2013 Murano Unsafe at any speed

canWat said:

^^^everything PaulDay said. I'm sorry Michael it happened to you. On the positive sidr no one got hurt. This sort of damage due to rust doesn't happen over night. Your mechanic and/or tire installer should've caught it long time ago. Even I myself check the under carriage of my Murano atleast a couple of times a year because I know it's an older car that sees it's fair share of snow/salt and extreme weather. I don't see how Nissan is responsible here.

Click to expand...

let's assume that Nissan was unaware of this problem. They are aware now. Nissan has an obligation to notify all inspection agencies that there is a need to inspect the rear suspension systems for rust. The Nissan maintenance manual advises that the underside of the car be washed to prevent corrosion. This was my practice since the car was new. The manual is silent about parts rusting on the rear suspension. Nissan has an obligation to put the car on a lift and measure the damage done by rust. There are instruments available to do that. A consumer buys new house with the reasonable expectation that the foundation will outlast the roof. A plane user has a reasonable expectation that the wings will not fall off. My car has been serviced by Nissan during the last year. At 115,000 miles I had a reasonable expectation that the rear suspension would not collapse. Nissan needs to notify all owners of the potential peril to them in driving their car. I will post photos of the general condition of the car

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Michael Mullock
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Discussion Starter · #1 · 11 h ago

DON"T BELIEVE YOUR LYING EYES

The 2013 Nissan Murano is not safe at any speed. Had this catastrophic failure occurred 15 seconds later, I would be dead. Nissan claims there is not problem here. The Murano passed every inspection by Nissan and others. Nissan has to be aware of the problem. If you know anyone who lost control while driving a Nissan Murano, they may not be aware of this defect. Please feel free to share. this. lives depend on it and Nissan does not care.

[email protected]

From Nissan:
Dear Mr. Mullock,

"Thank you for allowing Nissan North America, Inc. the opportunity to review the circumstances regarding the incident involving your vehicle. Please be assured that Nissan North America, Inc. has taken every step necessary to fully investigate this matter.

A Nissan Technical Specialist conducted a detailed inspection of the vehicle and found no evidence of a product problem, failure, or malfunction that may have caused or contributed to the incident."






Michael Mullock on LinkedIn: Nissan Murano Catastrophic Failure





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[IMG alt="PaulDay"]https://www.nissanmurano.org/d1/avatars/m/143/143985.jpg?1564402250[/IMG]
PaulDay
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#2 · 10 h ago

Should have been spotted long ago during normal car maintenance.

Go after the people who worked on the car and didn't bother to tell you that there was a very obvious rust issue developing with the suspension. A mechanic has a duty to report developing issues like this. If the owner choses to ignore the issue, than this is what happens.

This is a common failure of all autos driven where salt is used on the roads and regular undercarriage inspections aren't performed. I've seen plenty of this in all makes and models.

Have a good day.

2017.5 Murano Platinum w/Tech package
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Michael Mullock
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Discussion Starter · #3 · 9 h ago

A mechanic working for Nissan took me aside and said that the current state inspection protocol would not have noticed it. The larger point is that the Nissan inspection specialist ( see comment from letter) said that Nissan saw no issue relating to the failure. There clearly is an issue. If this is common then Nissan has an obligation to put that area of inspection in a priority category. If Nissan did not know about it, they do now.


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canWat
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#4 · 9 h ago

Michael Mullock said:
DON"T BELIEVE YOUR LYING EYES

The 2013 Nissan Murano is not safe at any speed. Had this catastrophic failure occurred 15 seconds later, I would be dead. Nissan claims there is not problem here. The Murano passed every inspection by Nissan and others. Nissan has to be aware of the problem. If you know anyone who lost control while driving a Nissan Murano, they may not be aware of this defect. Please feel free to share. this. lives depend on it and Nissan does not care.

[email protected]

From Nissan:
Dear Mr. Mullock,

"Thank you for allowing Nissan North America, Inc. the opportunity to review the circumstances regarding the incident involving your vehicle. Please be assured that Nissan North America, Inc. has taken every step necessary to fully investigate this matter.

A Nissan Technical Specialist conducted a detailed inspection of the vehicle and found no evidence of a product problem, failure, or malfunction that may have caused or contributed to the incident."

View attachment 56297


View attachment 56298
View attachment 56299
Michael Mullock on LinkedIn: Nissan Murano Catastrophic Failure
Click to expand...

Click to expand...

^^^everything PaulDay said. I'm sorry Michael it happened to you. On the positive sidr no one got hurt. This sort of damage due to rust doesn't happen over night. Your mechanic and/or tire installer should've caught it long time ago. Even I myself check the under carriage of my Murano atleast a couple of times a year because I know it's an older car that sees it's fair share of snow/salt and extreme weather. I don't see how Nissan is responsible here.

