Last updated: 2026-10-10
2020 Nissan Murano Reliability Report
The 2020 Nissan Murano rates good, but owners report automatic emergency braking that stops the car hard with nothing ahead.
Recalls
2
Complaints
41
Complaint Rate
N/A
Est. Repair Cost
$507
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,600
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Rates good and above its class, but trails the 2019 and 2021 years, with owner reports of emergency braking that triggers for no reason.
Top Issues to Watch
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (7)
- STEERING (4)
- SERVICE BRAKES (4)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2020 received a minor updates update for the Third generation (Z52).
- Changes: Updated front and rear fascias; New wheel design; Nissan Safety Shield 360 as standard for SV and SL models.
- Year 6 in this generation (2015–2024).
- 3rd generation Murano (US).
What this means for buyers
Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.
2015: Third generation (Z52) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2020: This Model Year (Refresh)
2020 received a minor updates update for the Third generation (Z52).
Should You Buy the 2020 Nissan Murano?
Good, but one of the weaker Murano years. It sits above average among 2020 SUVs, yet both neighbors rate better. The 2019 is also good, and the 2021 is excellent with far fewer complaints. The federal crash-test rating is 5 of 5 stars, and model-wide repair costs run $507 a year against $521 for its class.
Owner complaints center on safety systems. Automatic emergency braking can stop the car hard with nothing ahead, including repeatedly under certain overpasses at 40 to 50 mph. Dealers often find no codes and make no repair. Other owners report sudden braking at about 25 mph with a red warning screen. Some describe a lurch forward after shifting into Drive, and one crash report involved a street light and leg injuries from airbag deployment. Steering complaints include split front lower control arms and a heavy wheel. Federal records list two recalls, covering suspension and steering.
Ask for proof that both recalls were completed. On a test drive, check braking at city speeds and how the transmission engages when merging. Price a 2021 alongside it.
Compared to the 2021 Nissan Murano, which scored 8 points higher. See also the 2019 Nissan Murano for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +$14 cheaper to maintain than avg compact SUVs
- +Low major repair risk (14%)
- +Low recall count
Cons
- −UNKNOWN OR OTHER: Panoramic sunroof glass shatters without warning at highway speed (10 complaints)
- −FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: Automatic emergency braking brings the car to a hard stop when nothing is in... (7 complaints)
Compare 2020 Nissan Murano With
2020 Mazda CX-5
Reliability: 86/100
2020 Honda CR-V
Reliability: 74/100
2020 Jeep Cherokee
Reliability: 76/100
2020 Toyota RAV4
Reliability: 70/100
2020 Hyundai Tucson
Reliability: 73/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- UNKNOWN OR OTHER (10)
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (7)
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2020 Nissan Murano carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
41
complaintsSafety Incidents
1
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2020 Nissan Murano Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Nissan Murano. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
SUSPENSION, STEERING
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
Consequence
The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI owners may contact customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
STEERING
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano vehicles. The left and/or right-hand transverse link may not have been manufactured correctly, which could result in it separating from the ball joint.
Consequence
Ball joint separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transverse link's lot codes, and if necessary, replace them and perform a vehicle alignment, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 6, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC797.
Buying a used 2020 Nissan Murano? Check its history first
Forward collision avoidance problems lead owner complaints about the 2020 Nissan Murano, and 2 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2020 Nissan Murano NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 15.1%
Safety Technologies
Nissan MuranoRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$507
vs $521 avg for compact SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.5
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
14%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
Nissan Murano Resale Value
The Nissan Murano is estimated to retain about 56.8% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
This benchmark covers the Nissan Murano model overall and is not specific to the 2020 model year.
- Value Retained
- 56.8%
- Depreciation
- 43.2%
- Listings Analyzed
- 121
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Nissan Murano depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
23 MPG
Running cost: $3,100/yr
Fuel + repair
20 city / 28 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2020 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murano AWD 3.5L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,600 |
| Murano FWD 3.5L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 20 | 28 | 23 | $2,600 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2020 Nissan Murano.
Inspect the panoramic sunroof glass for chips or cracks, and ask whether it has ever been replaced.
Drive at 25 to 50 mph, including under overpasses, and watch for false automatic braking.
After startup, check the dash for a stuck forward collision warning malfunction message.
Shine a flashlight into both headlight housings to look for moisture or fogging, and check for a Headlight System Error.
Shift from Reverse to Drive and into Park on a slight slope, and confirm the car does not lurch or roll.
Merge onto a highway from low speed and feel for a 2 to 3 second transmission hesitation.
Buckle and unbuckle the driver's seat belt several times to confirm it pulls smoothly and latches firmly.
