Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was shifted into PARK and restarted however, after driving for several miles, the failure recurred. The contact pulled over to side of the roadway and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle and slowly drove to the residence. The contact stated that the ABS and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.
While driving down the highway with my infant child the vehicle lost power I could not accelerate went from 75mph to a struggling 5mph. No matter how far I pressed the gas pedal there was no acceleration no revving of engine just complete nothing just pure panic. I was able to pull off to the side of the freeway in a not so safe place however I had no choice. I out hazard lights on and turned off the car. After waiting approx 5 min. I attempted to start car to no avail. The battery light as well as abs light stayed on. I again waited for another 5 -10 min and tried again nothing but same warning lights. I eventually had to wait for approx 45-_60 min when it finally started however I was only allowed to go no fastethan 5 mph. I was able to exit freeway where I parked car for several hours and walked home. Upon retrieving vehicle it still had same results. I drove home @ 5mph. …
Coming off exit ramp, stopped and turned left, was going around 25 MPH when the car surged forward, accelerated, RPM shot up. I had to slam on the brakes and put the car into neutral. The car then slowed and began driving normally. A week later, my wife and I were on the interstate going around 60 MPH when the car slowed down as though it was put into a low gear. We could only get it to go no more that 35 MPH. We pulled off on the shoulder and parked. The car would not start again. Had to tow it. About a month later, I was on the interstate going around 65 when the same thing happened as before, it went into a lower gear, lowering my speed to around 30 MPH which caused me to almost get hit from behind. Had it been a large truck it most likely would have hit me. I put it in neutral and pulled off to the shoulder. When I pulled out again, it drove at a normal rate of speed. …
On 4/8/15, while about to make a left turn at a traffic light, my car stalled without any warning. Started up after two attempts. Service engine light came on and has remains on currently. Contacted Nissan specialist on a website who advised it could be crank position and/or camshaft sensor(s). I took it to Firestone to have it scanned. Positive for codes p0725(engine speed signal circuit malfunction) and p0340(camshaft position sensor circuit failure). Purchased my vehicle in August 2003. Never notified by Nissan of recall for sensors(NHTSA #03v4550000). Called local dealership on 4/9/16 who advised me that my VIN number is not on the list for my vehicle to be repaired, despite having the same complication identified by Nissan and NHTSA which necessitated the recall. …
On 6/15/15, while on highway my car stalled without any warning. Started up after few attempts. Service engine light came on and remained on. I scanned for error code and I've got p0340 (crank position and/or camshaft sensor(s)). On 6/26/15 I took the car to hilton head Nissan dealer in hardeeville, sc - they scanned it positive for code p0340(camshaft position sensor circuit failure) and they replaced the two sensors. They never told me about Nissan recall for sensors (NHTSA #03v4550000). I found today about this recall and called Nissan dealer on 6/27/16 - they told me the car is to old to apply the recall, despite the fact that Nissan Murano 2003 is specified on the recall and despite having the same complication identified by Nissan and NHTSA which necessitated the recall. …
Purchased this vehicle in 2012, used- bag an having issues immediately, including , no heat, stalling, windows rolling down on their own in winter- returned it to the dealer and they kept for 1 week, said there was nothing wrong except the fuel pump. We replaced it and trouble continued. Contacted Nissan and they said to take to dealer for diagnostic, a certified Nissan mechanic now looking it over and claims there is nothing wrong, we have thrown so much money into trying to get it to work. Overheats and can not climb even the smallest of incline without overheating, the Nissan company wants us yo pay for all the testing they require, we have been paying for a vehicle that is not drivable or reliable in any way- after 4 years there is still no answers as to why it will not run properly, so disappointing yo purchase a vehicle that looks good and is comfortable, and has become a lawn …
My 2003 Murano se/sl aawhen I first start the engine it makes a sound like it has no oil or engine is choking but its starts but if engine is idling for 5 mins or so its shut off but I can start it again but after when im driving engine just dies off amd wont start again for about 5 mins. That problems has been going on constantly when im on the road with my children or by myself last week I was driving my son to school and I was waiting to turn left and once I was turning my Murano died off in the middle of the road luckily the on coming traffic had a red light so I had a chance to push it of the intersection, one other time I was picking up dinner amd engine just died off on me while I was making a right turn and gear couldnt be released of drive and key wouldn't turn either some how while I was jerking the key I was able to shift to park and key was released that time I was lucky …
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.
At approx. 60,000 miles this car began having problems stalling at intersections, highways, and inclines. Stopped on an incline I had to have 3 cars back up and move so my car could roll backwards down the hill and park for 30 minutes. I have been in the middle of intersections where I would depress the gas pedal and the car not move in on coming traffic. I have brought this to the attention of Nissan and the dealer I purchased the car with no resolution. It is obviously the CVT transmission slowly going bad. This has put me in dangerous situations many times and continues to be a serious problem. Nissan and the dealership are avoiding replacing the transmission. Www.nissanmuranowarning.com
The car stalls after approximately 30 minutes of running/driving. It happened twice in one day. That morning I started the car, it warmed up for 5 minutes, drove 15 miles to work, it stalled as I pulled in to the parking lot. It restarted but was slow to do so. The car sat for 5.5 hours while at work. I started the car without warming up, drove 20 miles, it stalled a block before my home. It restarted same as earlier that day. I let the car sit for a week, had the crank shaft sensor replaced yesterday. Today, started the car, let it sit in the driveway. After 30 minutes it stopped running. It will restart but takes a few seconds.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
Nissan is recalling 362,891 my 2003-2007 murano vehicles. The intake air ducts, which are connected to the intermediate resonator in the air intake system of the engine, May separate from the resonator with engine movement.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace/repair the appropriate components free of charge. The recall began on September 24, 2009. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine and engine cooling
On certain passenger vehicles, the circuit board for the crank position sensor or cam position sensor May have an improper solder joint due to solder deformation caused by heat stress accelerated by the existence of flux residue during the soldering process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s).
Engine complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 137 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Nissan Murano, 17% of the model year's 800 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Nissan Murano engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-169 (engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2009); NHTSA recall 03V-455 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Murano engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.