 5 fires, 9 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.

Nissan Murano
2025 Nissan Murano (Front) NYC Auto Show. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Raszbeary, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2003 Nissan Murano problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Power Train265 · ~86,250 mi
Electrical System187 · ~34,565 mi
Seats111 · ~70,678 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling98 · ~71,011 mi
Vehicle Speed Control58 · ~98,000 mi
Engine45 · ~107,500 mi
Visibility42 · ~76,000 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline30 · ~64,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages24 · ~75,500 mi
Structure21 · ~77,260 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Power Train problems26533%86,250“stop traffic” (20%)$6,600
Electrical System problems18723%34,565“alternator failed” (14%)—
Seats problems11114%70,678“driver seat” (41%)$1,550
Engine and Engine Cooling problems9812%71,011“position sensor” (17%)$1,500
Vehicle Speed Control problems587%98,000“stop traffic” (17%)—
Engine456%107,500——
Visibility425%76,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline304%64,500——
Latches/locks/linkages243%75,500——
Structure213%77,260——
Steering172%12,000——
Suspension172%60,000——
Equipment162%37,061——
Unknown or Other142%114,000——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic111%24,100——
Fuel System, Other71%49,000——
Exterior Lighting61%2,375——
Seat Belts61%12,525——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)51%106,000——
Fuel/propulsion System51%66,000——
Air Bags41%89,437——
Service Brakes30%130,000——
Visibility/wiper30%64,000——
Electronic Stability Control20%10——
Service Brakes, Air10%———
Wheels10%7,500——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2009, with 109 complaints
2003: 202003202004: 71712005: 902005902006: 40402007: 352007352008: 1041042009: 10920091092010: 95952011: 842011842012: 43432013: 212013212014: 24242015: 152015152016: 14142017: 132017132018: 882019: 4201942020: 332021: 720217

n = 800 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2003 Nissan Murano recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Engine and engine coolingMay 19, 2009 · NHTSA campaign 09V169000 · 362,891 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Engine may stall increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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/otherFeb 13, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V048000 · 203,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the webbing is completely separated, it can increase the risk of injury to an occupant in a crash.

Fix: 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 assemblyJan 10, 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V003000 · 205,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A punctured tank could increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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/regulatorJul 14, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V319000 · 125,466 vehicles

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, there is a possibility that a wire breaking inside the alternator could stop the battery from charging.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 coolingNov 17, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V455000 · 630,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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)Mar 31, 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V123000 · 128 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the gear displayed is different from the gear engaged, this could result in unexpected vehicle movement and a crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Driver seat anchor failure (PE08065) — opened Nov 18, 2008, closed Jul 2, 2009.
  • Fuel tank punctures from road debris (PE05050) — opened Sep 13, 2005, closed Jan 31, 2006, led to recall 06V003000.
  • Alternator failure / engine stalling (EA05006) — opened Mar 25, 2005, closed Aug 17, 2005, led to recall 05V319000.
  • Alternator failure/ engine stalling (PE04077) — opened Nov 19, 2004, closed Mar 25, 2005.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and restarted however, after driving for several miles, the failure recurred. The contact pulled over to side of the roadway…

Engine · received Jul 12, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11424485

Rusting excessively

Structure · received Jul 9, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11424032

Abs stays on then the (brake warning lamps will immediately come after a short time, the engine will go into a "fall safe" condition which will limit vehicle speed. The engine will stop running and turn off on me. Also my subframe is rotten and is now disconnected the mechanic quoted me $2,600 to…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Jul 8, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11423979

Rear subframe completely rusted cant believe nissan used such cheap steel

Structure · received Jul 8, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11423987

While driving down the highway with my infant child the vehicle lost power I could not accelerate went from 75mph to a struggling 5mph. No matter how far I pressed the gas pedal there was no acceleration no revving of engine just complete nothing just pure panic. I was able to pull off to the side…

Vehicle Speed Control · received May 19, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11417746

Other Nissan Murano years

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Murano?

Owners most often report power train, electrical system, seats problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 265 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2003 Nissan Murano?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2003 Nissan Murano a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Murano model years, the 2003 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.