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 2004 Nissan Murano owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle restarted on the first attempt occasionally; however, several attempts were needed to start the vehicle on other occasions. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while at a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the accelerator pedal sensor had failed and needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the accelerator pedal had been discontinued. The contact stated that the independent mechanic replaced the accelerator pedal with a part purchased from a junkyard; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
Alternator went out this is the third one. I looked up the recalls on my car and there happened to be one on the alternator and I've reached out to Nissan dealership of Bakersfield and havnt received a response
Tl* the contact owned a 2004 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while her son was driving 35 MPH, the vehicle engine jerk three times stalled slide and landing into a tree then started to spin and flip over five times and landed on all four wheels. The contact mentioned that the check engine waring lights remained illuminated. The contact stated that her son and his friend which was the front passenger were ejected from the vehicle. The contact stated that her son sustained scarf to the face, harms and legs, his legs was fracture and his skin was off his face. The front passenger sustained broken ribs, damage liver and a crack kneecap both required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was destroyed. …
Takata recall report date: May 19, 2009 NHTSA campaign number: 09V169000 engine and engine cooling it was me an family drive home on hwy 55 an my intake resonator started then car speed limits first then car crank cam position senor CVT transmission internal temperature sensors circuit. Board for crank position sensors. Report receipt date: July 14, 2005 NHTSA campaign number:05V319000 component:electrical system alternator stop the battery from charging then battery begin to discharge only stay charge five mins having sensor defuat.. That can case my family to have a crash need help with this. Thank you have paperwork showing default on my 2004 Nissan Murano sl FWD.
My vehicle was in motion on the highway going about 50mph, when suddenly traffic came to a halt, when I pushed on the accelerator, there seem to be loss power and acceleration which is very dangerous, I had my 3 kids and grandchild in the vehicle with me. As I pushed the accelerator to the floor nothing happened the car wouldn't move, good thing a semi-truck wasn't behind me, we all would have been dead. This is scared me and my family. After waiting about 2 or more minutes the car junked and lunged at a high speed I could have ran into the back of another vehicle. This is beginning to happen more frequent now maybe 3-4 days or more out the week. Stalling and loss of power (no response) while in traffic; is in deed a big factor to have this matter looked into. I've seen numerous complaints regarding the same incident my family and I experienced. …
My 2004 Murano had a lot of stalling and stopping, problems with accelerating the car. It stop on multiple occasions. Fluid leaking, from engine and fuel tank, and steering column. Power steering is rigid,and locks, and car stops when turning.the windows went up and down uncontrollable. Power control panel , did not function. Nissan insisted that vehicle is old. I think the car is possessed. All of theses things occurred while I was in motion driving the car on highway, the roads, stationery, and especially turning, and trying to accelerate the car, and it would then completely turn off, Nissan refuses to acknowledge any thing is wrong. They stated what do you expect after buying a car this old. I just want to make sure my car is safe by your standards not theirs. …
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.
Stalls: this vehicle was recalled for stalls and the problem never went away,(not sure if the repairs was really done). The stalls are becoming worse!!!! Problem: when the vehicle is driven for more than 15 minutes and it comes to a complete stop, (at traffic light, in city or anywhere) the vehicle sporadicly stall when the accelerator is pressed. If the road has a slight incline the stall is more eminent, so that the vehicle won't move even when the accelerator is pressed to the floor. The only two things that remedy the situation is: a) place the vehicle in reverse [very dangerous->city driving], b) turn the engine off then restart the vehicle [also very dangerous]. This problem has been ongoing since 2007 but it is getting worse.
When taking off from a complete stop or trying to acclerate the revs to 3000 RPM and not gain any speed, you have push and let off the accelerator several times just to maintain any kind of forward momentum the car can muster. I dont know why the car will not gain any speed. This could be a real safety issue on a busy roadway.I have read many other post about similiar issue like mine and it sounds like the CVT are very unreliable and Nissan should do the right thing for us car owners, the car only has 91000 miles on it and this issue should not be ocurring in so many vehicles. Their should be something done about this issue to help the owners out. Nissan knows that there CVT transmission are very faulty and will not hold up....
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly shut off. On multiple occasions, the engine would not start. The vehicle was taken to davis moore Nissan (7576 east kellogg, wichita, ks), to be diagnosed, but the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000. Consumer stated Nissan is not able to diagnose problems with fuel pumps. On 05-24-19, a mega fuse was blown which LED to a faulty fuel pump. That part was replaced and to date, we have not had this problem of vehicle stalling!
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 complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2004 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 82 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2004 Nissan Murano, 12% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is engine (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Murano engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-169 (engine and engine cooling, May 19, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Murano engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 2 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.