Is the Nissan Murano more reliable than the Volkswagen Tiguan?

Based on our data, the Nissan Murano is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Nissan Murano or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan has more recalls (35) 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Nissan Murano has fewer owner complaints (134) versus 968 for the Volkswagen Tiguan. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Murano or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Murano is cheaper to maintain at $507/year versus $730/year for the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Is the Nissan Murano or Volkswagen Tiguan safer?

Both the Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Tiguan 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

Nissan Murano vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Nissan Murano

Good

Volkswagen Tiguan

Good

Choosing between the Nissan Murano and the Volkswagen Tiguan? 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 68/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Tiguan Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Volkswagen Tiguan is in its third generation (CT1), introduced in 2024. Being early in its generation cycle, potential first-year issues might still be present, which is common with newly introduced platforms. The second generation (AD/BW) lasted from 2018 to 2023, with a significant facelift in 2021 that likely improved reliability as the model matured. The Nissan Murano is in its fourth generation (Z53), introduced in 2025. Like the Tiguan, it is early in its generation cycle, which can impact reliability as initial production issues are often ironed out in subsequent years. The third generation (Z52) ran from 2015 to 2024, with a minor update in 2020, indicating a more mature and potentially reliable platform towards the end of its cycle.

Verdict

The Nissan Murano is more reliable than the Volkswagen Tiguan, scoring 79/100 vs 68/100.

The Nissan Murano demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Volkswagen Tiguan, with a higher average reliability score of 79/100 versus the Tiguan's 68/100. The Murano's recall history is notably better, with only 5 recalls over 8 years compared to the Tiguan's 35 over 9 years. Additionally, independent repair cost estimates favor the Murano, with an annual cost of $507, significantly lower than the Tiguan's $730. Furthermore, the Tiguan has a higher owner complaint rate at 9.3 per 10,000 sold, highlighting its greater propensity for issues, especially in the electrical system and powertrain.

Key Differences

1Nissan Murano costs $223 less per year to repair
2Nissan Murano has 30 fewer total recalls
3Nissan Murano scores 11 points higher in reliability

Category Scoreboard

4Nissan Murano

—

1Volkswagen Tiguan

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Nissan Murano vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Which Is More Reliable?

Nissan Murano vs Volkswagen Tiguan at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Nissan Murano	Volkswagen Tiguan
Reliability Score	79/100	68/100
Years Tracked	8	9
Total Recalls	5	35
Total ComplaintsRaw count — varies with sales volume	134	968
Annual Repair Cost	$507/yr	$730/yr
Repair Frequency	0.5/yr	0.9/yr
Major Repair Risk	14%	12%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2026 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	7	0

What Are the Common Problems With the Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan exhibits a higher volume of complaints across several categories, particularly in the electrical system and engine, with each having over 100 complaints and a few linked to crashes, suggesting potential reliability concerns in these areas. Notably, the Tiguan's power train and unknown or other issues also contribute significantly to its complaint profile. In contrast, the Nissan Murano has a considerably lower total complaint count, with forward collision avoidance and unknown or other issues being its most reported categories, although these do not reach concerning levels. The Murano's relatively low number of crash-linked complaints, particularly in service brakes and airbags, indicates fewer severe safety concerns compared to the Tiguan.

Nissan Murano vs Volkswagen Tiguan common problem areas comparison
Component	Nissan Murano	Volkswagen Tiguan
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	8	176
ENGINE	—	128
POWER TRAIN	6	120
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	24	100
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	21	33
SERVICE BRAKES	9	42
STRUCTURE	—	40
STEERING	4	27
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	4	21
AIR BAGS	5	17
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—	22
VISIBILITY/WIPER	4	16
SEAT BELTS	2	12
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	4	9
SUSPENSION	2	4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—	5
LANE DEPARTURE	2	2
EQUIPMENT	2	—
WHEELS	—	2
BACK OVER PREVENTION	—	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 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Based on independent repair cost data, the Volkswagen Tiguan incurs an annual repair cost of $730, with owners experiencing an average of 0.9 repair visits per year. Its major repair risk stands at 12%. In contrast, the Nissan Murano has a lower annual repair cost of $507, with only 0.5 repair visits annually and a slightly higher major repair risk of 14%. Over five years, the Tiguan's higher repair cost translates to an additional $1,115 compared to the Murano. Despite the Murano's marginally higher risk of major repairs, its lower frequency of visits and reduced annual cost make it the more economical choice for budget-conscious buyers.

How Does Nissan Murano vs Volkswagen Tiguan Reliability Compare by Year?

Nissan Murano vs Volkswagen Tiguan year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Nissan Murano	Volkswagen Tiguan	Edge
2025	74/1002R / 14C	73/1002R / 18C	Nissan Murano
2023	82/1000R / 6C	73/1001R / 49C	Nissan Murano
2022	82/1000R / 5C	61/1005R / 199C	Nissan Murano
2021	82/1000R / 14C	67/1005R / 106C	Nissan Murano
2020	74/1002R / 41C	69/1003R / 118C	Nissan Murano
2019	77/1001R / 39C	65/1005R / 165C	Nissan Murano
2018	82/1000R / 14C	57/10013R / 275C	Nissan Murano
2026(predicted)	79/100(predicted)	74/100(predicted)	Nissan Murano

Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Nissan Murano scored 82/100 and the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan scored 73/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Nissan Murano vs the Volkswagen Tiguan?

If you prioritize low running costs and fewer trips to the repair shop, the Nissan Murano is your best bet. With a reliability score of 79/100, it stands out as the more dependable choice. The Murano has only 5 recalls and an estimated annual repair cost of $507, making it a cost-effective option. Its repair frequency is lower at 0.5 times per year, and despite a slightly higher major repair risk of 14%, its overall track record suggests a smoother ownership experience. On the other hand, if you're drawn to the Volkswagen Tiguan and don't mind potentially higher maintenance demands, it might appeal to you. It has a reliability score of 68/100 and comes with 35 recalls, which could indicate more frequent service needs. The estimated repair cost is higher at $730 annually, with a repair frequency of 0.9 times per year. While it does have a lower major repair risk of 12%, the Tiguan faces more issues with its electrical system and power train. Choose the Tiguan if you're willing to trade some reliability for its unique features or driving experience.

Nissan Murano vs Volkswagen Tiguan: Common Questions

Is the Nissan Murano more reliable than the Volkswagen Tiguan?: Based on our data, the Nissan Murano is more reliable with an average score of 79/100 compared to 68/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Nissan Murano or the Volkswagen Tiguan?: The Volkswagen Tiguan has more recalls (35) 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 Volkswagen Tiguan?: The Nissan Murano has fewer owner complaints (134) versus 968 for the Volkswagen Tiguan. Note that models with higher sales naturally generate more complaints.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Nissan Murano or the Volkswagen Tiguan?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Nissan Murano is cheaper to maintain at $507/year versus $730/year for the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Is the Nissan Murano or Volkswagen Tiguan safer?: Both the Nissan Murano and Volkswagen Tiguan 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 Nissan Murano comparisons

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More Volkswagen Tiguan comparisons

Volkswagen Tiguan vs Toyota RAV4 reliability Volkswagen Tiguan vs Honda CR-V reliability Volkswagen Tiguan vs KIA Sportage reliability Volkswagen Tiguan vs Hyundai Tucson reliability Volkswagen Tiguan reliability by year Volkswagen Tiguan 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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