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 2005 Nissan Murano owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This complaint relates to a closed recall for the 2005 Nissan Murano NHTSA campaign id number: 05v3190. Two months with the vehicle and I had transmission problems, where the vehicle lost power and drive-ability, bringing my passengers and myself to a harms way. I contracted aamco to replace the transmission, one month later, Nissan USA had to provide another transmission to replace the one changed one month before. Last Monday, July 06, 2015, while driving on the new jersey garden state parkway, the vehicle presented serious trouble, when the emergency brake, AWD and ABS warning lights came on, as the vehicle lost speed, transmission disengaged, putting my wife, myself and other vehicles around us in serious risk of accident. I managed to pull the vehicle to the shoulder and later to a near by friend`s house in the galloway area. …
I was driving my car and the engine acted like it was going to stall and wouldn't respond by giving it gas. Then it just lurched forward abrubtly and began to run normally. Then after about 2 more blocks while we're going 45 MPH it completely stalled out in the middle lane of a 3 lane road. This caused the car behind me to almost rearend us but the cars behind them actually did get into a crash trying to stop from hitting them. Thankfully a police car was a few cars back and was able to put their lights on and push my car out of traffic because we couldn't even get out of the car with cars whizzing past us on both sides. Thank god or we could've been involved in a multiple car crash and one of us could have gotten hurt. This happened on 07/13/18. I paid about $600 to replace the alternator and fix something in the cooling system. …
On 4/28/2005 I was driving my vehicle and it wouldn't get up past 10 MPH. I looked up online at Nissan.com and found out there May be a warranty program for CVT. I brought it in, and they verified it and replaced it. 3 days later my CVT started to give me similar issues again. So I brought it back and they told me they May re work on it. Now I get it back and ride the car for another 2 days and now I hear a loud clicking noise. Now I had to get it towed back to kings Nissan in brooklyn ny. This time they tell me it was a messed up tcu computer on the replaced CVT, and now a transfer case. Upon further review online. It seems like there are tons of people like my self going through this issue and Nissan wont take ownership of it.
Just bought the vehicle in January of 2016 thinking it would be a good used car. I was wrong it has 155,000 miles on it. Today I was driving home from work was stop at stoplight went to take off and it stalled and the check engine light came on, I was able to finally move it form the road and it wouldn't go above 5 MPH, so I turned it off then back on it started to drive fine I didn't take any chances had it towed to a friends repair shop were checked the codes and it was all for the transmission. This could have caused a huge wreck as the road I was on is extremely busy. This very unsafe for Nissan not to do anything about.
Vehicle takes minutes to pick up speed especially true when it is on a stop position either in an intersection or traffic light intersection. I put my foot on the gas and press all the way down where it slowly moves, pick up a speed and do the same thing for each stop sign or traffic stop light. When starting the vehicle, it makes a screeching sound. If able to drive, steering wheel sometimes have that slight shaking. We have been experiencing these issues for more than a year now. Tires were changed and brakes changed but issues still a big concern.
I bought my 05 Murano from the dealership for $6000 and I only drove it for 3 months before the alternator and the transmission went. I paid $600 for the alternator to be repaired and 2 weeks later the transmission went. The dealership said that it would cost me $4200 to fix the transmission. They refused to give me any sort of discount. I got 3 months out of a $6000+ dollar car. I am so upset this has caused so many problems in my life in so many ways. I can't believe Nissan is morally OK with ripping me off like this.
The dealer identified the transfer case part of the AWD transmission is leaking. My Murano is on it's 3rd transmission (replaced around 25K and again around 106K), and this possibly was related to the transmission replacement. I realize this is not an emergency/safety issue, but it has been recommended that I report this defect here in an attempt to force Nissan to issue a recall since so many Murano owners have experienced the same expensive failures.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan Murano. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle slowed down and the brake and battery indicators illuminated. The failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Transmission failure. $173K miles. Will cost $4K to replace. All transmission fluids in good order and good levels. Large nocking on the case, dealer says could go out any moment. Unable to drive due to safety issues. Ridiculous and unsafe. A transmission should not go out like this.
Several times while driving on city streets the car would shut down completely, with no warning had to get towed. While in drive-through car shut down but a delay then restarted. Bought new battery, alternator and got a tune-up. Currently the car will not go in backwards.
Transmission complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 56 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Nissan Murano, 6% of the model year's 987 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Nissan Murano transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Nissan Murano, though it has 6 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 2005 Nissan Murano transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.