At sporadic times, my 2012 Nissan murano will hesitate to accelerate from a stopped position. On multiple occasions this has left me stranded for 5-10 seconds in the middle of busy intersections. On two separate occasions (while under warranty) I notified Nissan about the problem. The first time I contacted children Nissan where I purchased the vehicle and was advised to bring the vehicle in…
2012 Nissan Murano powertrain problems
severe 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 28 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 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
Owners have filed 28 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 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 Nissan Murano has a systemic CVT transmission defect causing loss of acceleration, shuddering, jerking, slipping, and complete stalls—often without triggering a check engine light. Repairs run $4,100–$5,700 and replacement transmissions carry only a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty, making this a serious financial and safety risk even at relatively low mileage.
The 2012 Nissan Murano's CVT transmission is failing with dangerous regularity. Most common complaint: delayed or absent acceleration from a complete stop, causing owners to sit stranded at red lights and in intersections for 5–10 seconds. Engine revs normally, but power doesn't reach the wheels. This happens sporadically at first, then becomes a regular occurrence—often without triggering any warning lights or diagnostic codes, which hampers dealer diagnosis.
Owners also report violent shuddering when accelerating, transmission slipping (engine racing to 3,200+ RPM while vehicle crawls), jerking at various speeds, and complete power loss mid-drive. One owner experienced total engine stall on a steep downhill; another had the transmission fail completely on the highway and lose all gears.
Transmission replacements start at $4,100 and climb to $5,700. The replacement units come with only a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty, not the original factory term. Nissan issued a 10-year/120,000-mile warranty extension for 2003–2010 Murano CVT failures but excluded the 2012 model year despite identical symptoms. Dealers often can't diagnose the problem when no code is present, telling owners to return when the check engine light comes on or they can replicate it—sometimes for months or years.
Same Nissan Murano powertrain reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission loss of power / failure to accelerate
Transmission fails to engage or responds with severe delay when driver applies throttle from a stop or while moving, leaving the vehicle stranded or creeping forward. Engine revs but power doesn't transfer to wheels. Owners report 4–10 second hesitation at traffic lights and intersections, creating collision hazards.
When: Typically 60K–121K miles; some failures reported as early as 13.5K miles. Most common in 98K–111K range.
Symptoms owners cite: 5–10 second delay accelerating from complete stop; Engine revs without vehicle moving forward; Vehicle stuck in intersection or stranded in traffic; Power loss at highway speeds (45–65 mph); Intermittent hesitation that becomes regular
Codes mentioned: P1778 (CVT step motor function / CVT slipping), No check engine light or error code in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement cost $4,100–$5,696. Independent mechanics and transmission specialists refuse to rebuild due to systemic defect. Replacement transmission typically warranted 12 months / 12,000 miles only.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended 10-year/120,000-mile warranty on 2003–2010 Murano CVT transmissions. 2012 model year excluded from recall and extended warranty. Dealers unable to diagnose when no check engine light present; customers told to return when problem can be replicated or light is on. Nissan refused reimbursement requests.
CVT transmission shuddering and jerking
Transmission shudders or jerks during acceleration, particularly from a stop, and at various speeds during normal driving. Vehicle may emit a popping sound before power is lost completely.
When: Between 60K–90K miles; some instances under 70K.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent shuddering when accelerating from stopped position; Jerking during acceleration; Shuddering at low speeds; Popping sound followed by total loss of acceleration
Codes mentioned: CVT transmission failure confirmed by inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Full transmission replacement required; no rebuild option available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan offered extended warranty (120K miles) on 2003–2010 models only. Issue reappears in 2012 model year but no recall issued.
CVT transmission slipping and high RPM operation
Transmission slips under load, causing engine RPM to spike (3,200+ RPM) while vehicle speed does not increase proportionally, or transmission disengages entirely. Vehicle may slow unexpectedly or remain at cruising speed despite throttle input.
When: 105K miles and higher; noted at various speeds.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips between 35 mph and higher speeds; High RPM (3,200+) without proportional vehicle acceleration; Slow acceleration response; Unexpected vehicle slowdown while driving
Codes mentioned: P1778 (step motor issue / CVT slipping)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reflash attempted; full transmission replacement needed if reflash ineffective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer performed computer reflash; advised that same problem was reportedly resolved in 2012 models but recurs in practice.
Complete engine stall while driving
Engine shuts off without warning during normal highway driving, leaving driver with no power steering or brakes and vehicle coasting to a stop in traffic. Vehicle may restart but underlying cause not determined.
When: Reported at 13,555 miles and during normal driving; one instance on steep downhill.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stops with no warning; Vehicle coasts to stop in traffic; Complete loss of power steering and braking; Vehicle restarts but issue recurs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; Nissan rejected any solution or assistance.
Unexpected acceleration and loss of vehicle control
Vehicle accelerates without driver input or continues accelerating when driver expects controlled speed. One instance involved pressing start/stop button while vehicle in drive, causing rollaway and injury.
When: At 75K miles (one instance); at low speed during parking maneuvers.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates forward without throttle input; Loss of driver control during slow-speed maneuvers; Oil consumption indicator illuminates during incident
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not repaired; manufacturer not made aware in all instances.
AWD disengagement while driving
All-wheel-drive system independently shifts out of AWD mode during operation, reducing traction and handling stability.
When: At 50K miles.
Symptoms owners cite: AWD system disengages without driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired; cause undetermined.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; technician unable to determine cause.
Transmission noise and performance anomalies
Transmission produces whistling sound during acceleration and grinding sound when turning. Vehicle may warm up and then develop loss of power, suggesting thermal sensitivity of defect.
When: Varies; loss of power at high speed noted.
Symptoms owners cite: Whistling sound when accelerating; Grinding sound when turning left; Loss of power at high speed; Check engine light illuminated
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Vehicle had less than 70000 when CVT transmission started to fail. While driving vehicle would shudder, and at time engine would rev at 4000 RPM. Vehicle is still driveable at this time, but is slow to accelerate, and shudders at times. We do not drive the vehicle on the highway any longer for fear the transmission would completely stop working. Was inspected at Nissan dealership and by…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2012 Nissan Murano?
It's a meaningful issue. 28 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 62,000 and 102,800 miles, with the median around 81,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 62,000; a quarter make it past 102,800. 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/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.