Hi Petey, This is absolutely NOT normal. I own a 2019 SV. It has never made that sound!

 

My wife has a 2014 Santa Fe Sport. Her car made that noise. They had to replace a coupling in the electric steering column.

 

makes sense.. but the dealer said they drove a used 2019 they have on the lot and that it makes the noise as well.. so that is also why they call it normal operation.. I call it a manufacturing defect... sometimes it feels like something is about to break when I'm going over dips while turning... hopefully someone on here knows exactly what it is.. do we have Nissan line techs as members here? I sure would like to get their input.

 

Hi All, I searched this forum top and bottom for an answer to my issue but unable to find one. I see many of you have the "clunk" sound while going over bumps but no actual cause, but not many after the 2019 refresh, I have this issue as well and it is easily recreated by turning the wheel left and right from 0-20 MPH. The dealer has replaced the left front strut, mount, and bearing however the clunk has actually worsened, and after recording the issue and presenting it to the "tech" he said its normal operation which I whole heartedly disagree as it never happened before. BTW I have 20K Miles and this happens at any temperature.. please see my attached video. pay attention to the clunk when I am turning left and right,, it is easier to hear towards the end.(please disregard the sound of my belly rubbing against the center console)

All I heard was a creaking sound--presumably that was the sound of your belly? Nevertheless, no clunking noise should be heard from a 1-year old car. Take it back to the dealership and insist they find the root cause of the problem. Take it up to Nissan corporate if the dealership isn't helpful.

 

yeah I should have cut the video a bit, fast forward to around 1:25 and as I'm turning the steering wheel left and right you will hear it clearly.

And yes I am in talks with a lemon law lawyer to see if I can get it swapped out - we really like the car just want it to be reliable, however if its a fixable item, it would be good to know.

thanks for the replies!

 

bump.. I was looking at other videos.. could the issue I am describing be a motor mount? since the sound only happens when im turning the wheel left and right while in motion or when im going over a bump. i can see if a motor mounts out and the clunk is coming from that, my guess is the rear mount. dealer wont give me the time of day anymore and look at me like i am crazy..

BTW when i am parked i turn the wheel left and right there is no thud or clunk noise which leads me to believe motor/transmission mounts

 

Listen, the car is still under warranty so you need to insist that the dealership fix it. If they have trouble recreating the problem then ask that a tech drive with you and you show them what it's doing. Clunking noises are never normal.

 

Take another one that's on the lot and see if that one also does it. Dont take the dealerships word for it. They may either be blowing smoke in your direction or listening to something completely different.

This is your best bet. If you don't hear it with the other vehicle then bring the tech out and show then the comparison.

 

Take another one that's on the lot and see if that one also does it. Dont take the dealerships word for it. They may either be blowing smoke in your direction or listening to something completely different.

This is your best bet. If you don't hear it with the other vehicle then bring the tech out and show then the comparison.

i agree, i actually did do that and the 2019 they have as a CPO did indeed make that noise/clunk as well and what concerns me is that it is a manufacturing defect.. I checked the VIN and they are actually a few hundreds apart so i guess its a coincidence? maybe a bad batch? I guess well see what happens. as I stated my wife and I just want it fixed so we don't have to go through the lemon process, however it appears we don't have a choice atm

 

Thats the problem, i did go out with the tech and he said he didnt hear it and said he thought it was just the shock compressing. This was on the 2nd attempt. Then when i took it back is when he said he drove a 2019 a 2017 and 2018. Ill share the R.O. ..

 

Here is the R.O. when i drove with the tech, 2nd attempt.. BTW they also replaced the radio head unit on that visit for the black screen and intermittent issues with no around view camera appearing.

 

I also drove a new 2020 SV and platinum and they didn't make that noise.. however, neither did mine 20K miles ago...

 

Try a different dealer...

 

I will. I have about 3 other ones relatively close to me I am in the Phoenix, AZ area.. ill keep this post updated.

 

Had similar issue on my 2nd gen. It was the sway bar stabilizer bushings under the two hole straps. I replaced them for $15 and I also replaced the sway bar stabilizer links at the same time, just because good practice. Not saying that's it but I highly suspect it is. Have someone use one of the doors to slightly jostle the car up and down while you get under the car and verify. I was able to recreate the sound while sitting in the driver's seat and having someone bump the car up and down on one side using the car door. Once I verified that I could recreate the noise(clunk), I then got under each side and looked for where the noise was coming from. The bushings were wore down and no longer holding the sway bar tightly. Replaced and clunk is gone.

 

Best to attempt to recreate noise while engine is off and in park obviously. This will make it easier to pinpoint.

 

Definitely suggest checking the sway bar stabilizer bushings.

 

what you're saying makes sense but what concerns me is that the car was made in april 2019, so its not that old and has 20K miles.. ill see if i can get that checked too.. but if it is.. Nissan needs some better suppliers because that's ridiculous.. thanks for the reply!

