Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
Bought the car used at about 110K in December 2015, had no issues at all. Flash forward to May 2nd 2016. After sitting in start/stop traffic for 20-30 minutes, the traffic finally started to flow, I attempted to accelerate and had a horrible, shaking, jerking from the vehicle. About 2 miles later after arriving to work and trying to turn a corner and applying gas after the corner, it did it again, this time though it caused me to clip a bumper around a concrete barrier, then the car lost all power and the check engine light came on. Could not get it to move at all. After having it towed to an authorized Nissan dealership, I found out the CVT had went out. I guess I can be glad it went out in a parking garage, because if it went out where the initial hesitation happened, I would have been in a wreck. …
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. …
I purchased my Murano brand new in 2004. Until recently the car worked well enough, however whiles driving on the highway recently, the car stopped accelerating. Fortunately I was able to pull to the median safely without incident. After shutting the car off for a few moments and restarting the acceleration issue appeared to be solved. The following day the car completely stalled after I stopped at a light. After depressing the accelerator for a few seconds, the car took off as if it is in a drag race. Very, very dangerous. Shutting the car off and then putting it back on seems to temporarily solve the issue, however this has become a constant routine when driving the vehicle. When the car comes to a full stop (as in traffic) it stalls. When the accelerator is pressed, the car takes off. …
I purchased my Murano from a used car dealer 9 months ago. Until recently the car was working great, however recently, the car stopped accelerating.. After shutting the car off for a few moments and restarting the acceleration issue appears to be solved. The following day the issue continued after I stopped at a light. After depressing the accelerator for a few seconds, the car feels like it is going to stall. After shutting the car off and turing it back on it takes of like it is in a drag race but seems to temporarily solve the issue until you come to a stop, this has become a constant routine when driving the vehicle. When the car comes to a full stop (as in traffic) it feels like it wants to stall. You can keep it going by keeping one foot on the gas and one on the brake then when the accelerator is pressed, the car takes off like in a drag race. …
I purchased vehicle 2/9/2015 since than I have taken to get 2 total vehicle inspections. Both inspections I have been given two different estimated problems. When at a complete stop and trying to take off vehicle will not go, after about 15 to 20 seconds it will take off at a rapid speed which scares me to the point where I am glad it doesn't happen on expressway I know me and my 8 yr old would be injured. I have been told it could be the transmission and/or the trans case both I have looked up and omg more complaints than any vehicle I have ever owned. Second issue is, when turning a corner left or right it hesitates like it doesn't want to go, I have been told its the trans case. If Nissan knows there are issues with the CVT why haven't they done a recall, especially before someone dies with the delayed hesitation. …
Got this car from my brother and began driving it at 104,800 miles on vehicle. Within a few days, waiting to turn left into a parking lot, depressing accelerator and nothing happened. This has succeedingly happened a dozen times, more often in heavy traffic from a stopped position. My mechanic has replaced the throttle body and checked all codes. Still, it is continuing. In reading complaints, both at this .gov site and other websites, this is a common and consistent fault with the CVT transmission for 03 & 04 nissans. Neither Nissan nor www.NHTSA.dot.gov has responded. Does someone have to die before there is a reaction? It implies not only this, but also that Nissan understands it will do better financially dealing with the very few instances of lawsuits. The car qualifies for the lemon law, if there is such a law still in effect. It is worthless unless I spend around $5000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Without warning, the vehicle surged to 40 MPH and almost crashed into the preceding vehicle. The contact had to remove his foot from the accelerator pedal to slow down the vehicle. The failure only occurred when coming to a complete stop. The contact also stated that there was a strong burning odor emitted from the vents. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a transmission death code came up, which indicated that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,650.
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 at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle slowed down without having to depress the brake pedal. The failure recurred six times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the throttle bottle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was later taken to a dealer where it was confirmed that the throttle bottle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power train failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 149,000.
Transmission would periodically stop working. Was replaced by Nissan under extended warranty. Eleven months later and 17,000 miles transmission stopped working again due to cross contamination from radiator. My complaint is why didn't someone tell me about the radiator problem at the time on installing the new transmission. I would have paid for a new one myself. It is impossible for me too prevent that from happening since the leak is internal. From what the mechanics are telling me. That should not be possible to happen. My car blue book value went from $8500 high end to $1000. My car now has 123,634 miles on it now.
Transmission complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 143 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Nissan Murano, 21% of the model year's 678 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (48 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Murano transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.