2003 Nissan Murano Consumer Reviews

2003 Nissan Murano

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2003 Nissan Murano

Kelley Blue Book Retail $9,900–$10,500  

Average Rating

3.7 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:4.6 out of 5
Performance:4.0 out of 5
Exterior Styling:4.6 out of 5
Interior Design:4.3 out of 5
Value for the Money:3.7 out of 5
Reliability:3.4 out of 5

15 out of 23 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

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Most reliable car I've ever owned

by LoveMuranos
from Tampa, Florida | April 9, 2013

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 4 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"My 2003 Murano, Special Edition, is very comfortable and fast. I've been driving the car for a month. Love it."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: N/A


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0 out of 0 found this review helpful

WOOF WOOF

by Levacovy
from Portland, OR | December 29, 2012

Rating from

(3)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"Last/WORST Datsun/Nissan EVER!!! Researched cars for 6 months before biting on this. Bought at Lithia Nissan in Medford OR. Issues within the first 2 months. I like to drive on highways and not. Road handling good, pinged at low speeds no matter what including Nissan service and gas change (hi octane +/- gas additives, ...). Poor approach angle when off roading for fishing. I got tired of repeated service appts. 2 special transmission replacements later, last at my cost at 43,000 miles. I eventually traded it in, gladly, at 55,000 miles. First time ever as I normally drive them well over 100,000 before retirement. The final straws were: 1 Nissan didn't see new transmission replacement (second) falling under state lemon law; 2 service manager at local dealership in Bend OR knew me by name and cell phone number. Life much better, more reliable now status post no Nissan."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Transporting family


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This car is a sacrifice. I can't drive it.

by car seller
from Zellwood Station | March 7, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"This was my wife's car. She died last month. I turned in my driver's license last year due to failing eyesught, or I would never sell this car. It had some tranny issues about six years, but it was replaced and now has a 100,00 mile warranty on it. It has been perfect. The four tires are new, having been replaced with an alignment last month. As far as I'm concerned this car is a great bargain at $9500. Mauri"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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5 out of 5 found this review helpful

Best Car I have ever had

by BabyGirl
from Birmingham Alabama | July 19, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I purchased my 2003 Nissian Murano right off the truck.It is Sunlit Copper just my color, I would tell all my friends to get this car I still have my BabyGirl at 165000 miles and she still looks brand new. Sad to say Hubby wants me to trade her in on a newer Murano but they dont have my color...lolol I have never had any major problems with my car did all maintance on a regular base and 2 sets of tires cant beat that got our $$$$$$ worth with no doubt. The onlt thing about the new muranos are the tail lights do not roll down the fenders and that was part of the Murano look the newer ones look just like all the other SUVs with the tail lights all the same.I rate this car a 5 star."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Just keeps on going----

by ockatiesu
from Orange County, California | May 7, 2011

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I have owned my 2003 Nissan Murano since it was new. My theory is you really can't love a car until you have owned it for awhile. After 8 years I can honestly say, "I love my Murano." I have had all recommended services as required and it runs as well as the day I bought it! Currently I have 120,000 miles and each one has been a joy. Other than routine maintenance I have had to replace the wiper/washer motor. That is it! Everything works and the drive is as smoothe as ever! I love the way it looks and people still think it is new. I did look over the 2011 Murano and there are interior up-grades to the material (less plastic) but I like my tail lights and sun roof better than the new version. On the new Murano the sunroof shield has to be all the way open to crack the sunroof which is annoying because it makes the car temperature hot. I can tilt open the sunroof and partially pull the shade so my car ventilates while parked. The sound system is great and although I don't have a port for my MP3 I can use it with an adapter plugged into the tape deck (yes, it has a tape deck that works)!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Worst SUV ever.

by Zaphero
from Pennsylvania | December 7, 2010

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 1 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 3 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"I bought an 2003 Murano in 2008 with 48,000, a month after I had to get the engine replaced. After we got the engine replaced a month later we needed a new transmission. Now we just replaced the lower control arms plus in addition the shop now states that we need a new transfer case, another big expense and the suv is not running. So my point to this is I would not recommend this vehicle of this particular year horrible choice made."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Work


