The 2020 Nissan Murano has 48 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of October 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 5 complaints (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2020 Murano?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
5 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★5/5
Frontal crash★★★★★5/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 Nissan Murano SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2020 Nissan Murano? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 5 owner reports
· ~$700 to fix
brakes — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 9,667 mi · ~$450 to fix
powertrain — 4 owner reports
· ~$2,500 to fix
suspension — 4 owner reports
· tends to show around 52,480 mi · ~$900 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2020 Murano· powertrainCrash
While parallel parking, we backed into the space and when we put the car into Drive, it lurched forward at an incredible speed. We hit and pushed the car parked in front of us, hopped up onto the sidewalk, knocked down a street light, and moved a huge concrete planter. The…
When my wife sits down in the passenger seat the light in the dash that says the passenger airbag is engaged doesn't go out and you have to play with the seat belt clip to get it to go out. This has happened twice within the last two days and I have not yet brought it to the…
Component Affected: SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER ARM Description of Defect: My 2020 Nissan Murano experienced a severe front suspension failure matching the exact structural symptoms described in Nissan Recall Campaign PC797 (NHTSA Campaign Number 21V170000) for…
Had a problem with your 2020 Nissan Murano?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI owners may contact customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Ball joint separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transverse link's lot codes, and if necessary, replace them and perform a vehicle alignment, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 6, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC797.
Common questions
Is the 2020 Nissan Murano reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Nissan Murano is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2020 Nissan Murano?
On the NHTSA data, the 2020 Nissan Murano does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2020 Nissan Murano?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2020 Nissan Murano a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 48 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2020 Nissan Murano?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 5 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Murano has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2020 Nissan Murano?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 48 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Nissan/Murano.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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