ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR BINDING FEELING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Nissan Murano powertrain problems
moderate 51 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
51
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 51 powertrain complaints filed for the 2005 Nissan Murano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 51 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NISSAN AWD MODELS; ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR JUDDER FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN AWD MODELS; ABNORMAL NOISE, VIBRATION AND/OR JUDDER FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN; VIBRATION AND/OR NOISE WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS IF YOU CONFIRM There is a vibration or judder feeling from the rear of the vehicle during the following conditions: ï· When making turns ï· On dry roads ï· At low speeds (under 40 MPH) And ï· The above vibration does not occur if the Electric Controlled Coupling is electrically disconnected. NOTE: In some cases, electrically disconnecting the Electric Controlled Coupling may not eliminate the vibration as described above. In these cases, further confirm the incident by removing the rear propeller shaft and retest. If the vibration does not occur with the rear propeller shaft removed, the incident is confirmed. IMPORTANT: Tire siz
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN; VIBRATION AND/OR NOISE WHEN MAKING LOW SPEED TURNS This bulletin applies only to vehicles equipped with AWD (All-Wheel Drive) or 4WD (4-Wheel Drive). This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES and PARTS INFORMATION sections have been revised. No other changes have been made. Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Nissan Murano's CVT transmission is unreliable and poses real safety risks. Owners describe sudden loss of power or complete stalling while driving—sometimes with no warning lights beforehand—leaving them stranded in traffic or highway merge lanes. Transmission failures occur from 60,000 to 170,000 miles, with many happening just 6,000–12,000 miles beyond the factory warranty. Even after dealer replacement, several owners report the new transmission failed within days or weeks, with some experiencing multiple failures on the same vehicle.
The transfer case, which works with the CVT, commonly cracks under the stress of transmission problems. Owners report hearing loud knocking and paying $3,400–$5,500 to replace it. Nissan's extended CVT warranty (10 years/120,000 miles) covers only the transmission, not the transfer case or other related parts damaged by transmission failure.
Additional powertrain issues include engine stalling without warning, alternator failure that triggers safe mode and disables the transmission, transmission seal leaks requiring repeated repairs, and rear differential failure. One owner spent $1,300 years ago for the same stalling problem, had it return, and was told the original concern wasn't actually fixed. Dealers often cannot replicate or definitively diagnose these issues.
Repair costs frequently exceed the vehicle's market value, leaving owners unable to trade in or sell without taking a major loss.
Same Nissan Murano powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure - Loss of Power/Drivability
CVT transmission loses drive ability, fails to accelerate, stalls without warning, or seizes completely. Owners report vehicle will not move or move only at very low speeds despite engine running. Many failures occur at 60,000–170,000 miles. Owners report repeated failures even after dealer replacement attempts.
When: 60,000–170,000 miles; some as early as 2 months of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration or severe hesitation when pressing gas pedal; Vehicle stalls at traffic stops or while moving; Loss of power without warning; transmission disengages mid-drive; Loud clicking, ticking, or knocking from transmission; Whining sounds before deceleration; Check Engine light, Service Engine Soon light, or transmission warning codes
Codes mentioned: U1000 (electrical/ground wire problem), CVT pressure sensor fault, TCU (transmission control unit) malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: $4,000–$6,400 for transmission replacement; many owners cite 6,000–12,000 miles out of warranty at time of failure; some dealers refuse warranty coverage citing contamination or prior work; repeated failures reported even after initial replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended CVT warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles for 2003–2010 Muranos with CVT; warranty extension limited to transmission only; does not cover related component damage; recall 09V169000 mentioned by one owner but reported as not applicable to their VIN
Transfer Case Cracking/Failure
Transfer case (part of AWD transmission assembly) develops fatigue cracks or fails completely. Many owners report the transfer case cracks due to stress from CVT problems, causing loud knocking, leaking, and in some cases, complete failure requiring replacement. Repeated failures in same vehicle reported.
When: 52,000–173,000 miles; some repeat failures within months of prior repair
Symptoms owners cite: Loud knocking or grinding noises under hood or from front end; Leaking oil/burning oil smell; Transmission will not respond or disengages; Loss of power during operation; Vehicle lurches forward abruptly
Repairs/costs cited: $3,400–$5,470 for transfer case replacement; repeated repairs common (owners report 3–4 replacements on same vehicle); some owners cite seal replacement ($1,800+) as temporary fix before case fracture discovered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan CVT extended warranty does not cover transfer case; dealers deny coverage citing transfer case is separate component; one owner reports Nissan offered $150 voucher on future vehicle purchase after $3,400 repair denied
Idler Pulley Bracket Cracking
Cracked idler pulley bracket tears into serpentine belts, creating loud vibrating noise. Owner reports this often follows alternator recall repair, suggesting improper reinstallation or over-torquing.
