If your Murano shudders during acceleration or slips into “limp mode” on the highway, you’re dealing with one of the most documented reliability issues in modern SUVs. This guide breaks down the specific failures, which years to watch out for, and what your repair actually costs. Keep reading—the information here could save you thousands.
The Core Problem: Why Nissan’s CVT Keeps Failing
The Nissan Murano uses a Jatco Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) that relies on a steel belt sliding between two pulleys to change gears. Unlike traditional transmissions with fixed gears that lock together, this system depends entirely on friction.
Here’s the issue: your Murano weighs around 4,000 pounds and generates 260 lb-ft of torque from its V6 engine. That’s a massive load for a belt-driven system to handle. When hydraulic pressure drops even slightly, the belt slips against the pulley faces. This slip generates heat, which degrades the transmission fluid, which causes more slip—a vicious cycle that ends with metal shavings in your transmission pan.
How the Failure Happens
The hydraulic control system uses solenoids that pulse rapidly to regulate oil pressure. Over time, microscopic metal particles in the fluid scour the aluminum valve body where these solenoids operate. This creates tiny leakage paths.
When pressure can’t be maintained, the steel belt drags across the pulley surface like a cutting tool, gouging deep scratches. Once the pulley is damaged, it destroys the belt completely. This isn’t a gradual wear issue—it’s catastrophic failure that fills your transmission with metal debris.
The Worst Years for Nissan Murano Transmission Problems
Not all Muranos suffer equally. Specific model years show dramatically higher failure rates.
2015: The Peak Crisis Year
The 2015 model year represents the single worst year to own. These vehicles introduced the CVT8 (RE0F10E) transmission, which brought a new failure mode: violent shuddering during acceleration that feels like driving over rumble strips.
This “judder” isn’t just annoying—it’s active mechanical destruction. The transmission control module rapidly oscillates between slip and grip, creating shock loads that damage internal components.
2003-2007: The Experimental Era
First-generation Muranos were guinea pigs for V6-powered CVT technology. The 2004-2005 models suffered the highest rates of complete transmission lockup while driving. Transfer case failures on AWD models often starved the transmission of fluid, causing sudden total failure.
Nissan extended the warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles for these vehicles, but that coverage expired years ago.
2009: The Brake-and-Transmission Disaster
The 2009 model combined transmission failures with soft brake pedal issues from faulty ABS actuators. You’ll find this year consistently ranking as the most complained-about Murano across consumer databases.
The Coverage Gap: 2011-2014
These years fall into a warranty void. They missed the 10-year extension for early models and aren’t covered by the class action settlement for 2015+ vehicles. If you own one and the transmission fails, you’re paying out of pocket.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
Nissan’s own Technical Service Bulletins reveal exactly what technicians look for when diagnosing these failures.
The Shudder or Judder
This violent vibration during acceleration triggers specific diagnostic codes: P17F0 or P17F1. When your mechanic sees these codes, they follow a precise workflow that often ends with one conclusion: transmission replacement.
Whining or Grinding Noises
A high-pitched whine that changes with speed indicates belt slip against the pulleys. Once you hear metal-on-metal grinding, internal damage has already occurred.
Delayed Engagement
If you shift into Drive or Reverse and the vehicle hesitates for 2-3 seconds before moving, the hydraulic system can’t build pressure fast enough. This delay gets progressively worse until the transmission won’t engage at all.
Limp Mode Activation
Your Murano suddenly loses power and won’t accelerate past 40 mph. The dashboard displays warnings. This is “fail-safe mode”—the computer detected transmission overheating or pressure loss and is trying to prevent complete destruction.
Transmission Fluid Issues
Check your dipstick (if equipped) or have a shop inspect the fluid. Fresh CVT fluid is bright red. If it’s brown, smells burnt, or contains metallic particles, the transmission is already failing internally.
The Diagnostic Process Dealers Use
When you bring your Murano to a dealership with transmission complaints, technicians follow specific protocols outlined in Nissan’s service bulletins.
The Borescope Inspection
This is the critical test. The technician removes an inspection plug and inserts a camera to view the steel belt surface.
Pass criteria: Uniform appearance with no deep scratches
Fail criteria: Scuffing, scoring, or separation of steel elements
If the belt fails inspection with code P17F0 present, the entire transmission gets replaced. If the belt passes but the code exists, only the valve body is replaced—a $2,000 difference in cost.
