Have Your Car Fixed For Free : Auto Recalls And My 2003 Nissan Murano Problems
If you don’t get your car serviced at a dealership it can be very worthwhile to check the recalls that have been issued for your model vehicle. At SaferCar.gov The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) provides a simple tool for viewing and researching all auto recalls. Their website provides a host of information on all recalls, documents containing manufacturer communications to dealer, recall statistics, and even a complaint system. Click here for the NHTSA recall website. You should just be able to schedule an appointment with an approved dealer, if your vehicle identification number falls with the recall campaigns range. The dealer should fix the recall problems for free.
I hadn’t really given recalls much thought until I started to have some recurring problems with my autos. We have a strange electrical problem on my 2003 Nissan Murano that has manifested itself in some strange ways. A recurring check engine light problem, hesitation on acceleration after sitting in traffic for a while, poor idling, and the even a complete shutoff while my wife was driving.
The first repair was a cam sensor by an out of town Nissan dealer. They also fixed at least one recall without me having to ask. Within a few months the same problems existed again. I had the other cam sensor replaced at my local garage. After that I did some searching on the net. That is when I came across a recall for the exact problems I was experiencing. Here are the details :
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR OR CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS ACCELERATED BY THE EXISTENCE OF FLUX RESIDUE DURING THE SOLDERING PROCESS.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE “SERVICE ENGINE SOON” WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANK POSITION SENSORS. CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR(S), AND IN SOME CASES, THE VARIABLE TIMING CONTROL SENSOR(S).â€
I called Nissan to at 1-800-647-7261 to see what they could do for me. They said that my VIN didn’t fall within the recall! What! After a week or so of phone tag and my continually pressing the issue, I finally got the Northeast Region Customer Service Manager. She treated me nicely only to tell me go pound sand. Ok, then who do I call to complain? She explained that she was the end of the line and told me to report my complaint to the correct governmental body.
They weren’t going to do anything. How great is that? I have the EXACT problem the recall is addressing, but Nissan could care less. One of the problems is quite dangerous; the engine could “stop running without warning during vehicle operation, which could result in a crash.†Nissan puts my family’s lives at risk, and doesn’t care one bit. That sounds like a huge lawsuit waiting to happen.
I dropped the issue for a while, until the car started doing the same things a month or two later. My mechanic said it was one of the newly replaced cam sensors again, and this time he noticed the recall too. He suggested I try a dealer to see if they will fix it. To really fix the Nissan’s flaws, he would need to buy the approved kit from a dealer and replace the full array of sensors, which could cost around $800. Now I am on the warpath again!
I tried another dealer again, with the same run around. I am not quite sure what the next step is, but I am considering a formal government complaint, a written letter to Nissan, and whining on a personal finance website. If anyone in the industry or anyone with similar experiences has any suggestions, I am all ears.
What I do know is this: I have owned multiple Nissan cars, but I won’t buy another one. The old adage is “don’t by a car that is the first year of a new modelâ€. It is certainly holding true for the Murano.
Update November 2010
We finally sold the Murano. The expenses and hassle continued to build until we just couldn’t take it anymore. It had a major oil leak that dealers wanted thousands to fix. We had to change a catalytic converter and cracked manifold. The sitting in traffic hesitation only got worse. From what I could tell it seemed like the CVT(Transmission) problems, which are widespread. I had read something about these transmissions having an internal temperature sensor that overheats as a cause of the dangerous hesitation, but I wasn’t sure. Nissan did extend the transmission warranty to 120,000 right before I sold it, but it was too late by then. It all got too much to handle; we traded the Nurano for a 2008 Honda Pilot and haven’t looked back. The pilot isn’t as nice looking and is missing some options from the interior, but nothing has broken since we bought it. That is more than I could say for my Murano which just sucked time, energy, money and put my family at risk.
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This happened to me last year. I was, (thankfully), driving down a neighborhood road at 20 mph when the check engine light came on and the car just lost power. With the accelerator all the way down, I managed to get to 7 mph. I was only 2 blocks from home, so I just turned around and went back and promptly got the car brought to the local NISSAN dealership. (Might I add… I had *just* returned from Germany – so had my Pathfinder. This could have happened on the AUTOBAHN where going 100 MPH is REQUIRED if you dont want someone to rear end you!) I knew nothing about a recall (if it is recent, there you go) but since the car was a 2004 and under warranty, I did not have to pay for the issue to be fixed. Thank goodness. But the NISSAN dealership was very friendly and helpful.
I have a similar problem.I have paid twice for diagnostic testing but they would not tell me what is the fault and on 4 occasions my Murano shut down on the Highway.Sales and service at Nissan are the same.They do not care ab out our safety and their only concern is to sell what they have-I would never buy a Nissan again.They said they repaired and one Service Guy in Waterloo told me he could go on and change parts.Whata jerk and the head of
South Western Ontario Nissan is the same as They are not taking responsibility for their mistakes.
