Home · 2012 Nissan Murano · Complaints

What 134 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Murano

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (134)Crash / fire / injury (7)Transmission & drivetrain (30)Airbags (26)Visibility & wipers (19)Brakes (13)Electrical system (13)Engine (13)Body & structure (6)Steering (5)Suspension (4)Fuel system (3)

Newest first · 134 complaints · page 1 of 6

Jun 4, 2026Electrical system

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the contact and the front seat passenger attempted to exit the vehicle, but all the doors failed to unlock. Additionally, the steering wheel was locked upside down. The contact stated that the engine started to overheat, and the front seat passenger had a panic attack. The contact called 911. The Fire Department arrived but was unable to forcefully open the doors. The Fire Department broke the rear passenger's side window and was able to unlock the doors. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the main fuse box was blown and melted. The mechanic determined that the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred the following morning. The contact was able to open and enter the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was able to restart. The dealer determined that a fuse in the steering column might have been blown. The dealer informed the contact that the part was no longer available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,161.

NHTSA ODI 11742137

Mar 15, 2026Fuel system

Vehicles of previous model years, this model year, and future model years have all experienced this issue. Issue was reported on thru a youTube channel in order to let the public know and understand the issue and how to fix/repair the issue. It was then discovered thru view time and the linking of the part to repair that this was a rempent issue of concern for possible recall. Issue of hesitation upon acceleration was noticed for 18 months. Vehicle was taken into dealership for diagnosis - main Nissan dealer and second repair facility diagnosed the need for a new transmission. Transmission was replaced thru the second repair facility for 7500.00. Issue of hesitation upon acceleration was not repaired thru the replacement of the transmission. Owner of the vehicle researched the issue and determined it was caused by holes and degredation of the "Air-Intake-Hose" assembly. This part is a 35.00 part availalbe on Amazon and easily replaced in about 10 minutes time by the owner. The need for recall is that Nissan does not throw an error code in order to diagnose this problem. The only error code thrown is for a NEW TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI 11724430

Nov 30, 2025Electrical system

While driving, vehicle just quits and all dashboard lights flash quickly and then the car stalls out and won't restart. This has happened 4 times now. Had battery replaced, alternator replaced for a 2nd time, sensor replaced. Now, I had the car towed to dealer who wanted to keep it for over the weekend to see if they could repeat the issue. My local mechanic had the same issue and he had to have it towed back to his shop also. This is a very dangerous situation, I've had to call 911 several times to provide safety while on the side of the road. My car has only 72k and is in excellent condition. I have always maintenance the vehicle since purchasing it in 2014.....I need some help with figuring out this issue. I am a disabled senior citizen on social security and that's it! Please look into this as I have run out of solutions.

NHTSA ODI 11702102

Sep 6, 2025Fuel system

When accelerating from a stop vehicle does not move, with gas pedal to the floor will slowly advance or stall. Has a battery drain somewhere also.

NHTSA ODI 11685503

Jun 12, 2025Electrical system

The installation of Intoxalock for safety has caused the car to completely lose power while driving and it is safety device. The device drains the battery and causes complete interruption of an operable vehicle. This puts my safety at risk and other motorists. The component has had diagnostics and continues to cause safety issues. There are no warning signs during operation of the vehicle. The devices are often faulty and showed be removed from the market.

NHTSA ODI 11666611

Apr 21, 2025Suspension

The rear subframe has rusted through due to road salt and made the vehicle unsafe to drive

NHTSA ODI 11655786

Jun 18, 2024Body & structure

Paint continues to chip and peel. It looks awful and Nissan won't do anything about it. It should be under the same recall as the Nissan Rogue and Infinity. It has overly devalued my car.

