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Nissan Murano Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • creilly28creilly28 Member Posts: 6
    Have an 05 SL and just received a recall to replace the gas tank. Anybody else get that. :confuse:
  • alanpghalanpgh Member Posts: 13
    Not yet notified. Everyone, please keep us posted on this recall. Supposed to be for '03-'06's, I think.

    Thanks,
    Alan
  • murano_ownermurano_owner Member Posts: 64
    I received the recall on Friday right after I put in a full tank of gas. I just spent Sunday driving around to get the tank below a 1/4 tank. I am frankly pissed though. My Murano is practically brand new and now I have to have some second rate mecahnic at Nissan screw around with my tank. I really don't want to be the first either. I will wait and let other Murano owners go through the mechanics learning phase and then when the Nissan mechanics have figured out all the kinks of this recall I will take my car in. They also want to fix the seat belts which sucks because I just put in a baby car seat. So much for great Japanese engineering. :lemon:
  • murano_ownermurano_owner Member Posts: 64
    I'm concerned. My recall notice said that
    1. Nissan will replace the fuel tank
    2. They will install protective plates
    3. they will replace the web netting on the rear seat belts.

    I just called my Nissan Dealership and they told me that they do not replace the fuel tank but only install the protective plates. I told them that my recall notice said that they replace the tank. Then I asked the guy about the seat belts and they never heard about this recall. This really concerns me. Am I supposed to take this to a dealer that has no clue what they are doing? This is one of those 6 hour jobs that turns into a week because they didn't have all of the parts handy. It is a shame.
  • baldwin3baldwin3 Member Posts: 121
    I have not gotten any letter...yet. Dealers can tell you if your vehicle is affected by VIN #..I'll check next month at 20K service (still fine after TPS fixed).
    I got under our 05 Murano just now, and yes, the front of the gas tank is exposed (the tank is in front of the rear axle/catalytic coverter area). It is a double can, with the rear drive shaft going down the middle..(right?) I can see how a thrown front tire stone,nail could conceivably perforate if going like a bullet, but...it would be almost a lightning strike chance...looks like a pair of simple plates is all I personally will allow...nobody's removing that tank(s)..it isn't broke, and looks like a big complicated "removal" to me....
    I must say, I have never seen a gas tank that far forward (beats the Pinto) or that close to the ground..10 inches, although there are other under-car elements that are lower...such as exhaust piping.
    On the seat belt "webbing"...this sounds like another nit-pick, and I can pass on that also. We have some real experts on this site: anybody know how many "incidents" it takes to get a recall? I personally have never heard, on this site, at our dealer or from other owners, of a gas tank getting "holed" from a front tire missile or a rear seat belt letting someone go out the front window. I agree with a wise previous post: I can wait...let the mechanics get real good at tearing cars apart for what, to me, looks like government in action again. Comments? John B
  • homeounerhomeouner Member Posts: 145
    Re: "incidents" it takes to get a recall. An article W/ a pict. of a Murano in a mid January issue of the Virginia-Pilot read that the government was opening an investigation after four complaints of road objects puncturing the fuel tank. I suppose with gasoline involved and with the apparent vonerability of the tank, four is enough.
  • chucho79chucho79 Member Posts: 11
    I am going through a pretty nasty problem with my wife's 03 Murano. We just purchased the car a few months ago from a certified pre-owned dealer... The car ran great no problems... then after taking the car to get the oil changed and many miles later the car seemed to be sluggish and losing power... My wife describes the problem as a grind and shaking gas peddle. She took it into the dealership twice for the same issue and they could not find anything wrong with it... the problem just seemed to gradually get worse so my wife decided to take it to another dealership. The long story ends with a 5000.00 quote to replace the transmission, which is not covered by our extended warranty! I know it is going to be impossible to try to get anyone to fess up to putting the wrong fluid in the transmission. I am a little curious though if anyone else has had this problem and it was fixed without the huge price attached to it. Please Help!
  • silvermuranosilvermurano Member Posts: 15
    This may not be a transmission problem. Too much oil. You went in for an oil change? Car runs ruff at stops, you think the engine is going to quit? I had a similar problem with a Nissan Sentra. Went to the local Nissan dealership for service. I was out in 20 minutes, the tec told me that the car had too much oil in the engine. Thus too much pressure in the engine. They drained about 1/2 quart of oil from the engine and it ran great, normal.

    You went in for an oil change? Then you had problems? Another oil change at a reputible dealer or Nissan, your $5000.00 problem may go away. This may not solve your problem, but it sure sounds like the problem that I had. Good Luck.

