2010 NISSAN MURANO

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Shuddering or juddering during acceleration, especially 15-40 mph, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Hesitation when accelerating from a stop, Check engine light with codes P0868, P17F0, P17F1, Sudden loss of power or limp mode

Fix: Nissan CVTs of this era are notorious for premature failure due to inadequate cooling and weak valve body design. Replacement is the only real fix—rebuilds rarely last. Expect 8-12 hours labor for R&R. Aftermarket reman units are cheaper but risky; OEM reman is safer.

Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500

Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart of oil every 1,000-1,500 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs, Check engine light for misfire codes, Engine damage if oil level drops unnoticed

Fix: VQ35DE engines from this generation have piston ring design flaws causing excessive oil consumption. Nissan issued TSB NTB11-058a but no recall. Proper fix requires engine disassembly and piston ring replacement—minimum 18-24 hours labor. Many owners opt for short block or used engine swap instead.

Estimated cost: $3,000-6,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Strawberry milkshake appearance in radiator or overflow tank, Transmission overheating, Erratic shifting or loss of drive, Coolant loss with no visible external leak

Fix: The CVT fluid cooler is integrated into the radiator. When it fails internally, coolant and CVT fluid mix—this destroys the transmission within days if not caught immediately. Requires radiator replacement, full CVT fluid flush, and often transmission replacement if contamination occurred. 4-6 hours labor for radiator; add 10+ if transmission is cooked.

Estimated cost: $800-1,200 (if caught early); $4,500-6,500 (if transmission damaged)

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Engine rocks visibly when accelerating or braking, Steering wheel shake

Fix: The hydraulic transmission mount fails most often, followed by the front engine mounts. The transmission mount is a pain—requires supporting the drivetrain and working around the CVT. 2-3 hours labor per mount. Replace all three if one is bad; they age together.

Estimated cost: $400-800 (single mount); $900-1,400 (all three)

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Inaccurate or erratic fuel gauge readings, Fuel gauge stuck on empty or full, Intermittent stalling or no-start, Check engine light with fuel system codes

Fix: The in-tank fuel pump assembly includes the sending unit, which fails due to corrosion or wear. Requires dropping the fuel tank—about 3-4 hours labor. Not a safety emergency unless the pump itself dies, but annoying and can leave you stranded.

Estimated cost: $600-1,000

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Humming or grinding noise from rear, increases with speed, Noise changes with turning, No vibration felt through steering wheel (rules out front)

Fix: Rear hub assemblies wear out faster than expected on AWD models. Straightforward replacement—1.5-2 hours per side. Not dangerous immediately but will get louder and eventually cause ABS issues.

Estimated cost: $350-550 per side