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2020 Nissan Murano Problems & Owner Complaints

45 NHTSA owner complaints
1 crash 2 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~6.4 complaints per year on the road — ranking 8 of 13 Nissan Murano years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Forward Collision Avoidance is the most-reported problem area on the 2020 Nissan Murano, cited in 14 of 45 filed complaints (31%).

Suspension is next (7 complaints, 16%), followed by Power Train (4), Service Brakes (4), Steering (4).

Across all complaints, 1 report a crash, 2 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Forward Collision Avoidance: 1 crash, 2 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2020 Nissan Murano, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 45.

Forward Collision Avoidance 14 1 crash 2 injury

“While parallel parking, we backed into the space and when we put the car into Drive, it lurched forward at an incredible speed. We hit and pushed the car parked in front of us, hopped up onto the sidewalk, knocked down a street light, and moved a huge concrete planter. The airbags over the windshield and under the dashboard deployed. The bags under the dash exploded with such force that they injured my husband's legs, and he has been seeing a wound doctor for the past five weeks. The car was towed to a repair shop. I reported the incident to Nissan NA; they sent a representative to retrieve in…”
NHTSA complaint #11444676, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I've only had the car 3 months and an error code for the forward collision worning light is on. The dealership said it should go off. It never did. It is malfunctioning and it automatically and without notice applied the emergency brake system when it's not needed. It gave me sort of whiplash. It does this often out of no where. This could cause a severe accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11531068, 2023 · 1 injury(ies)

“It has occurred on a few occasions where the emergency braking system has enabled with no obstructions nearby most commonly while backing up into a parking spot but the recent situation of it automatically breaking on the highway while doing 60 with no other vehicles nearby, my wife attempted the gas pedal to disengage the system but it did not affect the braking.”
NHTSA complaint #11732815, 2026

Unknown Or Other 10 1 injury

“I've only had the car 3 months and an error code for the forward collision worning light is on. The dealership said it should go off. It never did. It is malfunctioning and it automatically and without notice applied the emergency brake system when it's not needed. It gave me sort of whiplash. It does this often out of no where. This could cause a severe accident.”
NHTSA complaint #11531068, 2023 · 1 injury(ies)

“On March 4th I was driving my car that I had my daughter and two grand children with me which is a 2020 Nissan Murano. I was driving and as I was driving I heard a loud pop that sounded like a gun shot so i immediately look through the mirror to see if i could see my grandchildren as im looking through the mirror i see two holes in the back window so im scared at this point so i continue to drive until i could get over to make sure that my grandchildren were ok and to take a closer look at the window and to call [XXX] . So i opened the back door to get my grandchildren out the car and their ag…”
NHTSA complaint #11724628, 2026

“I was driving my vehicle on the freeway at a speed of 60 mph when all of a sudden the sun roof part of my panoramic roof shattered all over my interior of my car and myself. It blew up all over me and was quite disturbing let alone could of caused an accident or glass could of cut my eyes. I was quite shaken up. I contacted my insurance and working a claim to have it replaced. Then I find out this has been common in Nissan vehicles for a long time and law suits because of it, too. These sunroofs allegedly exploded because of their design. Instead of laminating the glass in the sunr…”
NHTSA complaint #11553966, 2023

Suspension 7

“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while the vehicle was at Now Auto Care for a service appointment, the contact was informed that the driver's and passenger's side control arms were unusually worn and failing. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,960.”
NHTSA complaint #11740299, 2026

“Claim #11682497 follow up I’ll be attaching documents below”
NHTSA complaint #11683631, 2025

“Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2020 Nissan Murano, VIN [XXX] Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal Vehicle Safety Complaint regarding my 2020 Nissan Murano (VIN: [XXX] ) due to unresolved safety defects that match existing recalls. I have been notified of two recall campaigns affecting my vehicle model: 1. NHTSA Campaign 21V402000 (Steering knuckle/rear axle housing defect). 2. NHTSA Campaign 21V170000 (Transverse link/ball joint defect). Despite these active recalls being published in NHTSA’s database, Nissan Consumer Affairs has denied that my VIN is included, even though my vehicle is…”
NHTSA complaint #11682497, 2025

Power Train 4 1 crash 1 injury

“While parallel parking, we backed into the space and when we put the car into Drive, it lurched forward at an incredible speed. We hit and pushed the car parked in front of us, hopped up onto the sidewalk, knocked down a street light, and moved a huge concrete planter. The airbags over the windshield and under the dashboard deployed. The bags under the dash exploded with such force that they injured my husband's legs, and he has been seeing a wound doctor for the past five weeks. The car was towed to a repair shop. I reported the incident to Nissan NA; they sent a representative to retrieve in…”
NHTSA complaint #11444676, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“CVT Transmission failed at 82k miles. Diagnosed at Midas, specific Transmission shop and local Nissan dealership as needing full replacement. Notified Nissan Consumer Affairs, they created a case but refused to fully replace it, offered to pay only 50% of approximately $9k.”
NHTSA complaint #11750646, 2026

