Harry Gibson on November 2, 2022 No Comments
Are you planning to purchase a Nissan Murano and you are looking to learn the Nissan Murano 2005 problems? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because, in this article, we are going to cover all you need to know when it comes to this model and more specifically, this production year.
- What Is The Nissan Murano
- 2005 Murano Specs
- 2005 Murano Problems
- Recalls
- Murano Reliability
- Final Conclusion
- FAQs
Performing thorough research before you go on the market and spend a ton of money on a car should be one of your top priorities. Why we are saying this? Well, because this is true. You don’t want to spend a ton of money on a car that is practically a lemon.
And trust from our personal experience reviewing cars during all these years, the number of problematic cars is rather high. Much higher than you can imagine. So, you need to focus on finding out the common problems of the specific model that you intend to purchase. And this is why we are here to help you out with this and make sure that you don’t end up with a bad car.
First, we are going to learn what is the Nissan Murano in general. Then we will cover the specs of this 2005 model. We will learn more about the engines and transmissions, trim levels, fuel economy, safety, etc. Then we will move on and discuss the Nissan Murano 2005 problems that this model has. We will cover everything that is important for you as a buyer. So, if you want to learn more about your future car, follow along.
What Is The Nissan Murano
Now before we dive into more complex topics like the Nissan Murano 2005 problems, let’s first introduce ourselves to the Nissan Murano. A lot of people are facing similar problems when it comes to picking up a new car and do not know about the model. So, let’s understand what is the Nissan Murano in general.
The Murano is a model that is produced by Nissan since 2003. As of 2022, there is a total of three generations released on the market with the most recent one released in 2015.
This model came out at a time in history when people started to go crazy about SUVs and it instantly became a real hit. Even though still not popular as other contemporary models like the Honda Pilot, or the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
And as you probably assume by these models, the Murano falls in the mid-size category. This means that it is not particularly small. But also not the largest vehicle on the road. Usually, these are vehicles that are below 200 inches in length. And personally, when it comes to cars in our opinion, the mid-size class is the way to go.
What is bad though, is that the Murano does not have a 3rd row of seats. For a 3rd row seating, you will have to go for the bigger Nissan Armada or Nissan Pathfinder. Or other alternatives offered on the market right now.
Nevertheless, even though the Murano does not have 3rd-row seats, it still has a lot of room in the rear, considering that this model is almost 190 inches long. But more on the specs, we are going to cover in the following chapters, where we are going to elaborate on it. Then we will discuss the Nissan Murano 2005 problems.
2005 Nissan Murano Specs
Before we dive into the 2005 Nissan Murano problems. Let’s take a look at some of the specs of this model and understand more about the options that were included in this model.
This model debuted in 2002 at the New York Auto Show and 2003 was the first model year of this first generation of the Murano. The first-gen Nissan Murano was produced through 2006 and until 2007 when it was replaced with a new generation of the same model.
The first generation of the Murano was assembled in Japan. More precisely at the Nissan Shatai factory in Kanda, Fukuoka, Japan.
This model was based on the Nissan FF-L platform that was shared with the Nissan Altima, Nissan Maxima, and Nissan Quest.
This new model implemented a brave design approach. For many people it is either you love it or you hate it. I personally like the sleek front end of the car. It looks rather contemporary and not outdated. You can see that Nissan engineers were thinking about the future.
Even though, the interior might be a bit outdated considering that modern cars nowadays have a ton of screens. But what is good is that not all people want technology. Some people including me, only like a proper driving car instead of flashing screens everywhere. So, if you are one of those guys or gals, this model is perfect for you.
But what about the Nissan Murano 2005 problems? Well, more on that we are going to cover in a bit. Now let’s take a look at the dimensions and size.
1. Dimensions, Size, And Trim Levels
Now let’s take a look a the dimensions and size of the Murano before we start learning about the Nissan Murano 2005 problems. Knowing the dimensions is really important, especially for people who want to get the most out of it.
As we mentioned previously, this model is a mid-size crossover SUV. This model has a wheelbase of 111.2 inches and an overall length of 187.8 inches in total. It is 74 inches wide and 67.3 inches tall.
The curb weight of the model is between 3,851lbs and 3,983lbs depending on the engine that you opt for.
The ground clearance of the model is also rather good at 7 inches. 7 inches is basically the height you want since in vehicles that sit higher than this can be a struggle to get inside.
The maximum cargo capacity of this model is 81.6 cubic ft. Or 32.6 cubic ft with the seats up.
For the 2005 model year, there were three trim levels available for the Nissan Murano. The base was the S. Then there were the SL and SE trim levels. All of the trim levels were offered with both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. But what about the Nissan Murano 2005 problems? More on the problems, we are going to cover after we cover the rest of the specs.
2. Engines And Transmission
So, we covered the dimensions and size of the 2005 Murano. Now before we start discussing the Nissan Murano 2005 problems, let’s take a look at the engines and transmissions used in this model. Since this is one of the main factors when it comes to purchasing a vehicle.
