Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 986 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Nissan Murano, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 430 | 44% |
| Visibility | 114 | 12% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 77 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 37 | 4% |
| Power train | 36 | 4% |
| Air bags | 29 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 22 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 21 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 17 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 16 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while closing the rear liftgate door, the front driver’s and passenger’s side air bags inadvertently deployed. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Not sure when it started bc I just purchased this vehicle a month ago. While driving one evening the head lights went off and I had to turn them off and back on. Now a few weeks later and after I've changed the bulbs and
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Noticed severe negative camber on the rear wheels at ~225k miles. Marks Auto Svc, Rockford, IL confirmed the rear k-subframe had rusted all the way through from the inside-out. The frame had completely separated at two p
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Sub frame rusted so bad the sway bar detached from the sub frame nearly causing an accident and breaking the sway bar link in half.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
While driving the vehicle will suddenly stop moving, loses acceleration ability & all the dashboard lights turn on. I had work done back in Feb 22 replacing cam shaft sensors. Now Dec 22 the same thing began happening ag
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I’ve had my car for seven months now and since then it’s been problem I’ve spent way over money to fix problems both sides driver and passenger side axle popped twice my brake fluid keeps running out but mechanic can’t f
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown part on the driver's side front seat fractured, causing the seat to wobble. The vehicle was not diagnosed n
NHTSA complaint: Seats
Rear subframe rusted to failure. Vehicle has 143,000 miles. Dealer service manager says the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the posibility of the rear wheels detaching from the vehicle. This is the third vehicle with
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 Nissan Murano. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 362,891 MY 2003-2007 MURANO VEHICLES. THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS, WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERMEDIATE RESONATOR IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE, MAY SEPARATE FROM THE RESONATOR WITH ENGINE MOVEMENT. THIS SEPARATION OCCURS DUE TO THE PREMATURE AGING OF THE MATERIAL USED IN T
Risk: ENGINE MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE/REPAIR THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A FITTING FOR VAPOR RECIRCULATION, WHICH IS WELDED ON THE FUEL TANK, MAY COME OFF THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE INCORRECT MATERIAL WAS USED.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL COMING ON AND MAY RESULT IN SOME FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, THE WEBBING OF A REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT MAY CONTACT THE REAR SEAT BACK HINGE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE HINGE.
Risk: IF THE WEBBING IS COMPLETELY SEPARATED, IT CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT IN A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTORS OVER THE WEBBING OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A WIRE BREAKING INSIDE THE ALTERNATOR COULD STOP THE BATTERY FROM CHARGING.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CHARGER WARNING AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS WILL IMMEDIATELY COME ON AND THE BATTERY WILL BEGIN TO DISCHARGE. AFTER A SHORT TIME, THE ENGINE WILL GO INTO A "FALL SAFE" CONDITION WHIC
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A NEW VERSION WHICH HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO PREVENT MOVEMENT OF THE COIL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647
| Reliability raw | 61 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 65 | good |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 986 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seats is the most reported area with 430 of them (44%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 61/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 65/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.