The Nissan Murano is a mid-size crossover SUV that has been manufactured since 2002.
It comes equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine producing a respectable 260hp.
The Murano offers a comfortable, quiet, and refined driving experience at a surprisingly low MSRP.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the average lifespan of the Nissan Murano.
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Here is the Short Answer to how long Nissan Muranos last:
The Nissan Murano has an average lifespan of 200,000 miles before requiring expensive repairs. If you drive an average of 15,000 miles per year you can expect 13 years of service from your Murano, provided you keep up to date with scheduled maintenance and adopt good driving habits.
How Many Miles Can You Expect from a Nissan Murano?
Based on extensive research into the used car market, we found that the Nissan Murano is more than capable of running smoothly well past the 100,000-mile mark.
Anecdotal evidence from countries that received the Murano prior to its 2009 debut in North America suggests that older model years can still be found on the road running good as new.
The average lifespan of the Nissan Murano is 200,000 miles, which means that with the average 15,000 miles driven per year, you can expect at least 13 years of service.
As with most cars, case-to-case reports of longevity can vary based on a number of factors. These include maintenance, driving habits, fluid change intervals, and frequent off-road use.
In order to get the most out of your Nissan Murano, consider driving conservatively and make sure to consult your service manual to keep up to date with maintenance.
How Soon Should You Expect Rust on a Nissan Murano?
The Nissan Murano has suffered a high degree of rusting problems since it debuted in 2002.
Frame rust problems plague several models from 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2009, with the overwhelming majority of frame-related rust problems occurring in the 2007 model year. While reports of severe undercarriage rust can be found on the 2004 Nissan Murano.
While newer model years of the Murano are less prone to rust, reports of rust occurring in as little as 1,400 miles can still be found in model years 2016-2017.
Despite a high number of rust-related complaints, the majority of these problems occur at high mileage, well over the initial 5 years of ownership.
We find that a simple ceramic coating investment can go a long way in keeping the Murano rust-free for as long as possible. Alternatively, rust-proofing sprays can be found at fair prices and are relatively easy to apply.
Residents of areas particularly prone to rust such as the Salt Belt states, or coastal and snowy regions, should take extra precautions to avoid rust.
Standard rust proofing measures include:
- Regular car washes
- Rustproofing sprays
- Keeping the car’s interior dry
- Ceramic coatings
- Storing your vehicle in a garage
How Long Does the Nissan Murano Last Compared to Similar Car Models?
With the growing popularity of SUVs of all shapes and sizes, the Nissan Murano stands out by offering a surprising amount of safety and comfort features as well as a refined driving experience not commonly found at this price-point.
In this segment, we’ll see how the Nissan Murano stacks up to its competitors.
Nissan Murano vs. GMC Acadia
In terms of longevity, the GMC Acadia and Nissan Murano are matched, with both vehicles expected to last 200,000 miles.
The most noticeable difference between the two SUVs can be found when examining the cost to own.
According to Repair Pal, the Nissan Murano costs an average of $500 per year in maintenance, while the Acadia costs $734, for a difference in maintenance cost of $237.
Although the Acadia may feature a lower MSRP and more rugged off-road capabilities, the high cost of ownership makes it hard to justify choosing it over the Murano.
Especially given the Murano’s above-average comfort and luxury features for the price point.
You may also be interested in our article: how long do GMC Acadia last?
Nissan Murano vs. Lexus RX
At first glance, this may seem like an unfair comparison. However, the Nissan Murano offers similar power output as well as comparable comfort and luxury features to the Lexus RX, despite being nearly $15,000 cheaper.
The Lexus RX wins the longevity race with an average lifespan of 250,000 miles, which means you can expect a few more years of service than the Murano.
Despite the Lexus RX premium entry-point, it shares a similar cost to maintain as the Nissan Murano. The RX costs $550 per year compared to the $500 maintenance cost of the Murano, equating to a $50 difference.