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6 out of 10 found this review helpful

Parting is such sweet sorrow

by Loved and lost
from Upstate, New York | November 17, 2010

Rating from

(2)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"Four years ago I paid a premium for a 2003 sl Murano fully loaded-primarily to get the stablizer which was available only on the fully loaded package..certified preowned plus the certified Security+Plus "wrap". First, Nissan dealership did not honor their own warranty when they diagnosed a problem with the rear left lower control arm-claimed I was in an accident and bent it--not covered and not true. Charge $689.92. Then refused to service the vehicle for another problem since I had expressed dissatisfaction with them previously (and since the next problem would also have been covered). And it went downhill from there since I was nearing 100k miles. The warranty is probably good as long as you don't drive the car but any signs that problems are related to driving are not covered (so much for claims that you won't be spending money on repairs for years). Just to have a mechanic lay eyes on the car is at least $75/hour and any new part requires that the entire car be diss-assembled in order to look at or install something. Tires are an odd size (aka extremely pricy). At 138,000 miles the needed repairs are just too expensive and will cost considerably more than the value of the car. I loved driving the car and it is simply beautiful but repair costs so out-trumped the cars that it replaced (Saab, Volvo). I spent 25K thinking I'd be set for a long time. No such luck and a sad bye bye to my beautiful Murano."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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6 out of 6 found this review helpful

BEWARE: 2003 Murano Tranny is a Lemon!

by Former Murano Owner
from Albuquerque, NM | November 10, 2010

Rating from

(2)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 2 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 3 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"I bought a 2003 Murano in the summer of 2009 with 62k miles on it. It was a beautiful SUV with a stylish leather interior and lots of features. And, considering what a large vehicle it is, I was impressed with the 20.1 MPG. Unfortunately, within a month or two I experienced the "bunny hop." While in stop-and-go traffic on a warm day, I first noticed that the acceleration was sluggish. Then, after each complete stop, it started getting dangerously unresponsive - creeping along at a couple of miles per hour when I should have already been moving much faster than that. Then, as if the engine "figured out" that it was going too slow, it revved up (presumably the CVT downshifted) and the vehicle jumped forward. If there was a car within a few feet of me, I would have rear-ended them. If you keep reading other people's reviews of 2003 Muranos, you will see that I am by far not the only person that has experienced this problem and that Nissan has been less than helpful. I am warning you here and now: THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR. When you look at how frequently people experience this uncontrollable acceleration, I personally find it absolutely immoral that Nissan hasn't issued a full-blown recall. They extended the warranty, but it did little to satisfy me that my car wasn't a recipe for disaster. I was scared for my husband to drive it since I was worried that he might not notice the symptoms creeping up until it would be too late. It broke my heart because I was so proud of my pretty, luxurious Murano. But I was tired of constantly worrying that my transmission would either blow out, or worse injur someone. I believe that in 2006 or 2007 they redesigned their CVT engine and that it might have fixed the problem, but stay away from 2003 and maybe even 2004 Nissans with the CVT automatic transmission."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Smooth Ride

by Murano Love
from Horsham, PA | February 11, 2010

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Handling: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"I've had my '03 Murano for almost 7 years now, and I love it! If you're looking for an SUV that drives more like a car than a truck, this is the one for you. The styling both inside and out are great. The interior has nice brushed metal finishes, and provides a comfortable ride (especially with lumbar support). The back seats are roomy enough for three adults, but could be a bit cramped for anyone over 6ft tall. We have a toddler, who rides in a car seat, and getting him in and out is easy."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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7 out of 7 found this review helpful

classy car

by plain jane
from | October 17, 2009

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Handling: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Features: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I love the styling and handling this car has. I did some research before buying it and was not disapointed.The drivetrain is SOLID. A little slow on the take off but I didn't want a sports car either."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

Primary use for this car: N/A


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4 out of 5 found this review helpful

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