The 2012 Murano with the VQ35DE is generally reliable, but the CVT transmission is the Achilles' heel. Engine problems are rare unless catastrophic oil consumption develops, which can grenade the motor if ignored.
CVT Transmission Failure (Cooler and Internal Damage)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially from a stop, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Hesitation when accelerating or loss of power, CVT fluid overheating, burnt smell, Check engine light with P0868 (transmission fluid pressure low) or P17F0 codes
Fix: CVT oil cooler failure is often the trigger—coolant contaminates transmission fluid and destroys internals. Early cooler replacement (~3 hrs labor) can prevent catastrophe, but most come in too late needing full CVT replacement (8-10 hrs labor). Nissan extended warranty to 120k on some, check eligibility.
Estimated cost: $500-1,200 for cooler only; $3,500-5,500 for full CVT replacement with remanufactured unit
Excessive Oil Consumption (Piston Ring Failure)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Burning through 1+ quart of oil every 500-1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs (P0300-P0306 misfire codes), Low oil pressure warning if driver doesn't monitor levels, Engine knock or catastrophic failure if oil runs critically low
Fix: Piston rings fail to seal properly, often from factory defect or carbon buildup. Only real fix is engine teardown and ring replacement or short block swap (20-28 hrs labor). Some owners limp along adding oil constantly. If it grenades from low oil, you're looking at full rebuild or used engine.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000 for ring job or short block; $5,000-8,000+ for complete rebuild after failure
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration felt through cabin at idle or during acceleration, Excessive engine/transmission movement visible under hood during throttle blips
Fix: The front and rear transmission mounts collapse from the CVT's weight and vibration. Straightforward replacement, 2-3 hrs labor depending on which mount(s). OEM mounts recommended—aftermarket often fail prematurely.
Estimated cost: $250-500 per mount
Fuel Sending Unit / Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Erratic or stuck fuel gauge reading, Intermittent no-start or stumbling under acceleration, Fuel pump whine audible from rear seat area, Check engine light with P0462 or P0463 (fuel level sensor) or P0230 (fuel pump circuit)
Fix: Fuel pump assembly or sending unit fails. Requires dropping the fuel tank (2-3 hrs labor). Sometimes just the sender, but pump is often replaced as a precaution since you're already in there.
Estimated cost: $400-800 depending on pump vs. sender only
Steering Wheel Position Sensor / VDC Issues
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: null
Symptoms: VDC (stability control) and SLIP lights illuminated on dash, ABS light may accompany, Steering feels normal but systems disabled, Codes C1130 or C1132 (steering angle sensor)
Fix: Steering angle sensor needs recalibration after battery disconnect, alignment, or spontaneously. Often just a reset procedure (0.5 hrs), but sensor replacement needed if faulty (1.5 hrs labor).
Estimated cost: $100-150 for recalibration; $300-500 for sensor replacement
Radiator and Coolant Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant puddle under vehicle, typically passenger side, Overheating or temperature gauge climbing, Sweet smell from engine bay, Low coolant warning light
Fix: Radiator end tanks crack, or hose connections fail. Radiator replacement is 2-3 hrs labor. Critical to address before overheating damages head gaskets or CVT cooler (which shares coolant system—see problem #1).
Estimated cost: $350-650 for radiator replacement
Owner tips
Check CVT fluid condition every 30k miles—if it's dark or smells burnt, flush immediately and inspect cooler for cross-contamination. Don't wait for symptoms.
Monitor oil level obsessively between changes. If consumption exceeds 1 qt per 3,000 miles, document it and consider trading before engine damage occurs.
Replace transmission mounts proactively around 80k to reduce stress on the CVT and improve NVH.
After any electrical work or battery replacement, have steering angle sensor recalibrated to avoid nuisance VDC lights.
Buy only with documented CVT fluid service history and if engine oil consumption has been monitored—otherwise you're gambling on two expensive failures.
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 engine compartment location
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2011-2014 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.
📍 Integrated within BCM and IPDM-E; no standalone module
🔧 CONSULT-III Plus with NTIS subscription
⚠️ Key programming requires PIN code from Nissan; all keys must be present for registration; immobilizer paired with ECM and BCM
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.
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · 12V068000
2012-02-22
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 MURANO AND ROGUE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2012. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138,TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM.
Consequence: A NON-ACTIVE TPMS CANNOT WARN A DRIVER THAT A TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH.
Remedy: ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE STILL IN DEALER INVENTORY. DEALERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ACTIVATE ALL OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS.
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 2012 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 Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.