[pureham]

Hi guys I,m new here . I just bought a silver 04 SL AWD, and i just crapped my pants after reading this thread. Does anyone have a good story , like a "It's never happen to my Murano" story?

 

[njjoe]

Hi guys I,m new here . I just bought a silver 04 SL AWD, and i just crapped my pants after reading this thread. Does anyone have a good story , like a "It's never happen to my Murano" story?

pureham-

Welcome to the forum.

Don't be alarmed. This poll is deceiving. The vast majority of owners never experience any problems with the transfer case.

The transfer case just happens to be the weak link in the AWD drivetrain.

-njjoe

 

[pureham]

Thanks njjoe, thats somewhat of a relief i guess i'll just have to keep my fingers crossed!

 

[nafddur]

Thanks njjoe, thats somewhat of a relief i guess i'll just have to keep my fingers crossed!

Not to worry, pureham (well, almost not to worry - used cars are always suspect to some degree).

The vast majority of us Mo owners - particularly those of us who bought new - are perfectly happy with our cars. My wife and I are at 5 years (bought our 04 SE 10/04) and 70K miles with nary a problem. Besides normal wear items (including brake pads and tires which I replaced at over 60K miles, LONG before they were really needed), I've put ZERO $'s into this car. My first dealer expense in 5 years was a few months ago, when I had the antifreeze flushed and accessory belts changed (all for under $200).

We just got back from a 1500 mile trip from MA to NC and back, and the car still handles, rides, feels, looks, etc like new. I have hopes it will last as long as my Maxima (now just over 15 years old with 209K miles).

 

[Robmartins]

Gone gone gone - 47k miles and out of warranty

I find it a little strange that someone said "most owners have never had a problem" when actually the poll results show more than 50%. I probably have had the worse of all, since my transfer case just blew up on me - no off roading, no AWD lock (it was during summer in Chicago), but a little leak was present - might be the case? No idea.

Cost me $3,200 to do the transfer case at AAmco. Really good job, included were the 11 quarts of $20 a quart Nissan CVT fluid.

After a week, I took it to the dealer for the recall on the air intake duct. As I filled out the papers, I commented on the fact that I had just had my transmission redone for $3,200 which was outrageous for a vehicle with only 47k miles. Even with this intro, after the supposed "100 item inspection", the guys told me that just by "looking at the fluid", they recommended I flush the CVT... plus other stuff. But if it became patent they hadn't even looked at the NEW 11 quarts of transmission fluid I was running on, how would I believe anything else they "recommended" I do???

On top of that, the car had a torn boot on the left front wheel (from the trans job - later repaired by AAmco at no cost) and grease was all over the inner part of the wheel as a result - and THAT did not merit a recommendation for repair... which adds to the notion that the car wasn't even raised off the floor for the "inspection"...

Well, let me tell you that after the transmission went, I was ready never to buy a Nissan again, and now I am even more convinced. Be wary of their dealers' shops as well.

 

[nafddur]

Re: Gone gone gone - 47k miles and out of warranty

I find it a little strange that someone said "most owners have never had a problem" when actually the poll results show more than 50%.

I stick by my assertion, but would even change the `most' to `vast majority of.' People who respond to polls or those who post on internet forums such as this one are not representative of those who own Nissans. They only represent those who have problems with their cars and are seeking out advice, guidance, commiseration, sympathy, etc. These are two totally different groups.

I'm not claiming that some people don't indeed have problems with their Nissans, nor am I denying that some purchased lemons (as you obviously did, Rob). I'd also be the first one here complaining if I had problems which, fortunately to date, I haven't.

But the fact is that most people here (I am an exception, but then, there is lots of time left since my car is only 5 years old and only has 70K miles) are here because they had problems. They do not represent the `vast majority of' happy Nissan owners.

JMHO, of course!

 

[Robmartins]

I respect your opinion, of course, but I started out here (as you can see by the other threads I have posted on) as a guy who was fulfilling a long time dream of owning a Murano (since they came out I have admired their looks and styling).

Turns out I bought a lemon, you might be right, a car that looked perfect on the inside and out, that had low mileage and a clean, one owner Carfax report, everything I could dream of - and that left me $3,200 poorer.

I only have to disagree with the fact that this forum does not represent Nissan owners. I believe there are far more threads of enthusiasts of the car than those of guys that are pissed of someway or another. and still more than half have had problems with their transmissions.

 

[halamander]

I have had several additional estimates and all over Nissan's quote of $900 but was told that if not leak on the ground that not that big of a problem but if i see it is leaking on the garage floor it is time to get it done. Commnets??

Halamander

 

[njjoe]

Re: Gone gone gone - 47k miles and out of warranty

I find it a little strange that someone said "most owners have never had a problem" when actually the poll results show more than 50%.

That was me. I said "most owners have never had a problem". That is because it is true, the vast majority of AWD MO owners have never had a problem with their transfer case.

If the poll was an accurate representation of MO owners, and over half of them experienced transfer case failure the company would have been forced to issue a recall and the MO would have been a failure. They didn't and it is not.