The same thing happened to my car do u happemed to know what it cost when u got ur fixed
@Katie – I am glad you had a better experience than me. I am still trying to get ANY help.
I to own a 2003 nissan murano that has had troubles in the electrical department with the car dying on start up. for two days now my murano started dying while driving while driving on the freeway. luckily the car coasted on the side of the road till i got it to the dealer. they told me it was the camshaft sensor…. after i told them that first. then charged me 95 dollars for there two cents. next to say that it will be 270 to change one sensor. i asked of the recall and they said there was none for my vin number. knowing i read something online i found the recall to see my vin does not fall in the range. even though i have the same problem.. i’m pissed that i have to replace everything myself..but i will be writing nissan of my dissatisfaction. as much as possible.
Sorry to here that Cooper. I am still quite furious too, and I already submitted my claim/report through safercar.gov. Hopefully, if enough people get mad, Nissan will be forced to do something.
Also don’t be surprised that the same sensor goes again after you fix. The problem looks like improper design, and needs the Nissan recall kit to really fix it correctly.
Keep us posted.
I have called the nissan hotline now and submitted a claim for the sake of them knowing there is a problem with all nissan murano’s not just a few. then called the NHTSA (safercar.gov) and filed my report with them and my opinion of the unsafe conditions that nissan is leaving people in. hopefully more people come forward and it forces them to correct all of the problems.
Great work! Hopefully Nissan will realize that they are going to lose faithful customers over this.
We have experienced problems with our engine light also. Have had murano in shop over the struts and wheel bearings going out. Costing us $850.00. We are now experiencing the transfer case gong out. The button is telling the electrical sensor that it is in all wheel drive, We have rarely used it. It wil cost us $1900.00 for the part. $2500.00 overall.I never heard about any recalls since I have had the nissan. I will never own another Nissan.
@Evelyn – I haven’t read about any of those problems being common Murano problems. It sounds like you are having a run of bad luck. $1900 for the part seems astronomical though, have you gotten a second opinion or verification? Don’t give up on Nissan. I have a 1994 Sentra that refuses to die and I don’t think I have spent more than $1500 dollars on it in the last 6 years.
I have a 2004 Nissan Murano. After driving more than 30-45 mins. in the summer heat, I am unable to restart the engine when I shut it off. I have to wait 30-45 mins for the engine to cool before the car will start again.
@Godfrey – Sometimes ours doesn’t start on the first try or two, but it has never left us stranded like that. My 1994 Sentra is amazing, but this Murano thing really leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth.
It’s amazing!! I have been telling my authorized Nissan dealer about how I seem to have so many electrical problems since the time I bought it brand new in 2003 and also about a sporadic hesitation from stop to go, off and on for the past year. They don’t seem competent enough to diagnose it and are giving me the same run around about the CAM sensor that’s gone bad not showing my VIN # in the recall! Is anyone else with a high milage Murano (Mine has 112K miles) that their oil is burning off very fast?? ….. Toyota is starting to sound more and more like my next car….
@rachel – It is frustrating. Nissan has lost me as a customer, although my 1994 Nissan Sentra has never had a major problems despite looking like death. From my unscientific research it seems like somewhere around 2000 Nissans started to take a turn.
And yes, my 2003 with 85k recently started to burn oil very quickly. My oil light will come on before I need an oil change. I just add oil and its fine. Not sure where the oil is going, since it isn’t on the ground. I am also having mufflers problems right now, too.
Thanks for the comment, at least solidarity helps.
My wife has a 2004 murano that has started to not start. At times when the car is parked and locked, the windows will roll themselves down and the car is completely dead and will not start. A mechanic said a sensor is screwed up and you can reset it by manually locking and unlocking the car with the key. This works for a time, but continues to occur.
Any idea what needs to be replaced?
@Jim – I am not sure I have read about that problem as a common problem across Murano’s. They have had starting problems due to alternator issues, but this doesn’t sound like that. The mechanic is probably right about the faulty sensor. It probably needs to be replaced, although I am far from an expert.
Jim i have the same problem on the 2004 murano, still working on a solution. taken to dealership, they do not know the problem, they believe is the alarm
Hi!
I read all above comments, but i have something different:
I went to place to fix my murano, cause it was making noise, they said oil needs to be changed and it’s probably leeking. So they changed everything, car runs good now. But the day before taking my car to fix it, SERVICE ENGINE SOON light came up. Thats why i also told that i need to change cam.position sensors( there are 2 of them, which i didnt know). I would cost around $600, unfortunately i didnt have that amount and refused. After 2 days driving awhile the light turned off!!!
Now i’m confused, all comments says it brakes sometimes even if i change sensors, but mine turned off without even changing. Please give me some advice, am i LUCKY or its lie???
I had the same problem – had my camshaft sensor along with a timing belt – it was wearing and I asked them to change it – and the total bill was $350. No mention of a recall. I should have asked. i have spent thousands on my murano – love driving it, but can not afford to keep my ’03 on the road.