NHTSA ODI 11595014

Apr 15, 2024Airbags

I purchased 2012 Nissan Murano in Jul 2012. Recently the Airbag light is on and keeps flashing when start the car. It happened since 6 months ago. I sent my car to the local Nissan Dealer, they charged me $149 diagnostic fee + $1500 to replace the Airbag DIAG unit under the center console. After the replacement, the airbag light is still on and flashing. My car cannot pass the annual inspection because of the airbag light. It's a big safety concern. The dealer told me I need to get the passenger seat bottom sensor replaced, the pars has been discontinued. I am very surprised the airbag is related safety issue, Why Nissan discontinued the parts? And I google this issue, many Nissan car owners have the same airbag light issue. This is the most common issue and related to the customer safety. Nissan should recall it. I paid more than $1500 dollar, cannot get my problem fixed. It's unacceptable!

NHTSA ODI 11583188

Feb 13, 2024AirbagsTires

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air bag control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. Also, while operating the vehicle, the tire pressure monitoring system warning light activated although the tire air pressures were normal. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11571694

Sep 26, 2023Airbags

Airbags have malfunctioned. I was told the whole passenger seat needed to be replaced which costs more than the car is worth. No safety recall for this year. I know I’m not the only one with this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11546583

Jul 25, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

This car I purchased two months ago has the Cvt transmission in it and has proven unsafe for regular traffic let alone highway driving. It randomly “lurches” , has a loss of power and hesitates when accelerating or lane changing .

NHTSA ODI 11534342

Jul 2, 2023Wheels

The tire light stay on even after I put air in it. I don’t think my tire air pressure is being monitored correctly; this is not due to an accident. This light come on all the time… before and after I put air in my tires

NHTSA ODI 11529970

Jun 20, 2023Body & structure

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the rear subframe was rusted. The contact was advised to contact the local dealer for assistance. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ODI 11527939

Feb 1, 2023AirbagsSeats

2012 Nissan Murano. Airbag red light always blinking plus passenger seat airbag says it’s “off”. Loads of similar complaints on web sites. Took to Annapolis Nilsson on Riva Road today. They were very aware of issue but said there is no recall. So both airbags will not inflate, not just passenger seat. Web complaints confirm this with actual accidents and there is no recall? Dealership said NONE of the parts including seat are available any more(I would guess because they all failed) but were told if we found the parts and seat at a used parts place then the dealership would put in for a cost but there would NOT be any warranty! Really? There should be a recall on this issue, how can we get this?

NHTSA ODI 11504958

Jan 23, 2023Visibility & wipers

Driver sunroof exploded while driving. Nothing impacted the glass to my knowledge. Occurred on 1/21/23, 54xxx miles on the vehicle, no previous accidents. Gloomy day approx 30F, heat on and drivers window opened about an inch. No injuries.

NHTSA ODI 11503122

Jan 13, 2023SteeringSuspensionWheels

The progressive rattling/ shaking from the steering wheel has led to some close calls driving on multi lane roads the curve to the left at all. I've never had a single service light turn on even though steering and wheel issues were apparent. Every bump and cranny on the road is felt causing disturbance in ability to steer especially during in town driving.

NHTSA ODI 11501584

Oct 4, 2022Airbags

I have a 95 yrs. old Mother who I transport to appointments etc. and I am not feeling safe in our 2012 Nissan Murano due to the airbag malfunctioning. I have read numerous reports that state if there was ever an accident with these airbags that they would not potentially work or deploy and also that they could possibly release for just any reason at all and these two reasons alone are enough to know that this is a safety hazard and could cost both my Mother and myself, our lives. I have read many complaints regarding these same airbags located on the passenger side of our vehicle. I am asking that this problem be resolved immediately because it is very dangerous and disturbing. Please contact me and my Mother at 937-380-7064.

NHTSA ODI 11487887

Sep 10, 2022Visibility & wipers

The driver side sun visor suddenly broke and is floppy, hanging down and will not stay up. This is hindering my line of vision restricting my view of the road.

