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I know I wouldn't drive 50 miles to change a light bulb.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
however, i have never heard of anyone ever having a seat removed and reinstalled. can anyone confirm that this was reallyt done. rr70
on another message board for nissan owners, there is a thread about coolant smells in new muranos. i had this problem with my 2003 murano, but they never found the problem and it eventually went away.
i also have a 2008 altima coupe with the 3.5 and there is a very strong coolant smell. while researching this issue, i found that there are quite a few others with this problem.
stay tuned. rr70
i have a 2003 and over the years, one in a while, the car would not keep running. you described it perfectly.
the fact that it would start and not run, and they say it sounds like a back pressure issue because it will keep running with 2 plugs, make me think that the computer is messing up the valve timing.
any way, was it ever fixed and how?
how about pulling a computer from a wrecked 2004 for your car.
for my car, it only happens on the first start of the day or after the car has sat for 8 hours at work.
usually, it cooler or cold weather.
how cold was it when this happened.
let us know, this is a big issue.
thanks,
rr70
The short list:
• Recurring brake and strut problems.
• Engine oil leaks (valve covers; seals; gaskets; etc.).
• The engine now is burning oil (I have changed it every ~3K miles).
• Catalytic converter system and O2 sensors replaced.
• Failed power door lock solenoids (2).
• Cup holder ears broke with little pressure.
• Bose CD changer problems (disc player skips; speakers cut out).
• Gas cover door sticks preventing access to fill tank with gas.
• AC system coolant leaks repaired and system re-charged.
These issues have made the experience of owning this car very sour. I have spoke to other owners who have expressed the same dissatisfaction. See my posts in the CVT issues section.
By anything else. Don't buy Nissan!
I am a mechanical engineer and worked in the auto industry so I feel I carry an astute analysis of this car.
My observation is that the original brake design is a little meager when you ocnsider the weight and design of the car. That is usually why the pads wear out so fast. I tried different types and grades and never found anything suitable that lasted long.
I did start buying the better Duralast pads from Autozone that have the lifetime warranty. Brake pads are relatively easy to replace for a shade tree mechanic and typically don't require machining the rotors.
Mine also started to burn oil. The dealer told me that the PVC (built into the valve covers) could be clogged, etc. I replaced them and saw no improvement. However, the oil burning casued my catalytic converter to clogg up and fail. The dealer estimated ($1200) to fix. This is not a cheap fix either. I did find the mfgr. of the CAT though; bought one direct; took it to a MIDAS shop and they replaced for a total of $300 labor + $250 (CAT & gaskets) = $550.
This did not change the fact that the oil still burned. I just sold the car last week.
Murano's are still valued and prized as a great car. If you can afford it, I would unload asap.
I just bought an '05 ACURA TL & a '99 Toyota 4Runner and feel like I made the bast car decisions in 10 years.
Please read all of my other posts.
Best of luck. Write me anytime.
But, I am not surprised. As I mentioned in the previous post, Nissan under-engineered a lot of things in this car.
I am surprised that they still were not getting it right as late as 2006 models.
I expect we will be seeing Nissan's management in front of congress in the future.
They have injury related issues witht he Murano that can be found on the NTSB's website.
Also, another topic to keep in mind. The Murano has a drive by wire acclerator. There is no cable. The gas pedal has an encoder that syncs with a small electric motor mounted to the throat of the throttle body. The motor opens the butterfly on the intake/T.B. while the fuel pump receives a signal from the ECM via the encoder.
There was one instance where a woman's ECM/encoder went screwy and the car accelerated upto 50 mph before she crashed and flipped on its side. The engine and wheels were still racing. I am waiting to see if a lawsuit is going to be issued.
Weird stuff!
There was a creaking sound from the front wheel assemblies. The ball joints checked out okay, but I live in the south where the car saw little snow and salt.
I have heard and read about a lot of instances of this problem in the Muranos. It's a heavy car prone to suspension issues.
If the delaer is proving too expensive, try a quality-reputable tire shop. They may be able to give you a better deal with better parts.
The shop I used gave me a life time warranty on the parts and labor.
The dealers don't always know best and are usually more expensive.
I have been working with the Consumer Affairs department at Nissan and have been so disappointed . . .
The struts on my 2006 Nissan Murano are toast . . . about an $800.00 repair, I am told. The hatch latch is also locked up, which will be additional $150.00 to diagnose and repair. How can it be that a vehicle that costs upwards to $27,000 can have such issues. Over the years, I have owned a few different vehicles: Toyota, Honda, Jeep, and Chevy to name a few. I have never experienced the repair issues with these other brands, as I have with my Murano. Even though Toyota is experiencing its own difficulties at this time, I will likely go that route in the future. And Nissan, well they haven't heard the last of me.
