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Common problems / Nissan / 2015-2023 / 8 min read

Nissan Murano 2015-2023 common problems: comfort can hide CVT risk

The Z52 Nissan Murano is bought like a comfortable crossover, but it should be inspected like a drivetrain risk. The cabin is quiet, the V6 is smooth, and the shape feels more premium than the badge. That is exactly why buyers can miss CVT behavior, AWD vibration, coolant loss, oil leaks, brake wear, and camera or sensor faults until after purchase.

Why buyers get caught

The trap is simple: the Murano looks clean, the price looks fair, and the seller has an answer for everything. That is not enough. You still need to prove the history, the faults, and the year/spec risk.

Inspect the drivetrain before judging the cabin

The Murano's cabin can make a weak car feel calm. Spend the first part of the viewing on the unglamorous checks: CVT behavior at light throttle, AWD condition, tyre matching, fluid leaks, coolant evidence, brake feel, and warning lights. Comfort is only valuable after the expensive systems prove themselves.

The CVT test is about subtle behavior

Do not only floor it. A problem CVT may show itself through hesitation, flare, drone, judder, vibration, or a rumble-strip feeling during gentle acceleration and steady cruise. Test warm and cold if possible, and ask directly about fluid service, transmission complaints, and prior diagnosis.

  • Use gentle throttle from low speed and hold steady speed long enough to feel shudder.
  • Check for matching tyres and similar tread depths, especially on AWD cars.
  • Treat any transmission story without paperwork as unresolved risk.

A good Murano should feel uneventful

The right Z52 is smooth, dry, quiet, documented, and boring in all the right ways. It shifts without drama, holds temperature, stops straight, has working cameras and sensors, and does not need explanations. The wrong one feels almost fine, which is why the checks matter.

Year-by-year production differences

2015-2018

Early Z52 buyer focus

  • Prioritize CVT behavior, service evidence, infotainment function, camera operation, and coolant history.
  • Check suspension, tyres, brakes, and accident repair carefully because age is now working against these cars.

2019-2020

Mid-cycle cars

  • Do not assume a newer facelift-era car is safe without drivetrain and AWD checks.
  • Use price, history, tyre matching, and diagnostic evidence to separate clean cars from deferred-maintenance examples.

2021-2023

Newest used examples

  • Warranty history, collision repair, electronic faults, and service records matter because prices are still high enough to punish lazy buying.
  • A newer Murano should not have mystery shudder, warning lights, damp trim, or weak service evidence.

Common problems to check

CVT shudder, flare, hesitation, and transmission noise

Test gentle pull-away, light-throttle acceleration, steady cruise, hills, and parking-speed maneuvers. Shudder, flare, drone, hesitation, or warning lights should be priced as serious until properly diagnosed. Ask about CVT fluid service and prior complaints.

AWD transfer case vibration, leaks, and tyre mismatch

On AWD cars, check all four tyres for matching size, brand, and similar tread depth. Listen for vibration, rumble, clunks, or binding. Transfer-case and differential leaks are not small cosmetic findings; they affect the main reason many buyers choose the car.

Coolant leaks, overheating clues, oil leaks, and V6 service gaps

Check coolant level cold, residue around hoses and radiator areas, oil leaks, oil level, smoke, and temperature behavior. The V6 is smooth enough that buyers may ignore small fluid clues until the repair is no longer small.

Suspension knocks, brakes, tyres, and subframe corrosion

A Murano is heavy enough to wear tyres, brakes, bushes, shocks, and suspension arms. Check for uneven tyre wear, brake pulsation, seized calipers, steering vibration, rear suspension noise, and underside corrosion before accepting SUV comfort as proof of condition.

Infotainment, cameras, roof leaks, sensors, and accident repair

Test cameras, parking sensors, screen, Bluetooth, climate control, seats, windows, and driver-assistance warnings. Lift boot trim and check carpets for damp. A repaired crossover can look straight in photos but still carry wiring, leak, or calibration problems.

Ask before you travel

  • Can you show service invoices, not just stamps or a recent inspection?
  • Has it had warning lights, leaks, gearbox issues, electrical faults, or repeat repairs?
  • What would you fix next if you kept the car?
  • Has it had accident repair, paintwork, or major parts replaced?

Discount hard or walk away if

  • The seller cannot show service evidence.
  • Warning lights, leaks, noises, or uneven tyre wear are brushed off as normal.
  • The car is priced as clean but needs immediate work.
  • The story changes when you ask specific questions.

Should you use the full guide?

Buy the guide when you are viewing a 2015-2023 Murano, especially an AWD car, a higher-mileage example, a car with weak service records, or any listing where the seller avoids CVT questions.

The guide gives the part we do not publish here: best production years, years and specs to avoid, exact check order, cost context, and what each finding means for the price.

Open the Murano fault guide checklist