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11516958, 2023

Service Brakes 4

“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11507190, 2021

“I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. A RED WARNING SCREEN LIT UP ON MY DASH. THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS OR OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY, THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ME.”
NHTSA complaint #11414868, 2021

“I WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE CAR AUTOMATIC STOPPED AND APPLIED THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKE (AEB) WAS APPLIED WITH NO OBSTACLES AROUND ON A CLEAR SUNNY DAY. PURCHASED THE CAR NEW WITH ONLY 3 MILES ON IT. CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I AM AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY.TOOK THE CAR IN TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR WITHIN 1 WEEK IT HAPPEND AGAIN AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11398975, 2020

Steering 4

“Claim #11682497 follow up I’ll be attaching documents below”
NHTSA complaint #11683631, 2025

“Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2020 Nissan Murano, VIN [XXX] Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal Vehicle Safety Complaint regarding my 2020 Nissan Murano (VIN: [XXX] ) due to unresolved safety defects that match existing recalls. I have been notified of two recall campaigns affecting my vehicle model: 1. NHTSA Campaign 21V402000 (Steering knuckle/rear axle housing defect). 2. NHTSA Campaign 21V170000 (Transverse link/ball joint defect). Despite these active recalls being published in NHTSA’s database, Nissan Consumer Affairs has denied that my VIN is included, even though my vehicle is…”
NHTSA complaint #11682497, 2025

“Slowly over time it is becoming harder to turn the wheel, making a loud clumping voice when I turn the wheel a certain direction.”
NHTSA complaint #11628043, 2024

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Visibility/Wiper 3

“My sunroof exploded but I don't know why. There was no warning. Might have been a rock but I didn't see one. I had the sunroof closed but the fabric cover was open for light. I heard an explosive noise and then glass started raining in. I closed the fabric cover to keep the glass out of the passenger compartment. No real injuries other than a couple of glass shards being sharp. Mostly just got some skin irritation. Some areas on my car have scratched paint and plastic parts. I had my Nissan dealer look at it. They will clean up the glass and replace the sunroof for about $2000. I feel l…”
NHTSA complaint #11620490, 2024

“The hood of my car flew open while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11547459, 2023

“I WENT FROM A WHITE 2019 NISSAN MURANO TO A BLACK 2020 MURANO. THE WEEK AFTER I GOT IT, I TOOK A TRIP TO THE GULF COAST. ON MY WAY DOWN, WHEN THE SUN WAS OVERHEAD, THE REAR "LIP" OF THE HOOD ACTED JUST LIKE A MIRROR AND REFLECTED THE SUN RIGHT IN THE DRIVERS EYES. IF YOU LOOK AT THE HOOD, IT SLANTS UP LIKE A NORMAL HOOD, THEN THE LAST 3 INCHES ARE TILTED DOWN TOWARD THE COWL/WINDSHIELD WIPER AREA. I AM ATTACHING A PICTURE, HOWEVER IT DOES NOT ACCURATELY SHOW HOW BRIGHT THIS REFLECTION IS. IT IS EXACTLY LIKE SOMEBODY TAKING A MIRROR AND SHINING IT IN YOUR EYES. I PARTICIPATE IN THE NISSAN…”
NHTSA complaint #11389690, 2021

Exterior Lighting 2

“My 2020 Nissan Murano SV driver side headlight failed. This headlight is suppose to be a “sealed for life” unit. This failure created an immediate driving hazard. There was heavy moisture intrusion on with the driver side, the headlight stopped working, creating a visibility hazard. The moisture intrusion / headlight outage triggered a “Headlight System Error “ on the dash. My 2020 Nissan is garage parked, no accident. My Nissan has 28,800 miles. I have taken pictures, to show that the headlight lense is pristine condition. My Nissan is at the repair shop, getting a new OEM original Nissan…”
NHTSA complaint #11713967, 2026

“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while having a routine service check on the vehicle at the dealer, the mechanic became aware that the front passenger’s side headlight assembly was moist, and that water was entering the headlight assembly. The contact was informed that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the warranty had expired. No further assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistanc…”
NHTSA complaint #11539309, 2023