Buyer beware.
I had to replace my struts also along with many other parts. I agree with your assessment about the quality of the car.
I recently replaced my '03 Murano :lemon: with an Acura TL. I also bought a used 4Runner to boot.
No more Nissan's for me! If you can afford it I would suggest getting rid of the car as soon as possible before something really expensive happens. Read my other posts that are under my name.
I paid $25K for my '03 and spent another $11K in repairs over the years.
Good luck.
Almost since I purchased the car the "Service Engine Soon" light has been on; the dealership(s) diagnosed various problems - to the tune of several thousands of dollars and the light REMAINS on.
There is some kind of shield in the front underside of the vehicle which, if one pulls too close to a cement parking barrier or accidentally bumps hard snow, is easily damaged. The part is $150. PLUS the exorbitant labor rates the dealership charges! I've replaced THREE of them and need to do it again.
When I called Nissan corporate and complained about all this their answer was "It's a he said/she said thing. There is nothing we can do." I told them that after owning Nissans since I bought my first Datsun B210 station wagon years ago, NEVER AGAIN would I buy another! What happened to "make the customer happy?" If I could I would get rid of this albatross tomorrow but can't afford a new car until next year.
WAKE UP, NISSAN...or you're going to be in Toyota's shoes!!!
After my last round with a rude and inefficient Consumer Affairs rep, I requested to speak with a Manager. I will say, the gentleman who followed up with me was kind, understanding and took my disgruntled opinion with grace. It turns out that against my normal mode of operation, I had purchased an extended warranty to 100,000 miles 4 years ago . . . this saved my bacon. (Wouldn't it have been nice if the original rep I spoke with researched coverage?) Ultimately, the struts were repaired, a boot that had shredded apart, and the back trunk latch (locked up permanently) was repaired for a $50 deductible. I will take my vehicle in one more time over the next year for a major look-over before I hit 100,000 miles.
Hope to drive this car another 80,000 miles . . . not sure that it will make it . . . but I am hoping it will be a vehicle for the sole purposes of work transportation. As for my next car . . . in spite of Toyota's recent repairs, I may return to being their customer.
Good luck to you as well, and thanks for the feedback on your experience.
Marcia
A manager from the Consumer Affairs division allowed to to share my concerns about my vehicle and the initial rep I worked with. The manager who contacted me was excellent. In my case, I had completely forgotten that I purchased an extended warranty which would cover the costs of repair on the struts and the back trunk that had locked up on me. Please check to see if you had purchased an extended warranty that may cover your repairs. (I am completely concerned that while I am wrapping up payments on my vehicle, I will run out of warranty over the next 10,000 miles (7 months or so) and will be in deep trouble.) If not, I would contact corporate and file a complaint . . . if not resolved by your Nissan contact, request a conversation with Management. Hopefully you will be heard.
In a nutshell, I understand that cars breakdown . . . nothing lasts forever and let's face it, our vehicles can take a beating. When frustrates me, is that a Murano is an expensive vehicle in the first place and I would expect quality if I am spending more money than the average purchase. My car is for utility of safely toting my family to destinations and me to work each day. Style is one element, but safety and reliability are key.
I have been on this blog for several years and am one many that experienced the same problems you and others in this thread are frustrated with.
I loved my 2003 at first; but, it all went down hill the longer I kept the car. I have been criticized a lot in this blog for my highly critical remarks of Nissan, their lack of customer concern and the poor quality of mfr.
I started a thread "Customer Satisfaction". Please let us know what your experience is with Nissan here.
My advice that I have given to many is to sell/trade your Murano if you are having continuous problems. It WILL only get worse. I waited too long and spent north of $11K is repair bills.
Some say it's only money. I can't afford that anymore. I bought an Acura and another Toyota 4 Runner.
Be smart. Get a different car.
Thanks.
I would encourage all to cut their losses and find something else that you can depend on. I know it's expensive to make a move; I just bit the bullet and moved forward.
Glad I did. I could have bought a brand new MDX for what I paid for my Murano plus repairs.
I'd be really interested to know if you found anything that helps! (Like you, we really like the car except for this one thing.)
Thanks for your help,
Doug
I currently have 100,000 on my 2004 Murano
That's very strange - we just bought a 2010 Murano for my wife and a few long trips in the first month resulted in severe back pain for both of us that seems to be connected to the car. Your post seems identical to our experience.
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I don't have a solution. It seems that the front edge of the seat cuts off blood flow behind the knee cap, causing the cramping.
Thanks Matt