| ctyo |
I'm about to buy a Nissan Murano and someone told me they had an article in consumer reports about lossing Power Steering at low speeds. I guess when you turn the wheel quick at low speeds the power steering pump can not keep up and you loss your power steering. The article also said that Nissan replaced the power steering pump and did not correct the problem.
Has anyone had this problem??
Thanks for any input.
Chris |
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| rjaustin |
| I haven't -- even tried to make it do it. |
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| Enforcer |
| Same here. I read that article, but I have not had that problem. |
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| jpburk |
Almost six months and 6500 miles into ownership, and no power steering problems for me.
Jeff |
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| Ronin |
| I have had this problem a couple of times at very low rpm....ie. pulling out of a parking space or making a sharp turns at low speeds. The steering gets sluggish but the power always comes back when the rpm picks up. |
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| jaak |
I've had that on other vehicles, but never felt it on the MO.
What kind of weird tests does CR come up with, anyway? In 10 months of watching Murano forums, I've yet to see anyone complain about it. |
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| Enforcer |
Oh man don't get me started on CR again...they should have stuck to toasters.
If the engine rpm takes a dip IE the engine misses or something, then it could happen. But if everything is in order, I don't see how it could. The power steering unit is specifically designed to provide more power at low speeds and taper off at higher speeds. And I would bet that the unit is used on other Nissans. So if the MO has this problem, so should others.
Thoughts? |
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| jaak |
Makes perfect sense to me.... I wonder how they make this happen. Do they slalom the vehicle at low speeds? Is this something a driver would ever do? Racing through a parking lot dodging pedestrians, shopping carts, orange cones and trees?
Yeah.... OK, sounds like a normal day to me..... I look at CR but take them with a large grain of salt, because they certainly have a scewed view of the world. I used them to look at overall quality of Nissan products vs. other manufacturers. |
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| Eric L. |
| I know the exact problem CR is talking about. At idle speed, if you turn the steering wheel very quickly (over 3/4 turn), such as when parallel parking, I do get a cut in power assist. Its no big deal, its not a dramatic difference. But then I am a pretty big guy (6'2, 200lbs) so I don't really notice the difference. But for say the soccer mom, it might be a safety issue, so I do understand the point CR is trying to make. I think the power steering in the Murano is meant to be stiff for a sporty feel, so naturally the assist is less than your family minivan. |
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| jaak |
| Hmmm... Interesting... I've never noticed that, and I was parallel parking today a few times. I'll have to watch for it. |
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| Eric L. |
| Try turning the steering wheel as fast as you can at idle, lock to lock, and you will feel the sudden decrease in steering assist. Its not much really, but it was on both the Muranos I test drove. |
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| Muranizer |
Hey, Enforcer.
I have a toaster that CR said was bad, It has worked perfectly for years. The company that made the toaster just did not pay CR enough $$.
I have tried the rapid movement test on the MO's power steering, It does lose some assist when turning the wheel fast. (So does just about every other car made).
Just how often does the wheel have to be turned fast while parking?
Some race cars use rapid power assist systems that allow the driver to make very sudden wheel movements without losing any assist.
These are very expensive specialized parts, and are not practical in street driven cars.
I love the steering in the MO, it has assist, but not too much. It has a great "feel" to it. |
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| jaak |
quote:
Originally posted by Eric L.
Try turning the steering wheel as fast as you can at idle, lock to lock, and you will feel the sudden decrease in steering assist. Its not much really, but it was on both the Muranos I test drove.
Wow, I do that everyday when I drive! NOT! I agree, I've had other vehicles that have been worse. I guess CR really likes to pick weird things to whine about...
Why on earth would you be turning the steering wheel at idle, lock to lock.... I always have my wheels moving when I turn them. Even when parking.... I agree it's worst case conditions. Most stress on power steering with lowest engine RPM. DUH! |
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| Enforcer |
| I'm with jaak on this. It doesn't make sense. Guess I have not experienced it. I just went out and turned it from lock to lock as fast as I could without effect. I also just flipped it back forth quickly. I also did it in the Z and my Cherokee. They all react the same, obvious slight increase in pressure as you change direction rapidly while flipping. In fact, the only difference is the Jeep is harder to turn. Maybe there is a problem with some, all I know is I don't have it. I would think that when the rpms dip it would happen though, like a missfire or maybe when the AC clutch kicks etc. |
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| darrylburke |
I've had this problem a LOT, and I'm a 6"3 230 lbs guy.. it's not trivial.. it's not just at low speed/idle..
I almost hit another car cause of it..
I was "passing" (from behind, pulling left, and back to straight).. and the wheel went left.. but when I tried to return it to "Center" it "dropped" and the car kept turning left (not returning to center fast enough).. I had to seriously muslce it back (and I'm a big guy)
after repeated complaints and tests at the dealer, then can't "locate" the problem. but I can reproduce it almost 75% of the time.. I've noticed it['s worse in winter as well. .
