VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Nissan Murano2003–2024
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Nissan Murano
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Nissan Murano Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 615 complaints
14 reported injuries
Top issue: SEATS
4 recalls · 550 complaints
5 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1 recall · 454 complaints
7 reported injuries
Top issue: SEATS
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 3 past investigations into the Murano became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Nissan Murano — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 99 | 75 | 91 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 99 | 85 | 94 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 5 | — | — | 99 | 92 | 97 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 99 | 95 | 98 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 2 | 27 | — | — | 90 | 94 | 91 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 0 | 35 | 3 | — | 85 | 90 | 87 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 90 | 2 | — | 74 | 84 | 78 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 69 | 9 | — | 74 | 77 | 75 | Good |
| 2016 | 3 | 80 | 1 | — | 74 | 70 | 73 | Good |
| 2015 | 3 | 143 | 4 | — | 74 | 63 | 70 | Good |
| 2014 | 0 | 75 | 4 | — | 74 | 57 | 68 | Good |
| 2013 | 0 | 47 | 3 | — | 78 | 52 | 69 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 0 | 67 | 1 | — | 74 | 48 | 65 | Good |
| 2011 | 0 | 78 | 2 | — | 74 | 45 | 64 | Good |
| 2010 | 0 | 101 | 6 | — | 74 | 45 | 64 | Good |
| 2009 | 2 | 388 | 11 | — | 74 | 45 | 64 | Caution |
| 2008 | 0 | 4 | — | — | 99 | 45 | 80 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 1 | 454 | 7 | — | 74 | 45 | 64 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 2 | 434 | 7 | — | 74 | 45 | 64 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 3 | 615 | 14 | — | 74 | 45 | 64 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 2 | 423 | 18 | — | 74 | 45 | 64 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 4 | 550 | 5 | 1 | 74 | 45 | 64 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Nissan Murano Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Murano compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 98).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 75).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Murano to buy?+
The 2021 Nissan Murano scores highest on our Buyer Score (98/100) — combining a reliability score of 99/100 with a value score of 95/100. It has 0 recalls and 10 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Murano years have the most problems?+
The 2005, 2003, 2007 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2005 Murano leads with 3 recalls and 615 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Murano problems?+
The most frequently reported Nissan Murano issues involve: SEATS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, VISIBILITY. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.