Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 135 safety complaints
about the 2012 Nissan Murano with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 4 people were injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering the tires.
The most complained-about system is the power train,
named in 30 complaints, 22% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 65,000 miles,
the median across the 97
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers August 2012 to August 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
135 complaints on file
135
Complaints
4
Describe a crash
1
Mention fire
4
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 30 · 22%
30 22%
AIR BAGS 26 · 19%
26 19%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 23 · 17%
23 17%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13 · 10%
13 10%
ENGINE 13 · 10%
13 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 12 · 9%
12 9%
VISIBILITY 10 · 7%
10 7%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 10 · 7%
10 7%
STRUCTURE 6 · 4%
6 4%
STEERING 5 · 4%
5 4%
SUSPENSION 5 · 4%
5 4%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4 · 3%
4 3%
01531
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 135.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2018 at 21.
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2012 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2012 Nissan MURANO, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV AWD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
18.5%
17.9%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
1 on file
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
12V068000 · February 22, 2012
The defect
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 MURANO AND ROGUE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2012. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138,TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM.
The risk
A NON-ACTIVE TPMS CANNOT WARN A DRIVER THAT A TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH.
The remedy
ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE STILL IN DEALER INVENTORY. DEALERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ACTIVATE ALL OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 2,983 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2 injured · crash · towed · 16,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE SECOND TIME THE FAILURE RECURRED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURES TO THE RIBS AND ANKLE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BRUISED RIBS AND A FRACTURED ARM. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE …
NHTSA complaint 10873199, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE:BODY
1 injured · 8,700 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD ATTEMPTED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND A SHARP EDGE PUNCTURED HIS HEAD NEAR THE TOP RIGHT PORTION OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,700.
NHTSA complaint 10588066. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
1 injured · 53,800 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE START/STOP BUTTON WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IT ROLLED AWAY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS STRUCK BY THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE BACK, FOUR CRACKED RIBS, A BROKEN FINGER, AND A LIVER LACERATION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint 10875337. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
fire · 24,092 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN MURANO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE OR FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 24,092. UPDATED 12/30/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. UPDATED 05/28/2015 *JS
NHTSA complaint 10640761. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SUSPENSION
My tire light is on a my 2012 nissian murano. It flashes at startup, with the light on, telling me I have low tire pressure. I put air evenly in all four tires. The light still remains on; how can all four TPMS go bad? I wouldn't know if i have a leak or low pressure due failed TPMS. My check engine light is on due to air/fuel ration on bank 1 sensor 1. This issue is causing poor fuel economy and filing emissions.
NHTSA complaint 11758894. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
towed · 136,161 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the contact and the front seat passenger attempted to exit the vehicle, but all the doors failed to unlock. Additionally, the steering wheel was locked upside down. The contact stated that the engine started to overheat, and the front seat passenger had a panic attack. The contact called 911. The Fire Department arrived but was unable to forcefully open the doors. The Fire Department broke the rear passenger's side window and was able to unlock the doors. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the main fuse box was blown and melted. The mechanic …
NHTSA complaint 11742137, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicles of previous model years, this model year, and future model years have all experienced this issue. Issue was reported on thru a youTube channel in order to let the public know and understand the issue and how to fix/repair the issue. It was then discovered thru view time and the linking of the part to repair that this was a rempent issue of concern for possible recall. Issue of hesitation upon acceleration was noticed for 18 months. Vehicle was taken into dealership for diagnosis - main Nissan dealer and second repair facility diagnosed the need for a new transmission. Transmission was replaced thru the second repair facility for $7500.00. Issue of hesitation upon acceleration was …
NHTSA complaint 11724430, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving, vehicle just quits and all dashboard lights flash quickly and then the car stalls out and won't restart. This has happened 4 times now. Had battery replaced, alternator replaced for a 2nd time, sensor replaced. Now, I had the car towed to dealer who wanted to keep it for over the weekend to see if they could repeat the issue. My local mechanic had the same issue and he had to have it towed back to his shop also. This is a very dangerous situation, I've had to call 911 several times to provide safety while on the side of the road. My car has only 72k and is in excellent condition. I have always maintenance the vehicle since purchasing it in 2014.....I need some help with …
NHTSA complaint 11702102, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When accelerating from a stop vehicle does not move, with gas pedal to the floor will slowly advance or stall. Has a battery drain somewhere also.
NHTSA complaint 11685503. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
The installation of Intoxalock for safety has caused the car to completely lose power while driving and it is safety device. The device drains the battery and causes complete interruption of an operable vehicle. This puts my safety at risk and other motorists. The component has had diagnostics and continues to cause safety issues. There are no warning signs during operation of the vehicle. The devices are often faulty and showed be removed from the market.
NHTSA complaint 11666611. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed February 22, 2012.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst