The 2023 Murano runs Nissan's proven VQ35DE V6 paired with their Xtronic CVT. While this is the latest generation, the CVT remains the Achilles' heel, and the engine—though generally reliable—has documented internal wear issues at higher miles that mirror the broader VQ platform's weak points.
CVT Transmission Failure / Judder
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or hesitation during acceleration, especially from stop, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Slipping between ratios or delayed engagement, Check engine light with CVT-related codes (P17xx range)
Fix: Nissan's Xtronic CVT has a long history of premature failure across the lineup. Early intervention with fluid changes every 30k mi helps but doesn't eliminate risk. Once symptoms appear, transmission replacement is typical—rebuilds rarely hold. 8-12 hours labor for R&R.
Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle, often near radiator, Low transmission fluid warning or limp mode, Overheating transmission, especially under load or towing
Fix: The cooler lines that run to the radiator corrode or crack at fittings, particularly in salt-belt states. Requires cooler line replacement and often the external radiator-mounted cooler itself. 2-3 hours labor, fluid flush included.
Estimated cost: $400-800
Piston Ring Wear / Oil Consumption
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption—1 quart per 1,000-2,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on cold start or acceleration, Fouled spark plugs, misfires (P0300-P0306 codes), Loss of power, rough idle
Fix: The VQ35DE is known for piston ring land wear, especially if oil changes were stretched. Once consumption is severe, you're looking at engine teardown for new pistons and rings or a short block replacement. 18-24 hours labor for internal engine work.
Estimated cost: $4,000-7,500
Timing Chain / Tensioner Wear
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Rattling noise from front of engine on cold start, subsides when warm, Check engine light with timing correlation codes (P0011, P0021), Rough running, poor fuel economy
Fix: The VQ's timing chain guides and tensioners wear over time, especially if oil changes are neglected. Requires front engine disassembly—timing cover off, chains, guides, tensioners replaced. 8-12 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severityTypical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or thudding when shifting into drive or reverse, Excessive vibration at idle, especially in gear, Visible sag or torn rubber on mount inspection
Fix: The front transmission mount collapses due to the weight of the CVT and V6 combo. It's a maintenance item on these. Replace proactively if you see vibration. 1.5-2 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Fuel Filter Clogging (if applicable)
Rare · medium severitySymptoms: Hard starting, long crank time, Stumbling or hesitation under load, Loss of power at highway speeds
Fix: Most Muranos have an in-tank lifetime filter, but contaminated fuel or tank corrosion can clog it. Requires fuel tank drop and pump module replacement. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,000
Solid drivetrain held back by CVT lottery—buy only with full service records and extended warranty, or budget $5k for eventual transmission replacement.
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.