On 3 separate occasions, my vehicle lost brake pedal pressure and had excessive travel to the floor requiring extra distance in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop ABS to avoid a collision. On one occasion, I drove over a bump on the expressway and the brake pedal traveled all the way down to the floor. After pumping the pedal a few times, pressure was restored. All brake components are…
2012 Nissan Murano brakes problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 11 brakes complaints filed for the 2012 Nissan Murano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2012 Murano with brake complaints warrants a thorough ABS system inspection before purchase, as owners report intermittent pedal loss, extended stopping distances, and ABS warning lights—defects linked to the 2009 recall that Nissan has not addressed for the 2012 model year. Dealer diagnostics often fail to reproduce these faults, making pre-buy testing critical.
Owners report brake pedal losing pressure and traveling excessively toward the floor, requiring pumping or extended pedal travel to regain stopping power. The failures occur intermittently and unpredictably—sometimes after hitting bumps, on low-friction surfaces, or while braking at highway speeds. In one incident, the brake failure contributed to a collision at 16,000 miles that caused serious injuries and airbag non-deployment.
Multiple owners note the symptoms mirror a 2009 Murano recall tied to a faulty ABS module. One owner's independent mechanic replaced the master cylinder; the problem recurred. Another owner had rotors, pads, and brake fluid flushed; the issue returned. Dealerships have struggled to reproduce the fault during diagnostic checks, and one stated the vehicle was working to spec even as the owner documented recurring failures.
ABS warning lights and grinding noises accompany some incidents. One owner reported the ABS actuator required replacement at 88,000 miles. Several owners note that other model years received recalls for the ABS actuator assembly, but Nissan has not issued a recall for the 2012 model year despite owners identifying identical failure patterns.
Same Nissan Murano brakes reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal loss of pressure / excessive travel to floor
Brake pedal suddenly loses pressure and travels to the floor, requiring extended braking distance or multiple pedal pumps to regain pressure and stop. Occurs intermittently, sometimes after driving over bumps or on low-friction/uneven surfaces. All brake components test normal; no master cylinder leaks detected.
When: Variable mileage; reported at 16,000 miles, 54,000 miles, and various other occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal sinks or travels excessively to floor; Spongy brake feel; Braking distance extended; Pressure restored after pumping pedal multiple times; No warning lights on initial occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced master cylinder at independent shop; issue persisted. Another replaced rotors, pads, and flushed system; issue recurred. Dealers could not reproduce the fault.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owners note 2009 Murano recall for faulty ABS module with identical symptoms; also cite recall for certain 2011 models. No recall issued for 2012 model year despite similar failure pattern.
ABS actuator system malfunction
ABS/anti-skid warning lights illuminate; abnormal grinding noise detected. ABS actuator engages improperly or fails to function correctly, affecting braking response. One failure resulted in collision when brakes would not stop vehicle.
When: 88,000 miles (confirmed at one dealership repair)
Symptoms owners cite: ABS and anti-skid warning lights illuminate; Abnormal grinding noise; Brakes fail to engage or respond normally; Vehicle will not stop despite brake application
Repairs/costs cited: ABS actuator system replaced at Ourisman Nissan (Laurel, MD) at 88,000 miles. Cost not stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall for 2012 model. One owner reports ABS actuator recalled on other model years but not 2012.
Brake system does not stop vehicle
Brake pedal depressed but vehicle continues moving or slows without stopping. Occurs sporadically while driving at various speeds on highways and local roads. Requires excessive pressure on pedal or repeated braking attempts.
When: Various mileage levels; documented at speeds from 30 mph to 70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not stop or stop completely; Requires excessive pedal pressure; Requires repeated brake applications; Occurs while driving straight or turning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced master cylinder (at Firestone) without resolving issue; later diagnosed as ABS actuator assembly problem. Dealership unable to duplicate fault in other cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner states ABS actuator assembly was recalled for other model years but not 2012, though still a recognized recall issue.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2012 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 brakes problem on the 2012 Nissan Murano?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 54,000 and 96,000 miles, with the median around 88,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,000; a quarter make it past 96,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2012/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.