As both these cars have a reputation of reliability synonymous across most Japanese manufacturers, the Nissan Murano and Lexus RX share a similar reliability rating, with the Murano scoring 3.5 out of 5 while the RX scores 4.0 out of 5.
The Lexus RX offers better reliability and longevity, however, the features of the Nissan Murano make it a solid value-for-money competitor.
Nissan Murano vs. Ford Edge
The Ford Edge shares its 200,000-mile average lifespan with the Nissan Murano. That means that both cars are more than capable of providing over 13 years of service.
The real difference between the two cars comes in cost to maintain. With an average annual maintenance cost of $611, it costs $111 more expensive than the Nissan Murano.
Despite the reputation of reliability from Japanese manufacturers, the Nissan Murano and the Ford edge share an identical reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.
When deciding between the two, it is important to note that the Nissan Murano offers a considerably more comfortable ride with Nissan’s patented Zero Gravity seats.
With near-identical starting prices, the Nissan Murano offers more bang for your buck at the end of the day, with a suite of luxury and comfort features you’d expect to find only on the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
How Reliable is a Nissan Murano?
The Nissan Murano is an excellent daily commuter with a range of safety, comfort, and luxury features not commonly found in vehicles at this price point.
This mid-size SUV boasts respectable reliability numbers, earning a 3.5 out of 5 for both J.D. Power and RepaiPal, and a 4 out of 5 from Consumer Reports.
While it may not be the most reliable Japanese SUV or most reliable Nissan for that matter, the Murano more than makes up for it with its excellent features, usability, and practicality.
You may also be interested in our article: how long do Nissan Sentra last
Reliability Compared to Other SUVs
| Model | Reliability |
| Subaru Crosstrek | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| Honda CR-V | 4.5 / 5.0 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Rogue Select | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Kia Sportage | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Cherokee | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Mazda Tribute | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Compass | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Kia Sorento | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Rogue | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Honda Element | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Patriot | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Ford Escape | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Xterra | 4.0 / 5.0 |
| Chevrolet Captiva | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Nissan Murano | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Subaru Forester | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| GMC Terrain | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Fiat 500L | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Jeep Wrangler | 3.5 / 5.0 |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | 3.0 / 5.0 |
| Avg. Compact SUV | 4.0 |
The Best and Worst Years of the Nissan Murano
The Nissan Murano had a rough lifetime since its debut 2003 model, with years 2004-2009 having their fair share of problems and complaints.
According to CarComplaints’ extensive database, 2009 ranks as the worst model year of the Nissan Murano. Owners reported dangerously soft brake pedals. This problem cost an average of $2,400 to repair and occurred at an average of 90,000 miles.
Other problems found primarily in model years 2004-2009 include:
- Body/paint problems
- Steering problems
- Interior accessory problems
- Engine problems
- Faulty transmission
Purchasing the vehicle brand new is the best option for not having to deal with problems, model years 2017-2020 have a relatively low number of complaints.
Related: 20 Best & Worst Nissan Murano Years (With Pictures)
What About Recalls?
The Nissan Murano has had a number of recalls to accompany the rocky year models following its debut.
Here is the full list of recalls:
- 2003: 6 recalls
- 2004: 4 recalls
- 2005: 6 recalls
- 2006: 4 recalls
- 2007: 2 recalls
- 2008: 4 recalls
- 2009: 2 recalls
- 2010: 0 recalls
- 2011: 0 recall
- 2012: 1 recalls
- 2013: 1 recalls
- 2014: 6 recalls
- 2015: 5 recalls
- 2016: 5 recalls
- 2017: 3 recalls
- 2018: 2 recalls
- 2019: 1 recalls
- 2020: 0 recalls
Nissan Murano Model Year List:
Here is the full list of model years and generations of the Murano:
First Generation Z50:
- 2003 Nissan Murano
- 2004 Nissan Murano
- 2005 Nissan Murano
- 2006 Nissan Murano
Second Generation Z51:
- 2007 Nissan Murano
- 2008 Nissan Murano
- 2009 Nissan Murano
- 2010 Nissan Murano
- 2011 Nissan Murano
- 2012 Nissan Murano
- 2013 Nissan Murano
Third Generation Z52:
- 2014 Nissan Murano
- 2015 Nissan Murano
- 2016 Nissan Murano
- 2017 Nissan Murano
- 2018 Nissan Murano
- 2019 Nissan Murano
- 2020 Nissan Murano
- 2021 Nissan Murano
Is the Nissan Murano Expensive to Maintain?
