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)

13 of 134 complaints match · Electrical system · clear filters

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

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

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 20, 2019Electrical systemEngine

CAR TURNED OFF ALL TOGETHER WHILE IN DRIVE

NHTSA ODI 11202651

Jun 22, 2018Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED; HOWEVER, THE STEERING AND BRAKING ABILITY STILL OPERATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO JOHN AMATO NISSAN (5200 N WASHINGTON ROAD, GLENDALE, WISCONSIN 53217), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN OCTOBER OF 2017, THE REAR ELECTRICAL DOOR MALFUNCTIONED AND REMAINED IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE BY THE DEALER (CHERRY HILL NISSAN, 2325 NJ-38, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,600.

NHTSA ODI 11103359

Feb 4, 2018Electrical systemEngine

1ST INCIDENT- DRIVING ON MAIN STREET OF TOWN HWY 31 S, CAR SIMPLY QUIT WHILE IN MOTION, WHILE DRIVING- NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS. COULD NOT MOVE, START ETC.. HAD TO CALL POLICE TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING THE CAR OUT OF THE MAIN HIGHWAY. 2ND INCIDENT- DRIVING ON I65 S INTERSTATE, DOING 70MPH, CAR QUIT WHILE DRIVING! HAD TO THROW ON FLASHERS AND COAST IT INTO THE MEDIAN, THE COPS WERE CALLED AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE BOTH IN THE CAR AND COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.- CALLED NISSAN TO REPORT, THEY ADVISED THEY KNEW OF NO RECALLS.AND WERE UNCONCERNED JUST ADVISED TO TAKE TO MECHANIC- WHERE IT WAS. 3RD- CAR IS NOW DOING THE SAME, WILL LOOSE POWER WHEN TURNING, AND GOING UP HILLS- ALWAYS LOSES POWER/DIES WHEN IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI 11066887

Dec 21, 2017Electrical system

POWER DOOR LOCKING SYTEM IS FAILING

NHTSA ODI 11055899

Jul 9, 2017Electrical system

DOOR LOCK ISSUE - ALL FOUR DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS DO NOT FUNCTION, THE DOORS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN GOING OVER 15 MILES AN HOUR (A SAFETY FEATURE), IF THE DOOR IS LOCKED MANUALLY, IT WILL NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF. COULD BE HAZARDOUS IF NEEDING TO LEAVE THE CAR QUICKLY.

NHTSA ODI 11003890

Mar 2, 2017Electrical system

DEAD BATTERY AFTER 3 YEARS - 2 NEW BATTERIES INSTALLED WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS OF EACH. THOUGHT WE HAD RECEIVED FAULTY BATTERIES. LAST ONE INSTALLED LASTED 1 1/2 YEARS. DEAD BATTERY AFTER 1 1/2 YEARS, NEW ONE INSTALLED DEAD IN 3 WEEKS.

NHTSA ODI 10957994

Jul 28, 2016Electrical system

BATTERY WENT DEAD FOR NO REASON. PARKED CAR ABOUT 1PM; UPON ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE VEHICLE ABOUT 5PM FOUND I COULD NOT OPEN DOOR WITH MY REMOTE. INSERTED KEY IN DOOR AND UNABLE TO TURN TO UNLOCK. HAD A CO-WORKER TRY AND HE COULD NOT TURN. HAD A THIRD PERSON TRY AND AFTER TURNING VERY HARD, HE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK DOOR. UPON OPENING DOOR, INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT GO ON AS THEY NORMALLY DO. TRIED TO START CAR IN NORMAL WAY - NOTHING. PUT KEY FAB INTO IGNITION - NOTHING. DETERMINED THAT BATTERY DEAD. AFTER JUMPING VEHICLE, IT STARTED AND RAN FINE. DETERMINED THAT NOTHING WAS LEFT ON OTHER THAN THE FAN FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING. NOW CARRY JUMPER CABLES AND CONSCIOUS TO PARK WHERE CAR CAN BE JUMPED IF NECESSARY.

NHTSA ODI 10889196

Dec 18, 2013Electrical system

WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 30 MILES PER HOUR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD GPS SCREEN WAS VERY NOTICEABLE AND AT THE SAME TIME THE SCREEN WENT BLACK FOR ABOUT 45 SECONDS THEN IT CAME UP ALIVE AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10556517

Jun 19, 2013Electrical systemEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING A 70 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE DASHBOARD AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AN RESTARTED BUT THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT CERTAIN PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT AWARE OF WHAT PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 3/14/14*CN *TR

NHTSA ODI 10520662

Aug 29, 2012Electrical system

CAR BATTERY DIED SUDDENLY WITH NO LIGHTS OR ANYTHING ELSE LEFT ON. IT HAPPENED TWICE AND WAS EXACTLY SAME. BOTH CASES I WAS STRANDED WITH NO OTHER OPTIONS TO TOW THE CAR AND NEED TO TAKE TAXI TO GET MY FAMILY HOME, I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE ACCESS TO TAXI. DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE AND FIX THE FAULT IN BOTH CASES AND GIVE ME LAME EXCUSE SOMETHING WAS LEFT ON. FOR ME IT'S SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE MY FAMILY IN THIS CAR WITH NO CONFIDENCE THAT WHEN WOULD IT DIE AGAIN. MY FAMILY WAS STRANDED ONCE OUTSIDE IN 100F HEAT AND I DON'T WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AGAIN. EITHER THEY IDENTIFY THE ISSUE AND FIX IT OR TAKE THE CAR BACK AND REPLACE IT WITH SIMILAR CAR. REGARDS *TR

NHTSA ODI 10472950

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 →