Seriously though, they knew. I was a Monitoring Operator for years and you can tell.
1. The system would have stopped sending daily test signals. There was their first clue.
2. They would have received some sort of panel tamper when you removed the system.
3. They definitely would have received a communication trouble.
Just bought my used 2003 Murano in January. My check engine light came on, found out it was cam position sensor. Have trouble starting it and it stalled on me on my way to work the other day as Im driving down the road. Saw recalls- 630,000 cars affected that year and mine doesnt fall into the affected VIN numbers!? Dealership wont fix. I have a call in to Nissan 800 number- they said their advisor would get back with me by Tuesday. If its not in my favor, I will file a complaint on the NHTSA site and let Nissan know that I will leave my recall paper copies in the glove box, center box, passenger seat, all over my car- so if it happens again and causes a crash- the cops and attorneys will know who to sue. I have owned 4 different Nissans in the last few years. Loyal customer- disloyal treatment.
Please- if youve had a problem with the same and your car wasnt covered in original recall, file a complaint with the NHTSA so they realize the problem is even bigger than the original recall, even if youve already paid to have it fixed. 2003 Nissan Murano Cam Position Sensor code.
I own a 2003 Nissan Murano and will never own another Nissan again. We are experiencing the same troubles with the sensors and the lose of power and eventual shut off. We have replaced our transmission at 35,000km and also the drive train twice. We have also replaced the radiator due to a crack and also the ball joint passenger side. Now at 114,000km, going for our usual service, find out the engine is burning oil and may need to repalce it. Doing some research on the vehical has made me aware of some of these common troubles and some I didn’t know about. Try automotive.com for some recall updates. It definitly surprised me the things Nissan doesn’t tell us about our vehicals that can be potentially dangerous.
I’m having a problem with Nissan denying my “goodwill” case for my 2004 Maxima transmission. You are right Nissan doesn’t care to retain loyal customers. I’ve escalated my case and have been denied three times. All say because “out of warranty”. Funny, the program is made for people out of warranty. Something fishy about their response. I will not stop until I hear from top Nissan Management. I have submitted a BBB autoline claim.(info in your warranty book) We’ll see how that goes.
I have a 2003 Nissan Murano and had an IDENTICAl experience in April of this year (2009). Car began to chug at times and then would cut off while at a stop light, typicall right after we’d hit the accelerator to start moving through the intersection. Given my wife primarily uses this vehicle (with two very young children in back), this created a very dangerous scenario! When I went to Nissan with the recall information, I was told that “My VIN number didn’t qualify”, despite that the symptoms were identical to everything listed in the recall listing (and that Nissan had to perform the work, as specifically listed in the recall… replacing the Camshaft sensor/assembly and taking $655.10 from my wallet. I’d appreciate any feedback as to the recourse others have been successful taking or know of anyone’s VIN that was in fact “on the list”. Thanks. We hadn’t had any major problems with the vehicle until 2009, but have put well over $2K in it this year… wishing for a better 2010.
I have a 2003 Murano I purchase used in 2007, have had no problems until just recently. Nissan sent me a recall notice in Oct 2009 concerning air intake. My car died in traffic January 22, 2010 and the check engine light came on the next week. I took it to Nissan Feb 1 and they changed intake, fixed seat belt recall and ordered alternator and gas cap recalls. They told me the check engine was due to right cam sensor – but offered no recall. They also wanted to changes belts and a light bulb totaling $254 for my recall visit … NO THANKS!
I have had a myriad of problems with my Murano. Replaced four wheel bearings. {2 X each front bearing} Each set of bearings was $800. Had to replace the ABS sensor at the same time because the mechanic snapped it while replacing the bearings.
Replaced the driver’s side window when it fell out of it’s housing while driving down the road – $400 repair.
Driver’s side seat snapped while my wife was turning a corner. $1400 repair.
There is a terribly annoying clicking noise from the back right rear seat door. Nissan can not duplicate it but it happens all the time.
I lost one of the $350 keys and remotes. I purchased a new one and had the remote programmed. Driving home, the car died. I was able to restart it – so the dealer said it could not be the fault of the reprogramming – that JUST HAD BEEN DONE – and we would have to have the car towed back to the dealership. They fixed the problem {no charge] but no apology, nothing.
Recently, the Catalytic Converter has failed and the engine lost 2 litres of oil. The engine was fully compromised, but because my engine is under 130,000 km, my Nissan Dealer will replace the engine for free. This is a $7000.00 repair, I am told.
When they repace the engine, they will also replace two worn out struts {not sure this is exactly what they are but they hold the tie rod ends – part of the suspension} for another $400.
This vehicle is my worst nightmare. In fact, I had a nightmare about driving off a cliff in the Murano. The good of this is that we hit a lake, and for some reason, in the nightmare, I was able to get out of the vehicle, tred water, while my family got out of the vehicle and swam to shore. I then smiled, and let the car go and it sank to 600 feet. In the dream now, I met with the insurance agent and he offered to replace the Murano, I said, “Thanks but no thanks.”