Check the rear tires for uneven humps and feel for wobble or vibration above 35 mph.
2020 Nissan Murano Common Problems by Component
41 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
10 complaintsPanoramic sunroof glass shatters without warning at highway speed. Drivers describe a bang like a gunshot, then glass falling on the people inside. Other reports describe automatic emergency braking that engages with nothing ahead. One person says a sudden stop caused a whiplash-type injury. Single reports describe the hood flying open while driving and a vibration above 35 mph that came back after the driveshaft was replaced. One filing describes waiting for the dealer to get a knuckle part before the car could be inspected.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
7 complaintsAutomatic emergency braking brings the car to a hard stop when nothing is in the way. Reports describe it happening on city streets, on the interstate, while backing out of a driveway, and again and again under certain overpasses at 40 to 50 mph. Some owners say bad weather makes it worse. A forward collision warning malfunction message can stay lit. Dealers often find no codes and make no repair, so the sudden stops keep happening and drivers fear being hit from behind.
STEERING
4 complaintsThe front lower control arms split and dry rot, and one dealer quoted $1655.88 to replace both. In another report, the wheel gets harder to turn over time and makes a loud clunk when turned in one direction. A separate filing describes a dispute with Nissan over whether the owner's VIN qualifies for recall work. Reports are few, but they describe worn front-end parts and heavy steering.
SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
4 complaintsThe car slams on its brakes at about 25 mph with no vehicle or pedestrian ahead, and a red warning screen lights up. One complaint says this began on a car bought new with only 3 miles on it and happened again after the dealer found nothing wrong. Other reports describe a grinding noise when braking and unintended acceleration with cruise control on at 60 mph, at around 18,000 miles. The sudden stops create a real rear-end crash risk.
POWER TRAIN (3 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
3 complaintsSafety-relatedAfter the car is shifted into Drive, it can lurch forward at high speed. One crash report describes the car hitting a parked car, jumping the curb, and knocking down a street light, with airbag deployment injuring an occupant's legs. Another report describes the car rolling forward after being shifted into Park, and the dealer could not find a cause. A third describes the transmission hesitating for 2 or 3 seconds before engaging while merging onto a highway.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsWater gets inside the headlight housings and the light can stop working. The dash may show a "Headlight System Error" message. Reports come from both the driver and passenger sides, at 28,800 and 84,000 miles. The fix is a new headlight assembly. One owner paid $1851 for the lamp before labor, and another was told the warranty had expired. A dead headlight at night makes it hard to see the road.
SEAT BELTS (2 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
2 complaintsSticky webbing makes the belt hard to pull out to the buckle, and the driver's latch may stop locking properly. Both reports describe a problem that develops gradually and gets worse. Neither mentions a crash or injury. A belt that does not latch reliably leaves the occupant without full protection, so it should be repaired rather than ignored.
SUSPENSION (2 complaints)
SUSPENSION
2 complaintsFaulty rear shocks wear humps into the tires and can ruin a new set, according to one report at 35k miles. Another describes the car becoming wobbly at 64 mph after hitting a pothole and nearly hitting a bridge wall. The wobble kept coming back. The dealer inspected the tires, found them properly inflated, and did not find the cause. Unstable handling at highway speed is a loss-of-control risk.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaintsThe sunroof glass shatters with no warning and a loud bang while the roof is closed, and glass falls into the cabin. Paint and plastic trim can be scratched, and one dealer quoted about $2000 to replace the roof. A separate complaint involves glare. On a black car, the rear lip of the hood angles down toward the windshield and reflects overhead sun straight into the driver's eyes.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (1 complaints)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaintSuv failed to start, nothing happened when pts button pushed. Googled it found brake pedal swithch problems on nissan, some recalls on other models. Snapped switch couple of times, vehicle started. Called dealer, explained what happened, working now, they said they will order part and made appt for 1 week later. At dealer waited for 1 1/2, then they said could not replace part because it was working now and if failed again would have to have towed in. All this for a part that is around 20 dollars
Best & Worst Nissan Murano Years
Best Nissan Murano Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreNissan Murano Years to Avoid
2025
2020
(Current Model)
Nissan Murano Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 82/100 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Nissan Murano Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2020 Nissan Murano reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Nissan Murano?
Does the 2020 Nissan Murano have automatic emergency braking problems?
Has the 2020 Nissan Murano been recalled?
Is the 2020 Nissan Murano cheaper to repair than other SUVs?
Don’t buy a 2020 Nissan Murano without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2020 Nissan Murano
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2020 Nissan Murano does best on recall impact (80/100) and worst on repair costs (70/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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