The engine used in the Murano is a 3.5L V6. This is the VQ35DE engine that is used in other Nissan models such as the Nissan 350Z, Nissan Altima, and Nissan Maxima.
Nevertheless, this engine implements a double overhead camshaft and variable valve timing which makes it somewhat high on performance and also fuel efficient as most modern engines are today. Even though because of the size of the Murano, the fuel efficiency is a bit lacking. But more on this in a bit.
The important thing is that this engine produces 245hp and 246lb-ft of torque. Which is enough for this model.
The transmission used in this model is a CVT automatic. This is somewhat problematic, and more about that, we are going to find out later on when we are going to discuss the Nissan Murano 2005 problems. Now let’s resume with the specs.
3. Towing Capacity
Now let’s learn more about the towing capacity of the Nissan Murano before we discuss the Nissan Murano 2005 problems. Can this model tow?
Well, not quite. The maximum towing rating of the Nissan Murano is 3500lbs. This is enough for most small trailers. But if you want to tow something heavier, you shouldn’t do it.
Even though we also do not recommend towing even 3,000lbs. Mainly because of the fragile transmission that this model has. Vehicles with CVT are rather sensitive when it comes to towing and are not recommended to be pushed hard. So, keep this in mind. More on this, we are going to elaborate later on when we are going to discuss the Nissan Murano 2005 problems. Now let’s resume with the specs.
4. Gas Mileage
Now let’s take a look at the gas mileage that this model delivers before we discuss the Nissan Murano 2005 problems. Is this model a good performer?
Well, not quite by today’s standards. This model delivers 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined.
Considering that most cars often deliver 25 mpg combined, this fuel economy is a bit on the weak side. But this is expected when you are buying an almost 20-year-old car. Things have changed throughout the years and cars became more efficient than ever. But what about the Nissan Murano 2005 problems? More about the problems we are going to learn in a bit.
5. Safety
Another topic that we would like to cover before we dive into the Nissan Murano 2005 problems is the safety aspect. How safe is this model?
The safety of the Nissan Murano was really good for the time. In 2003, the model was crash tested by the IIHS and got “Good” scores on almost all of the tests. Except for the head and neck where it got an “Acceptable” score and the head restraints and seats where it got a “Poor” and “Marginal” pass respectively.
So, overall, the model is a good performer, except for the seat/head restraint geometry. But what about the Nissan Murano 2005 problems? More on that we are going to find out next.
Nissan Murano 2005 Maintenance Cost
Another topic that we would like to cover before we dive into the Nissan Murano 2005 problems is the maintenance cost. How expensive is it to maintain this vehicle?
Well, the maintenance costs for this model are in the same category as with any other Nissan from this era. Even though prices for the Murano can be more expensive than your average Altima or Maxima because as you probably know, SUVs are valued more and their costs are higher than sedans. But what about the Nissan Murano 2005 problems? More on that, we are going to discuss next.
Nissan Murano 2005 Problems
Now as we covered the Nissan Murano specs and learned more about this model. We can slowly start to move on and discuss more about the Nissan Murano 2005 problems.
Are there any problems with this model at all? Well, there are a few issues that bother this model. And in the following chapters, we are going to cover everything in detail. We will focus primarily on the engine and transmission and then we will learn about the other problems that are rather common. As well as the recalls that were performed on the Murano. So, let’s get into it.
Nissan Murano 2005 Engine Problems
Now let’s begin discussing the Nissan Murano 2005 problems. Let’s start with the engine problems that are present in this model. This model uses the Nissan 3.5L V6 VQ35DE engine which is reliable but still has some issues.
Namely, the biggest issue with this model is the increased oil consumption. This engine loves to drink oil. Especially when the miles start to creep up on the engine.
So, in some cases, these engines can starve from oil if the owner does not care a lot about the oil level. And this will increase the problems even more. So, be really aware of this issue. If the car you want to buy produces a lot of black smoke, stay away from it.
The second biggest problem of this engine is the timing chain tensioner. This tensioner is a plastic component that is installed in the engine and has only one job. And that is to keep the tension on the timing chain.
What can happen is that the chain can break and cause a rattling noise. And sometimes the chain can jump and the engine timing will mess up. Causing engine damage in the process.
And the last common problem is the oil leaks on the valve cover gaskets. These gaskets are made out of rubber. Rubber fails over a long time of use and oil will start to sip out. Causing oil stains (handy if you know how to get oil stains off driveway and how to get motor oil out of clothes), smoke from the engine bay, and a burning smell. Now let’s move on to the other Nissan Murano 2005 problems.
Nissan Murano 2005 Transmission Problems
The next Nissan Murano 2005 problem that we are going to cover is the problem with the transmission. The transmission can go out on many of these vehicles without any previous symptoms.
CVT transmissions, especially from this era are not Nissans strong point. In fact, Nissan got huge notoriety for their persistence in keeping these transmissions no matter how poorly they worked.