All this said, I LOVE DRIVING MY MURANO!
Doug
I purchased a used 2003 Nissan Murano 18 months ago and have had to take in every 3-4 months for the same Cam Positin Sensor issue. At first it idles rough when starting and ocassionally hesitates or stalls in traffic. Then the “Service Engine Soon”like comes on. It starts to stall and you get the sensation of hitting a pothole or a slight bang when it recovers. I have replced both cam position sensors, about $375 each and was told by the Nissan dealer other sensors could go bad. On the third occassion when it cut out completely, no power, brakes or lights,while on the highway, I discovered that a wire on the positve terminal box on battery was shorting out. This may not have been related to the first 2 repairs but the simptoms were similar. Now the rough idle, hesitating, and “Service Engine Soon” light are back and I am furious. Nissan claims there were recalls for the cicuit board, but not in my Vin Number. Not sure which step to take next, but I am getting afraid to drive it so I will have to take it to the dealer again. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Doug- I have the same noise with my 2003 Murano. There is a plastic piece on the bottom of the car that broke. I think it is a piece that protects the gas tank.
@Doug and @Becky
I just recently used some bailing wire to hold the plastic gas tank guards back to the frame. It looks like they were held on with some type of plastic rivet, but those were long gone and the piece was actually dragging on the ground. I did have a clacking type noise when the wind would make the plastic hit against the frame.
The almost free bailing wire solution worked perfectly.
Thanks for dropping the helpful tip Becky!
After living in the UK for about a year and a half I came home to find my 2003 Murano was having these same issues. However, there was a recall for an intake ducts. After having my car serviced for this in February, the problem seemed to be fixed. Here we are in June and it has started again but my service engine light has come on. Luckily there is a local auto parts place (Auto Zone) who run free diagnosics and were able to tell me that it has to do with the camshaft position sensor. They felt it was most likely a loose connection. I’m keeping my fingers crossed I can find someone to locate and fix thisconnection becuase I too do not fall under the recall and am hoping not to have to hand over hundreds of dollars to my local dealers who has been anything but helpful when I called regarding the matter. When asked if it was safe to drive to the dealership the woman responded by telling me “it’s hard to say, it depends on if your comfortable with it or not”. What kind of answer is that?!
I have a 2004 nissan sentra and I have the same problems.Car does not start up right away and it dies whike driving it doesnt matter at what speed.recalls didnt apply to me.I had the crankshaft sensor fixed didnt do nothing.Mechanic said it was the fuel pump so I got that fixed.That actually fixed the problem of my car starting right away.Although it still died.He says the new pump was missing the sensor so thats the reason why.Now my car has done something completely new.It wont let me drive faster then 20mph.If I floor it the rmp moves but thats all.Now the engine sounds horrible.Im so sick and tired of this POS that I just wanna get rid of it.Unfortunetely its not that easy for me.I been reading it could be the ECU.Once again I will be spending more $$$ and I hope this is the end of it.This car is so not even worth it.
@Heather – Camshaft sensor are badly designed on this model from what my research has said. That was the reason for the recall. They are placed such that they overheat and burn out. I replaced one sensor twice and the other one once before those problems went away.
Next up is the hesitation from a stop after sitting in traffic, and that is the transmission from what I can conclude. Hopefully it is covered under the extended transmission warranty.
@Vanessa,
Those problems sound like they might be a transmission problems. I might recommend taking it to a dealer when the problem is reproducible. They can pull the codes and test drive and hopefully replace the transmission for free if you still have under 120,000 miles on it.
Mine hesitates badly after we sit in stop and go traffic. This sounds like a sensor in the transmission. Usually, turning the car off and then back on fixes the issue, but it is getting worse and worse. Probably would be 3 – $5,000 to fix.
Hey Everyone so I have a similar story across the board and I have some things that I did to fix this issue that I want all you to know…Let me first tell how it happened….BY THE WAY I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN MURANO WITH 81 THOUSAND MILES ON IT (I KNOW THIS IS A LONG POST SO JUST BARE WITH ME PLEASE)
I went out of town for about 2 weeks and my car had been sitting in my garage the whole time..I live in southern AZ so it gets really hot here as you all know! especially during the summer time! Anyways I came home to a dead battery…OK dead battery…need a new one..So went out and got a Duralast…So new battery was in and the next morning I drove my car down to get cigarettes and gas…I was on complete EMPTY…I advise all Murano owners and just all car owners in general to never get to empty on gas cause the sludge & residue goes to the very bottom of your tank and can produce build up. As I was leaving the garage to get gas the SES light came on but I had no issues that I realized when driving…So I went down to AutoZone for a free diagnostic and that code p0021 came up(The sensors for cam shaft etc.)So I did some googling on the trouble shooting code p0021 and saw that it was a common occurrence for Nissan owners…I then noticed the recall to it…AS LIKE EVERYONE HERE, MY VIN # WAS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEMS MATCH EXACTLY…I called Nissan and just got into a whirlwind of BS with them…they said they escalated my issue and a higher up person would call me by the end of the next day…it has now been 5 days and haven’t heard from anyone. The first lady I talked to said I needed a diagnostic done at Nissan first to get things rolling, but she said she had no idea if Nissan would pick up the costs of the repairs…NISSAN DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AT ALL.
