Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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). …
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 …
2003 Nissan Murano. Damage to gas tank shield installed by mfg recall. Ran over small piece of rubber on the highway & it torn the shield loose from the frame of the car. New cars come with metal molded shields mounted to the gas tank. The plastic shields which Nissan is installing are not sturdy enough to provide the proper protection to the gas tank. Cars which have had these plastic shields installed should be recalled to have the molded metal shields installed
Driving came to a stop at a light car died. Restarted it, drove home. Car wouldn't start, replaced the fuel pump. Vehicle started was driving got on the freeway had no acceleration control, loud knocking noise all of a sudden, turned around went back home and before I got to my front door the radiator exploded! The whole top of it cracked open.
During the hot summer months in the phoenix arizona area I've experienced hesitation (especially in traffic) when either moving slowly along or traffic picks up or turning and I have to mash harder on the accelerator, sometimes 2-4 times!!! This is frightening !! What is the problem as I've checked filters, gas, intake? And asked mechanic ???
Car: 2003 Nissan Murano sl AWD summary: catastrophic loss of power / stalling during driving details: there are multiple issues - all reported to Nissan - which promptly declined to do anything to address them since the car was out of warranty. However it's clear that several other 2003 Nissan Murano owners are reporting the "catastrophic" stall problem - a simple google search bears this out. To me it seems that Nissan is washing its hands off the problem. Here are some symptoms: 1) when driving on the freeway a couple of days ago, the car catastrophically lost power for several seconds - only to somewhat recover thereafter. At the time of recovery manylights on the dashboard lit up including "check engine" "AWD lock / slip" etc. This incident happened three times in a row - and I called Nissan for help. 2) I live in san francisco. …
In February 2005 the alternator failed to charge the battery and the car slowed to a complete stop and the battery died in the middle of a busy intersection. I had to tow the car to the nearest dealership and the car was repaired 48 hours later. In March 2005 the gas tank lid wouldn't open and the car was running out of gas. I drove the car to the dealership and it took 48 hours to repair. However, the "repair" was done by prying the lid open and I still have not recieved the new part. In May 2005 the transmission failed in the middle of a busy intersection and I had to tow the car to the dealership. They still have the car and expect to have it for two weeks at least. They cannot guarentee that they will pay for the rental car costs which will amount to at least $350 at $25 a day. This car only has 35,000 miles on it.
This statement is in addition of numuras safety recalls. July 2008 on interstate 22 myrtle beach my 2003 Murano stalled out with son and daughter. July 2009 it stalled out in whiteville nc. It stalled again. On both occasions Nissan replaced a blown a blown fuse. Nothing else. August 2010 traffic the Murano stalled at 65 MPH in heavy traffic nearly causing a ten car pile up. We were lucky. Towed Murano,to Nissan of myrtle beach, fuel pump was replaced. On all the recalls mailed to us refer:these safety recalls could cause fire or crashes. My wife is afraid of our death trap of our 2003 Murano. The fuel pump is not a recall,but if you look up complaints on fuel pumps and blown fuses you see I am not the only one my car is a death trap. I want a investigation done.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Nissan Murano. While driving 70 MPH, the driver heard a loud thumping noise at the bottom of the vehicle. The driver pulled the vehicle over and noticed a large amount of fuel spilling from the gas tank. The gas tank shield was installed to prevent fuel from leaking out; however, the tow truck driver stated that it had been loose and caused the fuel to leak out of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they referenced NHTSA campaign id number 06V003000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The manufacturer is still attempting to determine if the recall applies to her vehicle. Currently, the vehicle is still at the repair shop and has not yet been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 116,000.
Apparently a small piece of metal in the freeway was picked up by the front tires and punctured the fuel tank on the Nissan Murano. Unknown by the driver, all of the fuel leaked out of the vehicle while being driven. Although the recall notice has been extended, Nissan refuses to cover the replacement of the tank. Nissan's stand is that the "shield" that is the "fix" to the puncture problem would not have prevented the tank in our car from being punctured because it protects the front half of the tank and our puncture was on the back half of the tank. NHTSA should take note as it appears that the shield is not acceptable as the answer to the problem if items picked up by the front tires can still allow a puncture to rear of the tank.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
On certain sport utility vehicles, due to the location of the forward edge of the fuel tank, in the event that a vehicle front tire runs over a small, sharp object in the road, catches it and propels it towards the rear of the vehicle, it May strike and puncture the fuel tank.
Remedy: Dealers will install protectors in front of the tank free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank punctures from road debris
Odi opened a preliminary evaluation based on four vehicle owner questionnaires (voq's) indicating that the fuel tanks werepunctured by road debris under normal, non off-road driving conditions.as of November 30, 2005, the complaint total increased to 12.Nissan supplied odi with 31 complaints of fuel tank punctures, including 26 not previously known to odi from the voq records.
Fuel System complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Nissan Murano, 5% of the model year's 800 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Nissan Murano fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-003 (tank assembly, Jan 10, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Murano fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion 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.