The 2017 Murano uses Nissan's controversial Jatco CVT7 transmission paired with the VQ35DE V6. While the engine itself is generally reliable, the CVT and related cooling system are the platform's Achilles heel, with catastrophic failures occurring far too often between 60,000-120,000 miles.
CVT Transmission Failure (Judder, Slipping, Complete Loss)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially 15-40 mph, Delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Sudden loss of power or 'limp mode' with check engine light, CVT fluid overheating warnings on dash
Fix: CVT replacement is the only real fix once internal damage occurs. Nissan extended warranty to 84k miles on some units, but many fail just beyond that. Remanufactured CVT swap takes 8-12 hours labor. Fluid changes every 30k miles can help but won't prevent defective units from failing.
Estimated cost: $3,500-5,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure / Coolant Contamination
Common · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Milky or strawberry-colored CVT fluid on dipstick, Transmission overheating warnings, White smoke from exhaust after mixing coolant into CVT, Coolant loss with no external leaks, Sudden transmission failure after cooler breach
Fix: The internal trans cooler in the radiator can rupture, allowing coolant and CVT fluid to cross-contaminate. This kills the CVT almost immediately. Requires radiator replacement, CVT fluid flush (if caught early), or full CVT replacement if contamination caused internal damage. 6-14 hours labor depending on damage extent.
Estimated cost: $800-5,000
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting into Drive or Reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, Visible engine/trans movement when accelerating hard, Metallic knocking over bumps
Fix: The front and rear CVT mounts deteriorate from the constant heat and stress of the CVT. Front mount is particularly prone. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting the drivetrain. 2-3 hours labor for both mounts.
Estimated cost: $400-700
ABS Module / Traction Control Malfunction
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: ABS, VDC, and traction control warning lights illuminated, Loss of ABS function during braking, False activation of stability control on smooth roads, Brake pedal pulsation at low speeds
Fix: The ABS pump/module assembly can fail internally or develop corrosion issues. This is the subject of multiple NHTSA recalls but some failures occur outside recall parameters. Requires ABS module replacement and bleeding. 2-3 hours labor plus programming.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
VQ35DE Engine Oil Consumption / Piston Ring Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000-2,000 miles), Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs, Low oil pressure warnings if neglected, Check engine light with P0300-series misfire codes
Fix: Some VQ35 engines develop piston ring sealing issues leading to severe oil burning. If caught early, top-end work with new rings may suffice (18-24 hours). Advanced cases with cylinder scoring need short block replacement (25-35 hours). This is less common than CVT issues but expensive when it happens.
Estimated cost: $3,500-7,500
Fuel Gauge Sender / Fuel Pump Assembly Failure
Occasional · low severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Erratic or inaccurate fuel gauge readings, Fuel gauge stuck on empty or full, Intermittent no-start or stalling when fuel tank below 1/4, Whining noise from rear of vehicle
Fix: The in-tank fuel level sender or pump assembly can fail. Requires dropping the fuel tank. 3-4 hours labor. Often just the sender but sometimes the entire pump module needs replacement.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Hard pass unless you find one with full CVT replacement documentation under 50k miles and get an extended warranty—the CVT failure rate makes this a financial gamble most DIY-ers will lose.
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.