The 2011 Nissan Murano has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission failure and hesitation.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2011 Nissan Murano.
POWER TRAIN
37 NHTSA complaints · 2012-06 to 2026-04
“In July 2023, at 55,496 miles on the odometer, the original CVT transmission failed and was replaced at Port City Nissan (120 Spaulding Tpke N, Portsmouth, NH 03801), an authorized Nissan dealership, with a Nissan-supplied rebuilt CVT transmission at a cost of approximately”
“THE CVT TRANSMISSION WENT AFTER ONLY 85000 MILES . CAR HESITATES AT STOP SIGNS AND RED LIGHTS”
SUSPENSION
10 NHTSA complaints · 2021-10 to 2024-02
“Premature Subframe Corrosion: first noticed a knocking noise coming from under rear driver side area when going over bumps with our 2011 Murano. Then the knocking noise (metal on metal sound) got worse and then the back of our vehicle would sway uncontrollably side to side when”
“The subframe has completely rusted and broke apart. This is a known issue on the Nissan's. We heard a rattling and upon inspection found a piece of the frame had rusted off. The entire rear subframe is rusted through. The vehicle cannot be driven. Nissan should pay for this”
SERVICE BRAKES
38 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 to 2022-08
“SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WE DROVE OVER A BIG DIP IN THE ROAD. AS WE CAME UPON A STOP SIGN JUST PAST THE DIP, THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO PUSH TO THE FLOOR FOR SEVERAL DAYS AFTERWARDS BEFORE FINALLY GOING BACK TO NORMAL. A”
“THE PEDAL LOSES PRESSURE WHEN BRAKING THE CAR AND REACHES THE FLOOR. THE SUV HAVE APROX. 72,000 MILES”
VISIBILITY
8 NHTSA complaints · 2011-09 to 2020-07
“TRAVELLING @ 70 MPH WHEN SUNROOF EXPLODED. LIGHT RAIN, NO NEARBY TRAFFIC, NO OVERPASS. FORTUNATE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. *TR”
“WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 45 MPH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME AND NO OVERPASS OR TREES ABOVE ME , MY SUNROOF EXPLODED (IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT WENT OFF) AND THEN I HEARD A CRACKLING NOISE WHICH AS SOON AS I PULLED OVER I FOUND IT HAD EXPLODED UPWARDS AND”
STRUCTURE
5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 to 2024-08
“THE CONVERTIBLE TOP MALFUNCTIONED AND WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETELY CLOSE, SO IT WOULD LIFT AND FLY OFF WHEN MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. HAD TO MANUALLY LOCK BACK IN PLACE HOWEVER THE ROOF ERROR SIGNAL KEPT CONSISTENTLY BEEPING SINCE IT THOUGHT THE ROOF WAS STILL DOWN. HAD TO DISCONNECT”
“Hi i see this vehicle had a recall campaign previously under notice P1261/NTB12-003/NTB14-076. This campaign includes the replacement of the links and other items under this campaign. This vehicle is a convertible and the top frame is once again damaged due to the same recall”
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-07 to 2019-08
“ALL 4 OF MY DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS HAVE GONE OUT AT THE SAME TIME”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE DOOR WOULD ONLY UNLOCK MANUALLY DUE TO A FAULTY DOOR ACTUATOR. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE”
AIR BAGS
13 NHTSA complaints · 2012-05 to 2026-06
“I had a frontal crash in which I had a neck sprain and severe head injury due to the airbags not deploying”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM TO FAIL. WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS OCCUPIED, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM WOULD DEACTIVATE. THE DEALER ADVISED THE”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$360–$500
Shop
~$255–$355
DIY
~$80–$180
CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
46 crashes 2010–2024
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
7
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2011 Nissan Murano reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.