What 148 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Murano Hybrid

In July 2023, at 55,496 miles on the odometer, the original CVT transmission failed and was replaced at Port City Nissan (120 Spaulding Tpke N, Portsmouth, NH 03801), an authorized Nissan dealership, with a Nissan-supplied rebuilt CVT transmission at a cost of approximately $7,000. The rebuilt transmission was warranted for one year. Approximately 2.5 years and only 26,500 miles after installation, the rebuilt CVT transmission has failed again at approximately 82,000 miles. CVT transmission failure while driving presents a serious safety hazard, as the vehicle may lose power unexpectedly, particularly dangerous at highway speeds, during merges, or in intersections. Pattern of Defect: Nissan’s CVT transmissions have been the subject of widespread consumer complaints and multiple class action lawsuits across various model years. Significantly, Nissan recently updated its warranty on rebuilt CVT transmissions from one year to three years with unlimited mileage for replacements performed after July 2024. This warranty extension strongly suggests Nissan is aware of systemic premature failures in its rebuilt CVT units. The failure of a rebuilt transmission at only 26,500 miles indicates a fundamental quality control or design deficiency in the rebuilt units Nissan is supplying to dealerships. Safety Concern: Sudden CVT failure causes immediate loss of propulsion and can result in loss of vehicle control. This is particularly hazardous on highways, in heavy traffic, and during adverse weather conditions. Given the pattern of premature failure in Nissan’s rebuilt CVT units, I believe this constitutes a safety defect affecting a population of vehicles and warrants investigation. I request that NHTSA investigate Nissan’s rebuilt CVT transmission program and the adequacy of Nissan’s response to known premature failures.

NHTSA ODI 11728892

35 complaints on the CVT transmission failing for the 2011 Nissan Murano, which could be a major safety issue while driving. We experienced 3 episodes and have not heard back from Nissan nor the NHTSA on recalling this car and having Nissan repair their known defect that could result in injury. We know the CVT transmission is known by Nissan to have reliability issues as they have recalled other years of CVT transmissions. Does someone have to be hurt before a fix is communicated to the owners of this vehicle. What a shame!

NHTSA ODI 11573366

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D), the transmission made an abnormal sound, and the vehicle shook before moving forward. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine and the transmission warning light had illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer on multiple occasions and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin Number: AT20-005B NTB20-060B CVT Transmission Shake/Shudder (Power Train). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11558840

While driving car several times on the highway, when accelerating all power went out from the CVT transmission (like running out of gas), rendering the car without power on the highway. This was and continues to be a big concern as we were left on a high speed road with no power to move the car. This has occurred several times and we have been fortunate to be in the right hand lane to get off the main road and not cause an accident. This condition is known by Nissan and other repair facilities as the Infiniti dealer in Orlando, Fla conducted a diagnostic test and noted the car needed a transmission replacement at approximately 88,000 miles. This replacement was for $12,220 dollars, which was far more than the car was worth and with a car that should have many more miles left to operate and maintained very well. As this is a major safety issue, one of several with this car, we are submitting another incident report indicating our concern with this car, which there are many (rear subframe rusting, rear passenger door locks). The car got towed approximately 200 miles to our local mechanic who knew of these issues, but after a few days of test driving could not duplicate the issue on local roads. We still operate the car on local roads below highway speeds, but are concerned that at any point power will be lost. Even selling the car is an ethical dilemma for us as we know of several safety issues submitted to the NHTSA and Nissan has not issued any recalls or corrections to this year vehicle. Someone from the NHTSA should take action with Nissan to recall this vehicle for safety issues! As with other incidents, we have all the documentation from these events.

