Nissan performed warranty to CVT axle seal and transfer assy. Case seals at mileage 50,332. Then at 55,5570 on aug 02, 2011 Nissan had to replace the transfer case assy. (part number 3310-jp11b) under warranty , then on dec 12, 2012, mileage 80,841, the transfer case assy. (part number 3310-jp11c) failed again which Nissan replaced but no longer consider it under warranty and at a cost to me of…
2009 Nissan Murano powertrain problems
moderate 67 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
67
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 67 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Nissan Murano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 14 model years of Nissan Murano we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 67.
Owners have filed 67 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.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2009 Murano has widespread CVT and transfer case issues. Expect $3,500–$5,000 for a CVT replacement and $2,700–$4,000 for transfer case replacement, even if you find an extended warranty you didn't know existed. Loss-of-power events are real safety risks reported by many owners.
Owners of the 2009 Nissan Murano report two dominant powertrain problems: CVT transmission failure and transfer case leaks.
CVT transmission: Owners describe hesitation or loss of power during acceleration, sometimes with rumbling or jerking, particularly when merging into traffic or climbing hills. Several say the vehicle enters a "limp mode," crawling at 2-3 mph with no meaningful acceleration—creating collision hazards. One owner experienced this in a left-turn lane with oncoming traffic; another lost power on a freeway at 65 mph. Some mention the dashboard mode display cycling randomly between Drive and Reverse while driving. Owners took vehicles to dealers multiple times during warranty periods with no proper diagnosis. When finally identified as CVT failure, repairs cost $3,500–$5,000, often out of warranty. Nissan extended the CVT warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles due to "known problems," but owners say they were never notified; some learned of it only after failure. One owner had the transmission replaced, then experienced the same hesitation with an "upgraded" unit.
Transfer case leaks: Owners report the transfer case leaks fluid, producing burnt rubber smells and blowing fluid onto the exhaust. One dealer technician said such repairs are common. Owners describe costs of $2,700–$4,000 for full replacement (the case cannot be resealed on these vehicles). Several owners had the seal replaced twice within 50,000 miles before eventual case failure. If the fluid runs dry, owners are told the case will lock up and seize the drivetrain. One vehicle had a complete stop at highway speed due to this. Leaks appear around 30,000–100,000 miles. Nissan extended CVT warranty does not cover the transfer case, despite its integral role in the drivetrain.
Alternator failure also appears, causing sudden loss of power and acceleration at highway speeds and in traffic, with no warning light.
Same Nissan Murano powertrain reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission—Hesitation, Loss of Power, Jerking
CVT transmission loses power or hesitates during acceleration, particularly from stops and on hills. Vehicle may enter a fail-safe 'limp mode' with only 2–3 mph capability. Some owners report transmission slipping, jerking, or mode display cycling between Drive and Reverse while driving. Loss of power during merge or traffic entry creates collision risk.
When: Typically 46,000–127,000 miles; some failures well within extended warranty window (120,000 miles) but owners unaware of extension
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or loss of power when accelerating from stop; Vehicle unable to climb hills or merge at highway speed; Transmission jerking or slipping; Rumbling or clanking noise from transmission; Dashboard mode indicator cycling between Drive and Reverse; Vehicle enters 'limp mode' (2–3 mph max speed, no acceleration); Delayed or non-existent response to throttle input
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement $3,500–$5,000; some owners replaced transmissions once or multiple times with same symptoms recurring. Nissan refused coverage beyond extended warranty; one owner paid $4,299 out of pocket
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended CVT warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles (from 60,000 miles) due to known defects; extended warranty not communicated to owners via mail, email, or phone—only disclosed if vehicle brought to dealer for service. Offered 50% cost-share in one case (owner at 123,000 miles). Denied coverage if vehicle out of warranty or if condition not documented during warranty period, even if owner visited dealer multiple times complaining of symptoms.
Transfer Case—Fluid Leaks and Seal Failures
Transfer case develops fluid leaks, often accompanied by burnt rubber smell as fluid contacts exhaust. Case cannot be resealed; entire assembly must be replaced. If fluid runs dry, case locks up and seizes drivetrain, rendering vehicle immobile. Leaks detected during routine maintenance (oil changes, inspections) with no prior warning. One service technician stated such repairs are common.
