Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the automatic emergency braking, steering, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2020Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2020 Nissan Murano: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/3
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/3
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2020's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
Worth adding to your 2020 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2020 Nissan Murano. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 23 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2020 Nissan Murano, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Automatic emergency braking brings the car to a hard stop when nothing is in the way. Reports describe it happening on city streets, on the interstate, while backing out of a driveway, and again and again under certain overpasses at 40 to 50 mph. Some owners say bad weather makes it worse. A forward collision warning malfunction message can stay lit. Dealers often find no codes and make no repair, so the sudden stops keep happening and drivers fear being hit from behind.
The front lower control arms split and dry rot, and one dealer quoted $1655.88 to replace both. In another report, the wheel gets harder to turn over time and makes a loud clunk when turned in one direction. A separate filing describes a dispute with Nissan over whether the owner's VIN qualifies for recall work. Reports are few, but they describe worn front-end parts and heavy steering.
The car slams on its brakes at about 25 mph with no vehicle or pedestrian ahead, and a red warning screen lights up. One complaint says this began on a car bought new with only 3 miles on it and happened again after the dealer found nothing wrong. Other reports describe a grinding noise when braking and unintended acceleration with cruise control on at 60 mph, at around 18,000 miles. The sudden stops create a real rear-end crash risk.
After the car is shifted into Drive, it can lurch forward at high speed. One crash report describes the car hitting a parked car, jumping the curb, and knocking down a street light, with airbag deployment injuring an occupant's legs. Another report describes the car rolling forward after being shifted into Park, and the dealer could not find a cause. A third describes the transmission hesitating for 2 or 3 seconds before engaging while merging onto a highway.
Sticky webbing makes the belt hard to pull out to the buckle, and the driver's latch may stop locking properly. Both reports describe a problem that develops gradually and gets worse. Neither mentions a crash or injury. A belt that does not latch reliably leaves the occupant without full protection, so it should be repaired rather than ignored.
Water gets inside the headlight housings and the light can stop working. The dash may show a "Headlight System Error" message. Reports come from both the driver and passenger sides, at 28,800 and 84,000 miles. The fix is a new headlight assembly. One owner paid $1851 for the lamp before labor, and another was told the warranty had expired. A dead headlight at night makes it hard to see the road.
Faulty rear shocks wear humps into the tires and can ruin a new set, according to one report at 35k miles. Another describes the car becoming wobbly at 64 mph after hitting a pothole and nearly hitting a bridge wall. The wobble kept coming back. The dealer inspected the tires, found them properly inflated, and did not find the cause. Unstable handling at highway speed is a loss-of-control risk.
The sunroof glass shatters with no warning and a loud bang while the roof is closed, and glass falls into the cabin. Paint and plastic trim can be scratched, and one dealer quoted about $2000 to replace the roof. A separate complaint involves glare. On a black car, the rear lip of the hood angles down toward the windshield and reflects overhead sun straight into the driver's eyes.
Excerpts from complaints Murano owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Vehicle routinely triggers the automatic emergency braking system when approaching a certain overpass. Speeds are usually around 40 to 50 MPH. Occasionally triggers at other locations where no obstacle should be triggering it. Local Nissan dealer has inspected the system several times, including sending to a specialist, and found no defect.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2022
The forward collision warning is stuck on saying malfunction. Sometimes the car brakes without warning, activating the automatic emergency braking and stopping suddenly. This is dangerous.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2023
It has happened twice since we purchased our Murano 8 months ago. When pulling onto a divided highway you have to slow down then you accelerate to get into the lane....the transmission hesitates around 2 or 3 seconds then grabs the gear and you take off. This is very worrysome for us, both being retired and it could cause an accident.
Filed with NHTSA, April 2023
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2020 has the most owner complaints of the 8 Murano years we cover, about 3.1 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2020 is the sixth model year of the Murano's third generation (2015–2024).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2020
Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano, INFINITI QX60, 2021 Nissan GT-R, INFINITI QX50, and Q50 vehicles. The front steering knuckle or rear axle housing may have insufficient strength due to improper heat-treatment.
Risk: The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2021. Nissan owners may contact customer service at 1-800-867-7669. INFINITI owners may contact customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Nissan Murano vehicles. The left and/or right-hand transverse link may not have been manufactured correctly, which could result in it separating from the ball joint.
Risk: Ball joint separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transverse link's lot codes, and if necessary, replace them and perform a vehicle alignment, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 6, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC797.
Cars shoppers compare with the Nissan Murano, with their own 2020 checklists.
2020 owner complaints, side by side