NHTSA ODI 11541094

2011 Nissan Murano, transmission issues. This is the second time I have had to report this problem, please also refer to my first complaint #11474221 on this vehicle for the same problem. When at a stop, and pushing the gas pedal to move forward, there is a hesitation or two before the vehicle moves forward. This is a big problem when trying to enter a highway, after a stop sign. With giving enough distance to merge, having the hesitation issue has almost caused an accident. This hesitation occurs in town driving and hi-way. The dealership Crown Nissan (Greensboro, NC) diagnosis indicated that the transmission was failing and needed to be replaced. Our local Nissan shop ordered a new transmission directly from Nissan, and installed into our car, by mechanics that were trained by Nissan. Received Murano back with replaced new transmission, and within two days it was hesitating again. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and it was confirmed that the ‘new’ transmission that was installed, was defective and when driving, also had the hesitation issue. A 2nd new transmission was ordered from Nissan, installed by Nissan trained mechanics, and delivered two weeks later. We received our Murano back on Oct.12, 2022 and when driving it there was a slight hesitation, but then started to buck very hard… I’m surprised that I don’t have whiplash. The 2nd new transmission installed is a ‘lemon’ as it is worse than the original AND the 1st new replacement, by bucking as well as the hesitation. Our Nissan Murano appears to be unfixable, as the company keeps sending transmissions that have serious flaws and will eventually hurt or kill someone. Where do we go from here, especially since we have paid off the loan a year ago.

NHTSA ODI 11489155

For over a year, I have experienced hesitations of movement when needed to have acceleration from a complete or rolling stop. When driving, I’ve pushed on the gas pedal to accelerate & there was a long two second hesitation (lack of propulsion) before the Murano resumed forward movement. There was also a loss of acceleration (speed/movement) while merging into very heavy traffic on a busy main road, & that could have caused an accident. Every time there was a hesitation of movement when pushing on the gas pedal, it could have been a disaster. I have been having this ‘hesitations of movement’ for over a year. I have insisted that mechanics need to drive it, so they too can experience this problem. They have driven the Murano many times, but haven’t been able to experienced it. After bringing the Murano into my service station for months about this problem, today after an oil change at Oakview Auto Service, the head mechanic took my Nissan Murano for a test drive & the ‘hesitation’ happened to him. So if needed Chris at Oakview Auto can confirm that this problem has been happening, that we have asked about diagnosing this problem, & he experienced as well. This Service Station has been in business for over 40 years, and they have had many other customers bring their Nissan Murano to them, with the complaint of ‘hesitation of movement. While there has been problems documented (& recalled) with Nissan’s transmissions in the past, they have yet to include the 2011 Murano. Nissan needs to address this hesitation issue now.

NHTSA ODI 11454154

The vehicle hesitates when coming out of a stop as though it has lost power and then zooms forward. I believe it is the CVT transmission going out. Is currently an ongoing problem.

NHTSA ODI 11437057

2011 MURANO STALLS WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP. GOES INTO LIMP MODE AND IS SUPER DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO TURN LEFT ACROSS TRAFFIC. NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON 2010 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE BUT NOT THE 2011. DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME $5500 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CODES BEING PULLED FROM THE TRANSMISSION ARE THE SAME ONES THE LED NISSAN TO 'EXTEND' THE WARRANTY TO 10 YEARS AND 120K MILES. THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE PULLED OFF THE ROADS. I CONTACTED CONSUMER CONCERNS FOR NISSAN AND WAS TOLD BY A VERY RUDE REPRESENTATIVE NAMED JOHN - NOTHING THEY WILL DO AND REFUSED TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE ELSE ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ODI 11405984

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR MY SO AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO WARRANTY TO COVER IT. WE JUST FOUND OUT THE VEHICLE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, HOWEVER IT'S EXCEEDED THE 120,000 MILE DEALER WARRANTY. WE'RE WANTING TO KNOW IF THIS PROBLEM WAS RECALLED BY NISSAN BECAUSE IT IS NOT SAFE FOR HIM TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI 11403218

VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHOW LOSS OF POWER IN 2019 WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE ENTERING.A HIGHWAY. VEHICLE ALSO WOULD JERK WHEN POSITIONED FROM PARK TO REVERSE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO GIVE MORE POWER, ASNIF IT WAS STALLED I PARKED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FEAR OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.AND BEING SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ODI 11396374

THE CVT WENT BAD IN THE VEHICLE AND NISSAN NEVER FIXED WHAT WAS REPORTED IN THE PAST WITH 2012S PEOPLE WITH 2013 TO CURRENT ARE ALL STILL HAVING CVT TRANSMISSIONS FAIL AND NISSAN IS NOT RECALLING OR FIXING THE ISSUE. WELL DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING AND LOST COMPLETE POWER AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND HAD OIL SEEPING FROM IT.

