[gspcdn]

Hi All,

After reviewing this site I have found that I i have experienced most of the problems described to date with my new Murano.

What frightens me is that we are about to experience the cold of the Canadian winters and I can only imagine what other issues I am about to encounter.

The newest problem currently experienced, which I have not seen addressed yet is one regarding the driver and passenger seating surface.

Both leather surfaces are now completely stretched out, misshapen and have waves (deep ones). I only have had the vehicle since June 05 and actually only drive it part time as I get frustrated with the poor steering, rattling, horrid gas mileage (19 mpg highway), drivers seat popping, driver door rattles, driver window rattles, and on and on.

The seating surface issue is the final straw and the dealer is not addressing any of the above issues, even to the point that they have told me that they will do some research and get back to me. Of course I never hear from them.

Has anyone else encountered stretching leather? To me this indicates inferior grade leather and a poorly constructed seating under cushion.

It has come to a point where am not selling my 10 year old Olds as it rides smoother and quieter without showing any wear on the leather seating surfaces.

As a matter of clarification, I am only 215 pounds and my wife is only 115 so the issue is not because of excessive loads.

Any feedback would be appreciated as the vehicle is almost ready to go back to the dealer regardless if the glass doors are open or not!

Frustrated and disappointed in Canada.

 

[ekaxel]

Nothing like that on my leather. 3 years old 32000 miles....

 

[doublemo]

Unfortunately, I don't think the leather on Murano's is very good. I had waves pretty early on (Caffe Latte interior) in our 2003 Murano on the exterior side. Fortunately, I had the seat replaced UNDER WARRANTY by my Nissan dealership. I do admit I didn't use leather conditioner on a monthly basis. Unfrotunately, the waves have reappeared. I think the problem is that when I get in the car, there is a lot of friction on the exterior part of the seat (from my butt) so the waves appear quickly. I don't seem to have the same problem on the interior portion and there are no waves elsewhere. I don't think the leather got any better because with our 2005 Murano (in black leather), I already have some subtle waves and I only have 4000+ miles on it. Plus, I was better about using leather conditioner (Meguiar's) and it still happened. I just don't think that the seats have a tough enough leather. With all leather seats, they will unfortunately dry up and develop waves but with at least the Murano seats, it seems to occur very early on.

 

[hfelknor]

After 27 mos and 28,000 miles, I am very satisfied with the Murano leather.
IMO it looks "like new".

I clean/condition the leather about 3 times a year, using Leatherique for the past year. I see no advantage using leatherique (very expensive) over Zaino, which is what I had previously used (and will go back to) for years.

IMO the leather quality is exactly what I would expect in a 30K car.
Better than Ford, not as good as Mercedes.

Homer

 

[GMTURBO43]

The joys of leather.

Leather - you can make it durable and people will complain about comfort.

You can make it soft and people will complain it wears quicky.

Leather can not be made with any elasticity. It is going to stretch.

Look at a leather sofa and see how it wears.

 

[GripperDon]

Conditioner is the key

I use Leatherique I am sure Zano is good also, But use something! And Frequently, it really helps the leathe retain elasticity and recover from the streching it undegoes when you sit on it.

Keep you windows up when not using the car, Don't let the leather dry out. I used a damp towel once in a while laying on the seats to impart mosture to them.


Grip.

 

[gspcdn]

Thanks to all who gave me their feedback.

Unfortunately since the Murano is still brand new, climate conditions and age should have no bearing on the state of my seats.

I have owned executive vehicles for a while and as mentioned in my first post, my Olds Aurora seats still look new after 10 years without any special care or conditioners ever being applied.

My Murano seats are hard and the leather actually feels like a cheap vinyl, they are anything but soft.

Not what you would expect from a $50,000 Cdn vehicle.

Just got back from a 500 mile trip and on one 250 mile leg there was a very strong tail wind, straight highway, on cruise control and was getting only 19 mpg.

What this now tells me is that I have one of those lemons that although still drives, does not live up to expectations.

Time to take my issues to the top and try to get my money back.

One final note on this problem vehicle is that on the passenger side seat, the side airbag is pushing up against the leather and now has formed a ridge, where there is not suppose to be one.

I would like to thank all of the participants on this site as it allowed me to qualify all, or at least most of the issues I have experienced with my Murano. Proving to myself that I wasn't crazy as I have received no support from my dealership.

Best of luck to everyone with their Muranos.

 

[Eric L.]

gspcdn - if you could post some pictures, we can compare to our Muranos.

Keep in mind that like most cars, the leather is only on the very center of the cushion and seatback. The rest of it is vinyl. When you say it looks like vinyl, it probably is!

 

[gspcdn]

Will try to do the pics tomorrow.

The surfaces are the parts of my seats that are in question.

