Nissan Murano Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • guru78guru78 Member Posts: 3
    Its very very hard to prove your car is a lemon. Even then you just run into some bad luck with your new murano interms of alignment/ windshield. By the way i feel that most people here are confusing the FX35/FX45 for n upscal version of the murano. Its a completly different SUV. As far as quality is concerned yes the infinity devision of nissan has a slightly better quality check. I have owend 4/5 cars from the nissan family. 94 maxima/ 99 maxima se/ 96 I30 and getting a murano in the next day or two.
    Even though Infinity is part of Nissan you will get no where (in my opinion) in trying to get them to trade for an FX. If you have a chance its w/in Nissan for a new murano. And unless you can site major problems with the engine or something its gonna be hard for you to use lemon law policy. Personally I think you should stick with the murano. Or sell it as a private person and cut your losses and go buy an FX if its waht you desire. But do complain to the better business beauru. I did so with a warrenty issue I had sometime back on my 94 and after nissan told me to shove it before hand then had the manager write a letter to me personally and gave me a small settlement. BBB even wanted to interview me for a informational interview to be televised on local county channels.
    But unfortunatly I don't think you have a case here. But do compalin to them every chance you get.
  • roadrunner70roadrunner70 Member Posts: 241
    i agree with guru78. your best option is to try and swap cars. but, each of the items is very fixable, and depending on your state's lemon law, you will have problems winning. i'm more dissapointed with the dealer that while waiting for a windsheild, they haven't offerred something, e.g. another loaner car?, washes, wax,
    oil changes, etc. there is a safety issue with the windsheild, since its a integral part of the car.

    on the alignment issue, there have been several posts here and on other murano boards of references to alignment adjustments. what was your alignment problem exactly? my murano was out of alignment when i purchased it, but at the same time, the right front tire had an awful radial tire lead problem. i had two alignments at the selling dealer before the service department finally agreed to swap the two front tires and see if there was a tire lead problem. there was, and goodyear replaced the tire the next day. i still have doubts about whether or not the alignmetn on my murano is exactly right, but, for now its ok.

    having said that, my other car, a 2002 toyota highlander ltd, clearly had an alightment problem when purchased and according to the dealer, it had the worst alightment problem they had ever seen, and it took two dealers four visits to straighten it out. it now runs perfectly. i never like being blown off by the manufacturer, but they all pretty much do it. i will not purchase another toyota product because of the way s.e. toyota dealt with us over the alignment issue (but s.e. toyota gets $500 from the buyer for each car, nissan, gm, ford, chrysler, etc. do not have such a fee.

    if you can get someone to say that the car is unsafe to drive with the cracked windshield, it may qualify under the lemon law. you need to carefully read the booklet which came witht the car and also determine the safety aspect of the windshield being left broken while you drive it.
    hope that helps.
  • sildogsildog Member Posts: 50
    ...then after reading all the exchanges above about locking out, getting gas with engine running, and all the crap from everybody making fun of them, I decided they should have named it MORON-o and I bought a Chevy!

    Wait until the CVT's start puking!
  • gust334gust334 Member Posts: 75
    I know that lemon laws vary by state... in Illinois, it generally doesn't matter how many individual defects the vehicle has, but it does matter how many times it has been "fixed". If the dealer diagnoses it and has to order a part, that isn't counted as a "fix", but if the dealer has replaced the part and the problem continues, then it does. It is only considered a lemon after some number of attempts to fix the problem have all failed.

    This makes sense, because as with any mass-produced product, some defects escape the factory tests and still others are introduced before final delivery to a customer. The lemon laws protect the consumer for an unfixable problem (as they should), but they also protect the dealer from unscrupulous customers who suffer buyer's remorse and want to find any excuse to get out of a vehicle they decide they didn't really want.
  • jedyejrjedyejr Member Posts: 2
    I was finally able to get in touch with the right person at Nissan N.A. who didn't pull off any type of miracle, but was interested enough to get all of the parties together and figure out a solution. In short, I was able to end my lease without penalty and get into an Infiniti FX35.

    While I was at the Inifiniti dealer, the executive office rep phoned the Infiniti sales manager and applied as much pressure as he could to get the deal done, as well as, being an advocate for my situation. The result was that I didn't have to take a huge lump sum out of my pocket to make up for my Murano depreciation. I do realize that I am paying for some of my loss in my Inifiniti lease but the point that someone influential enough cared to make a difference and do the right thing is what is important.

    I guess the only advice I have is to maintain persistance in a situation like this. I will also say, as others have mentioned, the FX is a completely different car, ride, feel, quality - all around.

