Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Nissan Murano owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. While reversing, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle on the first attempt after assistance from an eyewitness with jumper cables; however, the vehicle failed again. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the alternator failed due to a burned wire. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V319000 (electrical system). In addition, the contact stated that the fuel sensor indicator illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced due to the location of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V003000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). …
The car stops in traffic with no warning. It stalls in traffic there is a recall for this but my VIN is not included this is so dangerous and Nissan doesn't care. They have a recall for my year and model for the same thing my car is doing but because my VIN # is not on there they won't fix it so I guess someone has to die before something is done. So many people have the same situation as I do. It is disgusting that you pay all this money for a reliable car and they n know there is an extremely dangerous situation and they don't care. The electrical system is bad engine light going on all the time alarm going off all the time. Engine burnes oil very quickly. All these things are wrong with this year car it is just a lemon that u have to keep pouring money into ands it dangerous on top of it.
On June 18th 2015 my car felt as if was losing power and then my brake light and battery came on. I came to a slow moving pace, like 10 MPH. Very dangerous I was on the highway. Lost all power. Would not crank. Replaced battery and worked for about 2 weeks and then again same thing. Could have really caused a bad accident.... Did some research and had alternator tested. Bad alternator. Replaced it. And again today same thing. This is so dangerous and getting to be very expensive. I see there was a recall about this issue but not my car. Very upset. Something needs to be done to correct this issue before someone causes an accident that could very well take someone's life. I have replaced the censor, battery and now two alternator's within 2 months.
Driving on a highway with children 65mph coming from airport, starting losing speed quickly, brake light and charging(battery) light came luckily made it side of highway despite, honking horns and screaming kids, someone could have been killed. This is on top of the acceleration problem where all of a sudden you will press on gas pedal and the car doesn't go and then suddenly lunges forward, I have almost been rear- ended on several occasions due to this. I have purchased new battery, alternator, etc. I have had the throttle sensor replaced. This car is so unsafe and has been a money pit. Many mechanics including Nissan mechanics say they test drive the vehicle and don't see the acceleration problem.
This car has had a lot of electrical issues. The cam shaft position sensors have had to be replaced three times and the ECU had to be replaced. The sunroof is also dead. The bose stereo is always going out. I'm upset because there was many vins that Nissan covered because they recognized that there was a issue, but mine was not included in the recall. This is a safety hazard! Your car can die at any time, any speed and any where. My car is now in the shop for the 3rd time with cam sensor issues after being stranded twice. The car just won't start. The battery, alternator and starter all check out good.
Driving car and it cuts out while in motion. Recalls: http://www-odi.NHTSA.dot.gov/owners/searchresultsbyurlcode.action?referencesearch.requestid=45839&referencesearch.urlcode=vvanyoql53pimw1 recall subject : intake air ducts/resonator report receipt date: May 19, 2009 NHTSA campaign number: 09V169000 component(s): engine and engine cooling recall subject : wire breaking inside alternator , 1 investigation(s) report receipt date: nov 17, 2003 NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 component(s): engine and engine cooling.
My car was running sluggish and low power when turned on lights, when tested battery it was fine but voltage low so I guess its not charging battery. Doesn't start alot of times. Engine runs hot quick, put new battery did same and one day the battery and brake light stayed on and then while driving it just stopped like I was giving it gas but car wasn't moving. Now it wont start at all. There May be a tiny oil leak but don't know from where and it drives rough but they say my shocks and struts and suspension and everything is OK.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the battery and anti-lock braking system warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle lost acceleration. The contact parked the vehicle in a lot. The vehicle would not restart and had to be towed to tischer Nissan in fort meade. The dealer diagnosed that the alternator failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.
A wire broke inside the alternator causing the battery to stop from charging. My family was driving approximately 60mph on the highway when the charger warning and brake warning lamps came on. The battery began to discharge and the car lost power. We pulled over to the side of the road and the engine went into a "fall safe" mode (all dash indicators and radio display flashed rapidly) and then the engine stopped running. The engine would not restart and the car had to be towed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 15 MPH and approaching the driveway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred four times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 03V455000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
Related recalls
Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
On certain sport utility vehicles, there is a possibility that a wire breaking inside the alternator could stop the battery from charging.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the alternator with a new version which has been modified to prevent movement of the coil. The recall began on August 1, 2005. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA investigations
Alternator failure/ engine stalling
Odi opened pe04-077 based on 14 reports of alleged engine stalling due to alternator failure.all of the complaints reported that the vehicle could not be restarted after the stall occurred.during pe04-077, additional failure data was identified as noted in the failure report summary above .
Alternator failure / engine stalling
Odi received 14 reports of alleged engine stalling due to alternator failure on my 2003-2004 murano (subject) vehicles.all of the complaints reported that the vehicle could not be restarted after the stall occurred.based on these complaints, odi opened pe04-077 and later upgraded to ea05-006 for the subject vehicles.during ea05-006, additional failure data were identified as noted in the failure report summary…
Electrical complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 187 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Nissan Murano, 23% of the model year's 800 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (120 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Nissan Murano electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-319 (alternator/generator/regulator, Jul 14, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Murano electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.