I even went back to the dealership 2 days after picking up my Murano to see if a demo had the same issues (see above posts), it didn't.

Cheers,

M

 

[gspcdn]

Hi Dennis,

I wish, unfortunately not even close.

Will post the pics tomorrow.

M

 

[GripperDon]

My leather is glove soft.

Try the Leatherique. G.

 

[gspcdn]

Pics Post

Trying to get some pictures that will fit the maximum file size restrictions, lowest resolution on my camera still creates a pic of 126000 bytes.

Have to wait for the boss as she might be able to manipulate the file size for me on her phoo software.

Hope to have something posted soon.

Happy holidays to our friends down south.

M

 

[Eric L.]

Re: Pics Post

Trying to get some pictures that will fit the maximum file size restrictions, lowest resolution on my camera still creates a pic of 126000 bytes.

Have to wait for the boss as she might be able to manipulate the file size for me on her phoo software.

Hope to have something posted soon.

Happy holidays to our friends down south.

M

Photoshop makes it super easy to reduce picture sizes - just choose "save for web."

 

[gspcdn]

Car seat pic

I think this one will load.

The waves are on average about 1/2 an inch deep.

M

 

[GripperDon]

Need a ewjunivation

I think that when the top of the leather gets dry it tends to "Seal' the lower layers. Then the lower layer stretch and the upper don't this gives you a different "length" between the top and the bottom, hence a bending up and down to allow the longer path length to be absorbed.

Now assume it the other way you still get a wrinkle.

Answer soak a softening oil all the way thru the leather so that it stretches and contracts together. hence no wrinkles. Think about those old dried up leather gloves you have laying around somewhere, and how they look as compared to the ones that are nice and soft. Only finally some leather shoes or boots that get wet and the oils are lost from the surface.


Try Leatherique rejuvenator oil.

Grip.

 

[gspcdn]

Well I finally got the Murano in for a service re the seats, which get uglier by the day.

The dealership brought a specialist in to evaluate the seat and he stated that the leather is normal and is the same as other new Murano's.

Well if the leather seats looked like that when I test drove the Murano I would have never even considered buying a Nissan nor would I have taken possession of the car.

The SM is checking with Tech Line but I am sure that they will say that it is normal wear as this is what the specialist determined. 5 months and the seats are completely stretched out of shape. I guess that is the quality Nissan produces.

My first Nissan and it will be my last. Now it is time to take the battle up with Nissan Canada, at least I have the warning signage on order for the outside of my Murano. I have no problem recommending quality and have no problem warning others to not make the same mistake.

They should have taken the vehicle back when I offered it back to them after the first 4 miserable weeks.

Hope others have better experiences with their vehicles.

Thanks to all who gave me great feedback.

Cheers

 

[Old Fart]

Just got back from a 500 mile trip and on one 250 mile leg there was a very strong tail wind, straight highway, on cruise control and was getting only 19 mpg.

We just got back from a 850 mile trip, south Louisiana to central Arkansas, and averaged 23.3 mpg for the trip. And a lot of the driving was in the very hilly areas of Arkansas. I have almost 20,000 miles on my Mo and have averaged 20.6 overall since it was purchased. I track the miles driven and gallons used for each tank and calculate the tank mph and the overall mpg and I am very please with the mileage I am getting. Excel is great.

Keep good records of your mileage and confront the dealer with the information. Assuming your driving characteristics promote good mileage and your tire pressures are where they should be then you should be getting good gas mileage.

Back to the orginial issue, my seats look as good as the day I bought the vehicle, which is great.

 

[Old Fart]

Just got back from a 500 mile trip and on one 250 mile leg there was a very strong tail wind, straight highway, on cruise control and was getting only 19 mpg.

We just got back from a 850 mile trip, south Louisiana to central Arkansas, and averaged 23.56 mpg for the trip. And a lot of the driving was in the very hilly areas of Arkansas. I have almost 20,000 miles on my Mo and have averaged 20.84 overall since it was purchased. I track the miles driven and gallons used for each tank and calculate the tank mph and the overall mpg and I am very please with the mileage I am getting. Excel is great.

Keep good records of your mileage and confront the dealer with the information. Assuming your driving characteristics promote good mileage and your tire pressures are where they should be then you should be getting good gas mileage.

 

[TheGymKid]

Based on recommendations here... I just called and made my purchase of the Leatherique REJUVINATOR OIL & PRESTINE CLEAN.

Any specific tips on how to apply it?

 

[Stoker]

Thanks to all who gave me their feedback.


Just got back from a 500 mile trip and on one 250 mile leg there was a very strong tail wind, straight highway, on cruise control and was getting only 19 mpg.

I am interested on how fast you are driving and where to get such poor fuel economy, as I can get between 8-9 lts/100Km( 30-32 MPG on a imperial gallon) easily on my Mo.