    Silver Murano
  • baldwin3baldwin3 Member Posts: 121
    Sorry about that blank...Homeouner, that is a remarkable story..thank you for bringing it to us. Check out that tank...some body armor definitely is in order when you see where it is...great for being rear-ended, however. (God forbid) Wow..hope that oil tip from silvermurano is the fix and not another CVT out...that owner should DOUBLE check the CVT fluid to be sure it is GREEN...not ATF that some previous owner put in at a Jiffy Lube..every post and every senior mechanic I have talked to says CVT fluid is very different..hence the "can't just pull it out" dip stick.
    Kindly follow up on that situation. JB
  • andytommoandytommo Member Posts: 33
    No offence, but both these recalls are fairly nit-picky issues. I dont think you should be complaining that you had just filled up your tank with gas and was forced to drive around aimlessly to empty it. I've driven 49,000 miles in the last 18 months, and I'm sure overall, millions and millions of miles have been driven in Muranos, with a couple of incidents (which i haven't read about personally), so I seriously wouldn't worry about your car exploding tomorrow. You probably have a greater chance of dying in a plane crash than there being a problem with the gas tank.
    Secondly, my recall notice made absolutely no mention of replacing the gas tank, simply about installing a protector.
    The rear seat belt issue? I looked at them, and this really is a case of severe nit-picking. C'mon, instead of criticising Nissan, I'd be praising them for being so honest. Unneccessary, but honest.
    I'm not even remotely concerned. After a couple of teething problems, my car is running as a new car would, and after almost 50k miles in a year and a half, thats pretty good.
  • easym1easym1 Member Posts: 218
    I have attached a copy of recall to replace the fuel tank on our Murano. I hope you'll find this useful.

    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
    Units Affected 14,268
    Defect ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A FITTING FOR VAPOR RECIRCULATION, WHICH IS WELDED ON THE FUEL TANK, MAY COME OFF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE INCORRECT MATERIAL WAS USED.
    Consequences THIS COULD RESULT IN THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMING ON AND MAY RESULT IN SOME FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
    Corrective Action DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 21, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
    Notes Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact the Manufacturer.

    This recall clearly states that the fuel tank needs to be replaced.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    The blank post has been deleted; in future, you can click on the edit button and continue (you have 30 minutes to edit your posts here). Hope this helps. :shades:

    Steve, Host
  • chucho79chucho79 Member Posts: 11
    Thanks! I don't think that the transmission needs to be replaced either. We wanted a second opinion so we had it towed to a transmission specialist (it still drives without a problem, but the dealership scared us into not driving it). The transmission specialist called and said there is nothing wrong with the transmission...no metal on the pan, no codes, nothing. THANKS NISSAN! So, they are doing a transmission service, not flush....draining the transmission completely for a couple hours, replacing the gasket and filter with new ones and refilling it with the "special" Nissan CVT fluid. Plus, they will replace the TPS, which is covered under our extended warranty, just as a precaution. All in all, including the tow, $350...it just might pay to NOT listen to the dealership.

    If these two things don't fix the problem, the transmission guy will replace the transmission under our extended warranty because "as far as he's concerned, he can't prove that bad transmission fluid was put in it, so who is he to rule out our extended warranty". I'm going to call them and tell them about your excess oil situation and see if they could drain a little of it out....just in case. Thanks for your help!

    Also...Silver Murano. :)
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    I sincerely hope your murano is not at an AAMCO, they are notorious for telling you one thing, and once the work is started, "oh, we found more trouble the tranny has to be rebuilt." If its at an AAMCO, get everything in writing, MAKE SURE TO ASK TO SEE THE OLD PARTS!!!! Get that in writing as well... They regularly agree to it, and then say it got accidently put in the trash.

    Good Luck!
  • murano_ownermurano_owner Member Posts: 64
    I've heard that "one in a million" bit before and sure enough it was me. Recalls are
    not made just for fun. They cost Nissan a lot of money and they push tooth and nail
    to avoid them until the NHTSA pushes them to do a recall. I have a baby car seat in
    my car and the fact that the seat belts can rip apart at a quick stop does concern me. I
    have no choice but to fix it, at least for the safety of my family. I live in SoCal
    and there is so much junk on the streets that it is more than likely that something
    can fling up and hit the gas tank. It would be unsafe to wait . You have no control
    on certain incidents in life and you must be proactive in protecting yourself
  • chucho79chucho79 Member Posts: 11
    Man! That's scary about AAMCO...it's not there. It is at a transmission specialist that used to be a certified technician with Infiniti and Nissan and has gone out on his own with a couple buddies, who were also certified through Infiniti (very similar to Nissan). They seem to do great work and came very highly recommended. Plus, they are pretty knowledgeable on the dealership run around...they know these cars inside and out, they're honest, and they seem to be saving me a ton of money....I've had a similar AAMCO experience with Firestone....I think everyone has had one of those experiences.