When: 36,000 miles (in one documented case)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud vibrating noise from engine compartment; Noise only under load; Torn serpentine belts
Repairs/costs cited: $400 for bracket and belt replacement; owners report bracket failure is unsafe to drive with and can worsen suddenly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan stated the failure 'happens once in a while' and is dangerous to drive with; no recall or coverage offered despite acknowledging the recurring nature
Transmission Seal/Gasket Leaking
Transmission seals or gaskets leak oil, causing low oil levels, loud operation, and increased RPMs. Multiple seal replacements on same vehicle reported, with cracks discovered only after repeated leaks.
When: Within and beyond warranty period; repeated failures noted
Symptoms owners cite: Burning oil smell; Oil leaking from transmission; Loud operation and elevated RPM; Low transmission fluid levels
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports three seal replacements ($1,800 first repair, then under warranty, then out-of-pocket); another reports seal failure masking underlying transfer case crack
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports being denied further repairs after warranty expiration despite three prior seal replacements on the same component
Engine Stalling/Shutdown While Driving
Engine stalls suddenly while driving at various speeds with no warning. Some cases tied to cruise control malfunction on descending hills; others appear random. Multiple stalls reported in short time spans on same vehicle.
When: Various mileages; some occur within weeks of prior stall repair
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown mid-drive; Loss of power steering and braking assistance; Cruise control disables transmission on downhill grade; Check Engine light illuminates; May restart after shutdown
Codes mentioned: Service Engine Soon light, Engine malfunction codes (not specified in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator and cooling system repair ($600) did not resolve stalling; one owner spent $1,300 three years prior for same issue; dealers unable to consistently diagnose; computer reset attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan service department unable to replicate on flat terrain; TSB U1000 procedure attempted but did not resolve illuminated warning lights
Alternator Failure Leading to Limp/Safe Mode
Alternator fails or heats up, dropping voltage below acceptable levels. When voltage drops, vehicle enters safe mode, disabling transmission and creating unsafe driving situation.
When: Early in ownership (one case at 3 months); some post-recall replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission disengages; Safe mode activates; Vehicle loses speed on highway; Emergency brake, AWD, and ABS warning lights illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: $600 alternator replacement in one case; another owner reports alternator replacement by Nissan dealer for TSB, but problem recurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports Nissan deflected responsibility to third-party shop (AAMCO) that performed transmission replacement; AAMCO diagnosed alternator fault
Rear Differential Fluid Seal Failure
Rear differential fluid leaks completely, causing differential to overheat and fail catastrophically while driving. Fluid loss occurred without visible leaks noted during prior service.
When: 87,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Differential failure on highway; Destroyed both rear axles; No prior warning signs
Repairs/costs cited: $4,000+ to repair; complete axle replacement required; prior body shop and tire service did not detect leaking
Drive Axle Seal Failure/Axle Slip-Out
Driver-side trans-axle slips out of locked position in transmission despite prior seal replacement. Dealership transmission mechanic noted exceptional force would be required to pull axle free once locked, suggesting design defect rather than installation error.
When: 3 months after seal replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of drive to one side; Potential for catastrophic failure at high speed
Repairs/costs cited: Seal replacement 3 months prior did not prevent failure; dealership confirmed design defect
Transmission Control Unit (TCU) Malfunction
TCU sends erratic commands to transmission or fails, causing transmission to behave unpredictably. One owner reports messed-up TCU computer on replaced CVT.
When: Following transmission replacement or independently
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission receives conflicting commands; Erratic transmission behavior; Loud clicking noise (indicating internal damage); Loss of drive
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports TCU on replacement transmission was defective; transfer case damage followed
Synthesized from 51 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Transmission seized up without any prior warning. I was traveling on interstate 81 at about 65 miles per hour when I had no power. Engine was working fine, but, as I found out later, my CVT transmission have self destruct, due to a code sent from the TCM module. I was in heavy traffic any was fortunate enough to be able to get to the shoulder of the road and not be involved in an accident. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2005 Nissan Murano?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2005 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 51 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 47 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 61,500 and 109,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 61,500; a quarter make it past 109,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Nissan/Murano.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.