Purchased 2013 murano platinum in april 2014 with 25k miles on it. Within a few months, I had it to the dealer with a steering rack problem because the power steering had failed. After fixed, I didn't have another issue with steering until sep 2017 in which I couldn't turn the steering wheel at all. It had locked up while I was traveling from work to home on a sunday morning. Car went into…
2013 Nissan Murano steering problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 11 steering complaints filed for the 2013 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Murano has a documented history of power steering failures that occur unpredictably across a wide mileage range, sometimes recurring even after dealer repairs or recall work. These failures can strike without warning on highways and curves, creating serious safety hazards; budget for potential power steering system repairs and avoid this model if steering reliability is a concern.
Owners of the 2013 Nissan Murano report power steering failures that range from difficult steering to complete loss of control while driving. The failures happen without warning lights—owners report suddenly losing assist on residential roads, downhill curves, and interstate highways. One owner experienced complete lock-up at 50-55 mph on a highway turn with semi trucks nearby; another lost steering on a remote downhill curve 15 minutes from home.
The root cause cited repeatedly is a plastic hose clamp that fails, allowing the power steering return hose to rub against the drive shaft and wear through. Multiple independent mechanics and auto shops confirmed this same defect, with shops reporting they've done multiple hose replacements on this model—many occurring under 50,000 miles. Owners note that several vehicles experienced failures despite being covered under the 2017 power steering recall (NHTSA Campaign 17V184000), and some repairs re-failed within months or years.
Fluid loss is rapid; one owner's reservoir dropped after topping it off at a gas station. Repairs involve replacing hoses, clamps, pumps, or entire rack-and-pinion assemblies, sometimes requiring extended dealer downtime. One owner reported trying multiple OEM parts during a two-week dealer visit.
Same Nissan Murano steering reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering system failure and loss of steering control
Complete or near-complete loss of power steering assist, causing the steering wheel to become extremely stiff or unmovable while driving. Owners reported losing steering assist on roadways ranging from residential streets to interstate highways, with some describing the failure happening suddenly during turns or without warning. Multiple owners experienced recurrence after previous repairs.
When: Between 25,000 and 120,000 miles; failures documented at 25k, 59k, 60k, 65k, 70k, and 120k miles. Some failures occurred years after purchase or after prior recall repairs.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel extremely stiff or locked and immovable; Complete loss of power steering assist with no warning lights; Smoke from under the hood; Steering difficulty that improves briefly then recurs
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite replacement of steering racks, steering hoses, clamps, pumps, and rack-and-pinion assemblies. One owner reported extended downtime (nearly 2 weeks at dealer) trying multiple OEM parts. Repair costs not specified in narratives, though one owner had $150 deductible under extended warranty (HALO).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign ID 17V184000 issued in 2017 for power steering high-pressure hose. However, multiple owners reported their VINs were not included in the recall despite experiencing identical failures. Several owners stated the vehicle was repaired under the recall, but the failure recurred after repair.
Power steering fluid leak from defective hose and hose clamp
Plastic hose clamp failure allows the power steering return hose to rub against the drive shaft or other components, wearing a hole through the hose and causing fluid loss. Multiple independent mechanics and Nissan dealers confirmed the same defect. Owners noted that several auto shops reported performing multiple power steering hose replacements on this same model with less than 50,000 miles.
When: Documented between under 50,000 miles and 120,000 miles. One failure occurred in May 2018, approximately 4 years and 3 months after a 2014 recall repair.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid level drops quickly; Steering wheel becomes stiff or difficult to turn; Large puddles of fluid under the front end; Hose rubs against drive shaft or other components due to failed clamp
Repairs/costs cited: Hose clamp replacement and power steering hose replacement. One owner reported the clamp came loose and rubbed several holes in the hose and tube assembly. Multiple auto shops (Auto Victory, Youngstedts, Precision Tune) confirmed performing multiple hose replacements on this model.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign ID 17V184000 (2017) addressed power steering high-pressure hose. One owner noted the vehicle was repaired under this recall but the return hose clamp issue (not the high-pressure hose) was not covered and later failed. Multiple owners stated the issue should have been recalled but was not.
Recurring power steering failures after recall repair
Owners who had their vehicles repaired under the 2017 power steering recall experienced the same or similar power steering failures within months to years after the repair work was completed. This suggests the recall repair did not address the root cause or that replacement parts were defective.
When: Recall repairs documented in 2014 and 2/2/18; failures recurred in Sep 2017 (3.5 years after purchase), Dec 2017 (3.75 years), and 4/11/2019 (over 1 year after repair). One owner reported 'pretty sure it will need to be repaired within next 30k miles.'
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering assist after previous recall repair; Steering wheel becomes stiff and difficult to turn; No warning lights illuminated; Failure occurs in dangerous driving situations (curves, downhill grades, interstate)
Repairs/costs cited: Original recall repair performed; subsequent failures required additional hose, clamp, and assembly replacements. One owner had the vehicle serviced at a Chevrolet dealer instead of Nissan due to poor prior dealer experience.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA Campaign ID 17V184000 (2017) was intended to address steering failures but did not resolve the issue for affected owners. Owners explicitly stated the manufacturer did not assist or acknowledge the recurring failures.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan murano. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power steering hose clamp had malfunctioned causing a power steering fluid leak. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer cochran Nissan located at 3355 william penn hwy,…
While driving with family on a residential road, the power steering failed and steering wheel became extremely stiff. I quickly checked dashboard indicators and everything look okay and engine was still running. I pulled into gas station, popped hood and noticed steering fluid was very low. I buy a bottle at the gas station, put a little in the reservoir and moved around the gas station lot.…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 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 steering problem on the 2013 Nissan Murano?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 65,000 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 98,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2013/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.