While I was driving down the road at about 45 MPH no other vehicles around me and no overpass or trees above me , my sunroof exploded (it sounded like a gunshot went off) and then I heard a crackling noise which as soon as I pulled over I found it had exploded upwards and shattered. I have pictures to show the sunroof exploded upwards. *tr
2011 Nissan Murano visibility problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 10 visibility complaints filed for the 2011 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
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2011 Murano owners report spontaneous sunroof glass shattering at all speeds with no external cause, plus sun visors that droop and block visibility. These are serious safety defects with no confirmed manufacturer fix.
Owners of 2011 Muranos describe sunroof glass shattering without warning during normal driving at speeds ranging from 30 to 70 mph. The glass doesn't break from impacts—these events happen on clear days, in light rain, and with no overhead objects or other vehicles involved. The failure is sudden and loud, described as a gunshot blast or explosion. The tempered glass either explodes upward and outward from the frame, protrudes outward in a dome shape, or shatters inward, with glass either ejecting into the cabin or landing on the interior. One vehicle experienced this while parked in a garage during cool, rainy weather. Mileage at failure ranges from 13,100 to 100,000 miles.
Dealers inspected several vehicles but could not diagnose the cause and declined to repair them. One owner waited four days for Nissan customer service to call back without resolution. Warranty coverage determination was unclear.
A separate complaint documents a driver's-side sun visor that will not stay in the up position, drooping down when driving over small bumps and progressively worsening, which impairs visibility.
Same Nissan Murano visibility reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Sunroof glass spontaneous shattering
Tempered glass sunroof panel shatters without external impact, typically at highway speeds. Glass either explodes upward outward from the frame, protrudes into a dome shape, or shatters inward. Occurs on clear days, in light rain, and during normal driving with no external causes—no overhead objects, traffic, or weather events cited as cause.
When: Most reported between 30–70 mph highway driving; one instance while parked (about 30 min after parking, rainy/temperature drop). Mileage range 13,100 to 100,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud explosion or gunshot-like noise; Sunroof glass shatters suddenly; Glass protrudes outward in dome shape or explodes upward; Crackling sound after initial break; Wind and light entering cabin through broken frame; Glass shards in cabin (when cover open) or on garage floor
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealer unable to diagnose failure and vehicle not repaired. Another dealer stated nothing could be done. Replacement glass required but not detailed in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan referred owner to national customer service; owner awaited regional office call-back after 4 days with no resolution stated. Manufacturer queried on warranty coverage in one case but no response documented.
Sun visor drooping in driver's position
Driver's side sun visor does not hold in the fully up position. Droops down when vehicle is driven over small bumps, obstructing driver sightline. Problem reported as worsening over time and expected to worsen when vehicle is stationary.
When: Occurs during driving over bumps; no specific mileage provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Sun visor droops from up position when driving over bumps; Impairs driver visibility; Progressive worsening
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2011 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 13,100 and 50,000 miles, with the median around 27,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,100; a quarter make it past 50,000. 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/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.