2011 Nissan Murano Transmission Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  13%
• 25k–50k
  13%
• 50k–75k
  723%
• 75k–100k
  1032%
• 100k–150k
  1135%
• 150k+
  13%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Nissan Murano owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and shifting into drive(D), the transmission made an abnormal sound, and the vehicle shook before moving forward. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. Additionally, the contact stated that the check engine and the transmission warning light had illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer on multiple occasions and the vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin Number: AT20-005B NTB20-060B CVT Transmission Shake/Shudder (Power Train). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. …

For over a year, I have experienced hesitations of movement when needed to have acceleration from a complete or rolling stop. When driving, I've pushed on the gas pedal to accelerate & there was a long two second hesitation (lack of propulsion) before the Murano resumed forward movement. There was also a loss of acceleration (speed/movement) while merging into very heavy traffic on a busy main road, & that could have caused an accident. Every time there was a hesitation of movement when pushing on the gas pedal, it could have been a disaster. I have been having this 'hesitations of movement' for over a year. I have insisted that mechanics need to drive it, so they too can experience this problem. They have driven the Murano many times, but haven't been able to experienced it. …

35 complaints on the CVT transmission failing for the 2011 Nissan Murano, which could be a major safety issue while driving. We experienced 3 episodes and have not heard back from Nissan nor the NHTSA on recalling this car and having Nissan repair their known defect that could result in injury. We know the CVT transmission is known by Nissan to have reliability issues as they have recalled other years of CVT transmissions. Does someone have to be hurt before a fix is communicated to the owners of this vehicle. What a shame!

2011 Nissan Murano, transmission issues. This is the second time I have had to report this problem, please also refer to my first complaint #11474221 on this vehicle for the same problem. When at a stop, and pushing the gas pedal to move forward, there is a hesitation or two before the vehicle moves forward. This is a big problem when trying to enter a highway, after a stop sign. With giving enough distance to merge, having the hesitation issue has almost caused an accident. This hesitation occurs in town driving and hi-way. The dealership Crown Nissan (Greensboro, NC) diagnosis indicated that the transmission was failing and needed to be replaced. Our local Nissan shop ordered a new transmission directly from Nissan, and installed into our car, by mechanics that were trained by Nissan. Received Murano back with replaced new transmission, and within two days it was hesitating again. …

While driving car several times on the highway, when accelerating all power went out from the CVT transmission (like running out of gas), rendering the car without power on the highway. This was and continues to be a big concern as we were left on a high speed road with no power to move the car. This has occurred several times and we have been fortunate to be in the right hand lane to get off the main road and not cause an accident. This condition is known by Nissan and other repair facilities as the Infiniti dealer in Orlando, Fla conducted a diagnostic test and noted the car needed a transmission replacement at approximately 88,000 miles. This replacement was for $12,220 dollars, which was far more than the car was worth and with a car that should have many more miles left to operate and maintained very well. …

In July 2023, at 55,496 miles on the odometer, the original CVT transmission failed and was replaced at Port City Nissan (120 Spaulding Tpke N, Portsmouth, NH 03801), an authorized Nissan dealership, with a Nissan-supplied rebuilt CVT transmission at a cost of approximately $7,000. The rebuilt transmission was warranted for one year. Approximately 2.5 years and only 26,500 miles after installation, the rebuilt CVT transmission has failed again at approximately 82,000 miles. CVT transmission failure while driving presents a serious safety hazard, as the vehicle may lose power unexpectedly, particularly dangerous at highway speeds, during merges, or in intersections. Pattern of Defect: Nissan's CVT transmissions have been the subject of widespread consumer complaints and multiple class action lawsuits across various model years. …

The CVT went bad in the vehicle and Nissan never fixed what was reported in the past with 2012s people with 2013 to current are all still having CVT transmissions fail and Nissan is not recalling or fixing the issue. Well driving on the freeway the vehicle started knocking and lost complete power and looked under the car and had oil seeping from it.

Vehicle has only 63,400 miles on it. Malfunction light came on and on the way to autozone to have code checked the car just stopped driving. I was stopped for a light and when I went to go nothing happened. Towed it to Nissan and they said it needed a new transmission. (used) transmission installed and then the car stalled again during the test drive by mechanic. Now they say they have to replace the starter, which I did, so they can recheck the transmission. Got the car back and the very next day the same light came back on. I drove it straight to dealer and now they say that it needs catalytic converter. Replaced and now they say that it needs the front catalytic converter. Said there was a problem with the transmission seal when they got it. Probably what is causing all these other problems. Still have no idea when I will get the car back. It has been a month now. …

Coincidentally we just paid off our vehicle a few months ago. Our 2011 Nissan Murano has 103, 000 miles. About a month ago my wife mentioned that the car was hesitating when pressing the gas pedal to proceed forward from a stopped position. ( this is definitely a safety hazard at intersections and any stopped positions to proceed forward). The engine would just cut out and then after a few seconds would pick back up in rpms. I thought it was a fuel filter problem so we sent it to our mechanic. He came back to us and said its the CVT transmission and it could cost anywhere from $3500 - $5000. Something we did not want hear with a vehicle with just a hundred thousand miles on it. After further research we see this has been a known issue with Nissan CVT. I really need some assistance on how to go about contacting Nissan to see if they will warrant this problem.

2011 Nissan Murano, 85000 miles, all maintenance done on time. Driving down the road at low speeds started to hear a clunking noise. The next day I was driving down the hwy taking my car into the shop when it started jumping rpms and would not accelerate almost causing me to get killed while trying to pull of the road. After letting the car sit I was able to drive it at 30mph to the closest car dealership where it was diagnosed with a failing transmission. I still owe on the car and am beyond upset that after calling Nissan they refuse to do anything . Now my car sits till I find a way to come up with the thousands of dollars I have to pay to get my car back on the road. Nissan should extend the warranty on the 2011 just like they did on the previous years.

Transmission complaints in other Murano years