The Lemon Index2003 Nissan Murano.
The 2003 Nissan Murano is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 221 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 466, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 20 mpg combined. The best Nissan Murano year is 2022.
Lemon alert. 4.7× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2022
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 800 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Murano year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 100K miles on the car (689 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 66K–108K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 19K–72K miles
- seats complaints mostly came at 50K–100K miles
Recalls 6
- engine 2009
NISSAN IS RECALLING 362,891 MY 2003-2007 MURANO VEHICLES.
- seat belts 2006
ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, THE WEBBING OF A REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT MAY CONTACT THE REAR SEAT BACK HINGE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE HINGE…
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK, IN THE EVENT THAT A VEHICLE FRONT TIRE RUNS OVER A SMALL, SHARP OBJECT IN THE ROAD, CATCHES IT AND PROPELS IT TOWARDS THE REAR …
Show all 6 recalls
- electrical 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.
- engine 2003
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX…
- transmission & drivetrain 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE NUT THAT ATTACHES THE TRANSMISSION GEAR SELECTOR SHAFT TO THE CONTROL VALVE LEVER IN THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 109 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Clicking noise from automatic transmission shift control when shifting
- Nissan essential tool; j-47005 seal installer used when installing a passenger side cvt axle seal
- IF YOU CONFIRM There is a vibration or judder feeling from the rear of the vehicle; when…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedDriver seat anchor failure2008–2009
- ClosedAlternator failure / engine stalling2005
- ClosedFuel tank punctures from road debris2005–2006
- ClosedAlternator failure/ engine stalling2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
2003 Nissan Murano developed problems with starting the engine. Consumer is requesting reimbursement for battery replacement.
2003 Nissan Murano owner · NHTSA complaint 10136674
More owner reports
While driving, the vehicle stalled. The consumer was unable to restart the vehicle and had it towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic determined that the alternator needed to be replaced.
NHTSA complaint 10089511
My altinator broke on my 2003 Nissan Murano with about 8500 miles on the whole car.
NHTSA complaint 10086326
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Nissan Murano reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 4.7× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 466; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Murano year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2003 Nissan Murano problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (75%), transmission & drivetrain (14%) and engine (5%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Murano have?
6 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Murano get?
20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Murano problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 72,000 miles, from 689 complaints.
Does the 2003 Nissan Murano have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Nissan Murano cost in fuel a year?
About $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Nissan Murano have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Murano year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2021 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works