    Thanks for everyone's feedback, it has been very helpful.
  • berg32berg32 Member Posts: 56
    Has anyone figured out a way to improve FM radio reception? Would a different/longer antenna help?
  • texamau1texamau1 Member Posts: 42
    Does any one know how to replace the bulb for the fog light? one of my fog light went out :(, there's no instructions on how to replace light bulbs in the manual; unlike the manual for the Pathfinder.. The manual said to bring in the Nissan dealer for bulbs replacement.
  • 92drexel92drexel Member Posts: 153
    That should be covered under warranty (unless you've put a lot of miles on it or it was broken by road debris or vandals). It may be a faulty light bulb.
  • dodoc2003dodoc2003 Member Posts: 20
    To replace the bulbs, you will first need to remove the fender protector. There should be 4-5 clips and 2 screws to take off. You then (according to the service manual) need to remove the front bumper on the affected side. Sounds like too much work to me.
  • hc4hc4 Member Posts: 1
    i have an se 2003 murano. love the car except for a sharp rattle just at the edge of the front door. both on passenger and driver side. sent to dealer many times... no useful fix done.
    another problem is when i push on the front door side panels there is a loud clicking sound( pushing on upper 1/3 of panel) any advice or fix is helpful. thanks
  • texamau1texamau1 Member Posts: 42
    thanks dodoc2003, darn it, why can Nissan make it a simple task for replacing bulbs???(the pathfinder take a few minutes to replace the foglight) oh well,I guess I got to take them to the dealer and waste a couple of hours at the dealership...
  • dodoc2003dodoc2003 Member Posts: 20
    Just so current owners are aware, there has been a recall for Muranos because of a potential problem with the automatic transmission. Go to the link below and enter the NHTSA Campaign ID to read more about it. I don't know if my vehicle has the problem but will definately get it looked at.

    http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls/recallsearch.c- fm
    NHTSA Campaign ID #03V123000
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    Here's the information as the link posted doesn't work.

    Make : NISSAN Model : MURANO Year : 2003
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 03V123000 Recall Date : MAR 24, 2003
    Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
    Potential Number Of Units Affected : 128
    Summary:
     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 IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 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.
    Notes:
     NISSAN RECALL NO. R3009. CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    The recall link worked just fine for me as I was able to get to the info by clicking on it and pasting the recall number but thanks for making the verbiage available here.
  • dklaneckydklanecky Member Posts: 559
    Obviously, the fuel mileage estimates by the Canadian Government's method of calculating are significantly different than in the United States (although ours are always optimistic/best possible case estimates as well).

    Are the Canadian estimates alway this far off?
  • ehyleeehylee Member Posts: 3
    In Canada, an Imperial Gallon is equal to approximately 4 imperial quarts, or 4.545 liters. For reference, a US Gallon is approximaly 3.8 liters.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    The Canadian Nissan site should have already accounted for the measuring system in use up there.

    How many miles are on your Murano, Xixisisi? It may take several thousand, er, kilometers, to start breaking in and the mileage to rise.

    Steve, Host
  • xixisisixixisisi Member Posts: 17
    I had around 2200 Miles on my Murano, it has been getting better now. 17 MPG(US) on city road, 20-21 on highway. Use #89 Gasoline.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Yeah, your mileage should continue to improve. My Nissan van's mph didn't hit its stride until 10,000 miles and continued to go up a teeny bit even up to 40,000 miles or so. Heck, I'm not sure that it's completely through improving yet, and I'm at 89,000 miles on it.

    I'd give it another 2 or 3 thousand before getting too concerned about it.

    Steve, Host
  • bhoward99bhoward99 Member Posts: 27
    Has anyone seen this ?

    I went through some road repair, and had a small pebble flip up and nick the plastic coating around
    the passenger side of the rear quarter panel.

    I called Nissan to request a warranty repair, and there telling me that this probably will not be a warranty repair.

    To me the plastic film protection is a joke,
    and is bound to to get tore up.

    Has this happened to anyone, and did you bring it to Nissan's attention ?
  • bhoward99bhoward99 Member Posts: 27
    I have been noticing that when taking off from a full stop, a slight jerkiness or not a smooth start. Is this typical in the SL-AWD model ?

    In crusing below 40 MPH, the car just seems to be
    not smooth in terms of ride. Once I get above 40-45 MPH the ride smooths out.

