The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D), the transmission made an abnormal sound, and the vehicle shook before moving forward. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine and the transmission warning light had illuminated…
2011 Nissan Murano powertrain problems
moderate 37 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 37 powertrain complaints filed for the 2011 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
Owners have filed 37 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.
Powertrain accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2011 Nissan Murano's CVT transmission shows a clear pattern of premature failure starting around 43,000–60,000 miles, with reported failures across all mileage ranges up to 165,000 miles. Replacement transmissions from Nissan have repeatedly failed again within months or thousands of miles, creating serious safety hazards on highways and at intersections. Budget $3,500–$7,000 for replacement and expect potential repeat failures even with dealer-supplied units.
The 2011 Murano's CVT transmission fails reliably and dangerously. Owners describe sudden loss of all propulsion at highway speeds, hesitation lasting 2–15 seconds when accelerating from stops, violent bucking and shuddering, hard shifts, and seal leaks. Failures occur as early as 43,000 miles and as late as 165,000 miles, with no pattern tied to maintenance.
The real problem: Nissan-supplied replacement transmissions fail again within months or 26,500 miles. One owner replaced his CVT, only to have the rebuilt unit fail 2.5 years and 26,500 miles later. Another received three different "new" transmissions in sequence—each one defective, with the third worse than the first. Dealers cannot replicate hesitation issues during test drives even when owners document repeated safety failures.
Nissan extended its CVT warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles for 2003–2010 models and raised rebuilt-transmission coverage from one year to three years (unlimited mileage) for work done after July 2024. The 2011 model year, equipped with the same transmission, remains at the baseline 60,000-mile/60-month powertrain limit. Nissan consumer affairs has refused warranty consideration and declined to discuss the matter further. Multiple owners report being denied coverage despite possessing Technical Service Bulletin references proving Nissan knows of the defect.
Same Nissan Murano powertrain reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission complete failure / loss of propulsion
Sudden, total loss of transmission function while driving, rendering the vehicle unable to accelerate or move. Vehicle loses all propulsive power with no warning, often mid-highway or in traffic. Requires towing and full transmission replacement.
When: Reported from 43,000 to 165,000 miles; multiple owners report failures under 60,000 miles on original transmissions and within 26,500 miles on rebuilt units
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power while accelerating or driving at highway speeds; Vehicle stops moving mid-traffic or on highway; No forward motion despite depressing accelerator; Vehicle will not restart or move after stopping
Codes mentioned: P0000 series transmission codes (specific codes cited in narrative #11 but not detailed)
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; original units replaced at approximately $4,000–$7,000; rebuilt units supplied by Nissan at approximately $7,000; some owners report valve body assembly replacement at $1,700
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended CVT warranty on 2003–2010 model years to 10 years/120,000 miles; extended rebuilt CVT warranty from 1 year to 3 years (unlimited mileage) for replacements after July 2024; 2011 model year owners report Nissan refused to cover failures under powertrain warranty (60,000 miles/60 months)
CVT transmission hesitation and delayed acceleration from stop
Transmission hesitates or fails to engage smoothly when accelerating from a complete stop (traffic light, stop sign, or standstill). Vehicle does not respond to throttle input for 1–15 seconds, then suddenly engages with jerking, bucking, or surging. Pattern occurs repeatedly, creating intersection and highway merge safety hazards.
When: Reported from 60,000 to 115,000 miles; hesitation issues persist for weeks to months before failure or diagnosis
Symptoms owners cite: Long delay (2–15 seconds) before vehicle moves after depressing accelerator from stop; Lack of propulsion despite full throttle input at stop signs, traffic lights, highway entrance ramps; Vehicle suddenly lunges or surges forward after delay; Bucking, jerking, or shuddering motion when finally engaging; RPM increase without corresponding vehicle motion (engine revving but car not accelerating); Intermittent hesitation that becomes recurring
Codes mentioned: AT20-005B, NTB20-060B, Check engine light illumination, Transmission warning light illumination
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple transmission replacements (up to three per vehicle) with new/rebuilt units; owners report 'new' replacements from Nissan exhibit same hesitation or worse bucking within days; repair costs $3,500–$5,500 per replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) AT20-005B / NTB20-060B for CVT Transmission Shake/Shudder; dealers unable to duplicate hesitation on test drives despite owner documentation; no recall issued for 2011 model year; Nissan consumer affairs denies warranty coverage
CVT transmission shudder, shake, and harsh engagement
Transmission makes abnormal sounds (clunking, squealing, loud noises) and causes vehicle to shake, shudder, or buck during acceleration or normal driving. Transmission engages roughly or with violent jerking. Often accompanied by check engine and transmission warning lights.
