2003 Nissan Murano: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Nissan Murano: 6 recalls, 800 owner complaints and up to 20 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #03V123000 · 2003 · 128 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles, the nut that attaches the transmission gear selector shaft to the control valve lever in the transmission May not be adequately tightened. This could result in the transmission not actually being in the gear indicated by the gear selector lever. In addition, the transmission position display in the instrument panel May not be on or May be incorrect.
Why it matters: If the gear displayed is different from the gear engaged, this could result in unexpected vehicle movement and a crash.
The fix: Dealers will check the affected nut in the transmission shift lever linkage, and tighten it if necessary. Owner notification began April 15, 2003.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #03V455000 · 2003 · 630,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will replace the crank position sensors. Camshaft position sensor(s), and in some cases, the variable timing control sensor(s). Vehicles involved in a previous recall campaign, 01v357, are also included in this new campaign. The replacement sensors used in that campaign are also affected.…
Electrical Vehicle recall #05V319000 · 2005 · 125,466 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain sport utility vehicles, there is a possibility that a wire breaking inside the alternator could stop the battery from charging.
Why it matters: If this happens, the charger warning and brake warning lamps will immediately come on and the battery will begin to discharge. After a short time, the engine will go into a "fall safe" condition which will limit vehicle speed. The engine will stop running which could result in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the alternator with a new version which has been modified to prevent movement of the coil. The recall began on August 1, 2005.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #06V003000 · 2006 · 205,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A punctured tank could increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Dealers will install protectors in front of the tank free of charge. The recall began on March 20, 2006.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #06V048000 · 2006 · 203,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the webbing is completely separated, it can increase the risk of injury to an occupant in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install protectors over the webbing of the rear seat belts. The recall began on March 20, 2006.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #09V169000 · 2009 · 362,891 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Engine May stall increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace/repair the appropriate components free of charge. The recall began on September 24, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (265): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (66), stalls / loses power (48), noise or vibration (35).
- Electrical (187): the most common themes are electrical failure (95), stalls / loses power (65), warning light on (45).
- Seats (111): the most common themes are noise or vibration (7).
- Engine & cooling (98): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (47), warning light on (37).
The 2003 Nissan Murano has 800 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 24 Murano model years for complaints (3.2× the average Murano year). Complaints peaked in 2009 (109 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 72,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (678 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Nissan Murano.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Nissan Murano have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2003 Nissan Murano. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2003 Nissan Murano problems?
Owners have filed 800 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (265), electrical (187), seats (111).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Murano get?
EPA ratings run up to 20 mpg combined (3.5 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Nissan Murano repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.