Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan murano. While driving various speeds, the vehicle rapidly jerked while switching gears. Also, while driving various speeds, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact stated that the temperature gauge ran hot prior to experiencing the failure. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number:…
2006 Nissan Murano powertrain problems
moderate 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 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 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2006 Murano has serious, well-documented CVT and transfer case failures that can leave you stranded on the highway or unable to control the vehicle—Nissan has issued no recalls despite dozens of complaints and multiple transmission replacements on single vehicles. These failures typically occur between 45,000 and 94,000 miles, repair costs exceed $2,000–$5,000, and the manufacturer won't cover them beyond a limited warranty window.
Owners of the 2006 Nissan Murano describe two primary powertrain failure clusters: transmission problems and transfer case failures, both presenting serious safety risks.
CVT Transmission Issues dominate complaints. Owners report the transmission slipping gears, hesitating on acceleration (especially after stops or at low speeds), and losing power entirely while driving. Many describe sudden high-RPM surging during normal driving or abrupt drops in RPM when trying to accelerate. Several owners report the vehicle entering a "safe mode" that limits speed and RPM severely. The transmission also stalls or shuts down without warning, sometimes requiring restart. Diagnostic codes P1778, P0840, P0845, P0774, and stepper codes appear frequently. Nissan has replaced transmissions multiple times on the same vehicles without resolving the issue. Some owners report grinding noises, jerking during gear changes, and slipping that feels like an engine malfunction.
Transfer Case Failures appear consistently, with owners citing grinding noises, loud clunking, jerking, or sudden loss of drivetrain function. Replacement costs run $2,000–$3,500. Owners also report brittle, cracked transmission hoses that leak fluid, sometimes blowing out and losing all transmission fluid.
Unpredictable acceleration and loss of power create unsafe highway situations—vehicles stall mid-merge, during left turns in traffic, or on interstates with passing traffic nearby. Owners report uncontrolled vehicle movement (accelerating or reversing without pedal input). Most occur without warning codes, making diagnosis difficult and repairs expensive.
Same Nissan Murano powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Slipping & Hesitation
Transmission slips gears, hesitates on acceleration (especially at low speeds and after stops), and produces surging RPM swings. Vehicle feels like it's slipping out of gear and back in, or losing power unexpectedly. Some owners report the transmission entering a 'safe mode' that limits speed and RPM.
When: Varies; onset as early as 5,000 miles; incidents reported at 45,000–94,000 miles. Often occurs during steady-state highway driving (40–70 MPH), slow acceleration from stops, turns from stop, or slowing down for traffic.
Symptoms owners cite: RPM jump 500–1,000 RPM briefly at constant highway speed; Sluggish acceleration when leisurely accelerating from stop; Engine RPM and power decrease (1,000–1,500 RPM) when pedal pressed; Lag and surge in throttle response; Grinding noises when accelerating uphill or turning; Vehicle jerks while switching gears; Transmission slips intermittently at 20–25 MPH; Vehicle enters 'safe mode' limiting RPM and speed
Codes mentioned: P1778 (SEP Motor Function), P0840 (Transmission Fluid Pressure), P0845 (Transmission Fluid Pressure), P0774 (Pressure Control Solenoid), Stepper code
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced entire transmission multiple times (up to 4 replacements on single vehicle); replaced control modules, valve bodies (up to 3 times), wire harnesses, and computer modules without resolving issue. One owner's repair cost $5,012.91. Warranty typically 12 months/12,000 miles for replacement transmission.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty coverage mentioned for some; Nissan engineer involvement reported in at least one case (10 weeks in shop with no resolution). Nissan Consumer Affairs acknowledged problem but refused assistance without diagnostic code. No recall issued.
CVT Transmission Power Loss & Stalling
Transmission loses all power or stalls without warning during driving, forcing vehicle to complete stop. Vehicle becomes unable to accelerate even with pedal pressed to floor. In some cases, vehicle accelerates or reverses on its own without driver input. Owners report near-miss highway incidents.
When: Unpredictable onset; reported at 82,000 miles; at 85 miles on interstate; during highway merges and traffic situations.
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power while driving highway speeds; Vehicle stalls mid-merge or at traffic intersections; Vehicle will not accelerate when pedal pressed (even to floor); Vehicle accelerates or moves on its own without pedal input; Vehicle reverses in Drive position without driver action; Temporary stalling in heavy traffic during left turn (safety hazard with children); Vehicle jerks to complete stop; Check engine light illuminates without warning before stall; Vehicle dies, requires restart; hesitation on restart
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnoses include blown transmission hoses (repair cost $711 noted, plus potential transmission damage); transmission replacement required. Hoses identified as brittle and prone to cracking, causing complete fluid loss.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall; one customer received extended warranty coverage for transmission replacement; another received no assistance from manufacturer.
Transfer Case Failure (Grinding, Clunking, Jerking)
Transfer case (AWD component) exhibits loud grinding, clunking, or jerking; loss of drivetrain function. Electronic coupler assembly failure reported, affecting rear differential load balance. Seals leak.
When: Reported at 51,100 miles; 92,000 miles; 63,000 miles (4 months post-purchase). Incidents at low speeds (15 MPH, parking maneuvers).
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise when going uphill or turning corners; Loud clunking when driving slowly (15 MPH); Vehicle jerks suddenly; Loss of drivetrain function; vehicle cannot move; Seal leaks; Electronic coupler assembly failure (transmission slips, load imbalance)
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost $2,000–$3,500. Two-month parts waiting list due to high failure rate. Dealership stated Nissan does not allow technicians to diagnose root cause, only replace the part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage despite known defect. Nissan does not recognize extended warranty for transfer case. No recall issued.
Transmission Hose Brittleness & Rupture
Rubber transmission hoses become brittle, crack, and rupture, causing transmission fluid loss and loss of power. Hoses break off in owner's hands; flammable fluid drains from vehicle.
When: Reported on 2-year-old vehicle (very early failure). At 51,100 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission fluid draining from vehicle; Vehicle jerks while reversing from driveway; Vehicle cannot move after hose rupture; Hose breaks off in owner's hands during inspection; Two hoses failed in same vehicle within days
Repairs/costs cited: Hose replacement performed. Flammable fluid leak poses fire hazard.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but provided no assistance.
Unintended Acceleration & Uncontrolled Movement
Vehicle accelerates, moves forward, or reverses without driver input. Occurs during parking, in Drive position, or while stopped. In one case, vehicle began rolling while parked on small driveway slope, rolling over occupant's leg.
When: Unpredictable; parking scenarios; vehicle at rest on small slope.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates forward while parking (hitting concrete wall); Vehicle moves forward without pedal pressure; Vehicle reverses in Drive position; Vehicle rolls while parked on slope; Vehicle moves on its own after being placed in Park
Repairs/costs cited: One incident resulted in injury (crushed right lower extremity when vehicle rolled over occupant).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer had not inspected vehicle as of 10 weeks after incident.
Shift Linkage/Park Position Failure
Vehicle unable to shift into Park or Reverse; stuck in Neutral or Drive position. Prevents safe parking.
When: During parking maneuvers.
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot shift into Park; stuck in Neutral; Cannot shift into Reverse; Vehicle stuck in Drive position
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had to drive over median to exit parking lot; no repair information provided.
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had powertrain trouble with your 2006 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 2006 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 39 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 29 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 69,000 and 117,000 miles, with the median around 94,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 69,000; a quarter make it past 117,000. 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/2006/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.