Last updated: 2026-07-26
Nissan Murano vs Toyota RAV4: Reliability Compared
Nissan Murano
Toyota RAV4
Choosing between the Nissan Murano and the Toyota RAV4? 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 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Nissan Murano and Toyota RAV4 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Nissan Murano is more reliable than the Toyota RAV4, scoring 79/100 vs 76/100.
The Nissan Murano edges out the Toyota RAV4 in terms of reliability, with an average reliability score of 79/100 compared to the RAV4's 76/100. The Murano has a significantly lower recall history, with only 5 recalls over 8 years compared to the RAV4's 53. Although the RAV4 has a lower estimated annual repair cost at $429 versus the Murano's $507, it also has a higher owner complaint rate at 4.4 per 10,000 sold. The Murano's fewer recalls and complaints make it a more reliable option overall, despite its slightly higher repair costs.
Key Differences
- 1Toyota RAV4 costs $78 less per year to repair
- 2Nissan Murano has 48 fewer total recalls
- 3Toyota RAV4 has 4% lower major repair risk
Category Scoreboard
Nissan Murano vs Toyota RAV4: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Nissan Murano | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 79/100 | 76/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 8 |
| Total Recalls | 5 | 53 |
| Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume | 134 | 2734 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $507/yr | $429/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.5/yr | 0.3/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 14% | 10% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2025 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 6 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Murano and Toyota RAV4?
The Toyota RAV4 exhibits a higher volume of complaints, particularly in the electrical system and air bags, with the latter being notably linked to crashes (71 instances). In contrast, the Nissan Murano's complaints are fewer, with a slight emphasis on forward collision avoidance and service brakes, though these categories do not show a significant crash linkage. Both models share concerns in the electrical system and air bags, but the RAV4's issues in these areas are more severe, especially with air bags being a critical safety concern. Overall, the RAV4's problem profile suggests more widespread and crash-linked issues compared to the Murano.
| Component | Nissan Murano | Toyota RAV4 |
|---|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 24 | 432 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 8 | 443 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | — | 335 |
| ENGINE | — | 294 |
| AIR BAGS | 5 | 252 |
| POWER TRAIN | 6 | 180 |
| STEERING | 4 | 146 |
| STRUCTURE | — | 124 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 9 | 94 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 | 61 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 4 | 25 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 21 | 6 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 | 22 |
| TIRES | — | 5 |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | — | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS | 2 | — |
| SUSPENSION | 2 | — |
| EQUIPMENT | 2 | — |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 2 | — |
Raw complaint counts aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports. Counts vary with sales volume.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Nissan Murano or Toyota RAV4?
How Does Nissan Murano vs Toyota RAV4 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Nissan Murano | Toyota RAV4 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 74/1002R / 14C | 84/1005R / 49C | Toyota RAV4 |
| 2023 | 82/1000R / 6C | 80/1006R / 147C | Nissan Murano |
| 2022 | 82/1000R / 5C | 80/1006R / 133C | Nissan Murano |
| 2021 | 82/1000R / 14C | 73/1006R / 450C | Nissan Murano |
| 2020 | 74/1002R / 41C | 70/10011R / 611C | Nissan Murano |
| 2019 | 77/1001R / 39C | 66/10010R / 864C | Nissan Murano |
| 2018 | 82/1000R / 14C | 76/1003R / 330C | Nissan Murano |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Nissan Murano scored 82/100 and the 2025 Toyota RAV4 scored 84/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Nissan Murano vs the Toyota RAV4?
Nissan Murano vs Toyota RAV4: Common Questions
- Is the Nissan Murano more reliable than the Toyota RAV4?
- Based on our data, the Nissan Murano is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Nissan Murano or the Toyota RAV4?
- The Toyota RAV4 has more recalls (53) 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 Nissan Murano or the Toyota RAV4?
- The Nissan Murano has fewer owner complaints (134) versus 2734 for the Toyota RAV4. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Murano or the Toyota RAV4?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Toyota RAV4 is cheaper to maintain at $429/year versus $507/year for the Nissan Murano.
- Is the Nissan Murano or Toyota RAV4 safer?
- Both the Nissan Murano and Toyota RAV4 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.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Nissan Murano comparisons
Decided between Nissan Murano and Toyota RAV4? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
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.
See incorrect data? Report an issue