Seat Belts 2

“The seatbelts are starting to stick so it makes it hard to try and pull it to latch.”
NHTSA complaint #11671350, 2025

“Driver seat belt latch starting to stick and not latch properly”
NHTSA complaint #11621436, 2024

Structure 2

“The sunroof leaks into the car causing a moisture issue. As someone with asthma and allergies this is a potential mold risk.”
NHTSA complaint #11740538, 2026

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN MURANO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD REFLECTS THE SUNLIGHT RIGHT INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES IMPAIRING THEIR VISION. THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTION IMPAIRS THE CONTACT'S VISION WHILE DRIVING. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SINCE THE CONTACT CAN NOT SEE THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING THE DEALER ROCK HILL NISSAN 550 GALLERIA BLVD, ROCK HILL, SC 29730 (803) 818-2713 STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE THAT COULD BE PROVIDED REGARDING THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED DUE TO THE CONCERN. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. NO ADDITIONAL…”
NHTSA complaint #11308562, 2020

Wheels 2

“Claim #11682497 follow up I’ll be attaching documents below”
NHTSA complaint #11683631, 2025

“Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2020 Nissan Murano, VIN [XXX] Dear NHTSA, I am submitting a formal Vehicle Safety Complaint regarding my 2020 Nissan Murano (VIN: [XXX] ) due to unresolved safety defects that match existing recalls. I have been notified of two recall campaigns affecting my vehicle model: 1. NHTSA Campaign 21V402000 (Steering knuckle/rear axle housing defect). 2. NHTSA Campaign 21V170000 (Transverse link/ball joint defect). Despite these active recalls being published in NHTSA’s database, Nissan Consumer Affairs has denied that my VIN is included, even though my vehicle is…”
NHTSA complaint #11682497, 2025

Air Bags 1

“WHEN MY WIFE SITS DOWN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE LIGHT IN THE DASH THAT SAYS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS ENGAGED DOESN'T GO OUT AND YOU HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE SEAT BELT CLIP TO GET IT TO GO OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN THE LAST TWO DAYS AND i HAVE NOT YET BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE DEALER NOR NISSAN.”
NHTSA complaint #11441328, 2021

Electrical System 1

“Suv failed to start, nothing happened when pts button pushed. Googled it found brake pedal swithch problems on nissan, some recalls on other models. Snapped switch couple of times, vehicle started. Called dealer, explained what happened, working now, they said they will order part and made appt for 1 week later. At dealer waited for 1 1/2, then they said could not replace part because it was working now and if failed again would have to have towed in. All this for a part that is around 20 dollars”
NHTSA complaint #11543216, 2023

Engine 1

“UPON INITIAL STATE SAFETY INSPECTION FOR BRAND NEW CAR, NISSAN SERVICE REPORTED METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN OIL PAN AND OIL WAS SHINY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WERE NOT ON WHEN CAR WAS PRESENTED FOR INSPECTION, AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. SERVICER REPORTED THAT THE LONG BLOCK ENGINE WAS REPLACED (DID NOT OBTAIN CONSENT OR INFORM ME OF WHAT THE DEFECT WAS) AND WORK SUMMARY STATED PROBLEM WITH OIL PUMP. FOR THE WEEK I DROVE THE CAR, I COULD SOMETIMES SMELL FUNNY SMELL WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, BUT ATTRIBUTED IT TO NEW CAR SMELLS.”
NHTSA complaint #11402771, 2021

Fuel/Propulsion System 1

“UPON INITIAL STATE SAFETY INSPECTION FOR BRAND NEW CAR, NISSAN SERVICE REPORTED METAL SHAVINGS WERE FOUND IN OIL PAN AND OIL WAS SHINY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT WERE NOT ON WHEN CAR WAS PRESENTED FOR INSPECTION, AND WOULD NOT GO OFF. SERVICER REPORTED THAT THE LONG BLOCK ENGINE WAS REPLACED (DID NOT OBTAIN CONSENT OR INFORM ME OF WHAT THE DEFECT WAS) AND WORK SUMMARY STATED PROBLEM WITH OIL PUMP. FOR THE WEEK I DROVE THE CAR, I COULD SOMETIMES SMELL FUNNY SMELL WHEN EXITING VEHICLE AFTER TURNING OFF THE ENGINE, BUT ATTRIBUTED IT TO NEW CAR SMELLS.”
NHTSA complaint #11402771, 2021

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while driving with adaptive cruise control mode engaged and set at approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently as he was approaching a hill. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened; however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11536283, 2023

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2020 Nissan Murano draws about 6.4 complaints per year on the road, ranking 8 of 13 among the Nissan Murano model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

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