The Murano will cost an average of $500 a year to maintain, with an expected cost of $4,159 over a 5 year period, according to Repair Pal.
| Model | Avg. Annual Repair Cost | Frequency of Unscheduled Repairs (per year) | Probability of Severe Repairs |
| Subaru Crosstrek | $492 | 0.1 | 7% |
| Honda CR-V | $407 | 0.3 | 9% |
| Toyota RAV4 | $429 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Nissan Rogue Select | $436 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Hyundai Tucson | $426 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Kia Sportage | $462 | 0.2 | 11% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander Sport | $498 | 0.3 | 10% |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | $519 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Jeep Cherokee | $420 | 0.2 | 12% |
| Mazda Tribute | $523 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Jeep Compass | $526 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Kia Sorento | $533 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Nissan Rogue | $467 | 0.3 | 12% |
| Honda Element | $491 | 0.6 | 10% |
| Jeep Patriot | $596 | 0.3 | 12% |
| Ford Escape | $600 | 0.3 | 11% |
| Subaru XV Crosstrek | $631 | 0.4 | 11% |
| Nissan Xterra | $514 | 0.3 | 14% |
| Chevrolet Captiva | $585 | 0.3 | 13% |
| Nissan Murano | $507 | 0.5 | 14% |
| Subaru Forester | $632 | 0.4 | 13% |
| GMC Terrain | $558 | 0.3 | 17% |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $537 | 0.3 | 18% |
| Fiat 500L | $640 | 0.2 | 17% |
| Jeep Wrangler | $694 | 0.3 | 16% |
| Volkswagen Tiguan | $730 | 0.9 | 12% |
| Avg. Compact SUV | $521 | 0.3 | 11% |
How Long Do the Brakes Last?
Nissan Murano brake pads usually last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles. Note that driving habits and off-road usage are a big factor in the longevity of the brakes.
How Long Do the Tires Last?
Nissan Murano tires last up to 4 years, which means an average of 60,000 miles given the 15,000 miles driven per year.
Factors affecting the longevity of your tires include poor roadway conditions, driving and braking habits, weather conditions, and frequency of driving.
How Long Does the Transmission Last?
The transmission on the Nissan Murano is built to last between 130,000 and 180,000 miles.
How Long Do Spark Plugs Last?
Nissan Murano spark plugs are built to last between 30,000 and 40,000 miles before needing replacement.
What About Insurance Cost?
The average insurance costs for a Murano is $169 per month or $2,028 annually.
Please also read our article: how long do Nissan Rogue last
Tips to Prolong the Life of Your Murano
- Observe regular rust-proofing intervals
- Adopt a regular cleaning regime
- Keep your car stored in a garage to keep the exterior in better condition
- Keep up to date with fluid changes and maintenance.
- Keep your interior dry at all times.
- Drive carefully to prolong the life of your tires, brake pads, and to get the best possible longevity.
Resources
https://www.edmunds.com/nissan/murano/2020/cost-to-own/
https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/nissan/murano
https://enginepatrol.com/nissan-murano-beeping/
https://www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Murano/
https://repairpal.com/nissan/murano
https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/crossovers-suvs/murano.html
https://enginepatrol.com/suv-long-distance-driving-road-trips/