NHTSA ODI 11366122

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANDERSON NISSAN (6555 E STATE ST, ROCKFORD, IL 61108), WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ODI 11339157

AROUND 100,000 MILES WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN TRAVELING AN INCLINE OR AFTER STOPPING AND RESTARTING AT A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, EVEN WHILE GAS PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY DECIDED TO MOVE IT WOULD SURGE. ALSO WHILE IDLING STATIONARY AND SHUTTING THE CAR OFF, IT FAILED TO RESTART. HEAD LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING, A CLICKING NOISE COULD BE HEARD COMING FROM ENGINE. THE CAR WOULD HAVE TO BE JUMPED OFF. BATTERY CHECKED AND IS NOT THE ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11311021

MY CVT TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HAVE A SEAL LEAK AT 140,000 MILES CAUSING A LOUD SQUEAL WHILE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BUILT UP PRESSURE. THIS CAR WAS WELL MAINTAINED. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT NISSAN DOESN'T PROVIDE REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. IT'S A SEALED UNIT SO YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FOR $3500 TO $4800. ONLY GOT $2K ON TRADE IN FOR A NEW VEHICLE. I HOPE NISSAN RECALLS THE TRANSMISSION SO OTHERS WON'T LOSE MONEY ON THIS COSTLY REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11281881

COINCIDENTALLY WE JUST PAID OFF OUR VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS AGO. OUR 2011 NISSAN MURANO HAS 103, 000 MILES. ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY WIFE MENTIONED THAT THE CAR WAS HESITATING WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL TO PROCEED FORWARD FROM A STOPPED POSITION. ( THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD AT INTERSECTIONS AND ANY STOPPED POSITIONS TO PROCEED FORWARD). THE ENGINE WOULD JUST CUT OUT AND THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS WOULD PICK BACK UP IN RPMS. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FUEL FILTER PROBLEM SO WE SENT IT TO OUR MECHANIC. HE CAME BACK TO US AND SAID ITS THE CVT TRANSMISSION AND IT COULD COST ANYWHERE FROM $3500 - $5000. SOMETHING WE DID NOT WANT HEAR WITH A VEHICLE WITH JUST A HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES ON IT. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH WE SEE THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN CVT. I REALLY NEED SOME ASSISTANCE ON HOW TO GO ABOUT CONTACTING NISSAN TO SEE IF THEY WILL WARRANT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11278086

2011 NISSAN MURANO, 85000 MILES, ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ON TIME. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT LOW SPEEDS STARTED TO HEAR A CLUNKING NOISE. THE NEXT DAY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HWY TAKING MY CAR INTO THE SHOP WHEN IT STARTED JUMPING RPMS AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ALMOST CAUSING ME TO GET KILLED WHILE TRYING TO PULL OF THE ROAD. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT AT 30MPH TO THE CLOSEST CAR DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILING TRANSMISSION. I STILL OWE ON THE CAR AND AM BEYOND UPSET THAT AFTER CALLING NISSAN THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING . NOW MY CAR SITS TILL I FIND A WAY TO COME UP WITH THE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS I HAVE TO PAY TO GET MY CAR BACK ON THE ROAD. NISSAN SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE 2011 JUST LIKE THEY DID ON THE PREVIOUS YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 11269741

I NOTICED MY NISSAN MURANO LOSING ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF. WHEN IT FINALLY CATCHES UP IT RIDES FINE. THAT IS SO DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY LIVING IN THE CITY WITH FREEWAYS AND TRAFFIC! ALSO MY AIR IS NOT WORKING. I TOOK IT TO A DEALER, AIR COMPRESSOR WAS FINE, THEY RECHARGED THE SYSTEM WITH FREON AND IT STILL DIDN'T WORK. I NEED SOME KIND OF RELAY SWITCH FOR $500. I FEEL LIKE I'M PAYING FOR A LEMON AT 85,000 MILES!

