2016 Nissan Murano Problems And Complaints

2016 Nissan Murano User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical Complaints

• Transmission/CVT problems- CVT issues have always been common in the 2016 Nissan Murano as it has been with every Nissan vehicle in the past. Gridding noise, lurching on throttle input, grinding, and whining noises are all symptoms of transmission problems that could be mistaken for engine issues. The failure points could be the control module, the torque converter, and most commonly the CVT belt itself. Transmission fluid changes at intervals of every 30,000-miles are highly suggested even though Nissan doesn’t recommend one.
• Service brake issue- Loss of brake pressure with “ABS” or “service Brake” warning light is a common complaint on the 2016 Nissan Murano. Brake fluid leakage at the ABS actuator pumps is the primary cause of this issue. The automaker is well aware of it and has initiated multiple recalls (IDs-19V807000, 18V601000, and 16V636000) in the following years since its launch.

 Electric System complaints

• Seat heater- The front seat heating function on the 2016 Nissan Murano is prone to failure and has a major fire hazard as reported by the NHTSA. The heating element gets hot uncontrollably and melts the surrounding plastic parts. Several owners have complained about a burning plastic-like smell inside the cabin which was later traced to be this issue. Though the automaker was made aware of this issue no statements have been released despite the fire risk.

Structural complaints

• Liftgate problems- The liftgate on the2016 Nissan Murano is prone to issues. As reported, the unit automatically opens itself when the vehicle is not in use and also has a tenancy to close itself when the trunk is in access. The liftgate also fails to open completely when the vehicle is parked on an incline. Reprograming the control module or replacement of power struts are required in most cases.
• Windshield glare- The sunlight glare reflected by the ridge on the hood is complained to be a blinding and serious compromise to visibility as reported. This is a widespread issue in the third generation of Nissan Murano SUVs and owners are forced to go aftermarket shopping for solutions (matte wrap) since it was a design fault and there is nothing much the dealers could do.

Safety Complaints

• Forward collision system failure- The frontal emergency braking system on trim equipped with this feature, is said to be ridden with software issues. The system turns itself off while the vehicle is on the move with a “front radar unavailable warning”, disabling other features like adaptive cruise control with it. Drivers are forced to stop and restart the vehicle to regain functionality. The dealers could not find any issue with the system in the absence of error codes, leaving many owners with a system that fails intermittently.

2016 Nissan Murano Recalls

S. No	Date	NHTSA ID	Issues Noticed	Additional Remarks	Remedy
1	8th November 2019	19V807000	Brake fluid can leak into the ABS pump and ignite.	The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board, causing an electrical short and increasing the risk of a fire.	Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ABS actuator, free of charge. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available, probably during summer 2020.
2	7th September 2018	18V601000	Brake fluid can leak into the ABS pump and ignite.	The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board, causing an electrical short and increasing the risk of a fire.	Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the serial number on the ABS actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on October 29, 2018.
3	2n September 2016	16V636000	Brake fluid can leak into the ABS pump and ignite.	The Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) actuator pumps may allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board, causing an electrical short and increasing the risk of a fire.	Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ABS Actuator, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 12, 2016.
4	26th April 2016	16V244000	The passenger airbag may not deploy due to an OCS error.	The front seat passenger Occupant Classification System (OCS) may incorrectly classify an adult passenger as a child or classify the seat as empty despite it being occupied, causing the airbag to be turned off and increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.	Dealers will reprogram the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) and OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU), free of charge. Interim notices were sent to owners on May 31, 2016.
5	7th April 2016	16V193000	ABS brake actuator may have damaged O-Ring.	In vehicles equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), the ABS actuator may have a damaged O-ring that may result in a lack of brake fluid pressure, which may lengthen the braking distance and increase the risk of a crash.	Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ABS actuator, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 16, 2016.

Should you buy a used 2016 Nissan Murano?

The Nissan Murano is probably one of the coolest looking and modern midsize family SUVs that you could get your hands in 2016. Apart from the CVT issues, there are no major or expensive flaws that the SUV is actually known for, apart from the ABS unit leak for which it has undergone multiple recalls. As for the CVT issue, Nissan says a fresh refill of transmission fluid at the right intervals should keep it running mostly fine. The official complaint numbers on the Murano have been on the lower side and it also has a “good” overall consumer rating as JD Power reports suggest. Ranking in at 5 on our lists for best midsize SUVs this model year, we won’t shy away from recommending the 2016 Nissan Murano. Just make sure that the transmission is well taken care of.