CarBrief

Brakes and air bags draw the most owner complaints on the 2009 Murano among the 635 on file with NHTSA[1][2][3]. EPA rates it at 20 MPG combined[4].

635owner complaints[1]
4recalls[5]
20MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 635 owner complaints for this model year[1]. 24 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 26 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints Crashes Fires Injuries Median miles at failure
Brakes[2] 269 15 0 10 88,000
Air bags[3] 91 11 0 19 75,000
Electrical system[6] 83 2 3 1 71,425
Power train[7] 69 0 0 0 81,500
Engine[8] 40 0 2 0 75,431
Steering[9] 34 0 0 0 67,500
Structure[10] 29 1 0 0 100,000

Below is what owners describe in a small sample of 12 complaint texts for each of the four largest groups. It is a sample, so it shows the kinds of problems reported, not how often they happen.

Brakes. In a sample of complaints we read, 7 of 12 describe a brake pedal that went soft or sank to the floor, with longer stopping[2]. 5 of 12 name the ABS unit, pump or controller as the diagnosed or suspected cause[2]. Brakes also carry the most crashes of any group, 15[2]. One of the recalls below covers ABS valves and extra pedal travel[11]. The complaints alone do not show whether a given car's problem is the same one.

Air bags. In a sample of complaints we read, 8 of 12 mention an air bag warning light that came on or flashed[3]. 2 of 12 say a dealer found a failed passenger seat sensor built into the seat cushion, so the seat had to be replaced[3]. Air bag complaints have the most injuries of any group, 19[3].

Electrical system. In a sample of complaints we read, 4 of 12 describe a sudden loss of power or a car that would not start[6]. 2 of 12 describe power door locks or windows that stopped working[6]. The group has 3 fires among its 83 complaints[6].

Power train. In a sample of complaints we read, 5 of 12 describe the vehicle rolling on an incline or after a gear change, or being shut off without being in park[7]. 3 of 12 describe a transfer case that failed or had to be replaced[7]. The group has no reported crashes, fires or injuries[7].

Engine has 40 complaints with 2 fires[8]. Steering has 34[9] and structure has 29[10]. We did not read samples for those groups.

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year. Newest first:

Recall coverage can be limited to certain vehicles. One owner in the air bag complaint sample[3] and one in the electrical sample[6] say they were told their car was not included in a recall.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the front-wheel-drive Murano at 18 city, 23 highway and 20 combined MPG on premium fuel[4]. EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,100[4]. The all-wheel-drive Murano has the same ratings and the same estimate[15]. Both have a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine and an automatic with variable gear ratios[4][15].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door FWD/AWD Murano 4 stars for rollover, with an 18.5% rollover risk[16]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

Both EPA-tested versions use a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine[4][15]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications. They are listed for all-wheel-drive versions.

AWD LE AWD S/SL
Length[17][18] 189 in 189 in
Width[17][18] 74 in 74 in
Height[17][18] 68 in 68 in
Wheelbase[17][18] 111 in 111 in
Curb weight[17][18] 4,158 lb 4,041 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

2003: 800 complaints, 6 recalls20032004: 678 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 987 complaints, 6 recalls20052006: 803 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 676 complaints, 2 recalls20072009: 635 complaints, 4 recalls63520092010: 193 complaints, 0 recalls20102011: 148 complaints, 0 recalls2012: 135 complaints, 1 recalls20122013: 74 complaints, 1 recalls2014: 145 complaints, 1 recalls20142015: 204 complaints, 6 recalls2016: 108 complaints, 6 recalls20162017: 107 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 113 complaints, 2 recalls20182019: 43 complaints, 1 recalls2020: 45 complaints, 2 recalls20202021: 17 complaints, 0 recalls2022: 6 complaints, 0 recalls20222023: 8 complaints, 0 recalls2024: 5 complaints, 1 recalls20242025: 25 complaints, 2 recalls2026: 4 complaints, 0 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Murano model year. The 2009 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20038006
20046784
20059876
20068034
20076762
20096354
20101930
20111480
20121351
2013741
20141451
20152046
20161086
20171073
20181132
2019431
2020452
2021170
202260
202380
202451
2025252
202640

With 635 complaints, 2009 sits below 2003 (800), 2004 (678), 2005 (987), 2006 (803) and 2007 (676)[5]. It sits above every year from 2010 on, where the highest is 2015 with 204[5]. 2008 is not in the list[5].

On recalls, 2009 has 4[5]. That equals 2004 and 2006, is below 2003, 2005, 2015 and 2016 (6 each), and is above 2007 (2) and every year from 2010 to 2014 (0 to 1)[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat these as a rough guide to what is on file.

Should you buy a used 2009 Murano?

The 2009 Murano has a sizable complaint file, led by brakes and air bags, and those two groups hold the most crashes and injuries[2][3]. Its four recalls touch brakes, tires and air bags, and each lists a dealer remedy[11][12][13][14]. Before buying, ask whether the recalls above were done and ask for service records on the brakes, the ABS unit and the air bag warning light. Fuel economy is 20 MPG combined on premium fuel[4]. The complaint texts we read are a small sample, so they are a reason to inspect a car carefully, not proof that every Murano has these problems.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Murano?
Brakes lead with 269 of 635 NHTSA complaints, followed by air bags with 91 and the electrical system with 83[1][2][3][6].
Does the 2009 Nissan Murano have any recalls?
NHTSA lists four: 18V916 for ABS valves[11], 09V393 for the tire pressure sensor nut[12], 08V521 for the passenger seat occupant sensor[13] and 08V066 for air bag software[14].
What MPG does the 2009 Nissan Murano get?
EPA rates both FWD and AWD at 18 city, 23 highway and 20 combined MPG on premium fuel[4][15].
How safe is the 2009 Nissan Murano?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with an 18.5% rollover risk[16]. Our data has no other star ratings.
Is 2009 a bad year for the Murano?
It has fewer complaints than 2003 to 2007 and more than every year from 2010 on, with 635 on file[5]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 635 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Nissan Murano (24 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 26 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 269 complaints name the brakes component group (15 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 91 complaints name the air bags component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 19 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. EPA rating for Murano FWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Murano model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. 83 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 3 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,425). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 69 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 40 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,431). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 34 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 29 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 18V916, filed December 19, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 09V393, filed October 5, 2009: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 08V521, filed October 7, 2008: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 08V066, filed February 12, 2008: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Murano AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  17. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MURANO 4DR SUV AWD LE: length 189 in, width 74 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,158 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MURANO 4DR SUV AWD S/SL: length 189 in, width 74 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 111 in, curb weight 4,041 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.