Are you striving to buy a Nissan Murano? If so, you’ll love to hear that this ride was built to deliver you to all your destinations without missing a stride. Although the manufacturer went above and beyond in its creation, it’s still possible for issues to come up.
Have there ever been Nissan Murano transmission problems on record?
As with all cars, complaints have come in about the function of its transmission, such as:
- Fluid leaking from the transfer case
- Sudden surge forward at low speeds
- Low RPM shudder that gets worse with time
- Outright transmission failure
Thankfully, in this article, we’re going to talk about all the different types of transmission problems affecting the Nissan Murano. With that info, you can easily find your perfect car to buy without worry about issues interrupting your travels.
A Glimpse at Nissan Murano Transmissions
The Nissan Murano came out in 2002 as a mid-size crossover SUV powered by the same 3.5L V6 engine used in the 350Z. Mated to that engine is the continuously variable transmission (CVT) that’s normally reserved for much smaller vehicles.
Despite that, it works well in delivering the power from the engine to the wheels, allowing this vehicle to tool around town with ease.
As the Murano moved into the second generation and beyond, Nissan elected to increase the horsepower a bit plus upgrade the transmission. While redesigning the CVT, they added adaptive shift controls that sense the driving conditions and adjusts accordingly.
Within its software, this transmission has over 1,000 shift patterns designed for a wide range of situations. From driving in snow to spirited highway jaunts, it always works hard at optimizing your driving experience mile after mile.
Most Common Nissan Murano Transmission Problems
While largely dependable, the transmission in the Nissan Murano can start to act up without warning. The problems vary considerably, as do the causes.
Since you cannot predict if or when it will happen, it’s best to learn all about the potential issues, so you can be ready if they occur. Here’s what you need to know.
Sudden Forward Surge
Even while applying the tiniest bit of gas, the automatic transmission in the 2004 Nissan Murano may unexpectedly surge forward. A high idle, stalling, and failure to start can also occur soon after. The issue may link back to a bad pressure sensor, but most have the transmission replaced altogether.
Poor Gear Engagement
While trying to accelerate from a stop, the 2009 Murano’s automatic transmission may fail to engage first gear. As that occurs, you won’t be able to move forward, no matter how much you press the gas pedal. Diagnostic tests rarely reveal the cause, leaving owners without a solution.
Shudders at Low RPM
When the engine is running at 1,000 RPMs or less, the 2015 Nissan Murano’s CVT transmission may shudder while trying to shift. As the car starts to jerk, you won’t be able to appropriately accelerate. To fix it, you may need to have the valve body or entire transmission replaced.
Leak from Transfer Case
The transfer case can only send power to the wheels when it has the right level of fluid. In the 2010 Murano, the fluid has the potential to leak out through damaged seals. Technicians just have to replace the worn gaskets with new ones to resolve the issue.
Transmission Failure
At around the 160,000-mile mark, it is common for the CVT transmission in the 2003 Nissan Murano to start to fail. Before that happens, you might notice a bad smell while driving, poor fuel efficiency, and intermittent power losses. Unfortunately, the only fix is a new transmission.
