2nd generation (Z51) · Nissan D / Z51 · 1,647 complaints, 1,233 with mileage
Owners filed 1,647 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009–2014 Nissan Murano, and 1,233 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 50,000 and 107,000 miles. The median is 75,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the brakes (22.2% of complaints, typically around 88,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (13.4% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles), the airbag system (9.7% of complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
3 recall campaigns cover this generation.
| System | Complaints | Share | Typical mileage | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 365 | 22.2% | 88,000 | 65,000–116,000 |
| Power Train | 221 | 13.4% | 85,000 | 60,000–116,500 |
| Air Bags | 160 | 9.7% | 70,000 | 46,518–94,000 |
| Unknown Or Other | 154 | 9.4% | 73,800 | 41,000–105,738 |
| Electrical System | 149 | 9.0% | 69,560 | 45,000–100,000 |
| Steering | 80 | 4.9% | 66,000 | 46,500–77,900 |
| Structure | 79 | 4.8% | 78,000 | 48,000–111,000 |
| Engine | 73 | 4.4% | 74,250 | 29,000–117,000 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 53 | 3.2% | 52,000 | 33,800–75,000 |
| Suspension | 45 | 2.7% | 121,479 | 110,000–150,000 |
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 805 | 647 |
| 2010 | 222 | 163 |
| 2011 | 190 | 130 |
| 2012 | 167 | 119 |
| 2013 | 90 | 64 |
| 2014 | 173 | 110 |
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 75,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The brakes account for 22.2% of complaints (365 reports, 313 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 88,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 65,000 and 116,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 13.4% of complaints (221 reports, 171 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 116,500 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 9.7% of complaints (160 reports, 107 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,518 and 94,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 9.4% of complaints (154 reports, 91 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 73,800 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 41,000 and 105,738 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 9.0% of complaints (149 reports, 120 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 69,560 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 100,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 4.9% of complaints (80 reports, 56 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 66,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,500 and 77,900 miles.
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2009 model year drew the most — 805 complaints — while 2013 drew the fewest at 90. The median year sits at 181.
That makes 2009 an outlier: roughly 4.4 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Of the 1,647 complaints filed against this generation, 75 reported a crash; 12 reported a fire; 76 reported an injury; 2 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.6% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 50,000 and 107,000 miles, with a median of 75,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the brakes and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 85,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Continued CVT failures. On the 2nd-generation JATCO unit the most commonly cited single root cause is failure of the flow control valve in the front pump — one estimate attributes up to 90% of failures to that part. Downstream, overheated fluid lets the steel belt slip against the pulleys, shedding metal debris through the unit. Symptoms: judder, delayed acceleration, sudden loss of power.
Reports of spontaneous shattering of the panoramic sunroof glass, a complaint pattern shared across several Nissan models of this era.
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 18V916000 | 2019-02-07 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module |
| 17V184000 | 2017-05-10 | Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections |
| 12V068000 | 2012-02-15 | Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems |