Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2005 Nissan MuranoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 987 owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Murano. Most complaints involve seats (456) and visibility (124). The EPA rates it 20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
987
Top: seats
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 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

Steering: anti-theft device

Free remedy

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." DURING AN INSPECTION OF SOME VEHICLES AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED WITH THE IGNITION KNOB IN THE "OFF" POSITION BUT THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION NOT BEING IN THE "PARK" POSITION.

SteeringReported Oct 20, 2006NHTSA 06V401000

Fuel system

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A FITTING FOR VAPOR RECIRCULATION, WHICH IS WELDED ON THE FUEL TANK, MAY COME OFF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE INCORRECT MATERIAL WAS USED.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 21, 2006NHTSA 06V054000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

987 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2005 – Sep 2026
  1. Seats456
  2. Visibility124
  3. Latches/locks/linkages118
  4. Electrical system102
  5. Power train56
  6. Air bags52
  7. Structure35
  8. Engine27
  9. Engine and engine cooling24

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
12
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
17
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Seats

456 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown part on the driver's side front seat fractured, causing the seat to wobble. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2022SeatsODI 11491819

Visibility

124 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISORS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 2, 2014VisibilityODI 10640918

Latches/locks/linkages

118 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE WITH A KEY. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2015Structure, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 10714740
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Front-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 Nov 11, 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 AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182320$3,100444
Murano FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182320$3,100444
  • Murano AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Murano FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    18 city · 23 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 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 2005 Nissan Murano as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1428
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

2005 Murano questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Murano have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2005 Nissan Murano problems?

Owners filed 987 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seats (456), visibility (124), latches/locks/linkages (118). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Nissan Murano get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Nissan Murano at 20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026