2010 Nissan Murano: common problems and reliability
The 2010 Nissan Murano has 188 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and power train. Owners most often flag cvt (continuously variable transmission) failure — catastrophic, premature failure is the dominant issue. described as a "time bomb," especially after 100,000 miles (161,000 km). failure often occurs without warning, with repair/replacement costs cited between $5,000 and $8,000 usd. linked to class action lawsuits and warranty extensions for specific model years (e.g., 2010, 2015-2018). frequency: very frequent.
Safety record for the 2010 model year
188
Owner complaints
0
Recalls
11
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2010 Nissan Murano vehicles (US, public record).
Where owners report problems
service brakes
55
power train
40
electrical system
22
suspension
15
structure
15
What owners say across generations
Deeply polarized sentiment with a clear generational divide. Long-term owners of first-generation (2003-2007) and second-generation (2009-2014) models report significant, often catastrophic, issues with the JATCO CVT transmission, leading to widespread distrus
CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) failure — Catastrophic, premature failure is the dominant issue. Described as a "time bomb," especially after 100,000 miles (161,000 km). Failure often occurs without warning, with repair/replacement costs cited between $5,000 and $8,000 USD. Linked to class action lawsuits and warranty extensions for specific model years (e.g., 2010, 2015-2018). Frequency: very frequent.
CVT shudder and lag — Delayed engagement ("takes a second or two to go"), shuddering at low and high speeds, and general sluggishness. Often a precursor to total failure. Frequency: recurrent.
General reliability concerns — Perceived as less reliable and more cheaply constructed than key Japanese competitors (Honda, Toyota). Described as a potential "money pit," particularly older high-mileage examples. Frequency: recurrent.
Electrical issues — Isolated reports of unexplained electrical problems that were difficult to diagnose and repair. Frequency: isolated.
Alternator failures — Mentioned as a replacement item on higher-mileage vehicles, with a note to avoid certain remanufactured units. Frequency: isolated.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Murano.
Typical used price
Used Murano listings typically run $32,698–$40,200 across 2012 to 2026 model years.