Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Nissan Murano owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. While driving various speeds, the battery and the ABS indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the alternator failed and replaced the part three different times. The contact stated that the alternator caught fire without warning. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. An independent mechanic extinguished the fire. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 146,000.
Tl* - the contact states that on 12/20/06 around 10:00 am the contact drove her 2004 Nissan Murano out of her driveway and proceeded to drive down an alley at about 2 MPH. After making a left hand turn onto the main road of a residential area, the vehicle accelerated to about 50 MPH without the contact touching the accelerator. The contact tried continuously applying the brakes, but vehicle never came to a stop. The contact states that the brakes went down to the floor. She had a hard time steering the vehicle while trying to get vehicle to come to a stop. The contact then hit a parked flat bed trailer, and the front tires of her vehicle drove up on the flat bed and the vehicle the rolled over on its side landing on the passenger side. The contact was dazed and witnesses climbed up onto the vehicle to get her out. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle lost power. The brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle stalled, but was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the alternator and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that three months later, the engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic who diagnosed that the computer needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign numbers: 05V319000 (electrical system) and 09V169000 (engine and engine cooling), but the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 98,000.
I bought the 2004 Murano in December of 2013. From day one problems with shaking while driving. It has been in the shop 12 times since then. It had transmission failure twice now. First time they found metal debris in there. The second time was just over the warranty from first time by a few hundred miles! Right after that the right back brake caliper was binding so that was replaced. So far they have put on new tires, a few weeks after that they balanced them thinking that was the problem. Had to replace axle shaft carrier bearing, I should have gotten rid of it after the first transmission failure!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. While driving 20 MPH, the battery and brake warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
My daughter was driving my Nissan Murano to school pulling on to a four lane highway accelerating to get up to the speed limit when all of a sudden the vehicle lost power and started to decelerate, she was almost rear ended by a trailer truck. She heard a grinding noise and was able to coast into the median to remove the vehicle from traffic. She was quite shaken by the incident as was I. I had the vehicle towed to a repair garage only to find out that the transmission was in pieces inside the pan. I understand by reviewing many web sites that this has happened to numerus Nissan owners. Does someone have to be killed before a recall or a warning is initiated? …
On the evening of aug 4, 2004, I was driving home, noticed that the battery and brake light were illuminated on my new (6500 miles) Nissan Murano. I planned to take it to the local dealer the next day, as soon as I completed two unchangeable appointments. As I started to leave the parking lot on the second appointment, the vehicle would not accelerate. I called the dealer and my husband, who came to get me. The vehicle had to be towed. Diagnosis: failed alternator. Needless to say, I was not happy. They had to order the part, and the repair was finished on the following Tuesday, aug 10. The service manager said he had previously had 4 or so failed alternators, and didn't understand why Nissan had not recalled the vehicles. The repair has been fine, the dealership loaned me a vehicle, even though I bought it out of town. …
The brake pedal drops so low that you foot hits the accelerator pedal causing the automobile to leap forward resulting in near accident with other auto and I one case nearly striking a pedestrian. This has happen five times since I purchased the Nissan Murano 2004. I have called Nissan motor and they refured me to Nissan of st. Charles. The assistant service manager told me on the phone that they bled the brakes and the condition still existed and that the check other similar model and that the brake pedal dropped lower when continuing to apply presser. When I picked up the car, the service manager wrote on my service ticket "condition not found". The brake pedal still drops nearly to the floor when you apply continued pressure. It is an accident waiting to happen. I have called Nissan and talked to the service manager at Nissan of st. Charles about the problem but get no response.
Two main problems with my 2004 Nissan Murano.... Biggest is brake problems. Brake pads and rotors have been replaced twice and there is still a noise when braking along with bad vibration when slowing down. The vibration can be felt in the steering wheel. Also, there is a clinking noise in the engine when taking off at slow speeds. It sounds like the motor is going to drop. This has been to expensive to fix, so I continue to drive it as is. Very unhappy with the quality of this vehicle. Many repairs including small that aren't worth having the vehicle. No dealer wants to take as trade in.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was engaged but the vehicle failed to decelerate until after the contact repeatedly applied the brakes. The contact was able to continue driving with caution. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician informed the contact that the rear brake calipers had seized. The vehicle repairs consisted of the replacements of both rotors, brake pads and calipers. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Brake complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Nissan Murano, 3% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Murano brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Nissan Murano, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Murano brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 38% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes 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.