Jump LinksAre There Any Recalls/Complaints About Transmission?What Model Years To Avoid?Best Model Year To Buy?Are There Any Recalls/Complaints About Transmission?What Model Years To Avoid? Best Model Year To Buy?Are There Any Complaints About Transmission?Best Model Year To Buy?Shockingly long. That is a good way to describe the Nissan Murano's lifespan. The midsize SUV from the brand that has been teetering on the edge of bankruptcy has lasted a very long time, all things considered. It has outlived rivals like the Ford Edge and Toyota Venza to become the last one left in the category of "slightly premium two-row SUVs from a mainstream brand." That sounds like a niche category, but once upon a time, it was one of the hottest segments in the crossover category. While the car may have lasted longer than rivals, ask any enthusiast, and they will tell you that there is one thing that doesn't last long, and that's the Murano's transmission. The Murano, along with literally every other post-1990s mainline Nissan product, has been cast in the looming shadow of CVT failure. It keeps used prices down and, if you believe social media, is a plague so rampant, that it is what brought the brand to its knees after two decades of problems.So is all this transmission malarkey really true? Or is it overblown and allowing you to snag a deal? In this article, we will find out just that, by briefly looking at each generation of Murano before finding if they are affected by transmission issues, and how badly. Lastly, we will answer the question of just how bad Nissan Murano transmission problems were, of if people were just overreacting.Reliability data has been sourced from the NHTSA and other reputable sources. This analysis not only takes into account not only the total number of complaints, but also the severity of them. First Generation: Z50 Nissan As previously mentioned, while this premium mainstream two-row SUV segment has now been superseded by the more plain offerings, there was once a time when the more blinged-out offering of the two was the one to have, and there was nothing more bling than a first-generation Murano. This was quite a car in its day, with a punchy V6 lifted from the 350Z, chrome everywhere, and an interior that would make you think you were in an Infiniti. It was so controversial that it even stretched across the pond, being sold in limited numbers in Europe, although the lack of a diesel option at launch did hurt it. Arriving in 2002, it was an instant hit, being produced during the height of Nissan's US growth in the 2000s. With that VQ V6, optional AWD, and that 2000s MTV styling, it was set up to be a long-term hit too.However, Nissan also took the decision to equip the Murano with a CVT transmission. In fact, it was one of the biggest SUVs of its era to exclusively use one, so has that panned out? Are There Any Recalls Or Complaints About Transmission? Nissan Yes, the first generation introduced the beginning of Nissan Murano CVT transmission problems that would hound the nameplate for years to come. It is not a transmission to be messed with and usually cannot be fixed, just replaced. Car Complaints, a website dedicated to allowing users to upload their car issues, is flooded with people complaining of jerking, slipping, and failing transmissions. What Model Years To Avoid? Nissan2004 seems to be the most problematic year for the first-generation Murano, with the transmission failures being compounded with flimsy door handles, and poor interior build quality. It is no surprise that the earliest models are the ones most affected, but the other issues of poor build quality actually outweigh the reports of transmission failure, although they are nowhere near as expensive to fix. 2007 Nissan Murano tranmission problems have been reported across various forums, too, so best to avoid those model years. Best Model Year To Buy? NissanYou might be sick of hearing this, but buy the newest, lowest mileage Murano you can find, and change the transmission fluids regularly. While some people will claim they are "sealed for life," do not listen, and have the fluid flushed and replaced to make sure there are no metal flakes. That will be tough given the age of these first-generation models, but they are cool in a sort of 2000s, Pimp My Ride, over-chromed kinda way. Second Generation: Z51 Nissan The second-generation Nissan Murano appeared in 2009 with a new look and more modern features. It shared its platform with the Altima and Maxima of its day and still used a tried-and-tested VQ 3.5-liter V6, now producing 265 hp. You could get your Murano with rain-sensing wipers, double-stitched leather seats, and a power folding tail gate if you paid enough. It was more of an evolution than a revolution in terms of design, but it did add one legendary body style to the fold. The Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet attempted to be all things to all people, offering a convertible AWD, two-door crossover to a world that did not want it. It now stands as a