The 2021 Murano with the VQ35DE V6 is generally reliable for a Nissan CVT application, but the Jatco CVT8 transmission remains the Achilles' heel. Severe engine failures (pistons, bearings, head gaskets) appearing in repair data are concerning outliers, likely pre-existing defects or severe neglect rather than systemic issues on a 3-4 year old vehicle.
CVT Transmission Overheating & Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Whining or humming noise during acceleration, Shuddering or hesitation between 20-40 mph, Burning smell from transmission area, Check engine light with P0868 (transmission fluid pressure) or P17F0 (CVT belt slippage) codes
Fix: CVT replacement is typical solution; rebuilt units available but longevity questionable. 8-12 hours labor for R&R. Oil cooler failure can cause this prematurely, so inspect cooler during any CVT service.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,500
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Red fluid spots under vehicle near front/center, Low transmission fluid warnings, Overheating transmission if leak is severe, Visible corrosion on steel cooler lines where they meet rubber hoses
Fix: Steel lines rust through at crimp points and rubber junction areas. Replace both feed and return lines as a set; cooler itself often needs replacement if contaminated. 2-3 hours labor, flush required.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Rear Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 40,000-70,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration felt through floor at idle, Excessive engine movement visible during acceleration, Transmission appears to 'rock' when throttle applied in gear
Fix: Hydraulic mount deteriorates, loses fluid. OEM mount required for best results; aftermarket versions collapse quickly. 1.5-2 hours labor, straightforward bolt-in.
Estimated cost: $350-550
VQ35DE Timing Chain Tensioner Rattle (Cold Start)
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise for 2-5 seconds on cold start, then disappears, Check engine light with P0011/P0021 (cam timing over-advanced), Noise from front of engine, passenger side, More pronounced in cold weather
Fix: Primary chain tensioner loses hydraulic pressure with age. Requires front timing cover removal, replace both primary tensioners and guides while in there. 6-8 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
Fuel Filter Clogging (Premature)
Occasional · medium severitySymptoms: Hesitation or stumbling under acceleration, Intermittent stalling, especially when fuel tank below 1/4, P0171/P0174 lean codes (can be misleading), Hard starting after sitting overnight
Fix: In-tank filter clogs from ethanol-related debris or poor fuel quality. Requires fuel pump assembly removal. Some techs see this as early as 30K miles in areas with moisture-contaminated fuel. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Infotainment System Freezing / Black Screen
Occasional · low severitySymptoms: Touchscreen becomes unresponsive or completely black, Backup camera fails to display, Audio system cuts out randomly, System reboots on its own while driving
Fix: Software glitch in the Nissan Connect head unit. Most cases resolved with hard reset (hold power for 10+ seconds) or dealer software update. Persistent failures need head unit replacement. 1 hour for update, 2 hours for R&R.
Estimated cost: $150-250 for update, $1,200-1,800 for replacement
Buy with caution under 60K miles and solid service records; the CVT is still a ticking time bomb despite improvements, but early examples seem better than 2015-2018 models — avoid high-mileage or poorly maintained examples entirely.
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.