So I did some more research on the web and again I saw over hundreds of people having the same issue..by the way here is what the summary of that recall is for the cam sensors issue “…CAM POSITION SENSOR MAY HAVE AN IMPROPER SOLDER JOINT DUE TO SOLDER DEFORMATION CAUSED BY HEAT STRESS…” HELLO NISSAN… I LIVE IN AZ OBVIOUSLY THERE IS ALOT OF HEAT STRESS…BUT NISSAN COULD CARE LESS.
So with all the info I gathered I came to the idea of resetting my car by disconnecting the battery for at-least 30 min…ALL OF A SUDDEN MY SES LIGHT WENT OFF!! BUT THAT WAS NOT THE END OF THIS FOR ME…I HATE NISSAN! Later on that same day I was driving and I got to a stop light to take a turn…Light went green but my car had no engine power…it was hesitating the acceleration big time…but then the problem went away after it happened a few times…So I did more research and in this recall iT states “THIS COULD CAUSE THE “SERVICE ENGINE SOON” WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON, CREATE A NO START CONDITION, *CAUSE REDUCED ENGINE POWER*, OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH” I called Nissan again and of course as usual they could care less…What if I had gotten into an accident? I hear LAW SUIT people!!
With more research I noticed that this problem could be caused by my oil or lack of oil, or oil pressure…Well I checked my oil and surprisingly it was low…these Muranos go through oil like no other car out there…So it seems that all this came from a LACK OF OIL!!!! AND IT HADN’T BEEN SO LONG IN BETWEEN MY LAST OIL CHANGE…MY CAR TODAY IS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AND A FEW LIL’ CHECK UPS B/C IM TAKING THIS CAR TO CALI FOR A ROAD TRIP! I AM HOPING MAYBE SOMEONE ON THIS FORUM READ THIS WITH IN THE NEXT FEW HOURS SO I CAN GET ADVICE ON WHAT KIND OF OIL I SHOULD USE? I AM THINKING 5W 30 CASTROL OR MOBIL 1 SYNTHETIC…THE GUY AT FLETCHERS AUTO & TIRE SAID HE WOULD USE A SEMI SYNTHETIC OIL FOR MY CAR..ANYBODY HAVE SUGGESTIONS ON THE OIL CHANGE AND ALSO IF I SHOULD USE ANY ADDITIVES??????????
I AM SEEING THAT ALOT OF NISSAN/MURANO OWNERS ARE USING SYNTHETIC ESPECIALLY IF U HAVE AN AGING CAR. I AM ALMOST POSITIVE THAT ALOT OF OUR PROBLEMS STEM FROM OIL ISSUES AND LACK OF OIL CHANGES OVER TIME.
SO GUYS CHECK YOUR OIL AND FILTERS AND ALSO THROW SOME LUCAS CLEANER IN THERE…THAT IS WHAT I DID!
AS FAR AS NISSAN AND THE ISSUES WITH THE RECALL ALSO NOT TO MENTION I FIXED AN ISSUE LAST YEAR THAT WAS A RECALL BUT YET AGAIN MY CAR IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL FOR NISSAN.
I WILL BE WRITING THEM A LETTER…I WILL INCLUDE IN THE LETTER THAT I WILL NEVER EVER BUY A NISSAN AND THAT I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO ADVERTISE HOW BAD NISSAN IS TO THE PUBLIC…THEY MAKE THESE CARS THAT HAVE OCCURRING PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING IN…WHAT IF I HAD GOTTEN IN AN ACCIDENT…I SEE LAW SUIT PEOPLE…EVERYONE DEFINITELY PLEASE ALSO WRITE A LETTER TO THEM SO MAYBE WE ACTUALLY GET SOME SORT OF COMPENSATION FOR THE MONEY WE HAVE SPENT…IF I DIDNT GO ABOUT THINGS MYSELF I GUESS I WOULD HAVE PAID OVER 500 DOLLARS AT THE DELEARSHIP TO GET IT FIXED AND SENSORS REPLACED…BUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE DONE THIS AND THE PROBLEM JUST COME BACK! NISSAN IS HORRIBLE AND I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THEM. ALSO I WAS TOLD A HIGHER UP PERSON WAS GOING TO CALL ME FROM NISSAN BUT NO CALL SO FAR THIS WEEK AND IT IS FRIDAY! LETS TAKE NISSAN BY THE BALLS PEOPLE AND EXPRESS OUR CONCERNS!