    I'll let you all know how it turns out and what the REAL problem ended up being. They are checking on the excess oil idea as mentioned before.

    Thanks!
  • homeounerhomeouner Member Posts: 145
    Steve, I will repeat my note: Re. how many complaints can cause a recall? A note in the Virginian-Pilot in mid Jan,read that four gas tanks had been punctured by ordinary trash in the road. If gas is leaking out it does not need to be very many happenings. Homeouner
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    The NHTSA site says "Your complaint information will be entered into NHTSA's vehicle owner's complaint database and used with other complaints to determine if a safety-related defect trend exists."

    and

    "We do not have to receive a specific number of complaints before we look into a problem. We gather all available information on a problem. Your complaint is important to us."

    So there's no set number; one complaint to the NHTSA could start a recall in theory. Or a manufacturer could initiate a campaign based on reports from their dealer network or other sources.

    Steve, Host
  • jmaxejmaxe Member Posts: 198
    There are two separate recalls that effect the gas tank. In addition to the one you displayed here there is the one for the puncture shield.
    What is not clear to me is can Nissan identify the 14,268 units affected by the vapor recirculation fitting defect by VIN number and only issue recall notices to specific owners??
  • easym1easym1 Member Posts: 218
    Here's an additional info on recall. About 76% are Voluntary according to NHTSA.
  • easym1easym1 Member Posts: 218
    Thanks imaxe, we are quite aware of that. I was simply adding info on this added recall because one of our friend spoke to the dealer and was advised that the fuel tank will not be replaced and that is contrary to the current recall. This is just to show that most of us are ahead of the game.

    I just currently received my recall but did not include the fuel tank replacement. I probably will wait a bit longer so that mine can be done in one shot. Also, by waiting, we can allow the dealerships to familiarize themselves on how this recall will be done properly. We don't want them to use our car as guienea pigs.
  • andytommoandytommo Member Posts: 33
    They've sold just over 200k Muranos? An average of 20,000miles on each one, thats over 4 billion miles driven, and I think someone mentioned 4 incidents of a tank being punctured, not exploding even. I wouldnt worry so much to the extent i feel i have to drive around to empty my tank.
    Someone also mentioned the gas tank is way too far forward?? My other car is an '04 Envoy. The two side by side, the Envoy's tank sits a good foot and a half further forward.
  • nordsnords Member Posts: 1
    I purchased a 2006 Murano SL AWD in December. The first time I attempted to refill the gas tank with fuel, the pump nozzle would click off (as though the tank was full) each time I tried to squeeze the trigger. This has continued to happen a number of times. The dealership has gotten the problem to duplicate with my vehicle and with two new Murano's on the dealer lot. I have filed a lemon law claim with the Better Business Bureau. The vehicle was most recently inspected by a manufacturer technician who reported the vehicle to be performing within factory specs. I have been told my Nissan that the problem is related to how fast the gas flows from certain gas pumps. Unfortunatley as the consumer, it is a mystery which gas stations will work and which will not. I am looking to see if anyone else has experienced what I have described and what Nissan has done to take care of your situation.
  • homeounerhomeouner Member Posts: 145
    With my 2004 MO I have has premature fuel nozzle shot off W/ some pumps. If I reposition the nozzle it will fill. Seems to be a function of the pressure of the pump causing more splash going down the filler pipe??
  • easym1easym1 Member Posts: 218
    I have the same problem with my minivan. I solved it by simply easing up on the trigger.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    well, it could be due to crimping in the filler tube going from the gas cap to the tank.

    it is also possible that the ventilation for the tank is not working properly. this could be due to the design of the tank itself, but i believe it's often a piping or ventillation system issue.

    as you fill, the fuel displaces air in the tank. that air must go somewhere. if it isn't vented, the pressure buildup should force the pump to shutoff.

    you should not have to partially squeeze the handle, hold the pump handle at a wierd angle or pull it part of the way out of the filler tube.
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    My Audi would do that on a few occasions, and each time pulling the nozzle back a little bit, to allow for some room around the oraface would allow the gas to go down much smoother, preventing the pressure turn off device from activating. I hope that works, and my uncle that owns a gas station has gotten complaints from numerous vehicles doing that- they received new more sensitive nozzles from BP and have noticed complaints go up from there....