This particular poll is not accurate because not every forum member has responded to it. Your average forum member only reads threads that interest him. They are not going to click on a thread about transfer cases if they are looking for information on the radio or looking for tire recommendations. People are not going to respond to something they do not care about.

-njjoe

 

[nafddur]

Re: Re: Gone gone gone - 47k miles and out of warranty

That was me. I said "most owners have never had a problem". That is because it is true, the vast majority of AWD MO owners have never had a problem with their transfer case.

I know this is a transfer case thread, but I'll take this discussion a step further and say that the vast majority of Mo owners haven't had the broken driver's seat, CVT gone south, drooping visor, bad front suspension (including wheel bearings) components, defective door locks, rusted out rear door latch, premature brake pad wear, Bose system cut out, soft paint, center of the wheels corroding, excessive road noise, leaking motor mounts, or unexplained whistling sounds at highway speeds either. Yet each of these problems (and certainly some I've overlooked or forgotten) has been reported - some by several Mo owners - in this forum.

Again, internet forums do not represent the average (or majority) owner of anything - be it electronics, appliances, cars, etc.

 

[biggun]

NJ and Naf are right. If you look at the number of owners that have reported a problem on this poll (88) versus the number of members in this forum (roughly 8382 - based on list), that would be about 1% of all owners. Granted, that may be a little off based on owner turnover. It still gives you a general sense of the problem. IN comparison the CVT failure poll had 114 reports, which is approx. 1.4% of owners (based on forum members).

 

[pureham]

Thanks for the relief guy's. I hope Im one of the lucky ones, just picked it up yesterday me and the wife love it. Oh and one more question does anyone know where i can find an online owners manual? just to find out what some of the buttons do. Thanks in advance

 

[njjoe]

Oh and one more question does anyone know where i can find an online owners manual? just to find out what some of the buttons do.

Check out the Knowledge Base at the top of this page. You'll find it there.

-njjoe

 

[nafddur]

If you look at the number of owners that have reported a problem on this poll (88) versus the number of members in this forum (roughly 8382 - based on list), that would be about 1% of all owners. Granted, that may be a little off based on owner turnover. It still gives you a general sense of the problem. IN comparison the CVT failure poll had 114 reports, which is approx. 1.4% of owners (based on forum members).

Thanks for doing the math here, Big. But since many of the people on this forum came here only because they had a problem, the percentage of total Mo owners with these `common' problems is in reality a miniscule part of the 1% and 1.4% referenced above.

Rest easy, pure.

 

[Sam32]

Regardless of how few or what little percentage of MO owners have problems. The fact is that the supposed small # of us are having the same issues year after year.Don't get me wrong, I really like the vehicle. It's been alot of fun to drive.
But the repair will cost a little more than 3K. Given that it's a 03 and that some had the problem more than once I've got to wonder if it's even worth it. I can't see spending that much over and over. This Floridian will be investing in an American product next.

 

[TWL]

Transfer Case Problems

I have just found out my 2004 Murano is in need of a new transfer case, cost of $3700. Contacted the dealer and there is no warranty as it has 112,000 on it with the power train warranty ran out 5 months ago. Contacted Nissan Canada, basically said "too bad, so sad". Out of luck. If so many are having problems then this should be a recall. Not a happy customer.

 

[nafddur]

Re: Transfer Case Problems

If so many are having problems then this should be a recall.

This is just not true (though I'd be upset like you are if my transfer case went south).

 

[cliffymiracle]

This should be a recall...

The poll should not even be considered as an indicator. Think of how many that are not on this board that do not know about the problem. Ask a mechanic who's worked at a Nissan dealer for more than 10 years who knows the "ins and outs" of each vehicle. I can tell you from the reaction of one of my friends who has been a Nissan mechanic for over 15 years that the seals are a problem with the Murano and that Nissan knows about it, they just won't tell you about it unless you ask.

Ask me about the Ford plastic intake class action suit. The same was said about that problem, it took Ford almost 10 years to make it right, at least they did.

So to those that keep saying "This is just not true"... I was like you in my Mustang until my intake blew while driving at 65 mph, it's not fun...so, don't spite yourself, because having your seals / transfer case fail won't be fun either!

 

[brookse]

Transfer Case & Cat Converter problems

My '04 Murano with 103k miles started making a horrible noise a few days ago and I thought it was because I had hit some ice under the car and knocked something loose.

Well I finaly got under there and couldn't find anything loose that would be causing such as a noise, and the noice got worse the next day.

I took it to the dealer and they said that I need to replace the transfer case for $2800 including labor.

My check engine light was on and they said that I also needed to replace the Catalytic Converter - $1200 including labor.

All in all, a $4,000 day 4 days before Christmas. Merry Christmas Nissan!

I also had to get 2 alternators replaced, thank god they were under warranty.

Does anyone know a way to speed up the failure of the CVT so that I can get that taken care of for free before I hit 120k miles? I would really hate to be on the hook for that in a year.

 

[zebelkhan]

Does anyone know a way to speed up the failure of the CVT so that I can get that taken care of for free before I hit 120k miles? I would really hate to be on the hook for that in a year.

LOL....sorry to hear about the problems, and yes I do know a way but I am not sharing because with your luck and mine it will fail at 120,001 miles.......