Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Nissan MuranoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 678 owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Murano. Most complaints involve power train (143) and visibility (124). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
678
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING 362,891 MY 2003-2007 MURANO VEHICLES. THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS, WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERMEDIATE RESONATOR IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE, MAY SEPARATE FROM THE RESONATOR WITH ENGINE MOVEMENT. THIS SEPARATION OCCURS DUE TO THE PREMATURE AGING OF THE MATERIAL USED IN THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS WHICH CAUSES EXCESSIVE SHRINKING.

Engine and engine coolingReported May 19, 2009NHTSA 09V169000

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, THE WEBBING OF A REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT MAY CONTACT THE REAR SEAT BACK HINGE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE HINGE.

Seat beltsReported Feb 13, 2006NHTSA 06V048000

Fuel system

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO THE LOCATION OF THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE FUEL TANK, IN THE EVENT THAT A VEHICLE FRONT TIRE RUNS OVER A SMALL, SHARP OBJECT IN THE ROAD, CATCHES IT AND PROPELS IT TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, IT MAY STRIKE AND PUNCTURE THE FUEL TANK.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 10, 2006NHTSA 06V003000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

678 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2003 – Jul 2025
  1. Power train143
  2. Visibility124
  3. Electrical system110
  4. Seats94
  5. Latches/locks/linkages48
  6. Engine44
  7. Engine and engine cooling38
  8. Vehicle speed control35
  9. Structure29

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Murano model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2003799
2004678
2005987
2006803
2007675
2009635
2010193
2011148
2012135
201374
2014145
2015204
2016108
2017107
201815
201944
202048
202117
20226
20238
20245
202525
20264
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
23
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

143 reports2 crashes
“MY 2004 NISSAN MURANO JERKS TO THE LEFT SIDE AS YOU GIVE IT GAS AND DRIVING. IT JUST JERKS ON IT'S OWN AND HEADS IN THE DIRECTION OF ANYTHING OR OBJECT THAT'S ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT AND TOLD THAT WAS ALL IT WAS AND BY REPLACING IT THAT IT WOULD STOP DOING THE JERKING. I CHANGED THE MOTOR MOUNT, WHICH NEEDED REPLACED ANYWAY, BUT IT DIDN'T CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN PUT YOU INTO ANOTHER CAR, DITCH, TREE, ETC.. I'VE SENT THIS PROBLEM IN BEFORE AND I'VE HAD NO RESPONSE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED!!! I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN IN MY CAR ALOT OF THE TIME AND IT'S TOO DANGEROUS TO EVEN PUT THEIR LIVES, MY LIFE, AND OTHER CARS IN THE WAY OF THIS HAZARD. I COULD KILL MULTIPLE INNOCENT PEOPLE BY DRIVING MY CAR. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE. I'VE CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND THERE'S NOT A RECALL FOR THIS PREVIOUS CAUSE. IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME ON ANY ROAD. CAN YOU PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION FOR ME? IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2020Suspension, Power train, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11338251

Visibility

124 reports1 crash
“THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR RANDOMLY DROPS DOWN WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN WANTS 400.00 TO REPLACE THE SUN VISOR. THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE. I HAVE GONE ONLINE THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2004 NISSAN MURANO'S SUNVISOR. I WANT TO ISSUE A FORMAL COMPLIANT ABOUT THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM! THIS HAPPENS DAILY. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2014VisibilityODI 10569172

Electrical system

110 reports1 crash5 fires
“Alternator went out this is the third one. I looked up the recalls on my car and there happened to be one on the alternator and I’ve reached out to Nissan dealership of Bakersfield and havnt received a response”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2021Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11444753
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Murano 2WD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200444
Murano AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200444
  • Murano 2WD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Murano AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Nissan Murano as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1237
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Murano questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Murano have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Nissan Murano problems?

Owners filed 678 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (143), visibility (124), electrical system (110). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Nissan Murano get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Nissan Murano at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026