When making sharp turn (left or right) into fast moving traffic and driving straight after the turn, while pushing accelerator pedal hard, the RPM will go up high but the speed will not (it will increase very slowly). The RPM would stay high (5000 to 6000) there will be lots of noise from the drive train but nothing will happen to lower the RPM. In order to make the CVT work properly after that,…
2017 Nissan Murano powertrain problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 14 powertrain complaints filed for the 2017 Nissan Murano, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2017 Nissan Murano's CVT transmission has a documented pattern of power loss during acceleration—especially when turning or passing—with high engine RPM but no corresponding speed increase, often leaving owners stranded in dangerous traffic situations with no warning codes. Multiple owners also report bucking, hesitation at stops, and one case of complete rear differential failure, plus squealing noises; dealerships consistently claim they cannot diagnose these issues without fault codes, and Nissan's response has been minimal even under warranty.
Owners of 2017 Murano models consistently report that the CVT transmission fails to deliver power during acceleration, especially when turning or changing lanes in traffic. Engine RPM climbs to 5000-6000 but the vehicle barely moves—owners say they're sitting in oncoming traffic with high revs and no speed. The condition clears once they release the accelerator or straighten the wheel, but it recurs regularly (monthly in some cases, at least three times in 9,000 miles for another owner). No warning lights or fault codes appear, and dealers refuse to help without codes—one dealership employee wouldn't even ride along to witness the issue.
Beyond power loss, owners report the transmission bucking hard when shifting, especially 1st to 2nd, with loud thunking noises underneath. One owner lost all acceleration while going uphill and had to be pushed by a family member to keep from rolling backward. A vehicle at 104,000 miles hesitated and stalled repeatedly. One Murano's rear differential broke suddenly on the interstate with zero warning.
Dealers charged one owner $900+ to flash the software and add engine treatment, with no fix. Another received a CVT extended warranty letter but was told it had already expired. Nissan customer service has declined to troubleshoot without codes. Owners describe this as a serious safety issue when pulling into traffic or passing on highways.
Same Nissan Murano powertrain reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
CVT loss of power under acceleration with high RPM
Transmission fails to deliver power to the wheels when accelerating, especially during turns or lane changes. Engine RPMs climb (often 5000-6000) but vehicle barely accelerates or doesn't accelerate at all. Condition typically resolves after releasing the accelerator or straightening the steering wheel.
When: 35,700 miles (narrative #1); 9,000 miles into ownership (narrative #9); 5,800 miles (narrative #10); at various speeds in early ownership (narratives #2, #6)
Symptoms owners cite: High RPMs (5000-6000) with no corresponding speed increase; Engine revs but vehicle does not accelerate; Loud drivetrain noise during the event; Condition resolves after releasing accelerator or straightening wheel; No warning lights or fault codes generated
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #10: Software module update performed at dealership; narrative #1: dealership claimed nothing found under warranty; narrative #9: dealership found no codes and could not help
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #10: manufacturer notified but did not assist; narrative #1: no help from Nissan despite multiple inquiries; narrative #9: Nissan customer care not interested without codes
CVT bucking/jerking during gear shifts
Transmission jerks, bucks, or thuds when shifting, particularly from 1st to 2nd gear or when shifting from reverse. Hard bucking episodes reported; one owner experienced 5 hard bucks in succession followed by loss of acceleration.
When: Early ownership (narrative #3); at 5 years 9 months (narrative #14); ongoing since purchase (narrative #11)
Symptoms owners cite: Bucking or jerking sensation during 1st-to-2nd gear shift; Hard bucking episodes (up to 5 consecutive); Slight jerking motions when turning corners before vehicle picks up speed; Loud 'thunk' sound from underneath car during shift transitions; Whining/humming noise from transmission
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #3: shop found no codes and could not recreate issue; narrative #11: owner mentions jerking and whining but has not had transmission serviced per narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #11: owner received CVT extended warranty letter but was told it expired
Complete loss of acceleration and gears
Vehicle loses all power transfer and cannot accelerate, with RPMs climbing but no forward motion. In one case, vehicle rolled backward down a hill when power was lost during hill ascent.
When: Narrative #3: at approximately 104,000 miles (mother's vehicle in narrative #5); narrative #4: approximately 1 month of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration past certain speed (as low as 20 mph); RPMs go up but vehicle will not move or accelerates minimally; Vehicle may roll backward if on incline; No warning lights or codes; Vehicle may recover after time or may be intermittent
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #4: dealership charged $900+ for software flash and Blue Devil engine additive; did not resolve; narrative #3: local Nissan dealer claimed transmission failing but customer did not qualify for extended warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Narrative #4: dealership unable to diagnose root cause
Hesitation and stalling with restart delay
Vehicle hesitates when pulling out from stops and may nearly stall. In one case, mother's vehicle stalled at various speeds with restart delay of several hours.
When: Narrative #5: 104,000 miles; narrative #12: ongoing issue; narrative #13: during drive (exact mileage not stated)
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation when pulling from rolling or full stop; Vehicle acts like it may stall but eventually kicks in; Complete stalling episodes with multi-hour restart delay; No warning lights illuminated; Multiple witnesses confirm the hesitation
Repairs/costs cited: Narrative #5: catalytic converter replaced by independent mechanic but failure recurred; fuel pump diagnosed as needing replacement but not repaired
High-pitched squealing during acceleration
Loud squealing noise from powertrain when accelerating from 0-40+ mph, occurring on any road surface during throttle application but not during braking. Dealership claims normal operation but owner comparison testing with other Murano models shows they do not make this noise.
When: Ongoing since ownership (narrative #7)
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched squealing sound while accelerating and pushing throttle; Occurs between 0-40+ mph regardless of road type; Does not occur during braking; Other Murano models tested do not exhibit this noise
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership checked multiple times and claims normal operation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claims normal operation
Rear differential failure
Rear differential failed suddenly while driving on interstate at high speed with no prior warning symptoms. CV axle shaft also broken. No codes or warning lights preceded failure.
When: December 2022; failure mileage unknown
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden failure while driving on interstate; No warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms; No unusual noise or vibration reported before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential and CV axle shaft replaced at independent service center (Woody's Auto Repair Service, Ankeny, IA); broken parts available for inspection
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Car hesitates when pulling out into traffic! If I come to a rolling stop or a full stop and try to pull out, the car seems like iy may die but eventually kicks in, but seconds could mean a collision. My husband says he does not experience this and its my driving, but my daughter has had ths happen also and I have others witness this also. This is an ongoing problem, makes me afraid of driving…
Have noticed when turning a corner vehicle has some slight jerking motions before it picks up speed. Vehicle also has a whining/humming sound that it’s making somewhere in the transmission (CVT). I haven’t ever received a recall or CVT extended warranty about this vehicle before but I received this warranty in the mail last week 11-12-25..This warranty would have covered my problems with the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Nissan Murano?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 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?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 27,371 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2017/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.