I plan on buggin them more next winter, when the problem is more evident.. |
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| Enforcer |
| That sounds like a defective power steering pump. If you can reproduce it then they should replace it. |
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| gerapau |
| I have noticed a "reduction" in the power steering assist at low speeds. I call it a reduction because I can still steer no problem. I notice it most often when I back out of my driveway. When I stop backing up and go to move forward and turn the steering wheel quickly the reduction in assist is quit noticeable (but I can still steer the car). It has never occurred except at very low speed. I have never had this happen on any other car I drove. It is a very minor irritant (unless it is indicative of a more important problem) on an otherwise wonderful automobile. I will bring it up during my next visit to the dealer and see what they say. |
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| stonemaster |
| I've had my Murano for 3 weeks now and I have experienced this sudden loss of power steering. I was attempting to pull out of a parallel parking space quickly to get a jump on on-coming traffic. The steering lost power and I had to fight to turn out of the space, something I did not expect to happen. I almost hit the gas too early which would have caused me to hit the car parked in front of me. I sluggishly pulled out into traffic, then the power steering came back. I have not experienced this phenomena since. I'm sure if I bring it into the dealer they will say they cannot replicate the problem. I wonder what gives? |
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| bschulte |
| I have this problem. It is as you described, when engine rpm is low and you are trying to make a sharp turn out of a parking stall. |
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| vpaultimko |
I am waiting on the 04--and I am hoping the steering "situation" and the rattles go way (plus I want SAT radio without the hassle). My wife and I were test driving an 03 yesterday and the problem described by Darryl Burke happened.
We almost had an accident. My wife stomped on it to pass someone and we jerked back to the right into our lane. The resulting "jerk" almost caused an accident. She could not really say whether the steering froze for a second or whether there was a serious amount of oversteer. It reminded me of this thread so I thought I would check to see if anyone has had a similar experience.
It makes me not want to buy a MO (but I really want one).
:confused: |
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| darrylburke |
Yup.. sounds like the exact same problem I had..
to bad the !@#! dealer can't "replicate" the problem, so they can see it for themselves.. aarrgghh.......... In the mean time.. I'll keep hammering at them.. |
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| generator |
| I have experienced this problem in the last couple of days. The first time was when leaving a crowded gas station. While turning the wheel quickly I felt a drop in steering pressure. The rest of the times I feel it when navigating the parking garage where my car stays at night. I dont see myself having a problem with it but I do see a scenario where Nissan is going to get sued from someone getting into a downhill accident where the cars RPM's were basically at idol and they try to do some tricky steering to avoid something. |
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| Enforcer |
Has anyone had the dealer replicate this problem yet?
For all those that have the problem and the dealer hasn't been able to replicate it, I suggest you call NNA and file a complaint (number is on page 4 of the owners manual) 1-800-NISSAN-1. Also post on the knowledge base. |
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| malaycobra |
| I have an '04 and sometimes it feels like I have NO power steering. As noted by others, it only happens when turning the wheel sharply as I accelerate from standstill, and then only when the car is cold. |
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| ekaxel |
Two posts here that need to be merged.
*************************************
I just tried this. Spinning wheel as fast as I can without one of CR's "hot rod spinners", I got a little hesitation on the return. Went away immediately. Tried the "lane avoidance maneuver" jerk, experienced nothing.... |
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| Jimmullooly |
| Have had mine for 7 months with 23K miles driven and have not had that problem. |
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| jaak |
After 13 months of driving this vehicle, I could honestly say I never experienced it. A few days ago, I went down an empty road and cranked it back and forth as fast as I could, and it did stiffen up, as the pump tried to keep up. This was coasting with the engine at idle.
Doing this, also trained me to be sensitive to when it's starting to do this. How do I know? I drive into my in-laws driveway probably 10 times a week. The last time I did it, I was moving briskly and then did some heavier than normal braking while turning in. (Yeah, in a bit of a hurry...) I noticed half way through the turn that the steering did get slightly heavier. However, it did not impact my ability to steer.
I see the potential for a problem, given all the circumstances being just right (or wrong), however I find it extremely unlikely to ever be an issue for me.
This is not the first vehicle I've had where stress on the power steering causes it to stiffen up. Many North American vehicles I've had in the past, have experienced this same characteristic.
Low engine rpm and extremely high demands on the power steering pump, will increase the likelihood of occurance.
If there's a pump capacity tolerance issue, then I could see it being a bit worse on some Muranos.
It took unrealistic driving conditions for it to manifest itself on my Murano. I hope yours is the same.
So far, I'm not concerned.:creeplook |
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| Halo |
I recently read the CU car issue and they mention steering problems. I'm thinking "what steering problems?"
But, now that I read all the above descriptions, I can say that I've noticed the same symptoms... occasionally. The engine has to be at idle, more noticeable when engine is still cold, and it requires a slight increase in torque to keep the steering wheel rotating at the same rate. But, this is only for a fraction of a second and then the assist comes back.
It did occur to me that maybe this was an AWD-specific issue, but mine if FWD and has it.
