2019 Nissan Murano Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Updated on March 10th, 2023 Author: Brian Jones

There is no shortage of crossovers on the road, but the 2019 Nissan Murano is hailed as different. In fact, the automaker claims that the newest model is “tech advanced, for the modern boss.” However, it seems to be the technology causing most of the problems. Customers are complaining about the visibility, structure, air bags and vehicle speed control on this Nissan.

Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018

NHTSA Complaints for the 2019 Nissan Murano

Problems with the Visibility

Starting off with the visibility, it appears that the design itself is causing massive issues for drivers.

Here is just one of the complaints from a customer that wrote to Edmunds. “The design of the Murano’s hood in the way that it has like 3 inch incline right by the windshield is a definitely a miss. Whenever there is sun above you, it reflects the sun right on your eyes/face. Also visibility of the car isn’t too great due to the slimmed down design. Now the most annoying thing for my Murano is that the frontal impact avoidance warning system. This thing keeps beeping saying that it is unavailable, then after few minutes it becomes available. Then wait 10 minutes or so it beeps and become unavailable. I am hearing this thing beep constantly every 5 to 10 minutes. The dealer couldn’t fix the problem either. ”

With these issues, one would assume that Nissan would want to respond in some fashion, but there are no communications with the company about these concerns. Instead, the automaker has taken the silent route, hoping that no one cares about being able to see what’s coming down the road.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2019 Nissan Murano Windshield Cracking Problems:

THE WINDSHIELD ON MY VEHICLE CHIPS EXTREMELY EASILY AND QUITE POSSIBLY IS DEFECTIVE. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY FOR THE BELIEF THAT THE WINDSHIELD WILL NOT HOLD UP AS INTENDED IN AN ACCIDENT OR IF SOMETHING LARGE WERE TO STRIKE IT. WHEN I AM IN MOTION, SEVERAL CAR LENGTHS AWAY, VERY TINY STONES TOSSED UP FROM SMALL VEHICLES AWAY ARE CREATING LARGE DIVOTS/CHIPS. IT APPEARS THE TYPE OF STREET – CITY OR HIGHWAY – DOES NOT MATTER; IT HAPPENS ON BOTH AT VARIED SPEEDS AND TEMPERATURE/WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Problems with the Structure

As the structure is evaluated, it becomes evident that the automaker took just about as much time with this part of the design as the visibility.

Here’s yet another Edmunds complaint. “I have never in my life had a car that leaked around doors so badly. Every time we go down a dirt road we have to open the doors and lift gate and wipe the dust off that leaks in. I could go on but frankly I may have purchased my last Murano.”

It seems that the structure issues go even deeper. Service Bulletin #NTB19-047 states that customers are having trouble opening the back door with the request switch. Maybe Nissan planned it that way so that no one would see how much dirt is stuck in the cracks.

Problems with the Air Bags

Air bags are a standard safety feature in all vehicles on the road over the past couple of decades. However, some automakers are getting creative with where to put air bags. Take for example, the concerns brought forth from the Nissan design.

One NHTSA complaint states, “Deployed under dash airbag broke right knee tibia bone. Vehicle was stationary preparing to turn left on the intersection when the vehicle going in opposite direction collided with stationary Murano. No damages due to the accident but improper design of the under dash airbag with projection for up to a six month recovery. In US vehicles, legs are positioned differently since pedals on the different levels and right leg is almost stretched hence airbag should accommodate for it.”

This person is claiming that the air bag is improperly positioned for US vehicles, which led to an extensive injury. Yet, this isn’t the only trouble plaguing Nissan air bags. In fact, Service Bulletin #NTB19-071 talks about trouble with the occupant detection sensor unit and addresses ways for technicians to repair the malfunction. From an improper design to poorly working electronics, it would appear that Nissan should cease claiming to be “tech advanced.” Instead, this company should go back to operating in the flip-cover cell phone days of technology.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2019 Nissan Murano Air Bags Problems:

THE PASSENGER NO AIRBAG LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY APPEARS WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OF MY NEW VEHICLE (APPROXIMATELY 3100 MILES). THIS HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN THE SEAT IS IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND ONCE WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS RECLINED, ALSO WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE NO AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR STOPPED AND SPORADICALLY TURNS OFF. THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.

Problems with the Vehicle Speed Control

One of the more sophisticated systems on any modern vehicle is the speed control. When this system works right, it makes driving a breeze. But, watch out for malfunctions that can make any journey unbearable.

That’s what’s illustrated in this NHTSA comment. “We purchased our 2019 Nissan Murano on September 12, 2019 and soon noticed that when driving down even a gentle down-slope with no vehicle in front of it, the cruise control gains 10-15+ mph. Nissan Engineering says that this is ‘normal” and not to use the cruise control on hills. We have owned many cars with cruise control, and none has ever gained more than 4-5 mph on similar down-slopes. We feel that this is a safety issue. For example, apparently Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Subaru all have cruise control systems that limit speed increase downgrade to about 2 mph. It seems that an almost $50,000 car from Nissan should be safe.”

The way this car was engineered is just a disaster. Even the back-up camera systems aren’t working right. NHTSA Campaign Number 19V65400 states that more than one million vehicles might have a system that doesn’t display an image. Whether it is barreling down the hills, failing to illustrate what’s located behind the vehicle or deploying dangerous air bags into people’s legs, this crossover is sure to not only disappoint, but possibly cause injuries. It is surely not designed for today’s “modern boss,” and wouldn’t even be acceptable to give to an enemy.

Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2019 Nissan Murano Vehicle Speed Control Problems:

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BOTH REGULAR AND ADAPTIVE CRUSE CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE CRUSE CONTROL WAS SET AS 70 MPH, GOING DOWN THE HILL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF SLOWING DOWN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVEN WHEN THE INDICATOR FLASHED, SHOWING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING FAST, THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MEARS NISSAN DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ROAD TESTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,370.

Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Nissan pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.

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