NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 135 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Murano. Most complaints involve power train (30) and air bags (26). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 MURANO AND ROGUE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2012. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138,TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Murano model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 799 |
| 2004 | 678 |
| 2005 | 987 |
| 2006 | 803 |
| 2007 | 675 |
| 2009 | 635 |
| 2010 | 193 |
| 2011 | 148 |
| 2012 | 135 |
| 2013 | 74 |
| 2014 | 145 |
| 2015 | 204 |
| 2016 | 108 |
| 2017 | 107 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 44 |
| 2020 | 48 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 4 |
“This car I purchased two months ago has the Cvt transmission in it and has proven unsafe for regular traffic let alone highway driving. It randomly “lurches” , has a loss of power and hesitates when accelerating or lane changing .”
“I purchased 2012 Nissan Murano in Jul 2012. Recently the Airbag light is on and keeps flashing when start the car. It happened since 6 months ago. I sent my car to the local Nissan Dealer, they charged me $149 diagnostic fee + $1500 to replace the Airbag DIAG unit under the center console. After the replacement, the airbag light is still on and flashing. My car cannot pass the annual inspection because of the airbag light. It's a big safety concern. The dealer told me I need to get the passenger seat bottom sensor replaced, the pars has been discontinued. I am very surprised the airbag is related safety issue, Why Nissan discontinued the parts? And I google this issue, many Nissan car owners have the same airbag light issue. This is the most common issue and related to the customer safety. Nissan should recall it. I paid more than $1500 dollar, cannot get my problem fixed. It's unacceptable!”
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the contact and the front seat passenger attempted to exit the vehicle, but all the doors failed to unlock. Additionally, the steering wheel was locked upside down. The contact stated that the engine started to overheat, and the front seat passenger had a panic attack. The contact called 911. The Fire Department arrived but was unable to forcefully open the doors. The Fire Department broke the rear passenger's side window and was able to unlock the doors. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the main fuse box was blown and melted. The mechanic determined that the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred the following morning. The contact was able to open and enter the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to start. The contact was able to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was able to restart. The dealer determined that a fuse in the steering column might have been blown. The dealer informed the contact that…”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murano AWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Murano FWD Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | $3,200 | 444 |
| Murano CrossCabriolet Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $4,200 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall 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.
Owners filed 135 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (30), air bags (26), electrical system (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Murano at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Nissan Murano 4 out of 5 stars overall.