    Has anyone else experienced this ? Is this just the AWD that we are feeling.
  • fgurleyfgurley Member Posts: 12
    We have had our Murano since 4/2003. When putting on the brakes in stop and go traffic there is a feeling that the transmission is trying to "catch up" or what I call a "half roll".
    The car doesn't actually move but it was a little scary the first time it happened. It doesn't seem to happen when making a quick, hard stop. Hopefully will get answer tomorrow when my husband takes to dealer for first oil change. Has anyone else experienced this?
  • bhoward99bhoward99 Member Posts: 27
    Yes...I have noticed that as well..When you apply the brakes to come to a stop, it feels like the
    engine kicks down a gear, and you almost feel
    like the car wants to continue to roll.
    I would be interested in knowing what the dealer
    has to say about that. Please let us know.
    FYI ...I have a SL-AWD.
  • fgurleyfgurley Member Posts: 12
    As I mentioned previously car was taken in for oil change yesterday. They said that it was the anti-lock brakes. Since my husband had taken the car, I even called this morning and talked to Service Manager. He had test-driven the car yesterday & said that you can feel the anti-lock brakes even when driving slow in stop and go traffic. I'm not really convinced and will continue to monitor. He did say to bring the car back if it continued to be bothersome.
  • triq200triq200 Member Posts: 3
    Forget all the talk of engine running...pumping gas...my driver's door locks even if I shut the engine off. Luckily, I do not lock all doors and open the rear door-reach up and unlock drivers door from inside. Happens about 3 times a week. Dealer "could not duplicate".
  • triq200triq200 Member Posts: 3
    I also have what I have described as a "plastic snapping" sound from both front door areas. I am convinced it is in the window perimeter area. If I barely crack the window, the sound ceases.
  • rainbowfarmrainbowfarm Member Posts: 59
    I realize that people who do not have problems are less vocal than those who do. About 6 months ago, a Blue SE appeared in the garage at work. I asked its owner today if he has had any problems.

    Here is his e-mail reply:

    Still love the Murano - not a single problem not a single rattle or shake
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    Had my Murano since Feb. 1st. Tight as a drum; no squeaks, no rattles, no shakes.
    Quiet.
  • zoocosmozoocosmo Member Posts: 13
    Hi everyone, I have a SE 2wd that has been a really fun vehicle but I think I may have a problem. I am noticing a film appearing on the inside of my windows. I think it is from a small radiator leak or something. Let me know if any of you have had this problem and how you fixed it. Thank You!
  • kcimatokcimato Member Posts: 12
    Has anyone noticed how noisy the wipers are? Mine really thud when they hit the bottom of the windshield
  • kbaerkbaer Member Posts: 16
    If you read the owner's manual, you'll see where your issue is specifically addressed. If I recall correctly, it says that during warm/hot weather the plastics from the interior will create a film on the interior windows. You just need to clean them with a good glass cleaner.

    KB
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    My wipers don't do that. Bring the vehicle in to the dealer to have them adjusted.
    Easily fixed.
  • georgesfgeorgesf Member Posts: 1
    I'm not griping just yet, but I am surprised that my new shiny black Murano stopped moving the other day as I was at the top of a steep hill.

    The day before I noticed the BRAKE light came on as well as the light that looks like a battery. Since it was driving just fine I didn't think anything of it.

    The next day, when I was going out to run a short errand, I experienced a temporary halting - thought maybe I had knocked it out of gear or something. Then just a few minutes later, there was nothing at all. Went into reverse (of course I was on a hill), but that's about it. Triple AAA to the dealer.

    Found out it was the alternator. They replaced that today. Then as I was driving the car to a business meeting, I discovered there was no longer air conditioning. Can you believe it? I can, 'cuz when it rains (on me) it seems to fall.

    Back to the dealer tomorrow to see how this came about.

    Do I have cause for concern? I drove two different VW models over the last seven years with absolutely no big mechanical problems. I wanted to get back to something a little higher off the road, and now it seems I'm paying the price.

    Also, does anyone notice problems with play in the driver's seet? We notice that it rocks just a bit when we start up from a stop sign. The dealer's service department can't find anything, but I feel what I feel.

    Thanks, all.

    --George / San Francisco
  • curlscurls Member Posts: 7
    Has anyone else noticed striations in the driver's side or passenger side windows? It almost looks like mini-blinds. Looking directly at the window, it's hard to notice, but the shadow cast by the window it's visible. Fault or feature?
  • aborshchevskaborshchevsk Member Posts: 1
    I have my Murano for a couple of month and yesterday I discovered something very interesting.

    I had a problem closing the hutch/trunk when the car was parked unevenly (I pulled into the driveway so that the right rear wheel was on the curb and the left rear wheel was still on the road). Because of that there was a problem closing the hutch/trunk. If you slam you will feel like there is an obstruction. One can close the door but it is not normal. It feels that because the left side of the car is lower than the right one, the hutch becomes misaligned.
    As soon as I pulled back (both sides of the car were even), the problem goes away.

