2012 Nissan Murano: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2012 Nissan Murano? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 133 complaints, with Transmission / Drivetrain as the top reported area.
2012 Nissan Murano Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 3 2012 Nissan Murano trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 3 trims analysed.
2012 Nissan Murano Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program2 variants tested — showing 2012 Nissan Murano SUV AWDOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
18.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
18.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2012 Nissan Murano has 133 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign on record. The most frequently reported component is Transmission / Drivetrain. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Murano
- Model year
- 2012
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 133
- Crash-related complaints
- 4
- Safety recall campaigns
- 1
- Top reported component
- Transmission / Drivetrain
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 20
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 23
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 4/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2012 Nissan Murano Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Airbag Malfunctions
Uncategorized Issues
Complaint patterns center on Transmission / Drivetrain, Airbag Malfunctions, Uncategorized Issues. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2012 Nissan Murano?
The 2012 Nissan Murano shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2012 Nissan Murano
Inspection Focus
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain performance and service history.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag, engine, and brake systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect transmission/drivetrain performance and service history.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for airbag, engine, and brake systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2012 Nissan Murano, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 133 NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Nissan Murano, issues are concentrated in the transmission/drivetrain and airbag systems. There is one recall, and crash-related complaints are few. However, confidence is low due to limited data.
- Transmission/drivetrain complaints are the most reported, with 30 complaints.
- Airbag malfunctions account for 26 complaints, the second highest category.
- Engine problems and brake system issues are also notable, with 14 and 13 complaints respectively.
- Transmission / Drivetrain issues are the most frequently reported component.
- Airbag Malfunctions are a recurring theme in complaints.
- Engine Problems and Brake System issues appear in the data.
All 2012 Nissan Murano Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Murano. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 30 | 2 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 26 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 23 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 14 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 13 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Murano. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Vehicles of previous model years, this model year, and future model years have all experienced this issue. Issue was reported on thru a youTube channel in order to let the public know and understand the issue and how to fix/repair the issue. It was then discovered thru view tim…
While driving, vehicle just quits and all dashboard lights flash quickly and then the car stalls out and won't restart. This has happened 4 times now. Had battery replaced, alternator replaced for a 2nd time, sensor replaced. Now, I had the car towed to dealer who wanted to k…
When accelerating from a stop vehicle does not move, with gas pedal to the floor will slowly advance or stall. Has a battery drain somewhere also.
The installation of Intoxalock for safety has caused the car to completely lose power while driving and it is safety device. The device drains the battery and causes complete interruption of an operable vehicle. This puts my safety at risk and other motorists. The component has h…
The rear subframe has rusted through due to road salt and made the vehicle unsafe to drive
Paint continues to chip and peel. It looks awful and Nissan won't do anything about it. It should be under the same recall as the Nissan Rogue and Infinity. It has overly devalued my car.
I purchased 2012 Nissan Murano in Jul 2012. Recently the Airbag light is on and keeps flashing when start the car. It happened since 6 months ago. I sent my car to the local Nissan Dealer, they charged me $149 diagnostic fee + $1500 to replace the Airbag DIAG unit under the cente…
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air bag control module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The …
Airbags have malfunctioned. I was told the whole passenger seat needed to be replaced which costs more than the car is worth. No safety recall for this year. I know I’m not the only one with this issue.
This car I purchased two months ago has the Cvt transmission in it and has proven unsafe for regular traffic let alone highway driving. It randomly “lurches” , has a loss of power and hesitates when accelerating or lane changing .
The tire light stay on even after I put air in it. I don’t think my tire air pressure is being monitored correctly; this is not due to an accident. This light come on all the time… before and after I put air in my tires
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the rear subframe was rusted. The c…
2012 Nissan Murano. Airbag red light always blinking plus passenger seat airbag says it’s “off”. Loads of similar complaints on web sites. Took to Annapolis Nilsson on Riva Road today. They were very aware of issue but said there is no recall. So both airbags will not inflate, n…
Driver sunroof exploded while driving. Nothing impacted the glass to my knowledge. Occurred on 1/21/23, 54xxx miles on the vehicle, no previous accidents. Gloomy day approx 30F, heat on and drivers window opened about an inch. No injuries.
The progressive rattling/ shaking from the steering wheel has led to some close calls driving on multi lane roads the curve to the left at all. I've never had a single service light turn on even though steering and wheel issues were apparent. Every bump and cranny on the road is …
I have a 95 yrs. old Mother who I transport to appointments etc. and I am not feeling safe in our 2012 Nissan Murano due to the airbag malfunctioning. I have read numerous reports that state if there was ever an accident with these airbags that they would not potentially work or…
The driver side sun visor suddenly broke and is floppy, hanging down and will not stay up. This is hindering my line of vision restricting my view of the road.
2012 NISSAN MURANO PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATING. RECEIVING DIAGNOSTIC CODE B10818. SEAT IS NOT RECONIZING WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN SEAT AND POSES A SAFTEY HAZARD TO PASSENGER. WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON 08/15/2022.
Supplemental Air Bags Flashing on dashboard. Brought to Nissan dealership. Was able to stop blinking for five days. Brought back to dealership. Still there. Air bags may not expand during an accident or may activate without warning with no accident. My wife has osteoarthritis and…
Sun visor on driver and passenger sides do not stay up
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2012 Nissan Murano.
2012 Nissan Murano Recalls
1 campaignNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Murano. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2012 Nissan Murano Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2012 Nissan Murano reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 133 owner complaints, 4 crash-related complaints, and 1 recall campaign for this model year. The 2012 Nissan Murano shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Murano?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (30 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (26 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (23 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Nissan Murano?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2012 Nissan Murano?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2012 Nissan Murano, NHTSA complaints include 4 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 133 total complaints. 4 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2012 Nissan Murano have any recalls?▾
Yes. 1 NHTSA recall campaign affect the 2012 Nissan Murano. A major recall area is TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS. 1 recall campaign is on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2012 Nissan Murano?▾
The 2012 Nissan Murano shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Transmission / Drivetrain during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Murano reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2012 Nissan Murano based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.