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 2010 Nissan Murano owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping in and out of gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys where it was diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed, the camshaft position sensor, and the power train system also had failed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.
My 2010 Nissan Murano incurred transmission and transfer case failure @ around approximately 95,000 miles despite keeping up with the required maintenance. This was in a form of erratic jerking, overheating, and decreased pick up speeds. However, the vehicle did not have any service lights indicating further issues on the dash. I then went to 2 Nissan service centers to request that Nissan fix their faulty parts on 11/11/22 and 12/02/22. Both Service Centers acknowledge faulty parts by Nissan, but refused stating that my car is not under warranty and therefore, Nissan would not cover the cost. Nissan has had multiple class action law suits regarding their production of these parts and yet is evading responsibility. Since then, my car has sat in my driveway undriveable as Nissan continues to avoid rectifying the situation. …
When stepping on the gas after stopping at a stop light or similar situation, the car acts like it's stalling for 2 - 3 seconds before finally going forward. It's intermittent. I've been told by the Nissan dealership that when they did the diagnostic check, that the error code P0868 came up long enough to be caught for the report but did not stop at that error code. This error code says it's "Fluid pressure low". My Nissan advisor said that it is not a hard failure because it did not stop at this error. However, they do recommend that the transmission be replaced. I have been reading a lot online about other Murano owners having this similar issue or an issue with their transmission. I had it at the dealership twice before this last result I mentioned above.
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, a rumbling noise was heard coming from underneath the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe and front axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Vehicle will not accelerate. I will drive it a few miles, and it will be just fine. I drive it more, and it will stall and not accelerate. In fact, on 6/30/25, I was getting on the highway and it wouldn't accelerate and 8 warning lights came on. It has a brand new battery, alternator, idle sensor, and throttle position sensor. My dad and grandpa both know a lot about cars, and they are at a loss.
At 65,000 miles my Murano required the CVT transmission, the transfer case, the rt front axel (and head gaskets) to be replaced. At the time the CVT transmission was under warranty. Now the Murano has 150,000 miles and the CVT transmission needs to be replaced again! This will be the third CVT transmission in 150,000 miles and of course the Nissan 120,000 mile warranty which started when the car was new no longer covers the CVT transmission even though the current unit only has 85,000 miles of use. Why hasn't Nissan been forced to correct the problem with the CVT transmission? (I also have a 2013 versa with a CVT transmission that had to be replaced at 65,000 miles). Bad design that is putting customers at risk of injury when the ctv transmissions fail and destroy other components in the drive train. Current problem: when at a full stop the car will not accelerate. …
On 11/08/2014 while driving on the interstate the went suddenly from 65 MPH to 40 MPH with no warning. I couldn't go any faster. It was making a rattling noise as if there were loose nuts and bolts being grounded up. The short of the long is that the Nissan dealer they would have to replace the transfer case with a used one. $1950.00+10% tax. We picked up the vehicle on11/19/2014. On 11/25/2014 the same symptoms occurred. The mechanic said that" it was running OK but the computer read out was off". Replaced mass air flow sensor and reset idle speed. Picked up vehicle on 11/25/2014 total cost, $318.78. +tow. On 11/26/2014, my wife went to pick up the vehicle after they just changed the air flow censor while backing up the vehicle seemed to bind up and then would clunk when trying to move forward . …
As I was returning home noticed a strange drivetrain noise. I avoided using the interstate and stayed on the city streets so that if anything happened it would be at a slower speed. In just a couple miles a clattering came from the drive train and had no further ability to drive. After towing the Murano to Nissan a dealer it was determined that the transfer case had failed. The case was completely broken as caused by an internal gear failure. This happened on May 14, 2015. Cost to repair was $3800. Comments online indicate this is a common failure that Nissan fails to admit or warranty. They have increased transmission warranty to $120K but not the transfer case. Could be a serious safety issue if it had failed while traveling down the interstate at 75 MPH.
My Murano was driven by my wife in our neighborhood when suddenly the SUV would not accelerate and stopped in the middle the street blocking traffic on both sides. We turned the car off several times and restarted before able to accelerate. I had SUV towed to local dealer where it was determined that CVT transmission was destroyed. I has serviced transmission fluid 3 times since purchase with 139,800 miles. After researching the Nissan CVT{constant variable transmission}, we are not the first to have problems. I May be the first with a 2010 Murano. I am fearful of this vehicle after it $5000 repair{out of pocket}, especially if on a busy interstate in chicago area due to sudden lose of acceleration.
Leaking transfer case. On March 15, 2016, at 72,549 miles, the CVT transmission on my 2010 Nissan Murano le failed as I was pulling out of a lowe's parking lot. Nissan had extended their warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles so they replaced the CVT transmission free of charge and returned the vehicle to me on March 22, 2016. On March 29, 2016 I noticed a brown oily fluid leaking on my garage floor. I took it back to the same Nissan dealerership, and they said the CVT transmission was fine but now I had a leaking transfer case. Unfortunately, the transfer case was not covered under their extended warranty for the transmission and I paid over $1300 out of pocket to repair it.
Transmission complaints in other Murano years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Nissan Murano, 21% of the model year's 193 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Nissan Murano transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Nissan Murano. 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 2010 Nissan Murano transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
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.