The rear subframe of my 2010 Nissan Murano completely rusted out prematurely and broke when I was driving on a highway. I could not control the car. I almost crashed. The left wheel folded under the car. I had to have the car towed to the repair shop. The car was put on a lift. The rest of the metal on the under carriage is only mildly rusted. The rear subframe, however, is totally rusted out. I…
2010 Nissan Murano suspension problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 14 suspension complaints filed for the 2010 Nissan Murano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2010 Nissan Muranos have a documented pattern of rear subframe rust-through starting after 80–100k miles, leading to sudden loss of rear suspension control and potential accidents. A pre-buy inspection must include lifting the vehicle to examine the rear K-member for corrosion; if rust is visible, walk away.
Owners consistently describe premature and severe corrosion of the rear K-member or subframe that progresses from inside out—visible only when the car is on a lift. The rot eats through the steel entirely, weakening the point where the lateral links bolt on. At 84k to 100k-plus miles, the corroded frame cracks or breaks completely while driving, usually under braking or when hitting a pothole.
When it fails, the results are dramatic: sudden loss of rear suspension control, violent pulling or spinning, and wheels folding or bending outward. Several owners report nearly losing control on highways, one in heavy traffic on I-275. Dealers initially hear only a rattle and find nothing; the damage is hidden until someone properly inspects underneath.
Owners report the VDC (stability control) lamp coming on 2–3 days before failure. Repair costs run $3,000 or more because the K-member replacement also requires ABS sensor replacement. One owner, a Toyota manufacturing employee, stated this would trigger an automatic recall at Toyota due to safety. Nissan reportedly recalled the same issue on 2007 models, but no recall is documented for the 2010.
Same Nissan Murano suspension reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2009 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Rear K-member/subframe corrosion and structural failure
The rear K-member or subframe rusts through completely, often breaking in half or cracking at mounting points where lateral links attach. This is reported as premature rust occurring from inside out, with corrosion not visible during routine service. Failure results in loss of rear suspension control.
When: Over 84k miles; most reports emerge between 100k–170k miles; some noted as early as under 10 years old on well-maintained vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling or knocking noise from rear of vehicle; Bouncing or poor ride quality over road irregularities; Loss of steering control and uncontrollable swerving; Severe pulling to one side during braking; Erratic handling, especially under braking in traffic; Rear wheel folding or bending outward; Vehicle spinning or nearly going into ditch; Dragging sound under car
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited $3,000 total repair: ~$700 for K-member replacement plus ~$900 for two ABS speed sensors; salvage yards reportedly avoid the part due to its commonality in wrecked Muranos; requires subframe replacement and may require sensor replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan reportedly knows about the problem per owner statements; one owner noted Nissan recalled the same issue on 2007 models; no official recall found in these complaints for 2010 model year
VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) warning lamp activation
VDC off light illuminates 2–3 days before subframe failure occurs, suggesting a sensor or control issue upstream of catastrophic structural failure.
When: 2–3 days before subframe rupture
Symptoms owners cite: VDC off warning lamp illuminates
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Rear subframe rusted through and broke in half while driving. Causing severe pull to the left and erratic handling during braking.
Had suspension trouble with your 2010 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 suspension problem on the 2010 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 122,023 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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/2010/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.