The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave predominately good safety ratings for Nissan Murano vehicles in 2009 and 2010, and the redesigned 2009 Nissan Murano was an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" among mid-size SUVs. However, there have been multiple safety recalls associated with Muranos built between 2003 and 2009, including engine and electrical system problems.
Engine System Recalls
On May 14, 2009, Nissan recalled 362,891 2003-2007 Murano vehicles because the intake air ducts, which are connected to the intermediate resonator in the air intake system of the engine, could separate from the resonator with engine movement. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this problem may cause the engine to stall, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. In an earlier November 2003 recall, Nissan recalled 630,000 vehicles, including 2002-2003 Muranos, due to a circuit board sensor defect which could cause the "service engine soon" warning light to come on, create a no start condition, cause reduced engine power, or cause the engine to stop running without warning.
Electrical System Recalls
In July 2005, Nissan recalled 125,466 Murano SUVs for a potentially faulty wire that could break inside the alternator, stop the battery from charging and possibly discharge the battery within a short time. This problem could cause the engine to go into a "fall safe" condition that limits vehicle speed. The engine will then stop running, which could cause a crash. In a separate electrical system recall in October 2008, certain 2007-2009 Murano vehicles equipped with Continental Automotive Systems' occupant classification system control units. Units had a defect result in the passenger air bag being suppressed and thus providing inadequate protection in the event of a crash.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System Recall
On October 1, 2009, Nissan recalled certain 2008-2010 vehicles, including the Murano, because the material in the nut used to secure the sensor-transmitter of the tire pressure monitoring system may corrode or crack in areas with heavy concentrations of road salt. The nut could come out of the sensor-transmitter, and the tire could quickly lose air pressure. A flat tire or crash could result. This recall was issued to registered vehicle owners in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Main, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington DC, West Virginia and Wisconsin, according to NHTSA.
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