SORRY FOR THE LENGTH OF THIS COMMENT PEOPLE…I WILL BE USING SOME OF THIS COMMENT IN MY LETTER TO NISSAN…THAT IS WHY IT IS SO LONG!
SO MURANO OWNERS KEEP UP WITH OIL CHANGES ON THE DOT EVERY 3,000 MILES….IT WILL PAY ITSELF OFF.
ALSO TO RESET YOUR SES LIGHT DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FOR AT-LEAST 30 MIN. THERE IS ALSO A WAY TO DO A SELF DIAGNOSTIC WITH USING THE KEY AND THE IGNITION…JUST GOOGLE “RESET SES LIGHT WITH USING THE KEY & IGNITON”
IF ANYONE READS THIS COMMENT SOON… PLEASE IF YOU KNOW WHAT IS RECOMMENDED FOR MY OIL CHANGE (BY THE WAY I HAVE 81K MILES ON IT) I WOULD APPRECIATE THE ADVISE…I FOUND A SITE ABOUT USING A BG ADDITIVE OR WHATNOT BUT I CANT FIND THE SITE AGAIN… ANY ADVICE PLEASE LET ME KNOW. PLEASEEEEE!!!!
Hmmmm . . . not that I would ever wish ill on anyone, any time, I am a nice guy, really . . . . but it is a little tiny bit heartwarming to see someone has had as many problems as me. . .
I replaced my engine, replaced the front wheel bearings, left and right, . . . . twice, including an ABS sensor wire {$285 part in Canada}, both front struts, all seals in the transmission {while the engine was out so it was a bargain at $300, I had the rocking chair syndrome – my wife’s back has been out since last October due to this – she wishes she sued Nissan at that time – quote for a new seat was $1450 . . . . but I can say my dealer has been quite good. The service manager ‘taught’ me how to complain to Nissan – they did nothing, mumbling the crido, ‘out of warranty’ etc, but then I documented everything, and although not everything has been fixed for free, I did get the engine {$8000} and the seat done for free. The rest could be consdered ‘maintenance’ I guess.
Funny, my friend Andrew told me when I got the Murano, “great doug, it will last forever, it is Japanese!”
I smile now.
As for oil, with the new engine, I am going synthetic all the way, and will change it, and a filter, every 3000 miles / 5000 Km
Good luck,
Doug
@ A.J.: Now that you’ve “memorialized” the fact that you knowingly avoided repairing your car when you KNEW it may be unsafe on the Web, your chances of success w/ any kind of lawsuit are cooked. Hope the rant made you feel better. ;o)
Your problem may indeed disable the vehicle, so hopefully you survived your trip, but I couldn’t bet on it.
You need to increase your oil weight to 20W-50 for a vehicle @ your mileage. Synthetic’s not gonna do anything but drain your wallet.
Resetting the DTC(s) will also do you NO GOOD if you do not fix the underlying problem. They are STORED in the PCM and will return if the computer senses the same issues. Bite the bullet, have it fixed, and if you want to file a claim w/ Nissan, so be it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news (if it makes you feel better, I’m burned too!), but risking getting stuck isn’t worth the $$ savings if you’re planning interstate driving.
Best of luck……..
HEY I MADE IT FINE!!! THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT..[edited] AND DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE 2003 NISSAN MURANO…OH YEAH AND I STILL HAVE MINE BY THE WAY AND I DIDNT HAVE TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OR EVEN 100 DOLLARS…WHY DON’T YOU CHECK YOUR SOURCES…[edited]… YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT ABOUT THE OIL BUT THAT IS IT!
I was researching this problem and came across your article. My wife called me today and said that her car stalled (again!!) , we have been having problems for about a year now with our 2003 Nissan Murano, we bought it brand new in 2003 and have 71,000 miles on it now. We have put a couple batterys in there thinking it was the battery and have had nothing but problems and I printed out the recall from safercar.gov and gave it to the dealership but like I just read in someone’s elses article the dealer said my vin # wasnt one of the recalls. Well I will tell you one thing, I will contact Nissan, the government and whoever else I have to to get reimbursed the $410.00 I put out for diagnostic and cam sensors today. I am glad its fixed but comon dont tell me the same problem and my 2003 Nissan doesnt have the recall. In 2003 I went into Nissan and owned 2 Ford cars, a Ford Expedition and a Ford Taurus. I came out a week later with a Nissan Murano and an Altima. So I can very easy go back to Ford or Toyota or anyone else. Lastly I will wait patiently for the survey to come from Nissan to see how happy I am with there service Dept also. I use to give them high grades but now I will blast them like I will on the phone come Monday morning when the offfices open back up . Thanks everyone for sharing your Nightmare about our disaturus 2003 Nissan Murano’s , its time to get reimbursed. Jim Dickerson Egg Harbor Township NJ 08234
I am having the same problems I was almost rear ended by a Mack truck last month “seriously” my car keeps shutting down on me while driving! I purchased my Nissan new in 03.This is not the first time it has shut down on me while driving at high speed; the first time it was the alternator or something along those lines come to find out there was a recall on it this happened after the car was only 2 yrs old. Today I changed the position sensor my local auto parts store pulled a code saying the #1 camshaft sensor was bad I changed it and when I started the car it continues to idle funny and when I press the gas the RMP’s move funny. I Too will never purchase a Nissan again “DANGEROUS CAR” and the level to which the dealership respond reminds me of when my elementary school poured speed bumps after a crossing guard was killed “slow…….to…respond…. .I don’t trust my $30,000 Nissan out-side of my small town and I refuse to let my small children into it I WOULD RATHER THEY RIDE IN MY NEIGHBORS 1987 FORD ESCORT .My plan was to keep this car until it bit the dust what I didn’t anticipate was having it for only 8yrs with seemingly un resolvable issues. If anyone needs help complaining about this let’s pool together while we’re all still alive and do something about this I want and demand a return on my investment at least 20 yrs of a operational car oil, gas ,and a tune-ups is all I’ve done to any car I’ve owned “TOYOTA ROCKSâ€. My Murano also makes funny noises like marbles when I start it the noise goes away after a second or two maybe Nissan will address this after one or two people are killed.”ANYWAYS” FEEL FREE TO CALL ME LETS MAKE THESE FOLKS OWN UP TO AND FIX THEIR FLAWED CRAPOMOBILE 985-628-0443 MIKE
P.S “IS THIS PART OF THE PONSI SCHEME!!!!!!!”
