Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Nissan Murano?

Based on our data, the Nissan Murano is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Nissan Murano?

The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Nissan Murano (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda CR-V or the Nissan Murano?

The Nissan Murano has fewer owner complaints (134) versus 5017 for the Honda CR-V. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda CR-V or the Nissan Murano?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $507/year for the Nissan Murano.

Is the Honda CR-V or Nissan Murano safer?

Both the Honda CR-V and Nissan Murano received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Murano: Reliability Compared

Honda CR-V

Good

More Reliable

Nissan Murano

Good

Choosing between the Honda CR-V and the Nissan Murano? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Nissan Murano currently leads with an average score of 79/100 compared to 74/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Honda CR-V and Nissan Murano Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Honda CR-V is in its sixth generation, introduced in 2023. Being relatively early in its lifecycle, it might still be experiencing early production issues typical of new platforms. The previous fifth-generation CR-V, which ran from 2017 to 2022, was known for its reliability, especially after its 2020 facelift, benefiting from a mature design. In contrast, the Nissan Murano has just entered its fourth generation in 2025. Like the current CR-V, it is early in its generation cycle, which can sometimes result in teething problems. The third-generation Murano, spanning from 2015 to 2024, underwent a minor update in 2020 and was generally regarded as reliable due to its mature platform.

Verdict

The Nissan Murano is more reliable than the Honda CR-V, scoring 79/100 vs 74/100.

The Nissan Murano edges out the Honda CR-V in reliability with a higher average reliability score of 79 compared to 74 and significantly fewer recalls over eight years—5 for the Murano versus 46 for the CR-V. While the CR-V has a lower estimated annual repair cost of $407, the Murano's complaint rate is notably lower, with only 134 total complaints versus 8 per 10,000 sold for the CR-V. Both models share issues with forward collision avoidance and the electrical system, but the Murano's recall and complaint records suggest it may offer a more dependable ownership experience overall.

Key Differences

1Honda CR-V costs $100 less per year to repair
2Nissan Murano has 41 fewer total recalls
3Nissan Murano scores 5 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

3Honda CR-V

—

2Nissan Murano

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Murano: Which Is More Reliable?

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Murano at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Honda CR-V	Nissan Murano
Reliability Score	74/100	79/100
Years Tracked	9	8
Total Recalls	46	5
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	5017	134
Annual Repair Cost	$407/yr	$507/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk	9%	14%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	1 (1 tied)	5 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Honda CR-V and Nissan Murano?

The Honda CR-V and Nissan Murano exhibit distinct problem profiles, with the CR-V encountering significantly more complaints overall. The CR-V's most severe issues involve the steering system, with 1,159 complaints and 24 crash-linked incidents, and the forward collision avoidance system, accumulating 656 complaints with 13 linked to crashes. In contrast, the Murano's complaint volume is notably lower, with its most reported issue being in the "unknown or other" category at 24 complaints and 1 crash-linked incident. Although both vehicles face challenges with forward collision avoidance and service brakes, the CR-V has a broader range of issues, particularly in critical safety components like steering and brakes, compared to the Murano.

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Murano common problem areas comparison
Component	Honda CR-V	Nissan Murano
STEERING	1159	4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	656	21
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	553	8
ENGINE	494	—
FUEL SYSTEM	358	—
SERVICE BRAKES	283	9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	197	24
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	169	—
POWER TRAIN	146	6
AIR BAGS	106	5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	100	4
VISIBILITY/WIPER	57	4
LANE DEPARTURE	9	2
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	4	—
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	—	4
STRUCTURE	2	—
EQUIPMENT	—	2
SEAT BELTS	—	2
SUSPENSION	—	2

Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Honda CR-V or Nissan Murano?

Independent repair cost data reveals that the Honda CR-V is a more economical choice for maintenance and repair compared to the Nissan Murano. With an annual repair cost of $407, the CR-V is $100 cheaper per year than the Murano, translating to a $500 savings over five years. Additionally, the CR-V has a lower repair frequency at 0.3 visits per year versus the Murano's 0.5 visits. The risk of a major repair is also lower for the CR-V at 9%, compared to 14% for the Murano. For cost-conscious buyers, the Honda CR-V offers better value through reduced repair costs and lower risks.

How Does Honda CR-V vs Nissan Murano Reliability Compare by Year?

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Murano year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Honda CR-V	Nissan Murano	Edge
2025	80/1006R / 201C	74/1002R / 14C	Honda CR-V
2023	72/1007R / 578C	82/1000R / 6C	Nissan Murano
2022	76/1005R / 242C	82/1000R / 5C	Nissan Murano
2021	77/1003R / 241C	82/1000R / 14C	Nissan Murano
2020	74/10010R / 358C	74/1002R / 41C	Tie
2019	69/1007R / 996C	77/1001R / 39C	Nissan Murano
2018	65/1004R / 1960C	82/1000R / 14C	Nissan Murano
2026(predicted)	76/100(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	Nissan Murano

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Honda CR-V scored 80/100 and the 2023 Nissan Murano scored 82/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Honda CR-V vs the Nissan Murano?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer repair visits, the Honda CR-V might be the better choice for you. With an estimated annual repair cost of $407 and a lower repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, it presents a more economical option in terms of maintenance. Despite a slightly lower reliability score of 74, the CR-V stands out with a lower risk of major repairs at 9% and fewer owner complaints per 10,000 sold, indicating a more stable ownership experience. On the other hand, if you value a higher reliability score and fewer recalls, the Nissan Murano could be more appealing. With a reliability score of 79 and only 5 total recalls, it suggests a robust build quality. However, bear in mind the Murano's higher estimated annual repair cost of $507 and a 14% major repair risk, which could impact long-term satisfaction. Choose the Murano if you prioritize initial reliability metrics over ongoing maintenance costs.

Honda CR-V vs Nissan Murano: Common Questions

Is the Honda CR-V more reliable than the Nissan Murano?: Based on our data, the Nissan Murano is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 74/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Honda CR-V or the Nissan Murano?: The Honda CR-V has more recalls (46) compared to the Nissan Murano (5). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Honda CR-V or the Nissan Murano?: The Nissan Murano has fewer owner complaints (134) versus 5017 for the Honda CR-V. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Honda CR-V or the Nissan Murano?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Honda CR-V is cheaper to maintain at $407/year versus $507/year for the Nissan Murano.
Is the Honda CR-V or Nissan Murano safer?: Both the Honda CR-V and Nissan Murano received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Honda CR-V comparisons

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More Nissan Murano comparisons

Nissan Murano vs Mazda CX-5 reliability Nissan Murano vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Nissan Murano vs Subaru Forester reliability Nissan Murano vs Chevrolet Equinox reliability Nissan Murano reliability by year Nissan Murano years to avoid

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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