    Good Luck
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    i presume this happens regardless of the station and pump. there were a number of new Mustang owners complaining of the same thing.
  • maizeandblue7maizeandblue7 Member Posts: 3
    I had this problem with my 2002 VW Passat V6. It took them almost a year to figure out what the problem was and they had to replace some parts. Is this a problem with 2006 Muranos now?

    With regard to the other recall, regarding the possible tank puncture, does anyone know if all of the dealers were advised. We were about to buy a 2006 Murano when we read about these two problems and decided to let them work these issues out before buying. When I mentioned this to the salesperson at our local dealer (Cherry Hill Nissan), he claimed he knew nothing about it. I was very surprised that he made that comment. :lemon:
  • murano_ownermurano_owner Member Posts: 64
    This has nothing to do with the cars but just with bad pumps. Next time wait and see someone else use the same pump and you will see the same problem. The springs on the pumps start to wear down and they cannot maintain the squeeze and give in.
  • murano_ownermurano_owner Member Posts: 64
    I brought my Murano in and they changed the gas tank and added a "sheild" aroudn the tank. It is not the nicest looking thing though. Stadning from the side you can see the shield hanging down. I did get a scare when I filled the tank with gas but the fuel gauge only went to half. After I parked and ran into a store and came back the gauge read full. I will see if this happens again the next time I fill up. maybe something is stuck on the tank gauge after they changed it.
  • easym1easym1 Member Posts: 218
    Many dealerships are either notorious for lying or we are just simply ahead of them. In most cases, they just simply want to sell you that car and they'll say anything to accomplish that.

    You're not the only one who thinks that some of those dealers are brain dead. With lots of years that I dealt with different dealers, I can honestly say that out of 10 questions you ask, 8 of them will be ' we never heard of that'!
  • chucho79chucho79 Member Posts: 11
    I also had the recall done that installed that big black thing in front of the gas tank....I wasn't even bending over to see the thing and it might as well have had a big red bullseye on it...not attractive.
  • baldwin3baldwin3 Member Posts: 121
    I have been driven nuts by a shutting off gas pump at a station near us...on all of our cars.
    The "shield"..since my tank is 9.5 inches from the pavement now, how much hang-down is there? Looking at the problem they are trying to "fix", there would seem to be no need for it to do anything but neatly conform to the curve of the tank. I have a. deep snow b. speed bumps made of concrete berms and c. occasional "stuff" in road..is this shield going to be smacked now and then? I found the 4 "holed" Murano article...the whole deal is proximte liability for a small, but yes, conceivably dangerous possibility. Muranowner...how many inches left from shield bottom to the floor? Thanks. JB
  • homeounerhomeouner Member Posts: 145
    I have not have my shield installed yet,no word from Nissan or Hall in Virginia Beach, VA. It would be nice if the shield could be located to hide the view of the middle muffler and the pipe behind it!!! instead of adding another unsightly object.
  • homeounerhomeouner Member Posts: 145
    I agree with you,about the shield matching the contour of the tank instead of hanging down in sight. There are already aluminum shields at the center of the tank near the exhaust pipe,to act as heat shields. Some thing like that could have been used.
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    just a thought, the murano is a vehicle which typically has a good deal of clearance right? perhaps the concern was debris comming from the road or the front tires and a stike towards the middle or the back of the tank... in that case, it may be that the leading surface of the tank was not what they are trying to protect with an extra large shield, but rather, "hits" to the rest of the tank.

    in otherwords, if they conformed the shield to the leading edge, maybe this would still leave a good deal of the tank exposed. by having it extend down, the trajectory of debris will make it likely it will hit the shield and not the tank at all. (if I'm not making sense, consider throwing a tennis ball at the ground at different angles; the angle it leaves the ground with respect to vertical is equal to the angle it hit the ground when you tossed it - so extending a shield down protects for many potential angles debris might be kicked up from the ground by another vehicle or the front tires).

    the alternative might have been a shield protecting the leading surfaces but ALSO extending back towards the back of the tank, or a new tank.

    i agree with you on the snow and ice and going through a build-up of both...not having seen the shield, i could imagine how it might be damaged based on the description of how it hangs down.
  • gurgstar2gurgstar2 Member Posts: 2
    Anyone know what the idle speed should be on an 04 SL? THe manual says "See the emission control label on the underside of the hood" (and i'm not near my car to go look there now). My idle seems low, and I saw a TSB related to this. http://www.nissanhelp.com/Ownership/Bulletins/Nissan/2005/NTB05-090.htm
  • easym1easym1 Member Posts: 218
    I've just got an answer from my dealership regarding the fuel tank replacement. He advised me that this is only on 2005 model.
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    The exhaust system on the Murano already hangs down low as it is- this shield is in most cases not going to interfere with everyday drivability. The Murano does not have any more than 8 inches of ground clearance (measured at the lowest point of the vehicle). It is terrible however that the shield is an eyesore.