Failures are common even after 30,000 miles. They can also shudder, leak fluid from the transfer case, surge forward at low speeds, and many other issues.
So, when it comes to this model, we would recommend that you should put your main focus on this transmission and before you buy, make sure that it shifts well and the car does not have a lot of miles accumulated on this transmission.
Because if it has a lot of miles. A rebuild or a replacement is imminent. And this is rather expensive. Now let’s continue with the other Nissan Murano 2005 problems.
Nissan Murano 2005 Other Problems
Now let’s take a look at the other Nissan Murano 2005 problems. These are miscellaneous issues that owners experienced on this model. So, let’s cover them quickly.
The first and most common problem with the Murano is the driver’s seat. The seat tends to fail. Namely the bracket that holds the seat breaks in two pieces and fails. And consequentially the seat comes off. Some owners claim that they spend even up to $1,000 to fix the problem.
The sun visors also were poorly made and failed quite often. Many owners also reported issues with these components as well.
Other problems reported were catalytic converter failure. This was probably due to the fact that the engine loves to drink more oil than other engines. So, it fouls the converter in the process.
In addition to these problems, the motor mounts also fail on these models quite often and you definitely want to make sure that the engine is not sagging before purchase.
And the last issue with 5 reports on carcomplaints.com is the door handle breaking off. This was reportedly due to using low-quality door handles. Overall, these are the most common Nissan Murano 2005 problems. Now let’s take a look at the recalls in which this model participated.
Nissan Murano Recalls
We covered the Nissan Murano 2005 problems, now let’s take a look at which recalls this model year participated. That might help you to better understand if this is a model year of the Nissan Murano to avoid.
We could only find data about 6 recalls done to the 2005 Murano model and these are the following.
The first recall is concerned with the engine and the engine cooling. More precisely the intake air ducts can separate from the resonator and this could lead to engine stalling and the risk of a crash.
The second recall was concerned with the steering column, more precisely the anti-theft device. Reportedly, the dealers should replace the steering wheel assembly.
The third recall was concerning the fuel system, a fitting for the EVAP system was welded to the fuel tank and this could fall off and result in fuel leakage that can lead to a fire.
Another recall for the fuel system, was mainly because the fuel tank was easy to puncture and could lead to a fire. So, protectors should be installed.
There was also a seat belt recall, the dealers had to install protectors over the webbing on the rear seats.
And last was the alternator recall, namely because of a faulty wire inside of the alternator, the battery could stop charging and this could lead to a stall of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash.
Nissan Murano Reliability
We covered the Nissan Murano 2005 problems and recalls. But what about the overall reliability of this model? Does it prove that Nissan makes good cars?
Well, the reliability of this model is pretty average or below average in most cases. This is mostly due to problems with the engine consuming too much oil and the problems with the CVT transmission.
So, before buying you need to make sure that these components are rock solid. If not, better find an alternative because these can be rather expensive repairs.
This is why we would advise that you stay away from high-mileage cars. Especially the ones that haven’t done a major overhaul of the transmission particularly.
Final Conclusion
In this article, we have covered quite a bit when it comes to the Nissan Murano. First, we learned what the Murano is all about. Then we covered the specs of the Nissan Murano, we learned the dimensions and size, engines, fuel economy, safety, and other aspects.
Then we listed the Nissan Murano 2005 problems. We learned the engine issues, transmission issues, as well as other problems. Lastly, we discussed the recalls and the overall reliability of this model
Frequently Asked Questions
Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.
Where Is The Nissan Murano Made
The first two generations of the Nissan Murano were produced at the Nissan factory in Kanda, Fukuoka, Japan. The third generation of the Murano is produced at the Smyrna, Tennessee factory in the US.
Is A Nissan Murano A Good Car
This is a difficult question to answer. Overall, the car is rather solid, it has good looks and is well-built. But it has some drawbacks. Namely, there are issues with the CVT automatic transmission. And this basically ruins its reliability score because the transmission is prone to failures.
How Long Do Nissan Muranos Last
The average Nissan Murano lasts for about 200,000 miles. Sometimes even more. But it rarely can last this much without a transmission rebuild done to it. The engines are solid but the CVT is the weak spot on most Nissan models.
Do Nissan Muranos Have Transmission Problems
Yes, they have transmission problems. Especially cars that are older than 2015, the transmissions on these models are rather prone to failure and developing issues. So, before buying, we think that this component should be your main focus.
Which Nissan Has Transmission Problems
All of the models that run CVT transmissions are prone to problems. Regular torque converter automatic transmissions are not a problem. So, if you plan to buy a Nissan with a CVT, you should be prepared to spend on it in order something fails to replace it. And a new transmission is rather costly.
How Much Is A 2005 Nissan Murano Worth
2005 models are rather cheap, they usually go between $3,000 and $6,000. But there is a catch and that is the problems that these vehicles carry. Namely, these are prone to transmission problems. So, be rather wary about the transmission before you buy. Make sure that you check it out and if it’s working well.