 

No problem! I know its been rough after taking to the dealer a few times only to get no conclusive information. Its tough to find time to keep going back and forth to different mechanics. I knew I had to isolate the sound down more before I could determine what it was, thats when I decided to try to replicate the noise with the engine off. This ruled out a lot of other things it could have been, rather than thinking the worst. Sometimes it helps to take the front wheels off and use a pry bar on certain parts of the suspension, control arms and etc to see if there is either too much play in the bushings or other things like loose ball joints. I know one thing for sure if its something in the front end making noise, I definitely knew what it was when I saw it. When I found the problem I knew for sure it was the cause for the noise. Good luck and please let us know how you end up making out on this! Thanks!

 

Just an update, had the sway bar bushings and end links checked and they are fine,,, the saga shall continue... I'm going somewhere else on Saturday and if they still say the noise is normal this Murano is going be a lemon. I'll update this thread with what happens.

 

Since i was annoyed i decided to record a new video in their own parking lot... sorry for my finger being in the shot and the squeaking from my foot rubbing on the foot rest.. but the noise is still there as im rocking the car left and right

 

You started the thread mentioning a clunk when going over bumps. Perhaps a video of that sound may be useful to us....

 

Thanks for the great reply, the clunk happens over bumps and when turning the wheel left and right as is in the video. Its the same noise.

 

Has anyone looked at the mounting bolts on top of the struts?

 

I was simply told they checked "everything" but failed to advise what "everything" is... non the less we are pretty much done with this back and forth. the car will stay in my garage until Nissan buys it back or replaces it.

 

Looking at that work order, could someone please explain how "the power steering is fuel injected".

 

My point exactly, i wasnt sure if I should have gotten mad or laughed in the advisors face. I just asked for my keys and left. If they have techs like that working on cars their, im out.

In another forum a tech advised the following

"Check the bar to make sure a locator ring hasn't slipped. The Muranos have press-fitted ones, like most late model Nissans. Even 1/4" of slop can let the bar move side-to-side in the bushings and cause a noise. The rings should be tucked close to the bushings on both sides. Also check that the subframe bolts and the bolts on the gussets to the rear of the subframe are tight."

Its a lemon but we shall see.... I have one dealer left to see in my area... but as i stated im over it. This is nonsense.

 

That work order clearly shows that the tech does not know anything and therefore is also the reason why they cannot find your problem.


I very highly suggest another dealer before these guys start injecting things into your steering and replacing components with bagels and crackers.

 

As others have suggested, I would go to other dealers until the problem is resolved. Any Nissan dealer can provide warranty work. You definitely don't have to use the dealer you bought it from. It's a Nissan warranty not a dealer warranty. There must be lots of dealers in a city as large as Phoenix. You'll not get any different results if you keep doing the same thing.

 

I have gone to three total dealers, I went to one three separate times, two of the dealers are owned by AutoNation, they just change the city they are located in. I blocked the cities in the RO.. And yes I have tried more than enough times and this is where we are.

Ill keep you all updated on my case

 

Finally someone else with this same damn problem. Nissan thinks I'm crazy. I've had my car into them three times now and each time they can't replicate the noise. I thought engine mounts, transmission mounts, steering, struts, etc. but they said all checks out. Has anyone figured out what the problem is?

 

I am having the EXACT same issue with the "clunking" noise! It happens when turning and going over a dip in the road (when I turn from one road onto another and there's a slight drainage dip, etc). It sounds suspension caused, if I had to guess. Other than the noise, it is not causing anything else noticeably.

Thinking maybe ball joint, tie rod, etc?

I've got a 2017.5 Platinum. I am out of warranty...yay.

 

wow, well I am glad and not glad at the same time to see I'm not alone. Here is the status.

Nissan offered 1K and refuses to repurchase or replace the vehicle. I took it to the final dealer in my area (6th visit), in Mesa AZ. They did the same as the others/ they drove another used one and said its normal. However when I asked if the new ones made the noise they didn't have an answer. I also test drove a left over 2020 and no noises (mine didn't make the noise either when it was brand new)

I have an appt this Tuesday at an independent suspension shop that will use small microphones in the front end to help pinpoint the issue, and also take their time. Once I have the answer I will let everyone know. As far as Nissan.. if I see there is a manufacturing defect I am going to file a lawsuit against them. I'll keep you all posted after I hear something on Tuesday.

 

The complaint sounds identical to what I experienced in my 2nd generation murano LE (z51). It ended up being the sway bar stabalizer bushings. Replaced them and also the links at each end of the sway bar.

 

Yeah I remember I mentioned the sway bar a couple months ago and you said the dealer looked at them and they said they were fine. Ive been watching this thread just biting my tongue,, but I'm glad they finally confirmed it for you.. I bought links for $30 a piece and the stabilizer bushings were $10 a piece. Did the work myself.

 

Yup, I'm just livid that I basically caught the dealers blatantly lie not only verbally but in writing.

I downloaded the video of the issue, uploaded it to YouTube so you all can see it for yourselves.

 

Yeah, that looks like an issue...