Hi i have the same problem the engine light comes on every-time and I’ve had it replaced now it’s the second time it’s come on..plzz can u help me what do i do or the best thing to do should i sell the Murano..
Hi, I have the exact same problem! 2003 Murano engine light on, stop all of a sudden while driving it! Call Nissan, said VIN number doesn’t show any recall. No other way but paying to fix it out of my own pocket. Pray problem won’t happen again. Thinking of selling it, but only 67000 miles, would lose a lot of money trading it. And I definitely would wanna SUE Nissan!!! This is really unresponsible!!
I am facing the same!!
do you recommend to replace the sensors?
or fix something else?
My check engine light keeps on coming on. They say is the sensor. Can some body offer some help
yes my 2003 Murano does the same, i almost killed myself! the pos SUV died in the highway, n it would only start back up if i hit the accelerator, boohoo! i called Nissan and the dealer n nothing! sorry sir no recalls considering that issue!!!!!WTF. I guess i’m going to replace the sensor(Camshaft)!
(UPDATE) Message to all Nissan Murano owners (but mainly this message is for the 03′ to 04′ models)
MANY OF US MURANO OWNERS ARE RUNNING INTO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THIS WHOLE ISSUE WITH HESITATION IN ACCELERATION.
THERE HAS BEEN A FILED INVESTIGATION ON THESE ISSUES. THOUGH FOR NISSAN TO REALLY START DOING ANYTHING TO HELP US, WE ALL NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT & INVESTIGATION. MANY OF US MURANO OWNERS HAVE ALREADY DONE THIS.
EVERYONE PLEASE FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING LINK AND FILE YOUR CLAIM.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/complaintsearch.cfm
(YOU CAN LOOK AT MY COMPLAINT BY SEARCHING MY ODI NUMBER, WHICH IS 10411870)
THE CHANCE OF NISSAN DOING ANYTHING IS THERE, BUT WE NEED MORE MURANO OWNERS TO FILE THEIR COMPLAINT
WE ALL NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND STICK WITH ISSUE. PEOPLE HAVE RECENTLY GOTTEN THEIR CAR FIXED BY NISSAN, AND THEY DID THIS BY NOT LETTING DOWN! NISSAN HAS NO CARE FOR OUR SAFETY AND THEY ARE REAPING US OF OUR MONEY FROM A FLAW THEY CAUSED THEMSELVES.
NISSAN KNOWS WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS BUT THEY DON’T SEEM TO CARE ONE BIT ABOUT OUR CAR AND OUR SAFETY. HEARING THAT MURANOS ARE DYING ON THE INTERSTATE IS A HUGE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS PROBLEMS AS WELL.
Oh and here is a link to other forums where Murano owners have posted the exact same issues with their car.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX/.f133968/111
NISSAN KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE NOT OWNING UP TO THIER OWN MISTAKES.