As to CR. Personally, I've found their recommendations spot on. They found the Murano quite capable but thought the interior was not as elegant as others in it's range (true), no 3rd row (also true) and the steering issue (appears to be true). They also say that my S2K rides rough (true) and feels ho-hum in daily driving (true). |
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| jaak |
Hmmm... I love the interior and hate the fake plastic wood that the "upscale" interiors have. I actually am a big fan of leather interiors, but the cloth one looked so good, I went for it instead. No regrets...
Lack of 3rd row seating was one of the reasons I wanted the Murano! |
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| Eric L. |
| I think the issue with interior quality on the Murano is not the metallic trim (which is real aluminum) or the switchgear (the knobs and steering wheel are very nice) but rather the broad expanses of hard plastic. The door trim near the dash, and the entire top of the dash is "textured" plastic. On my 1997 Maxima, the entire top of the dash had softtouch material similar to that on the Murano's passenger airbag area. I remember driving an Altima 2.5S rental and remarking how the inteior door panels are hard plastic, and very unlike the doors Nissan used to make. |
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| jaak |
I know what you mean... But I actually I like how they've done it.
I think as an extreme, get in a 350Z and look at the doors... It's a huge plastic panel. The Murano's not as bad as that. I get in GM products and I can't stand their use of plastic interiors. Or Hondas as well, as they strike me as cheap inside.
I like the simplicity and styling of the Murano inside. Yet, I did find myself attracted to the Pacifica dash. But a dash isn't enough to save it as a choice.
Overall, I find I like the Murano's interior and part of it, is that it's different. I look at a friends Lexus and what used to look luxurious to me, now looks contrived and fake.
I find the MO's interior, innovative and functional and I have no complaints other than the thousands of volts it manages to generate as I exit the vehicle. :27: |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by jaak
I know what you mean... But I actually I like how they've done it.
I think as an extreme, get in a 350Z and look at the doors... It's a huge plastic panel. The Murano's not as bad as that. I get in GM products and I can't stand their use of plastic interiors. Or Hondas as well, as they strike me as cheap inside.
I like the simplicity and styling of the Murano inside. Yet, I did find myself attracted to the Pacifica dash. But a dash isn't enough to save it as a choice.
Overall, I find I like the Murano's interior and part of it, is that it's different. I look at a friends Lexus and what used to look luxurious to me, now looks contrived and fake.
I find the MO's interior, innovative and functional and I have no complaints other than the thousands of volts it manages to generate as I exit the vehicle. :27:
Yep I find the Murano is pretty good at building up static electricity too. It might be these comfort based Goodyear tires and their low rolling resistance compound. |
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| Halo |
| Sorry to have hijacked this thread. I did not mean to imply that I disliked the Murano interior or lack of 3rd row seat. In fact, like all of you, I liked both of those features! I was just stating that CR is pretty objective, rather than opinionated, when it comes to car reviews. The interior on all the entire VQ35 Nissan (Altima, Z, Murano) lineup is below in quality of several competitor cars.... no big deal! They also found the ride of the STI and Evo8 harsh... doubt that's keeping people from buying those cars either. |
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| jaak |
Opinion counts for a lot, and I agree CR has it's own, which tries to be neutral.
At the same time, it's not possible to buy an Murano and not take into account emotional responses, as someone with no emotions, would not buy a Murano! The looks and feel on the road are two major influences for me, that overcome fear of squeaks and rattles, the fact that the doors auto lock, but not the way I'd like them to, and fuel milage. And I love the CVT! Nothing better than putting the engine in the power band and leaving it there, to help acceleration, yet putting it in a fuel efficent rpm for when I'm not so heavy on the gas. And I'll be the first to admit, that asking for good fuel milage on an engine that puts out that HP, is so free revving and fun to drive in a vehicle that's not as light as a car, is an unreasonable request...
So what's the best interior? Hard to say, depends on use and personal taste! I was looking at it again today at lunch and I still love it! |
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| Eric L. |
quote:
Originally posted by jaak
Opinion counts for a lot, and I agree CR has it's own, which tries to be neutral.
At the same time, it's not possible to buy an Murano and not take into account emotional responses, as someone with no emotions, would not buy a Murano! The looks and feel on the road are two major influences for me, that overcome fear of squeaks and rattles, the fact that the doors auto lock, but not the way I'd like them to, and fuel milage. And I love the CVT! Nothing better than putting the engine in the power band and leaving it there, to help acceleration, yet putting it in a fuel efficent rpm for when I'm not so heavy on the gas. And I'll be the first to admit, that asking for good fuel milage on an engine that puts out that HP, is so free revving and fun to drive in a vehicle that's not as light as a car, is an unreasonable request...
So what's the best interior? Hard to say, depends on use and personal taste! I was looking at it again today at lunch and I still love it!
I agree completely. I consider the squeaks and rattles from the plastic to be minor compared to the vehicle as a whole. The Murano is the best compromise for performance, room, and styling among the midsized non luxury crossovers. |
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