WINDSHIELD CRACKING 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 visibility problems
moderate 137 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
137
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 137 visibility complaints filed for the 2005 Nissan Murano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 137 visibility 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.
Among the 13 model years of Nissan Murano in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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.
REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard 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 dominant complaint across these 137 narratives is the driver-side sun visor repeatedly dropping into the driver's line of sight while the vehicle is moving, often at highway speeds or over bumps. Owners describe the visor losing its grip in the mounting bracket; the shaft inside the visor loosens and rotates, causing gravity to pull the entire visor down. The drop happens without warning and blocks forward visibility completely, forcing the driver to react quickly to move it back up. Some owners report the visor falling 2–3 times per minute in extreme cases.
The failure typically starts between 25,000 and 80,000 miles, with most complaints clustering around 40,000–55,000. Nissan issued a Technical Service Bulletin to replace the clip, but owners confirm this does not fix the underlying problem—the visor shaft itself is the defect. Even new replacement visors fail identically within 2–3 years. Dealer replacement costs run $300–$500 per visor, and parts from salvage yards or eBay offer no guarantee against the same failure.
The passenger-side visor exhibits similar dropping behavior, sometimes detaching entirely. A smaller number of owners also report windshield washer nozzles that spray too low on the glass, missing the upper windshield area and getting blocked by snow and ice—another visibility hazard Nissan claims cannot be corrected.
Nissan has not issued a safety recall. Extended warranties do not cover this defect. The manufacturer's response to complaints is consistent: acknowledge the problem is known, refuse warranty coverage, and require owners to pay full replacement cost for parts that will likely fail again.
Same Nissan Murano visibility reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Driver-side sun visor drops uncontrollably into driver's line of sight
The visor loses its ability to stay secured in the up position and repeatedly falls down, either completely or partially, blocking the driver's forward view through the windshield. The mechanism that holds the visor upright fails, often triggered by bumps or road vibrations but also occurs at random intervals while driving at any speed. Owners describe the shaft inside the visor loosening and rotating, causing the visor to sag. The defect recurs even after replacement with new visors.
When: Typically appears between 25,000 and 80,000 miles; complaints indicate onset commonly around 40,000–55,000 miles. One owner reported replacement after 2 years. Affects 2003–2007 Muranos with heaviest concentration in 2005 models.
Symptoms owners cite: Visor falls down without warning while driving; Visor drops on bumpy roads or at highway speeds; Visor will not stay in any position except straight down; Visor becomes loose and floppy; cannot be adjusted to block sun at an angle; Visor may fall 2–3 times per minute in severe cases; Creates sudden visual obstruction causing driver distraction and potential near-miss or accident
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealer replacement cost quoted between $253 and $500 per visor (typically $300–$400), plus labor ($30–$70). Owners report replacement visors fail with the same defect within 2–3 years. One owner had driver-side replaced twice and passenger-side four times at dealer; problem recurred each time. Parts sourced from salvage yards or eBay offered no guarantee against the same failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued a TSB to replace the clip that holds the mirror side of the visor, but owners report this does not address the root cause. Nissan refuses recall and will not cover repairs under standard or extended warranties. Dealers acknowledge the problem is common but offer no permanent fix. One owner documented complaint file #6909366 with Nissan Consumer Affairs representative Ginger Knight but received no recall.
Passenger-side sun visor drops or detaches
The passenger-side visor exhibits the same failure as the driver-side—it will not remain in the up position and falls or hangs in the passenger's line of sight, partially obstructing the driver's view. In at least one case, the visor completely detached and fell off the mounting bracket.
When: Occurs at similar mileage intervals as driver-side failure (40,000–80,000 miles). One owner reported both sides failing simultaneously; another had driver-side fail first, then passenger-side months or years later.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger visor will not stay up; Visor hangs in passenger's line of sight and partially blocks driver's vision; Visor falls when vehicle goes over bumps; In one case, visor completely detached and fell off
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost $253–$500 per visor. One owner had passenger-side replaced four times at dealer; problem recurred each time. No used visors available in aftermarket because they all develop the same fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under standard or extended warranties. Nissan refuses to address. Dealers acknowledge problem but offer only paid replacement.
Windshield washer nozzles spray fluid improperly; hits lower half of windshield and wiper arm
The washer spray nozzles are misaligned or positioned too low on the hood. Fluid is directed to the lower half of the windshield and does not reach the upper portion where driver visibility is critical. The spray hits the wiper arm first, blocking additional fluid from reaching the glass on subsequent passes. At highway speed, airflow over the hood diverts fluid further downward. Nozzles get clogged or blocked by snow and ice, creating a safety hazard in winter driving conditions.
When: Reported as an inherent design issue; no specific mileage provided in complaint.
Symptoms owners cite: Washer fluid sprays to lower half of windshield only; Upper half of windshield does not get cleaned; Spray hits wiper arm first, blocking subsequent passes; At highway speed, airflow diverts fluid downward; Nozzles get blocked by snow and ice in winter
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated nozzles cannot be adjusted. No repair available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer advised nothing can be done about it; nozzles cannot be adjusted.
Synthesized from 137 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The driver's side sun visor falls down and will not stay up. This distracts the drivers ability to see and is a serious safety concern that will directly result in accidents. This is a common problem on this vehicle and an issue that has been reported by many murano owners.
Issue with the sun visor on both sides. The passenger side has been falling for the past 6 months and now the driver side is starting to fall. Poor workmanship on the part of Nissan and it should be corrected. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 Nissan murano. While driving 35 MPH the driver side sun visor fell down every time he drove over a bump in the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that it would cost $400 to replace the sun visor. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 42,000.
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2005 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 137 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 117 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 47,000 and 74,000 miles, with the median around 60,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,000; a quarter make it past 74,000. 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 $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.