NHTSA ODI 11483774

Aug 26, 2022Airbags

2012 NISSAN MURANO PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING. RECEIVING DIAGNOSTIC CODE B10818. SEAT IS NOT RECONIZING WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN SEAT AND POSES A SAFTEY HAZARD TO PASSENGER. WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON 08/15/2022.

NHTSA ODI 11481398

Aug 11, 2022Airbags

Supplemental Air Bags Flashing on dashboard. Brought to Nissan dealership. Was able to stop blinking for five days. Brought back to dealership. Still there. Air bags may not expand during an accident or may activate without warning with no accident. My wife has osteoarthritis and is highly susceptible to serious injury as a result of either of the former incidents happening.

NHTSA ODI 11478894

Jul 12, 2022

Sun visor on driver and passenger sides do not stay up

NHTSA ODI 11473515

Mar 19, 2022Airbags

The airbag indicator light on dash blinks once, then five rapid blinks continuously. Took to Nissan dealership for repair. Charged $135 for diagnostics. They claimed the passenger seat air bag and bottom seat cushion would need to be replaced. That if the airbag indicator light was flashing none of the airbags work. The quote for repair was $2,884.98 before taxes. This is a 2012 Nissan Murano so a very expensive repair for a safety feature on a 10 year old car. Declined the repair. Dealership claims this is not a recall. It should be a recall. And why does one faulty airbag embedded in a passenger seat disable the remaining air bags? The Murano mileage is 49607. The airbag error code is B1018. Very frustrating to have a low mileage car with the airbag system inoperable and very expensive to repair. This faulty part should be repaired by Nissan free to owners to enable the safety features to operate normally.

NHTSA ODI 11457375

Mar 6, 2022Airbags

Passenger air bag is not working because of the seat sensor, (error code B1018 occ sensor fail). The 2012s have not been recalled, they did recall 2013 models(??). According to the blogs, this is a big problem with the 2012s. At this time dealership requested that I pay up front for the part, seat sensor $2,000.00. That was back in November 2021. Currently still waiting on the part. I have called customer service at Nissan; they were no help.

NHTSA ODI 11455382

Mar 1, 2022Visibility & wipers

While driving, the driver's side visor fell down and would not go back up and stay in place. I contacted the Nissan dealer about this issue and was told it was my problem to replace it. I bought my 2012 Murano used in April 2020 with 74k miles on it. The visor issue happened within the first 30 days of owning the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11454635

Feb 4, 2022AirbagsSeats

SRS/AIRBAGS LIGHT FLASHING PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF. The airbag will not deploy if in a crash. Nissan code B1018 is diagnosed as needing the whole passenger seat replace due to the occupancy sensor in passenger seat. Nissan quoted repair at $5000.00 to replace. Called Nissan and started case 45708222 on 2/4/22. Was told no safety recall on the 2012 Murano and Murano is too far out for Nissan to assist. In researching Nissan has had this safety issue since 2008 and there have been recalls on certain models but not 2012. I feel Nissan such stand behind this type of safety issue of this magnitude. The vehicle was purchased new and probably 75% of the 61,500 miles there was no passenger in the seat. What factor has to come into play for a safety recall to be issued? Is it number of fatalities that occur for the occupancy sensor not deploying the airbags? I also tried to find out if Nissan has stopped using this type seat/sensors in the new models. Customer rep told me I needed to ask the dealer. The dealer had told me to ask Nissan so I'm at a loss on whether Nissan has changed to avoid this safety issue. I've always been pleased with Nissan and was considering trading this Murano for a 2022 Platinum but since this has occurred my opinion is changing on the Nissan. Nissan has had a safety issue with these sensors since 2008 and forward. Nissan should have recalled any make/model that is/was equipped with the faulty occupancy passenger airbag sensors that could/can fail and cause bodily harm or death. Or even at least compensate on some of the expense. This is just wrong.

NHTSA ODI 11450426

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Working with the data? Download all 134 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Nissan Murano verdict →