What Replacement Actually Costs
The Jatco CVT can’t be reliably rebuilt by most shops. The precision required and scarcity of quality parts make full replacement the standard repair.
| Repair Option | Cost Range | Reliability |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer OEM replacement | $4,500-$6,500 | Highest (new unit) |
| Independent shop (reman) | $3,500-$5,000 | Good (warranty dependent) |
| Used/salvage unit | $2,000-$3,200 | Poor (high failure risk) |
| Valve body only | $1,500-$2,500 | Temporary (if caught early) |
For older Muranos, this creates a “mechanical total loss” scenario. A 2010 model worth $4,500 isn’t worth a $5,000 repair. You’re essentially scrapping a vehicle that might otherwise run for years.
The Class Action Settlement: Who’s Covered
The Beaver v. Nissan settlement provides specific relief for certain model years, but coverage is limited.
2015-2018 Models
These vehicles received an extended warranty to 84 months (7 years) or 84,000 miles for the transmission assembly and control unit. As of 2025, most 2015 models have aged out of this coverage.
If you paid for repairs during the coverage period, you could claim 100% reimbursement for dealer work or up to $5,000 for independent shop repairs.
The Two-Failure Voucher
If your transmission was replaced two or more times, you qualified for a $1,000 voucher toward a new Nissan. The existence of this clause confirms that even replacement transmissions were failing—trapping owners in a repair cycle.
What’s Not Covered
2019-2024 models use nearly identical transmissions but aren’t included in the settlement. They rely on the standard 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. Nissan handles failures on a case-by-case “goodwill” basis, which means no guarantees.
Maintenance That Actually Prevents Failure
Nissan’s “lifetime fluid” claim is misleading. The fluid absolutely needs changing, and the factory schedule isn’t aggressive enough.
The 30,000-Mile Fluid Change
Independent transmission specialists and experienced owners recommend draining and refilling every 30,000 miles. Fresh NS-3 fluid replenishes the friction modifiers that prevent belt slip and maintains the chemical properties that keep hydraulic pressure stable.
Why “Severe Service” Applies to You
Nissan’s “severe service” schedule (60,000-mile intervals) includes:
- Stop-and-go traffic
- Temperatures above 90°F
- Short trips under 5 miles
That describes most people’s daily driving. You’re in severe service whether you realize it or not.
Install an Auxiliary Cooler
Heat kills CVTs. An aftermarket transmission cooler (around $200-$400 installed) keeps fluid temperatures below 180°F. This dramatically slows oxidation and preserves fluid integrity, especially if you live in hot climates or do any towing.
Replace the Filter
Your Murano has two transmission filters: a pan screen and a paper cartridge. The paper filter traps fine metal dust from the variator. Most dealers skip this during routine service, but it should be changed with every fluid service to prevent flow restriction.
The 2025 Model: Nissan Admits Defeat
The 2025 Murano represents Nissan’s most significant powertrain change in the model’s 22-year history: they’ve completely abandoned the CVT.
The ZF 9-Speed Replacement
Nissan replaced the V6/CVT combo with a 2.0L turbo engine paired with a ZF 9-speed automatic transmission—a traditional torque-converter automatic with planetary gear sets.
This German-designed transmission uses fixed gears that mechanically lock together, eliminating the belt-slip vulnerability. It offers better towing capacity and what Nissan’s marketing explicitly calls “instant power” and “smooth, predictable acceleration.”
What This Tells You
By advertising the elimination of “rubber band feel” and “sluggish response,” Nissan is validating every complaint CVT owners have made for two decades. This isn’t just an upgrade—it’s an admission that the CVT couldn’t meet the performance and reliability expectations of mid-size SUV buyers.
Should You Buy a Used Murano?
The answer depends entirely on the model year and your tolerance for risk.
Avoid at All Costs
- 2015 (highest failure rate)
- 2004-2005 (expired warranty, high failure rate)
- 2009 (transmission + brake issues)
Proceed with Extreme Caution
- 2011-2014 (no warranty coverage, aging CVTs)
- 2016-2018 (settlement coverage expiring/expired)
Acceptable with Proper Maintenance
- 2019-2024 (newer units, still under warranty if low mileage)
- 2025+ (traditional automatic, CVT eliminated)
The Maintenance Records Rule
Don’t buy any CVT-equipped Murano without documented proof of 30,000-mile fluid changes. A $15,000 purchase price that seems like a bargain becomes a $20,000 mistake when the transmission fails at 85,000 miles.