When: First failure often 30,000–75,000 miles; repeat failures within 50,000 miles of prior repair (e.g., sealed at 30K, failed at 75K; replaced at 55K, failed again at 80K)
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid leak visible under vehicle or at rear passenger side engine compartment; Burnt rubber or smoking smell from rear engine compartment or undercarriage; Transmission clicking when driving; Jerking when shifting between Drive and Reverse, or slow engagement to gear; Vehicle stuck in AWD mode; Complete vehicle stop at highway speed (when case runs dry)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transfer case replacement $2,700–$4,000+ labor (15+ hours quoted for one seal replacement alone); no separate seal option available on these vehicles. One owner had seal replaced twice (at 30K and 75K miles), then required full case replacement at 117K. Another had assembly replaced at 55K, failed again at 80K ($3,700 out of pocket), and seals leaked again at 80,935 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Transfer case not covered under extended CVT warranty despite integral role in powertrain. Nissan refuses warranty coverage; one dealer told owner 'this is not abnormal' for a three-year-old vehicle with 50,000 miles. A Nissan ACE-certified technician confirmed 'factory defect' and noted design revisions made March 24, 2014, yet Nissan denied good-will payment requests. Consumer Affairs refused partial coverage even when owner acknowledged willingness to pay labor costs.
Alternator Failure—Total Electrical Loss, Loss of Power
Alternator fails suddenly without warning light or gauge indication. Vehicle loses electrical power and all engine power simultaneously while driving, leaving owner unable to accelerate or steer normally. One occurrence in intersection; another at 65 mph on four-lane highway. Emergency flashers inoperable due to battery drain.
When: Multiple occurrences within weeks or months of each other; one replaced, failed again two days later
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden total electrical power loss while driving; Loss of throttle control and acceleration; Loss of all dashboard lights; Loss of emergency flasher capability (battery too low); Engine dies; vehicle coasts to stop; Power returns after vehicle stopped and restarted
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator replacement ~$600–1,000 (estimate based on industry standard); one owner replaced alternator, failure recurred two days later. Another had alternator checked and verified working after second failure, yet dealership blamed alternator again.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented in narratives. Nissan dealership blamed alternator; independent shop that replaced it confirmed it was working correctly. No recalls or TSBs mentioned for alternator.
Transmission Key/Shift Lock Failure—Vehicle Rolls When Parked
Transmission does not lock or prevent car from rolling when key is removed and engine shut off while vehicle is in Drive or Reverse. Vehicle can continue moving even with ignition off. A beeper alert exists but sometimes does not function.
When: Occurred within months of ownership (vehicle approximately 8 months old at complaint)
Symptoms owners cite: Key can be removed with transmission in Drive or Reverse; Vehicle does not lock in gear after ignition shut off; Vehicle rolls/continues moving after shutdown; Beeper alert tone unreliable or inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented in narratives
Axle/Seal Failures—Fluid Leaks
Left front axle shaft defective; CVT axle seals and rear differential axle seals leak. Engine warning light may illuminate.
When: 139,000 miles (one case); seals failed/required replacement at 50,332 miles (another case)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine warning light illumination; Fluid leaks from axle seals and differential seal
Repairs/costs cited: Axle seal and differential seal failures noted but not repaired in narratives
Synthesized from 67 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I have less than 57,000 miles on my 2009 murano. At 46,000 miles, I had to have my failed transmission replaced and I'm having issues again with it slipping into low gear. The dealership couldn't reproduce the issue, so nothing has been done to address it. I had to take my murano in for service again because I almost got into an accident when my brakes didn't work at 30 MPH and I had to quickly…
The vehicle CVT becomes unstable. Vehicle unexpectedly loses power at times. Got off highway ramp and came to a normal stop. Stepped on accelerator to move into traffic. Vehicle hesitated and crawled slowly into traffic for 5 to 10 seconds before surging forward with accelerator to the floor. Nearly t-boned on several occasions. Have gone through 4 transmissions so far and the dealership is…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 67 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 46 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 65,000 and 117,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; 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/2009/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.