When: Reported from 85,000 to 115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clunking noise from transmission; Loud squealing sound (particularly during idling or pressure buildup); Shaking and shuddering of vehicle body; Hard or harsh engagement when shifting or accelerating; Violent bucking or jerking motion; Check engine light and transmission warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: AT20-005B, NTB20-060B
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; valve body assembly replacement ($1,700); transmission fluid seal replacement attempted but found insufficient due to factory specification deficiency
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB AT20-005B / NTB20-060B issued; dealers unable to duplicate failures on test drives; vehicle not repaired during multiple dealer visits
CVT transmission seal leak and fluid loss
Transmission develops fluid leaks from rear main seal, transmission-to-transfer case interface, or internal transmission seals. Seal leaks cause loud squealing from pressure buildup and eventual fluid loss. Leaks occur despite regular maintenance.
When: Reported at 60,000 miles (initial discovery), recurring or worsening at 90,000–140,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud squealing or whining from transmission; Oil seeping from transmission housing or rear main seal; Leak between transmission and 4-wheel drive transfer case; Fluid loss detected
Repairs/costs cited: Seal replacement attempted but proved ineffective; full transmission replacement required at $3,500–$5,716; Nissan transmissions are sealed units with no replacement parts available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented; dealers blamed factory specification deficiency but did not acknowledge systemic issue; no warranty coverage provided
CVT transmission slipping and gear engagement failure
Transmission slips during acceleration or refuses to engage gears smoothly. Vehicle may slip when shifting from Park or during gear changes. Hard or delayed shifts. Transmission may enter limp mode, limiting vehicle speed severely.
When: Reported from 43,000 to 122,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slipping during acceleration; Hard or delayed gear shifts; Vehicle lunges forward unexpectedly when shifting from Park to Reverse; Transmission enters limp mode (severe speed limitation under 15–20 mph); Slipping worsens in warmer temperatures; Harder shifts at lower speeds, failure to shift at higher speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; multiple replacements per vehicle (up to three); dealer quoted $5,500 for replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty extension for 2011 model year; Nissan consumer affairs refused to discuss warranty coverage; owners note Nissan extended 2010 warranty for same failure codes but not 2011
Synthesized from 37 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
I began experiencing a loss of motion while driving this vehicle. On two separate occasions, while on the road and moving the vehicle lost ability to move. At one point I was limited to unsafe driving speeds of less than 15 miles per hour. All occurrences of loss of motion occurred on city streets where posted speed limits were 45 MPH or less. The last occurrence was in my driveway when the…
After the transmission has warmed up, if I come to a stop, the car will not accelerate for the first 15 sec regardless of how hard I push the accelerator or number of times I push on the accelerator. When it does finally go, I take off way too fast-likely due to laying on the accelerator wanting my car to go. This problems is dangerous. I have had it happen at stop signs, city lights, and highway…
My CVT transmission began to have a seal leak at 140,000 miles causing a loud squeal while the transmission fluid built up pressure. This car was well maintained. It's unfortunate that Nissan doesn't provide replacement parts for their transmissions. It's a sealed unit so you have to replace the entire transmission for $3500 to $4800. Only got $2k on trade in for a new vehicle. I hope Nissan…
Coincidentally we just paid off our vehicle a few months ago. Our 2011 Nissan murano has 103, 000 miles. About a month ago my wife mentioned that the car was hesitating when pressing the gas pedal to proceed forward from a stopped position. ( this is definitely a safety hazard at intersections and any stopped positions to proceed forward). The engine would just cut out and then after a few…
Only 62,000 miles and needs a new transmission. Car would not go over 20mph.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 37 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 31 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 66,703 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 90,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 66,703; a quarter make it past 115,000. 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/2011/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.