2022 BMW X6 xDrive40i Black Sapphire
2012 Nissan Murano SL AWD Merlot

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PaulDay
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#5 · 7 h ago

Michael Mullock said:
A mechanic working for Nissan took me aside and said that the current state inspection protocol would not have noticed it. The larger point is that the Nissan inspection specialist ( see comment from letter) said that Nissan saw no issue relating to the failure. There clearly is an issue. If this is common then Nissan has an obligation to put that area of inspection in a priority category. If Nissan did not know about it, they do now.

Click to expand...

Ever heard of BSPYA? Well that's all that letter and the mechanic was doing. Of course, they don't see a problem with their product. It was a lack of maintenance. Rust like that takes YEARS to get to that point. Whoever was looking after your car mechanically did you a big disservice by not pointing it out.

That rust damage would have been clearly visible anytime during the last two years when ever that tire was removed.

Good luck.

Have a good day.

2017.5 Murano Platinum w/Tech package
Gun Metallic w/Glass Coat Finish
20" Chrome Rims
Bose Audio
Thinkware 800 Pro Front/Rear Camera
3D Maxpider Mats w/Cargo Cover & Net
Curtis Class 3 Hitch w/OEM Tow Harness
Frameless Rear View Mirror
Illuminated Kick Plates & Foot Well Lighting
Sonic Shock Sensor (Active Alarm Upgrade)
Rear Bumper European LED Lighting
Front DRL/Turn Signal LED Lighting @ Fog Light Frame
Full Underbody LED Ground Lighting
All LED Lighting
Michelin Premier LTX 255/55/20 Tires


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Michael Mullock
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Discussion Starter · #6 · 6 h ago

canWat said:
^^^everything PaulDay said. I'm sorry Michael it happened to you. On the positive sidr no one got hurt. This sort of damage due to rust doesn't happen over night. Your mechanic and/or tire installer should've caught it long time ago. Even I myself check the under carriage of my Murano atleast a couple of times a year because I know it's an older car that sees it's fair share of snow/salt and extreme weather. I don't see how Nissan is responsible here.

Click to expand...

let's assume that Nissan was unaware of this problem. They are aware now. Nissan has an obligation to notify all inspection agencies that there is a need to inspect the rear suspension systems for rust. The Nissan maintenance manual advises that the underside of the car be washed to prevent corrosion. This was my practice since the car was new. The manual is silent about parts rusting on the rear suspension. Nissan has an obligation to put the car on a lift and measure the damage done by rust. There are instruments available to do that. A consumer buys new house with the reasonable expectation that the foundation will outlast the roof. A plane user has a reasonable expectation that the wings will not fall off. My car has been serviced by Nissan during the last year. At 115,000 miles I had a reasonable expectation that the rear suspension would not collapse. Nissan needs to notify all owners of the potential peril to them in driving their car. I will post photos of the general condition of the car









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Pilgrim
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#7 · 5 h ago

It depends on where you live. Rust is a much more immediate and severe problem in some parts of the US and the world. Not much of a problem in many other areas.

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MuranoSL2003

MuranoSL2003 said:

This is the first report that I can recall of a 2nd gen Murano having catastrophic rear subframe rust in this forum...

It does show the metal Nissan is using for some structural component's is not very high quality either in its composition and/or anti-rust treatment.

IMO, frame rust just should not occur to this extent.

Click to expand...

Thank you MuranoSL2003. Nissan is now aware of the problem. Their decision to me was that they do not see anything that concerns them. They have had the car for weeks to inspect it. Here is Nissan North America, INC Response:

_
REF: Date of Incident: January 19, 2023 Vehicle: 2013 Nissan Murano
VIN No.: JN8AZ1MW4DW301652
Dear Mr. Mullock,
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
_

Consumer Affairs
P.O. Box 685003
Telephone: 1-800-647-7261

Thank you for allowing Nissan North America, Inc. the opportunity to review the circumstances regarding the incident involving your vehicle. Please be assured that Nissan North America, Inc. has taken every step necessary to fully investigate this matter.

A Nissan Technical Specialist conducted a detailed inspection of the vehicle and found no evidence of a product problem, failure, or malfunction that may have caused or contributed to the incident.
Based on our inspection of the vehicle and the available information, Nissan North America, Inc. finds no basis on which to offer financial assistance in this matter at this time. If you have not already done so, please refer this matter to your insurance company.

Thank you again for allowing us the opportunity to review your concern. Sincerely,
Incident Investigation Department Nissan North America, Inc.

----------------------------

No wonder Nissan named their latest version "Rogue". Only a rogue corporation would show such contempt for the safety and well being of its customers, let alone the other vehicles that share the road with second generation Murano vehicles. Nissan employees and officers are now aware of the ticking time bomb in their vehicles. I have no doubt that others have been killed and injured in affected Muranos. I was doing 25 mph approaching a hill. Had the catastrophic failure occurred 15 seconds later I would have caused a series of head on collisions with several vehicles.

Nissan must be forced to recall and inspect these vehicles.

