2003 Nissan Murano Problems
Severe Issues
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Murano.
Complaints
1,050
Crashes
18
Fires
6
Injuries
9
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Nissan Murano Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1157 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:87,400 mi
#2120 complaints
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Avg mileage:30,021 mi
#3102 complaints
Seat-Related Issues
Avg mileage:75,979 mi
Considering a 2003 Nissan Murano?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Nissan Murano.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Transmission | 157 | — | — | 87,400 mi | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 120 | — | — | 30,021 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 102 | — | — | 75,979 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 89 | 6 | — | 101,468 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 88 | — | 1 | 64,460 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 72 | — | — | 86,004 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 55 | 3 | — | 107,515 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 45 | — | — | 108,470 mi | |
| Visibility | 38 | — | — | 74,879 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 19 | — | — | 72,287 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 16 | — | — | 99,668 mi | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 13 | — | — | 28,490 mi | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 13 | — | 2 | 63,519 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 12 | — | — | 78,073 mi | |
| Other Equipment | 11 | — | — | 57,562 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 10 | — | — | 60,013 mi | |
| Body Structure | 9 | — | — | 108,877 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 | — | — | 62,143 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust | 7 | — | — | 27,811 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 7 | — | — | 47,517 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly | 6 | 1 | 1 | 50,556 mi | |
| Fuel System, Other | 6 | — | — | 60,004 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | 31,642 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 5 | — | — | 103,793 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 5 | — | — | 81,340 mi | |
| Fuel System | 5 | — | 1 | 68,602 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 5 | — | — | 18 mi | |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System | 5 | — | — | 13,091 mi | |
| Driveline | 4 | — | — | — |
Automatic Transmission
157
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
87,400
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
120
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,021
Seat-Related Issues
102
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,979
Transmission / Drivetrain
89
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
—
Avg Miles
101,468
Electrical Faults
88
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
64,460
Engine & Cooling
72
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
86,004
Unintended Acceleration
55
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,515
Engine Problems
45
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,470
Visibility
38
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,879
Latches / Locks
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
72,287
Gasoline Fuel System
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,668
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
28,490
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
13
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
63,519
Suspension Failures
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
78,073
Other Equipment
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,562
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,013
Body Structure
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,877
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
62,143
Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
27,811
Steering Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
47,517
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Radiator Assembly
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
50,556
Fuel System, Other
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,004
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,642
Electronic Stability Control
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,793
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
81,340
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
68,602
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
18
Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
13,091
Driveline
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Nissan Murano. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Nissan Murano Years
2003 Nissan Murano — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Nissan Murano reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2003 Nissan Murano has 1,050 NHTSA complaints, 18 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Automatic Transmission with 157 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Nissan Murano?
Top reported problems: Automatic Transmission (157 complaints, avg 87,400 mi); Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator (120 complaints, avg 30,021 mi); Seat-Related Issues (102 complaints, avg 75,979 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Nissan Murano?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 75,092 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Nissan Murano include 18 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 Nissan Murano have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 Nissan Murano as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 Nissan Murano?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2003 Nissan Murano shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Murano reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Nissan Murano
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99