Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Nissan MuranoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 803 owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Murano. Most complaints involve seats (402) and visibility (150). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2009
Owner complaints
803
Top: seats
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

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

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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

803 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2006 – Jun 2025
  1. Seats402
  2. Visibility150
  3. Power train43
  4. Steering38
  5. Suspension30
  6. Visibility/wiper29
  7. Electrical system26
  8. Engine24
  9. Fuel/propulsion system21

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
13
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
14
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Seats

402 reports2 crashes
“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -Front Driver Seat and the rear subframe. Yes How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -Seat moves around while driving. The subframe is bad, which if it broke could be dangerous. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -No, my husband is my mechanic Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -No. They seat was like that when we bought the car in 2021. The subframe was noticed last night.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 8, 2023Suspension, SeatsODI 11506185

Visibility

150 reports2 crashes
“PURCHASED 05 NISSAN MURANO IN FEB 06 NEW 03/06 800MG CAR NOT TURN ON THOUGHT IT IS WAS USE RADIO WHEN CAR IGNITION OFF. SUSP PROB FEEL BUMPS AXEL BOOT LEAKS, CONTINUOUS. NISSAN SAN LEANDRO CA DEALERSHIP SAID A ROCK MUST HAVE HIT IT. THERMO WENT OUT 2013. PAID NEW THERMO. LEFT THE DEALERSHIP STILL OVERHEAT. RETURNED TOLD STUCK GASKET ON NEW THERMO? UNDER WARRANT 10YR WHY NOT COVERED? 2011 WHILE DRIVIN NO WARNING CAR DECELERATED POWER WENT OFF@ 35. NISSAN DIDN'T ALERT ME TO ALTERNATOR RECALL I PAID 4 NEW ALTERNATOR. WHY WASN'T WARRANTY COVERED? IM ASK 4 REIMBURSEMENT FOR 650. NISSAN TOLD ME MY VIN ISN'T ON RECALL BULLETIN. PUT CLAIM INTO NISSAN CONSUMER AFF NOT REIMBURSE ME. CLAIM IN AUTO BUREAU [XXX] REP NOT REIMBURSE ME. NOW STEER PWR HOS BROKE RACK. REAR TIRES WEAR DIFF? NISSAN SAID DUE 2 FRONT WHL DR? MY OIL DRK NOW. NISSAN SAYS GOOD WILL GESTURE THEY'RE REPLACING LOWER ARM BUSHING CRACK @ THEIR EXPENSE, AREN'T THEY SWEET THIS CAR DRIVES LIKE [XXX] THIS CAR ONLY10 YRS OLD 82K MILES AND LOTS OF PROBLEMS, MY MECHANIC SAID THE TRANS WILL GO OUT EARLY IN THIS CAR. WHY IS NHTSA AND ATTY GENERAL ALLOWING JAPAN PARTS MFR T2 NOT B SUED OVER THESE SHITTY PLASTIC…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2015Suspension, Visibility, Seats, Equipment, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 10678723

Power train

43 reports
“this is the second transmission i have put in this.. these cvt's are complete garbage and nissan is aware of it. Stand behind your product for once and replace this transmission on your dime. Will drive perfect sometimes and then randomly 3k-5k rpms and wont shift. sometimes i can shut it off and restart it and it will work fine again. sometimes it wont and i have to drive around with excessively high rpms. Also what is this annoying air suction noise i hear under throttle, sounds like an intake or blow off valve. there are zero vaccum leaks,”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2022Power trainODI 11448312
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 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 27, 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 FWD
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
172319$3,400468
  • Murano FWD
    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
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 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 2006 Nissan Murano as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 1810
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

2006 Murano questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Murano have?

4 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 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 2006 Nissan Murano problems?

Owners filed 803 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seats (402), visibility (150), power train (43). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Nissan Murano get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Nissan Murano at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026