Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA campaign 09V169000 · 2009 · reported 05/19/2009
ENGINE MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2003 Nissan Murano Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 3.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
800Complaints
6Recalls
14Crashes
5Fires
9Injured
1Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (19.6% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 157 · 19.6% | Recalled | Recall 03V123000 |
| Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator | 120 · 15% | Recalled | Recall 05V319000 |
| Seats | 102 · 12.8% | Investigation closed | PE08065 |
| Power Train | 89 · 11.1% | Recalled | Recall 03V123000 |
| Electrical System | 88 · 11% | Recalled | Recall 05V319000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 72 · 9% | Recalled | Recall 09V169000 · Recall 03V455000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 800 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 6 campaigns
Seat Belts:rear/other
NHTSA campaign 06V048000 · 2006 · reported 02/13/2006
IF THE WEBBING IS COMPLETELY SEPARATED, IT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator
NHTSA campaign 05V319000 · 2005 · reported 07/14/2005
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGER WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL IMMEDIATELY COME ON AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE. AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL GO INTO A "FALL SAFE" CONDITION WHICH WILL LIMIT VEHICLE SPEED. THE ENGINE WILL STOP RUNNING WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
NHTSA campaign 06V003000 · 2006 · reported 01/10/2006
A PUNCTURED TANK COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Engine And Engine Cooling
NHTSA campaign 03V455000 · 2003 · reported 11/17/2003
THIS COULD CAUSE THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
NHTSA campaign 03V123000 · 2003 · reported 03/31/2003
IF THE GEAR DISPLAYED IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GEAR ENGAGED, THIS COULD RESULT IN UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“2003 NISSAN MURANO TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH LESS THAN 24,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FAILED, WHEELS LOCKED, UNABLE TO MOVE OR PUSH THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY, IT HAPPENED APPROACHING…”NHTSA complaint 10100473 — filed 11/24/2004 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF CD-CHANGER/PLAYER FAILURE, EACH TIME UNIT WAS REPLACED WITH A "NEW" ONE. TWO FAILURES OF REAR CUP HOLDER. ONE FAILURE OF VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10088190 — filed 08/19/2004 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“THE TRANSMISSION IN MY NISSAN MURANO FAILED ON APRIL 25 2004. THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN, TO THIS POINT ,HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY UNCOOPERATIVE. THE CAR AS…”NHTSA complaint 10073137 — filed 05/25/2004 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Murano?
Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 157 of 800 NHTSA complaints (19.6%), followed by electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator (120), seats (102), power train (89). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2003 Nissan Murano have?
800 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Does the 2003 Nissan Murano have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09V169000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2003 Nissan Murano's reported problems?
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