NHTSA ODI 11208669

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STAR NISSAN (40-20 172ND ST, FLUSHING, NY) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

NHTSA ODI 11194912

CVT TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING NOISES AT 90K ON DAUGHTER S 2011 NISSAN MURANO. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL NISSAN IS SCAMMING EVERYONE WITH ALL THESE 5K SHOP REPAIR BILLS. NISSAN YA CAN GO TO HELL AND WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER ONE. I WILL ALSO GO TRADE MY GTR. I WOULD DRIVE CHEVY CRUZ OR CIVIC BEFORE I BUY ANOTHER NISSAN. OH THIS WAS OUR 29TH NISSAN BETWEEN MY WIFE,KIDS AND I

NHTSA ODI 11193148

LEAVING PARKING LOT OF CHILD'S SCHOOL, GAS PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WITHOUT MOVING CAR FORWARD. I HAD DIFFICULTY SAFELY GETTING OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC AND WAS LEFT STRANDED WITH MY YOING CHILD!

NHTSA ODI 11176315

VEHICLE HAS ONLY 63,400 MILES ON IT. MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON AND ON THE WAY TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE CODE CHECKED THE CAR JUST STOPPED DRIVING. I WAS STOPPED FOR A LIGHT AND WHEN I WENT TO GO NOTHING HAPPENED. TOWED IT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. (USED) TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AND THEN THE CAR STALLED AGAIN DURING THE TEST DRIVE BY MECHANIC. NOW THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE STARTER, WHICH I DID, SO THEY CAN RECHECK THE TRANSMISSION. GOT THE CAR BACK AND THE VERY NEXT DAY THE SAME LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO DEALER AND NOW THEY SAY THAT IT NEEDS CATALYTIC CONVERTER. REPLACED AND NOW THEY SAY THAT IT NEEDS THE FRONT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. SAID THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SEAL WHEN THEY GOT IT. PROBABLY WHAT IS CAUSING ALL THESE OTHER PROBLEMS. STILL HAVE NO IDEA WHEN I WILL GET THE CAR BACK. IT HAS BEEN A MONTH NOW. HAVE TOTALLY LOST FAITH IN NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI 11172319

I BEGAN EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF MOTION WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE ON THE ROAD AND MOVING THE VEHICLE LOST ABILITY TO MOVE. AT ONE POINT I WAS LIMITED TO UNSAFE DRIVING SPEEDS OF LESS THAN 15 MILES PER HOUR. ALL OCCURRENCES OF LOSS OF MOTION OCCURRED ON CITY STREETS WHERE POSTED SPEED LIMITS WERE 45 MPH OR LESS. THE LAST OCCURRENCE WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED FOR SERVICE AT WHICH TIME IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. AT 60,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE WAS AT FULL FAILURE AND FULL REPLACEMENT WAS NECESSARY. ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE WAS COMPLETED ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT WAS NOT USED FOR TOWING PURPOSES.

NHTSA ODI 11156108

ONLY 62,000 MILES AND NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 20MPH.

NHTSA ODI 11143436

TRANSFEE CASE LEAK NOTED DURING 60K MILES. SUBURBAN NISSAN OF MI NEVER TOOK THE INITIATIVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE. NISSAN REPLACED THE SEALS ONLY BASED ON MY COMPLAINT. THE LEAK OCCURRED AGAIN IN TRANSFER CASE AT 126K MILES. NOW THE DEALER IS RECOMMENDING THE REPLACEMENT OF SEALS ONLY. NISSAN REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE WITH THEIR GARBAGE DESIGN.

NHTSA ODI 11122871

TOOK VEHICLE INTO NISSAN OF SILSBEE WHERE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT FOR SERVICE -- SERVICE PERSON CAME TO ME AND SAID THAT SHE HAD BAD NEWS -- VEHICLE HAD A REAR MAIN SEAL LEAK. FIRST TIME EVER, I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE TRANSMISSION CONCERN TO HAVE THEM GIVE ME A SECOND OPINION AND THEY SAID IT WAS LEAKING BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THEY PULLED THE TRANSMISSION AND FOUND THAT FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS WEREN'T UP TO DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED BY SILSBEE NISSAN AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED THAT THERE WERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. COST TO ME FOR REPAIRS WERE $5,716 WITH 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11118556