I HAVE HAD A NIGHTMARE WITH MY 2003 NISSAN MURANO. I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2005 WITH 65,000 MILES AND WITHIN ONE MONTH I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I AM HAVING SAME PROBLEMS WITH MINE. BUT HAVE PUT MANY MANY MANY $$$$$ INTO IT TO GET IT FIXED AND DON’T THINK MY PROBLEMS ARE OVER YET.. I HAVE REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING TWICE ON BOTH SIDES, THE COMPUTER IN IT, ALOT OF DIFFERENT SENSORS AND REALLY CANT REMEMBER EVERYTHING I HAVE REPLACED. I HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS $$$$ ON THIS CAR IT NOW HAS 134 THOUSAND ON IT. OH AND IT DOES BURN OIL HAVE TO CHECK IT EVERY OTHER DAY. I CAN’T EVEN TRUST IT TO GO ON A ROAD TRIP AT ALL. I WNAT TO TRADE IT BUT HUSBAND SAID HE IS GOING TO DRIVE IT TILL IT DIES BECAUSE WE HAVE PUT TO MUCH MONEY INTO IT. I AM AT WITS END WITH MY NIGHTMARE. I AM GOING TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND AS SOMEONE ELSE SAYS MAYBE IF ENOUGH OF US DO JUST MAYBE THEY WILL DO SOMETHING, “BUT THEY WOULD GO BANKRUPT IF THEY HAVE TO COMPISATE EVERYONE” BUT THAT WOULD BE GOOD CAUSE THEN THEY COULD NOT SELL ANYMORE OF THESE NIGHTMARES. WELL I GUESS THIS STORY WASN’T TO SHORT LOL
Finally!!!!!!!!!! I thought that my POS 2003 Nissan Morano was the only one! This is my first car that my parents bought for me back in 2005. It had low miles and was a great car till about late 2006 when it decided to not start up whenever it was “hot” outside. I would put my keys in the freezer and then it would start right up. Then the problem progressed to not starting in the winter as well and then just recently I will be driving down the road and when I slow down at a red light or to turn around a corner the car will shut off without warning and the “Service engine soon” light will pop up. It has done this to me four times now in traffic IN INTERSECTIONS!!!!! I am both pissed and relieved that this problem is not just in my car alone. Does changing out the cam shaft help or is this a money pit that I should drive off of a cliff???
This is crazy!! I love my Moo but do not love the problems!! We have replaced all crank shaft and timing sensors and still it does not want to start. Never imagined I would have so much trouble with a car I love so much!
It sounds sort like my problem is like I have no energy at all on my 06 nissan murano it doesn’t want to start up and nissan dealership doesn’t know why is not sending more energy (power) to the engine to start up.
I am in total agreement with all the previous complaints. I purchased a used 2003 Nissan Murano in April 2014, it had 87,500 miles on it. I complained to the dealership about the same aforementioned problems. The dealership that sold me the vehicle had a diagnostic test performed then later told me there wasn’t a problem. I was told that the vehicle needed some C-Foam installed to clean out the fuel and oil system. It is now October 2014 and, my vehicle is stalling out and hesitating during acceleration which is life threatening . I purchased a ” Extended Warranty” and I will be pursuing all problems that’s covered within the warranty . I did not have a computer before I purchased my vehicle which was a great mistake.
Nissan Murano 2003 has been cutting out while in motion since 3/11/15
VERY UNSAFE. I just filed a complaint 10702447
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/
Recalls posted on care safety gov site:
http://wwwodi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResultsByUrlCode.action?
referenceSearch.requestId=45839&referenceSearch.urlCode=VVANYOQL53PIMW1
RECALL Subject : INTAKE AIR DUCTS/RESONATOR
Report Receipt Date: MAY 19, 2009
NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V169000
Component(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING RECALL
Subject : WIRE BREAKING INSIDE ALTERNATOR , 1
INVESTIGATION(S) Report Receipt Date: NOV 17, 2003
NHTSA Campaign Number: 03V455000
Component(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Hello how r u guys doing my name is vincent esquivel jr and I’m a very dissapointed customers of nissan in particular I made the mistake of purchasing a 03 murano which out of every car that i have owned bought lost got stolen towed by police wrecked sold giving away whatever the case may be this is by far the dumbest car I have ever laid eyes on I really wish that this was my fault it would make me feel a lil better about it but no this is the 1st time I’m going thru anything lyk this the lemon of an SUV broke down and from what I’m told by the nissan dealership says I blew the engine but were so quick to say that I can trade it in to get another one well another nissan and I almost did it but anyways the engine blew and come to find out that exact year of Murano had alot of recalls on it so at the time I’m like ok good well then that means that the dealership has to fix it for free and I was confident that they would honor they’re recall or whatever yea ryt they were so full of shit they 1st tryd to give me the run around and tell me I had to take it to another one then once we got past that hurdle they then tryd to tell me that yes my year murano had recalls but my vin# didnt have any recalls is there anybody out there that can help me understand how that works..pleeeezzzzz tell me and 2 I wanted to say I’m so pised off about this situation and how they’re pretty much saying we are s.o.l and they’re not gonna do nothing about it so long story even shorter I’m really serious about starting up a protest at the nearest nissan dealership I have a feeling that’s about the only way to get something done about this they are dead wrong for not doing the right thing what’s right is right and they’re absolutely wrong I just want them to do the right thing you cannot do people like that we work hard for everything we own and by no means should any car mogile or whatever u wana call it be getting over and doing bad biznis and most of all putting family’s and lives at risk of possible death I am not pleased with nissan at all