bastion of peak weird, and has gained a cult following as a wacky car that no one thought they would actually build.This generation would also see the Murano's retreat from Europe, with the market not being a fan of a big, thirsty SUV, especially in a period following the tail-end of the The Great Recession. Are There Any Recalls Or Complaints About Transmission? NissanThe second-generation Murano was definitely the poorest built overall of the four generations and the CVT did it no favors, either. The Nissan Murano's transmission problems continued, with failure to select drive, jerking, and slipping all being reported by owners. The most common issue in these early second-gens is a failure to launch from a stop, catching people out when pulling out into traffic or at lights. What Model Years To Avoid? Nissan The early 2009 cars are definitely the worst model year, having triple the reports of failures and issues of the subsequent years. Some of this can be chalked up to early production issues, but it is clear there were more than just manufacturing defects affecting the reliability of this SUV. Early second-generation Muranos also suffered from constant brake system issues, meaning that the car was as bad at stopping as it was getting going. Best Model Year To Buy? Nissan By 2011, Nissan had facelifted the second-gen model to a more respectable state of reliability, and while not perfect, the later examples are not too bad if well maintained and looked after. 2012 Nissan Murano transmission problems commonly included shaking and lurching, and these issues weren't restricted to just one model year, either. Transmission wise, the second generation is a tank compared to what came next. Third Generation: Z52 Nissan The 2015 third-generation Murano was a big step-up in design and interior quality, but retreated further from foreign markets as the segment declined, making way for the smaller, more cost-effective SUVs like the RAV4, and Nissan's own Rogue. It was the first generation of the Murano to get a hybrid model, powered by a smaller 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a different transmission setup than the regular model. This generation was expected to be the last Murano but, surprisingly, it was replaced in 2024. The third generation is also the biggest swing from the least to most reliable model in one generation. Are There Any Recalls Or Complaints About Transmission? Nissan If there is one thing you take away from this article, it is to not buy an early third-generation Nissan Murano. The 2015 Nissan Murano suffers from the most complaints of transmission failures of almost all the years since the original car's launch. It is stunning that these transmission failures are still so prevalent over a decade since the vehicle's introduction. A jerking transmission is by far the biggest complaint, with multiple owners complaining of an awful feeling when trying to make progress. The fix for this problem? An entirely new transmission to the tune of over $7,000 on average. Best Model Year To Buy? Nissan After all this doom and gloom, it must be said that the third-gen Murano managed to make quite the comeback by the end of its life, with later examples considered the best buys of any Murano. Cars post 2018, in particular, are considered best of breed. Can they still have CVT issues? Yes, for example, the 202 Nissan Murano had transmission problems relating to low-speed shudders and slow shifts, but don't expect them to be anywhere near as bad as earlier versions. With the third generation lasting as long as it did, it's not surprising to still see these as CPO cars, or still under factory warranty for extra piece of mind. Fourth Generation: Z53 To much surprise, Nissan kept the Murano for another generation, even with most rivals leaving the market entirely. It critically no longer uses the CVT or even the VQ V6, with the powertrain now being a 2.0-liter turbocharged Nissan KR20DDET, paired to a conventional nine-speed automatic transmission. It is the first Nissan to use this pairing and should put two decades of CVT worries to bed. Whether a variable compression four-cylinder making 241 hp will last for years remains to be seen. Has Nissan just replaced one issue with another? Was The CVT Really That Bad? Nissan While some years are better than others, and there are some owners that have even managed to get good mileage out of their CVTs, the simple fact is that Murano transmission issues are almost entirely centered around the CVT that was the weakest link in its powertrian. The irony is that it is paired with the VQ, an engine that is generally considered pretty stout. If you can, go for a late third-generation model, as it offers the best value with the best reliability, and avoid almost all early examples of each generation. It is also imperative that you do regular maintenance on your CVT; get the fluids changed and have them checked for any metal particles in the old fluid. Otherwise, but a new Murano with the nine-speed automatic to be safe.