The 2019 Murano uses Nissan's CVT (Jatco-built) paired with the proven VQ35DE V6. While this is a later-generation CVT with improved fluid cooling, transmission degradation remains the dominant concern, and the frequency of engine rebuild-related jobs in the data suggests potential oil dilution or consumption issues that can escalate if ignored.
CVT Transmission Overheating and Premature Wear
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or jerking during acceleration, especially from 20-40 mph, Whining or grinding noise that changes with vehicle speed, Hesitation or delayed throttle response, Check engine light with codes P0845, P17F0, or transmission temp warnings
Fix: CVT replacement is the only reliable long-term fix once internal damage occurs. Fluid changes every 30k and external cooler installation can delay but not prevent. Expect 8-12 labor hours for R&R, plus fluid and programming.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Red ATF fluid pooling under vehicle, typically driver's side front, Transmission running hotter than normal, Low fluid level warning or erratic shifting if fluid loss is significant
Fix: Cooler lines corrode at crimped fittings or crack at flex points near subframe. Replace both lines as a set, not just the leaking one. 2-3 labor hours plus fluid refill and relearn procedure.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Excessive Oil Consumption / Fuel Dilution Leading to Engine Damage
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil level dropping a quart or more between changes (5,000 mi intervals), Blue smoke on cold start or under load, Fuel smell in oil, oil level rising instead of dropping, Rough idle, misfires, loss of power, Check engine light with misfire codes or lean/rich condition codes
Fix: VQ35DE can develop piston ring wear or fuel injector issues causing gas to wash cylinder walls. Rings alone: 18-24 hours. If bearings are damaged from diluted oil, short block or complete rebuild required: 25-35 hours. Diagnosis critical—compression and leakdown tests first.
Estimated cost: $3,500-8,500
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk or thud when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle that worsens with AC on, Excessive engine movement visible when accelerating hard
Fix: Front and rear transmission mounts fatigue from CVT operation. Hydraulic-filled mounts leak and collapse. Replace both at once. 2-3 labor hours with subframe support required.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Backup Camera Fogging or Moisture Intrusion
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Blurry or foggy backup camera image, especially in humid or cold weather, Intermittent camera failure or black screen, Water droplets visible inside camera lens housing
Fix: Camera housing seal fails, allowing moisture in. Nissan issued a recall (NHTSA #19V-669) for this, but coverage may have expired. Replacement camera with updated seal takes 0.5-1.0 hour. Check if recall still applies before paying out of pocket.
Estimated cost: $200-400
Fuel Filter Clogging (if equipped with serviceable filter)
Rare · medium severityTypical onset: 100,000+ mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when engine is hot, Loss of power under load or at highway speeds, Engine stumbling or stalling, Fuel pump whining louder than normal
Fix: Most 2019 Muranos have in-tank lifetime filters, but if model has inline serviceable filter, replace it. If in-tank, filter clogging means fuel pump module replacement. 1.5-2.5 hours depending on access.
Estimated cost: $300-800
Buy only if CVT has documented fluid service history and passes a thorough test drive; budget $5k-7k for eventual transmission replacement regardless—it's when, not if.
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.