Is the 2006 Nissan Murano a bad year?
803 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Murano years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2006 Nissan Murano are in line with other Murano years. Seats and visibility and wipers stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Murano owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 68,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| SeatsSTANDS OUT | 402 (50%) | 51k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 179 (22%) | 41k–75k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 44 (5%) | 52k–121k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 38 (5%) | 43k–69k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 26 (3%) | 58k–125k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 21 (3%) | 64k–150k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 19 (2%) | 53k–124k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 10 (1%) | 8k–107k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 43 (5%) | 69k–124k miles · ahead | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Suspension | 30 (4%) | 105k–159k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Engine | 29 (4%) | 74k–152k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed control | 10 (1%) | 85k–175k miles · ahead | — |
| Equipment | 11 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 8 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 68,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 803 complaints: 13 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 14 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jun 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
I drive a 2005 Nissan murano sl. The vehicle periodically does not safely accelerate while in busy traffic.
During my drive while exiting off the highway. The vehicle jumped/sped up on its own as if I accelerated. Felt like a transmission slip.
After coming to a complete stop, vehicle will intermittently not accelerate when stepping on the gas.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 68,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Nissan Murano: 4
The intake air ducts, which are connected to the intermediate resonator in the air intake system of the engine, may separate from the resonator with engine movement. This separation occurs due to the premature aging of the material used in the intake air ducts which causes excessive shrinking. Engine may stall increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "Theft protection." If the key is turned to the "Off" Position without the transmission being in the "Park" Position, it is possible that the steering wheel can lock when turned to the right.
On some sport utility vehicles, in certain high speed frontal crashes, the webbing of a rear outboard seat belt may contact the rear seat back hinge where it can be cut by the sharp edge of the metal portion of the hinge. If the webbing is completely separated, it can increase the risk of injury to an occupant in a crash.
On certain sport utility vehicles, due to the location of the forward edge of the fuel tank, in the event that a vehicle front tire runs over a small, sharp object in the road, catches it and propels it towards the rear of the vehicle, it may strike and puncture the fuel tank. A punctured tank could increase the risk of a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 38
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Nissan Murano. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Abnormal noise, vibration and/or binding feeling from rear differential
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Nissan; fuel tank is extremely difficult to fill
The Body Control Module (BCM)…
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Driver seat anchor failure
Fuel tank punctures from road debris
Neighbouring years
2005 Murano: 987 complaints, keep it · 2007 Murano: 676 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Murano year
2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Murano years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Nissan Murano a bad year?
803 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Murano years. At 68,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Nissan Murano?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: seats (402), visibility and wipers (179), fuel system (44), steering (38), electrical system (26).
How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Murano have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 09V-169), Steering (NHTSA 06V-401), Seat belts (NHTSA 06V-048), Fuel system (NHTSA 06V-003). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.