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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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 severityTypical 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
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.