The 2018 Murano uses Nissan's third-generation CVT (Jatco JF016E/RE0F10E), which has significant durability issues at higher mileage. The VQ35DE V6 itself is generally solid, but the frequency of catastrophic engine rebuild jobs in the repair data suggests pre-ignition and bearing failures are not uncommon, likely tied to oil system contamination and marginal oiling under stress.
CVT Transmission Failure (RE0F10E)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Juddering or shuddering on acceleration, especially from a stop, Whining or grinding noise during highway cruising, Transmission overheating warning on dash, Loss of power or inability to accelerate (limp mode), Fluid turning dark brown or smelling burnt before scheduled interval
Fix: CVT replacement is the only real fix once shuddering or slipping begins; fluid changes and software updates may delay but rarely cure. Reman or used CVT swap runs 12-16 hours labor plus core charge. New from dealer exceeds cost of vehicle value at this age.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure / Contamination
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixed with coolant (strawberry milkshake in overflow tank), Transmission slipping or delayed engagement after cooler breach, Engine overheating if coolant loss is severe, CVT failure shortly after coolant intrusion
Fix: Cooler located in radiator end-tank; breach allows cross-contamination that destroys the CVT. Requires radiator replacement, full CVT flush (or replacement if already damaged), and all coolant system purge. 8-10 hours labor if caught early, doubles if CVT is cooked.
Estimated cost: $1,800-6,500
Engine Bearing and Pre-Ignition Damage
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Knocking or rattling on cold start that persists beyond 30 seconds, Loss of oil pressure at idle (gauge drops, warning light flickers), Metallic ticking that increases with RPM, Metal shavings in oil during change, Sudden catastrophic failure with rod through block
Fix: VQ35DE suffers from oil system sludge buildup if maintenance is neglected, starving bearings. Some units show pre-ignition (LSPI) damage to rings and pistons. Rebuild requires 20-28 hours labor: rod bearings, mains, rings, honing, possibly pistons. Short block swap is 18-22 hours. Used engine with low miles is often more economical.
Estimated cost: $4,500-8,500
Transmission Mount Failure (Front and Rear)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on gear changes (especially reverse to drive), Vibration at idle in gear with brake applied, Excessive engine movement visible when accelerating hard, Steering wheel vibration during throttle tip-in
Fix: CVT and engine mounts use fluid-filled bushings that tear or leak. Front mount requires subframe partial drop on AWD models; rear mount is straightforward. Replace both at same time to avoid comebacks. 2.5-4 hours labor depending on AWD vs FWD.
Estimated cost: $600-1,100
Backup Camera and AVM Module Failure
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Backup camera shows 'unavailable' or black screen, Around View Monitor (AVM) shows distorted or frozen image, Intermittent camera function, works when cold but fails when hot, Camera lens fogging internally
Fix: Camera modules fail from moisture intrusion or internal board corrosion. NHTSA recall 20V-134 covers some units but not all failure modes. Replacement camera is 1.5 hours labor; AVM control module is 2 hours and requires programming. Check for open recall first.
Estimated cost: $400-1,200
ABS Module and Brake Booster Issues
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: ABS and VDC warning lights on dash, Hard brake pedal, increased stopping distance, Brake pedal pulsing during normal stops (not ABS activation), Hissing sound from brake booster area, Loss of power assist, heavy pedal effort
Fix: ABS actuator/pump assembly fails internally; Nissan TSB covers some units but many are out of warranty. Booster diaphragm ruptures cause vacuum loss and hard pedal. ABS module replacement is 3-4 hours, booster is 2.5 hours. Both are dealer-level programming jobs.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Pass unless you find one with documented CVT replacement and meticulous oil change records under 80,000 miles—this platform has too many expensive catastrophic failures for a 2018 model year to recommend as a used buy.
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.