How Nissan Compares to Competitors
Understanding the Murano’s reliability requires context against similar vehicles.
| Vehicle | Transmission | Major Issues | Reliability Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Murano (2015-2024) | Jatco CVT8 | Belt slip, judder, total failure | Poor |
| Toyota Highlander (V6) | Aisin 8-speed | Occasional software glitch | Excellent |
| Honda Pilot (2016-2020) | ZF 9-speed | Shift quality complaints | Average |
| Subaru Outback (3.6R) | Lineartronic CVT | Minor slip (high torque) | Good |
The key difference: Toyota and Honda’s transmission issues involve inconvenience and software updates. Nissan’s involve catastrophic mechanical failure requiring $5,000+ repairs.
Even Subaru’s CVT—which uses similar technology—employs a high-torque chain rather than Nissan’s push-belt design. This results in significantly lower failure rates in high-mileage applications.
What to Do If You’re Experiencing Problems Now
If your Murano is showing symptoms, act quickly. The progression from “minor shudder” to “complete failure” can happen in weeks.
Document Everything
Record dates, mileage, and specific symptoms. If you’re within warranty coverage (standard or extended), you need this documentation to prove the issue existed during the coverage period.
Get a Dealer Diagnosis First
Independent shops can handle repairs, but for warranty claims, you need the dealer to scan for P17F0 or P17F1 codes and perform the borescope inspection. This creates an official service record.
Check Your Warranty Status
Review your purchase date and mileage against the settlement terms. Even if you’re just past the coverage window, some owners have successfully negotiated goodwill repairs by showing the failure occurred just after expiration.
Consider the Total Loss Question
If your Murano is worth less than $6,000 and the transmission needs replacement, it’s often smarter to sell it “as-is” and move to a different vehicle. You’ll lose money either way, but replacement doesn’t guarantee the new transmission won’t fail again.
The Real Cost of Ownership
The market has already priced in Nissan’s CVT reputation. Similar-year Toyota Highlanders command a 30-40% price premium over comparable Muranos. That “great deal” you found on a used Murano reflects the embedded liability of potential transmission failure.
Resale Value Impact
When you go to sell or trade a CVT-equipped Murano, dealers know the risk. They’ll either offer wholesale-level pricing or refuse the trade entirely. Private buyers educated about Nissan CVT problems won’t pay premium prices.
Insurance Considerations
If your transmission fails catastrophically while driving and causes an accident, your insurance covers the accident—not the mechanical failure that caused it. You’re still paying to fix the transmission separately.
Why This Problem Persisted for 20 Years
Nissan’s CVT issues aren’t a secret—they’ve been documented since the early 2000s. So why did the company continue using this transmission through 2024?
The Fuel Economy Mandate
CVTs provide better EPA fuel economy ratings than traditional automatics because they can hold the engine at optimal RPM continuously. These ratings directly impact regulatory compliance and marketing claims.
The JATCO Connection
JATCO is 75% owned by Nissan. Using JATCO transmissions keeps money within the corporate family and maintains supply chain control. Switching to ZF (a German supplier) for the 2025 model represents a significant strategic shift.
The Settlement Strategy
Rather than issue recalls (which require admitting a safety defect), Nissan chose extended warranties and settlements. This limits total liability and keeps the NHTSA from mandating more expensive corrective action.
The switch to a traditional automatic in 2025 suggests that market pressure and legal costs finally exceeded the benefits of CVT fuel economy gains.
Making the Smart Decision
If you currently own a Murano with a CVT, you have three options:
Option 1: Maintain Aggressively
Change fluid every 30,000 miles, install an auxiliary cooler, and hope you’re among the units that survive to 150,000+ miles. Budget $3,000 in preventive maintenance over the vehicle’s life.
Option 2: Sell Now
If your transmission hasn’t failed yet, sell while it still runs. Accept the depreciation hit, but avoid the catastrophic failure risk. This makes the most sense for 2015-2017 models.
Option 3: Drive Until Failure
Minimal maintenance, save money for the inevitable replacement, and plan your exit strategy. Only viable if your Murano’s value is already near zero.
For prospective buyers, the choice is simpler: buy a 2025+ model with the ZF transmission, or choose a different vehicle entirely. The money you “save” on a cheap used Murano will evaporate the moment you see a $5,000 repair estimate.
The Nissan Murano’s CVT represents a case study in what happens when engineering ambition exceeds material capabilities. For 20 years, Nissan tried to make a belt-driven transmission work in an application that demanded the robustness of conventional gears. The 2025 redesign proves they’ve finally learned what their customers have known all along: some technologies shouldn’t be scaled beyond their limits.