The key phrase in that letter seems to me to be: "...product problem, failure, or malfunction that may have caused or contributed to the incident. "

They're simply saying it's not a manufacturer's defect. And since rust is progressive, I agree that the problem should have been spotted long ago and brought to your attention. This is what we expect when we take our car to a dealer or to a professional shop - they should visually inspect the underside of the car.

I assume your argument is that their rustproofing was inadequate to provide safe service from the vehicle. I think you would have to produce a lot of similar incidents to prove the case. I have read a number of reports of rust on rear suspension members over the past few years, but I wouldn't say that they added up to an epidemic of it.

BTW, would I be correct in guessing that the OP lives in a state with lots of road salting and corresponding heavy vehicle rust?? I don 't think it was mentioned.

Also BTW....I agree that this stinks, but it should have been dealt with before the part failed.

I fully agree that this is a manufacturing defect to the max. The defect, is, an engineering failure and like mentioned this can happen to many vehicles that live on salted roads. Salt on roads should be stopped. Not only is it bad for vehicles on the roads but the run off into the fresh water streams and rivers as well. Then the steel rebar in bridges and over passes. They all need to save the salt for the dinner table only. The defect ? Many fold ! Horrible paint that is used, and in critical rust areas wrong or no special treatments used, or just plain wrong materials that are used. Also many times the unit body frames and suspension parts can be boxed assembly's that have holes all around them to let the salt water ingress, so they pretty much rust from the inside out. Sorry Nissan all this rusting is on you.
Cutting corners and building sub par vehicles for a kings ransom price is the name of all the auto makers game. The part I like is the years of lies when they say they dip the bodies in a rust preventative, I have a 1957 salesman book saying similar, and we know how bad some of those years can be as a pile of rust.
Like I say someone can be looking all day at the bottom of some of these vehicles and never see the problem, if the rusting is all inside the box sections, out of sight out of mind.
With proper treatment inside those sections and sealing all holes and seams so there is zero ingress of water etc.and all welded seams painted with primer before welding this stuff could be almost eliminated as a problem. But most people are more worried about a big fancy screen and a ton of electronics rather than a rust free vehicle.

I reread the very first post on this topic.
They are wrong, it is a manufacturing defect. Just as I pointed out.
Those parts were not protected in the hidden areas if done correctly there would be no rust inside. And if done correctly on the outside the only thing that would have caused rust would be manually removing the paint and or protective coating.
So the metal was not protected during the manufacturing process. If the latex paint they use was applied directly to steel that could aid in starting a rusting issue.

Thank you Chidog. Nissan has no integrity. I allowed them to keep the car so that their "experts" could examine the defect. They advised me that it would take a couple of weeks and that I should rent a car and they would reimburse me. They stiffed me for $2500 and I had a towing company remove the car yesterday. I am having an independent company strip down the car and I will send the affected parts to a lab to be analyzed for the type of steel used. The Nissan mechanics and service people were visibly embarrassed and surprised by Nissan's letter of response.

I'm a little old fashion. When I start rolling down the runway, I don't expect my port wing to fall off.

Don't want to burst any bubbles here, but the pictures I see here are of a rusting issue with a control arm. Nowhere am I seeing frame sections rusted.

Rusting is so prevalent that there is insurance just for that. BTW, for Nissan. it's good for 5 years, unlimited miles, common coverage offered for most of the cars on their list.

New Car Rust & Corrosion Warranty Guide (unhaggle.com)

Seeing that the part rusted is an external part, painted with a different process than the whole-body frame corrosion dip, it's actually considered a consumable part. Yes, Nissan has different paint specs for consumable parts. Parts that Nissan knows from history that will possibly fail before the life of the vehicle are not given the same treatment. Only the body frame has to last until the vehicle's EOL, which is now rated for 10 years/250K miles.

MM, I know that you're frustrated, I would be too. But from experience, you're going in the wrong direction. You're wasting money sending the part out for analysis.

As a former mechanic, it is a mechanic's duty to report any issue that can potentially affect the drivability. It's up to the vehicle owner at that point if they want the issue resolved. If the issue is severe enough, the garage can prevent the owner from driving the vehicle off the premises, requiring the owner to get a tow truck to remove it.

You were failed in this aspect. If you have copies of receipts of when work was done that would have involved that area, then you have a good chance for some legal recourse.

With these receipts and pictures, you can go to a lawyer and claim "Negligence of Duty.". In other words, the dealer/garage failed to notify you of a seriously potentially dangerous driving situation. The lawyer might send the part out for analysis, but more than likely will subpoena the dealer/garage for the work records, revealing the mechanics who worked on the car in that area who can than be disposed on the condition when they worked on it.

Nissan will never let it get that far. They will settle as soon as they get the request for the work records, if they were the ones that worked on car in that area within the last year. If it was an independent garage, then they can also be sued, but insist that Nissan perform the repairs as part of the settlement. Settlement should include getting the vehicle back to a drivability state, refund any money out of pocket since it started and your lawyer's fees.

If you go this route, expect it to take a while, but the chances greatly increase that you'll get some satisfaction down the road as opposed to the route you're headed.

Good luck.

Have a good day.