    Good Luck!
  • baldwin3baldwin3 Member Posts: 121
    The Murano spec chart which has length, height, width, etc. lists clearance as 7"...which looks about right because, as pointed out, the muffler is the lowest undercar item. (The tank is at about 9".) For comparison, Subaru Forester 8.4", BMW X3 8", Audi A-6 is 4.2"...so shield or not, we are in the ballpark off the road. JohnB
  • murano_ownermurano_owner Member Posts: 64
    The shield is probably 8 inches off of the ground, maybe less. The thing looks like a piece of sheet metal is loose and hanging. It kind of looks like the hack job that my dad would do with a strip of metal and some nails. They could have used angled plates but this thing is unsightly and ruins the aesthetics of the Murano. It is a beautiful flowing vehicle and now there is this ugly piece of metal hanging from under it. Really bad job on this. I wish I could post photos on this site so that others know what we are talking about. :sick:
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Pic posting instructions are in the Help file on the left sidebar.

    Even better is to log in to image with your Edmunds username and password - it's a good place to make albums and post your pics.

    Steve, Host
  • baldwin3baldwin3 Member Posts: 121
    Murano_owner: why can't a person take a visegrip, get under the car and give it a backward bend to conform to the forward side of the tank...or is it a real thick deal.
    Then, tongue in cheek...isn't it great to feel so much safer now? JB
  • user777user777 Member Posts: 3,341
    with all due respect, as i was trying to explain, i know unsuccessfully, you probably DO NOT WANT TO ALTER THE SHIELD in any manner as you may defeat it's ability to impede objects from hitting the tank...

    the further it extends downward, the greater range of angles that the debris (leaving the road surface from your front tires or kicked up by a vehicle in front of you) shall be stopped by the shield from hitting the tank.

    if you've ever skipped stones on a pond, or thrown a ball towards the ground, the angle or trajectory of the object hitting the surface (of the water or ground) is approximately equal to the angle that the same object will leave the surface (of the water or ground).
  • aka1aka1 Member Posts: 110
    This situation is akin to buying a Ferrari for the beautiful lines and then having to strap a mattress on the hood to keep the hood from flying up and making it safer for pedestrian... Not exactly a correct comparison, but you get the point. You bought a Murano for its styling, VERSATILITY, and that included the aesthetics and minor off roading, no matter how low the ground clearance is... I'd contact Nissan HQ or Customer Service and voice your objection, its ridiculous to see that a company with such dynamic design get so lazy with a component for the people that have already invested money in their design...
  • murano_ownermurano_owner Member Posts: 64
    How do I contact Nissan HQ?
  • easym1easym1 Member Posts: 218
    I haven't got mine done yet and hope that I'll see how those shields are positioned and what the shape is. I hope Nissan won't put a shield just for the sake of putting one but also needs to consider the aerodynamic effect of the shield.

    If this shield causes drag in our car, we will end up cosuming more gasoline because the drag coefficient will surely result into lower MPG.

    If this is the case, we should all complain to Nissan. They can't modify our car and have detrimental effect on our MPG. Modification should only result in making our car better in all aspect.
  • silvermuranosilvermurano Member Posts: 15
    I had my recall service done on my 04 SE AWD Murano 3-31-07. Gas tank shield and rear seatbelt web replacement. The shield is Plastic, not Metal. The shield appears to be two pieces, one on each side of the drive shaft for the rear axle. Does the Murano have two gas tanks? Yes, the shield is visible from 4 ft away from the side of the vehicle Not pretty but effective. Nissan should have designed a shield to cover the entire tank, 1/8th inch of plastic will deflect almost any angular shot by a rock. Many components on the undercarriage are shielded with plastic, especially those located behind the front bumper. Their are several more plastic shields located in various places underneigth the Murano. Nissan should have done better with this recall. If anyone wants to inniciate a petition to Nissan, I will gladly sign on. This will open a brand new can, no, truck load of worms. Has their ever been a recall of a recall?

    easym1 has the best point. Has this shield increased drag and reduced fuel economy and is that more important than, the shield is ugly?

    baldwin3, yes I understand exactly what you are saying.

    SILVER MURANO
  • silvermuranosilvermurano Member Posts: 15
    Still no word as to how, if any way, to make the 06 LED taillights work on older Muranos?

    SILVER MURANO
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