The 2007 Murano pairs Nissan's reliable VQ35DE V6 with the CVT transmission—and that CVT is the Achilles' heel. Expect transmission-related issues to dominate ownership costs, with some oil consumption concerns on higher-mileage examples.
CVT Transmission Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or grinding noise during acceleration, Hesitation or shuddering when accelerating from stop, Slipping between gear ratios, RPM flare without acceleration, Check engine light with P0731 or P0732 codes, Sudden loss of forward movement
Fix: CVT replacement or rebuild required. Nissan extended warranty to 120k miles on some units, but many fail just outside that window. Replacement CVT runs 12-16 hours labor plus remanufactured unit. Used units are risky—often fail quickly.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
CVT Transmission Cooler Failure and Contamination
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission overheating warning light, Coolant mixing with CVT fluid (strawberry milkshake appearance in reservoir), White smoke from exhaust if coolant enters CVT, Sudden transmission failure after coolant cross-contamination
Fix: The internal transmission cooler in the radiator fails, allowing coolant and CVT fluid to mix—this destroys the CVT within days or miles. Requires radiator replacement AND full CVT fluid flush at minimum; if contamination sat, full CVT replacement needed. Preventive radiator replacement at 80k-100k is cheaper than the alternative. 8-10 hours labor for radiator and flush, or 14+ if CVT damaged.
Symptoms: Low oil warning light between changes, Burning 1+ quart every 1,000-1,500 miles, Blue smoke on cold start or hard acceleration, Spark plug fouling on cylinders 2, 4, 6
Fix: Piston ring wear and oil control ring failure common on higher-mileage VQ35s. Minor cases managed with more frequent oil checks; severe cases need engine rebuild with new rings, honing, and possibly pistons. Engine-out rebuild is 25-30 hours labor. Some opt for low-mileage used engine swap instead (18-22 hours).
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting into drive or reverse, Vibration at idle especially with A/C on, Engine rocking visibly under acceleration or braking
Fix: Front and rear transmission mounts collapse from CVT vibration. Replace both mounts as a pair—doing one at a time leads to accelerated failure of the other. 2.5-3.5 hours labor for both mounts.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Wheel Bearing Hub Assembly Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Humming or grinding noise that increases with speed, Noise changes pitch in turns (louder turning one direction), ABS or VDC warning lights, Wheel play detectable when lifted
Fix: Front wheel bearing assemblies wear, especially on AWD models. Replace as complete hub assembly with integrated ABS sensor—no separate bearing service. 2-2.5 hours per side. Rear bearings less common but follow same pattern.
Estimated cost: $400-650 per corner
Valve Cover Gasket Oil Leaks
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 100,000+ mi
Symptoms: Oil seepage visible on valve covers, Burning oil smell from engine bay, Oil drips on exhaust manifold creating smoke, Low oil without obvious external puddles
Fix: Both valve cover gaskets harden and leak over time. Not urgent unless leak is severe, but address before oil saturates ignition coils. Replace both gaskets and spark plug tube seals together. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $500-800
Owner tips
Change CVT fluid every 30k miles with Nissan NS-2 or NS-3 spec fluid—not 'lifetime' despite marketing
Replace radiator preemptively at 80k-100k miles to prevent CVT cooler cross-contamination
Check oil level every other fill-up after 100k miles due to ring wear patterns
If buying used, insist on proof of CVT fluid changes and radiator replacement—or budget for immediate replacement
Buy only if transmission has been replaced or extensively documented service history exists—otherwise you're gambling $4k-6k against a ticking time bomb CVT.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: Standard top post terminals; battery located in engine bay
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Every control module on the 2003-2007 Nissan Murano — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Odometer programming required to transfer mileage. VIN and configuration must match vehicle.
Sonar Control Unit (SONAR)0.6 hr R&Rrelearn only +0.2 hrwith rear parking sensors▸ programming details
📍 Behind rear bumper, driver side, above hitch area
🔧 CONSULT-II or self-calibration
⚠️ 2006-2007 models only. Self-calibration available through button sequence on control panel.
Fuel Pump Control Module (FPCM)0.5 hr R&Rno coding
📍 Under rear seat cushion, above fuel tank
⚠️ Controls fuel pump relay and monitors fuel level sender. Common failure point causing no-start.
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 362,891 MY 2003-2007 MURANO VEHICLES. THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS, WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERMEDIATE RESONATOR IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE, MAY SEPARATE FROM THE RESONATOR WITH ENGINE MOVEMENT. THIS SEPARATION OCCURS DUE TO THE PREMATURE AGING OF THE MATERIAL USED IN THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS WHICH CAUSES EXCESSIVE SHRINKING.
Consequence: ENGINE MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE/REPAIR THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
AIR BAGS · 08V521000
2008-10-07
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2007 Nissan Murano 3.5L V6 VQ35DE and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years.