Last updated: 2026-10-10

Nissan Murano

Nissan Murano Years to Avoid

8 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 79/100

Skip the 2020 and 2025 models. The 2020 can stomp on its brakes for no reason when automatic emergency braking misfires, and the 2025 draws throttle surge and electrical faults at very low mileage. The 2023 is the better buy.

Verdict

Avoid
2025 74/1002020 74/100
Buy
2023 82/100
Model average
79/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Nissan Murano Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Nissan Murano average of 79/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202574/100Good214Electrical System (4)
2202074/100Good241Unknown Or Other (10)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

74
GoodReliability score: 74 out of 100, rated Good

2025 Nissan Murano

Trouble starts early. A "Key system error" left one car unable to start, and a climate control panel died while its replacement sat on backorder. Throttle complaints worry more: one car kept accelerating after the brakes were applied, then would not restart, with an injury reported. All power train reports come from low-mileage cars.

2 recalls14 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Electrical System (4), Power Train (3), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (1), Engine (1), Unknown Or Other (1), Forward Collision Avoidance (1)

View full 2025reliability report →
74
GoodReliability score: 74 out of 100, rated Good

2020 Nissan Murano

Owners describe automatic emergency braking that slams the car to a stop with nothing ahead, on city streets, on the interstate and under overpasses. Dealers often find no codes and make no repair. Steering complaints add split front control arms, with one dealer quote of $1655.88 to replace both.

2 recalls41 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Unknown Or Other (10), Forward Collision Avoidance (7), Steering (4), Service Brakes (4), Power Train (3), Exterior Lighting (2)

View full 2020reliability report →

What Are Common Nissan Murano Problems?

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

24 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019, 2018

2020: Panoramic sunroof glass shatters without warning at highway speed.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

21 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019, 2021

2020: Automatic emergency braking brings the car to a hard stop when nothing is in the way.

SERVICE BRAKES

9 complaints

Most reported in 2020, 2019, 2023

2020: The car slams on its brakes at about 25 mph with no vehicle or pedestrian ahead, and a red warning screen lights up.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

8 complaints

Most reported in 2025, 2018

2025: Warning lights and error messages appear with little or no driving history, in one case at about 700 miles.

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

Most reported in 2025, 2020

2025: Throttle response is the main complaint, and two reports describe a loss-of-control risk.

AIR BAGS

5 complaints

Most reported in 2019

2019: The passenger airbag can switch itself off while someone is sitting in the seat.

Best Nissan Murano Year to Buy Instead

82
ExcellentReliability score: 82 out of 100, rated Excellent

2023 Nissan Murano

The 2023 has no recalls on file and only 6 owner complaints, and its standing is excellent while 2020 and 2025 sit well below the model's own average. Its main filings are two brake complaints, both crash-related, so have the brakes checked before buying. It has also been on the road long enough for its record to mean something.

Score: 82/100 (Excellent)0 recalls6 complaints
View full 2023reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2023 Nissan Murano has 0 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Nissan Murano Years by Generation

Nissan Murano Reliability Scores by Year

Excellent Good Mixed Risky

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Nissan Murano years should I avoid?
Avoid 2020 and 2025. Both fall well below the model's own average. The 2020 is known for automatic emergency braking that stops the car hard with nothing ahead. The 2025 has throttle surge, key system errors and other electrical faults, often at very low mileage.
Which Nissan Murano years have transmission problems?
The data does not tie transmission trouble to one year. Power train complaints total 6 across all years. The 2025 holds 3 of them, mostly about throttle response. One report describes a 2 to 3 second hesitation before the transmission engages when merging onto a highway.
Is the 2020 Nissan Murano a bad year?
It is one of the two weakest years. The main problem is automatic emergency braking that triggers hard stops on streets, highways and under overpasses. Dealers often find no codes. Owners also report worn front lower control arms and steering that gets heavier over time.
Is the 2025 Nissan Murano worth buying used?
Not yet. The 2025 is the first year of the fourth generation, and it already shows electrical faults and throttle complaints on low-mileage cars. It has also had little time to collect a full record, so more problems may surface. The 2023 is the safer choice.
Are the 2018 and 2021 Nissan Murano good years?
Yes. They are the two highest-rated years, and neither is on the avoid list. Both have an excellent standing and no recalls on file. Forward collision system complaints still appear, especially in 2021, so test that system. The 2023 remains the site's pick.

How we score every Nissan Murano model year

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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