    Can somebody try this on your Murano.
    Is it a structural issue on all Muranos or it is just mine ?
    I called Nissan they said that it does not matter how the car is parked, there should not be any issues with the hutch/trunk.
     Please let me know.
  • achadhaachadha Member Posts: 106
    i have had that problem when i drive the car...my wife who drives the MO everday hasn't noticed it...But you do notice it the seat slightly moves...Does anyone feel the Murano kind of struggle off the gate? It picks up nicely though after starting off sluggishly...Thanks
  • kcimatokcimato Member Posts: 12
    Thanks. I'll get my car to the dealer when I get back from vacation
  • fgurleyfgurley Member Posts: 12
    Just went to fill up my Murano (which was just about on empty) and I could not get the lid open. Went straight back home and we tried everything in the owner's manual with no luck. Hope to be able to get someone tomorrow (it's now late on Friday night) to come and do something since I don't even have enough gas to get to the dealership. If anybody reads this tonight or tomorrow and has a solution, please let me know!

    I have also felt the seat move. I thought I was imagining it at first but it happened a few more times. I have tried to duplicate it myself with no luck.
  • dmmakoskidmmakoski Member Posts: 72
    How about the emergency release in the back hatch area, check your manual.
  • achadhaachadha Member Posts: 106
    All u need to do is make sure all the doors are unlocked and then simply press the gas lid and it will pop open...
  • fgurleyfgurley Member Posts: 12
    Used something like a credit card this morning and was able to get the lid open. It appears that the part on the inside that "unlocks" the lid is broken. Thanks for the suggestions.
  • imyodaddyimyodaddy Member Posts: 20
    I've noticed the same thing on my wife's Sienna, and practically every Toyota I've ever driven. It is somewhat irritating.
  • dweiserdweiser Member Posts: 288
    Besides what happened to you with the filler lid, it's never a very bright idea to run the gas down to almost nothing as it tends to suck up all kinds of crap that settle in the bottom of the tank.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    That's what fuel filters are for.

    I'd be more worried that the lack of gas would cause the fuel pump to overheat and lead to premature failure, since most of them live in, and are cooled by, the gas in the tank.

    Steve, Host
  • kevwilkevwil Member Posts: 5
    Has anyone noticed when you let your foot off the gas that the transmission wants to hold on at about 1200 RPM's until a certain point....then it "lets go" and the car surges just a bit? It's really starting to annoy me. It's really strange, and I'm not sure if it's a normal CVT characteristic.....or a major problem. like the engine wants to do some of the braking for me....then it just lets go. Am I going crazy....or is this normal?
  • bhoward99bhoward99 Member Posts: 27
    Please check this discussion board - Messages 76 -> 78.

    Is this the same thing you are feeling as mentioned in these messages ?

    Like the car wants to continue to roll a bit
    after you apply the brake.

    Are you hitting the brakes when you feel this surge motion ?
  • kevwilkevwil Member Posts: 5
    It's kinda like how you described it, but a bit different.

    Here's when I notice it the most:
    I'll be driving at 20-30MPH and I'll let off the gas. The RPM's will drop down to about 1200. It'll stay at 1200 while I'm braking, but then it will suddenly DROP down to about 500-700. Wehn that happens, the car surges just a bit. You can actually see the RPM needle release. It just falls like it was being held up by something.

    I'm quite concerned!
    My first oil change is coming up in a week or 2.....I'm going to have them look at it....but I'm sure they won't find anything.
  • triq200triq200 Member Posts: 3
    I have noticed it. The way I dscribe it is that the transmission does not want to let the car coast freely until it reaches that certain speed. It then lets go. I do not find this an issue of safety but a possible reason for the less than advertised fuel mileage.
  • rdrrrdrr Member Posts: 20
    Test drove a Murano last week and I do have to say I was impressed to a point. The only thing I found wrong was some rattles coming from the dash and rear seating area in either the roof or pillar, not sure. The car I drove was a demo with 13,000 km or 8100 miles. Has anybody experienced any rattles lately? On a smooth surface no problem but on a broken wash board road is where you get the rattles and plastic squeaks.
  • maxtallic5maxtallic5 Member Posts: 1
    I purchased MURANO demo with 7100 miles, I now had the car for 3 months, as soon as I hit 12000 miles,the alternator needs to be replace, my car is at the dealer for about a week and they can’t say when the new alternator will be installed because it is on back order, is any one else have alternator problems? I think a week is too long to have to wait for an alternator.
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