Nissan Murano Z52: main operating problems and hidden shortcomings

Nissan Murano Z52 (2015–2026) is a stylish crossover with premium ambitions, but behind the external gloss are typical “diseases” that the manufacturer prefers to keep silent about. This model, built on a platform Nissan D, inherited a number of chronic problems from its predecessors, and also acquired new “chips” thanks to modern electronics and a CVT Xtronic CVT. Owners note that after 100–150 thousand kilometers, system breakdowns begin, which can result in expensive repairs.

In this article we will look at key weaknesses Murano Z52 based on data from service centers, warranty repair reports and owner experience. We will pay special attention critical components that most often become the reason for selling a car - the CVT, the VQ35DE engine and the all-wheel drive system All-Mode 4x4-i. We will also reveal the nuances of operation that are not written about in official manuals, but which only experienced mechanics and owners with high mileage know.

1. Xtronic CVT: the main headache of the Murano Z52

CVT Jatco JF017E (installed on Murano Z52 with engine VQ35DE 3.5 l) is an upgraded version of Nissan's previous CVTs, but with the same inherent problems. Main complaint - overheating and premature belt wear, which manifests itself after 80–120 thousand km. Symptoms: jerking during acceleration, “kicks” when changing virtual gears, a hum or whistle from under the hood.

According to the services, The average service life of the variator on the Murano Z52 without an oil change is 150–180 thousand km, but with aggressive driving or towing a trailer, this figure is reduced to 100 thousand km. Particularly vulnerable are cars operated in traffic jams or mountainous areas, where the transmission operates at extreme temperature levels.

• 🔥 Oil overheating - the main reason for failure. CVT requires specialized fluid NS-3, but even it is degrading faster than Nissan claims.
• ⚙️ Wear of cones and belt - leads to slippage and loss of traction. Repairs cost 150–250 thousand rubles (depending on the degree of wear).
• ⚠️ Electronic failures - errors P0776 (solenoid pressure) or P0841 (faulty oil temperature sensor circuit) often occur due to oxidation of the control unit contacts.

⚠️ Attention: If the variator begins to “kick” when switching, immediately check the oil level and condition. Nissan officially recommends replacement every 90 thousand km, but in real conditions the interval should be reduced to 60 thousand km, especially when operating in the city.

2. VQ35DE engine: reliable, but with nuances

3.5 liter VQ35DE - one of the most reliable Nissan engines, but it also has weaknesses. The main problems are related to variable valve timing system (VTC) And oily appetite after 150 thousand km. Owners note that the engine begins to “eat up” oil (up to 1 liter per 3-5 thousand km), and a knocking noise appears when cold, which disappears after warming up.

Another common problem is camshaft seals leaking, which leads to oil getting into the spark plug wells. This is fraught with misfires and errors. P0300–P0306. The solution is to replace the seals and clean the wells, but the work is labor-intensive and requires removing the valve cover.

Problem	Symptoms	Repair cost (₽)	Criticality
Timing chain wear	Knock on startup, error P0011	40 000–70 000	High
Oil leakage through camshaft seals	Oil in spark plug wells, misfires	25 000–45 000	Average
Occurrence of rings (after 200 thousand km)	Increased oil consumption, smoke from the exhaust	100 000–180 000	Critical
Malfunction of ignition coils	Troubleshooting, errors P030X	15 000–30 000	Low

Deserves special attention crankcase ventilation system. On runs over 150 thousand km, it becomes clogged with deposits, which leads to an increase in pressure in the engine and squeezing out oil through the seals. The solution is to clean or replace the PCV valve (the cost of work is from 5 thousand rubles).

3. Suspension: soft vs. high cost of repairs

Murano Z52 It's positioned as a comfortable crossover, and its suspension smooths out bumps really well. However, there is a price to pay for being soft: shock absorbers, stabilizer struts and silent blocks wear out faster than competitors (for example, Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot). The average resource of original shock absorbers is 80–100 thousand km, and the stabilizer struts are only 40–60 thousand km.

Another “trick” - knocking sound in front suspension, which often appears after 50 thousand km. In 80% of cases, worn-out parts are to blame ball joints or stabilizer bushings. Replacement costs 15–30 thousand rubles, but if the problem starts, the wheel bearings suffer (replacing them costs 40–60 thousand rubles).

• 🛑 Wheel bearings - fail at 100–120 thousand km. Symptom: a hum when driving, which gets worse when turning.
• 🔧 Suspension arms — silent blocks “live” 60–80 thousand km, after which they begin to creak.
• 💰 Rear multi-link - expensive to repair (replacement of one lever - from 20 thousand rubles).

⚠️ Attention: If you hear a thud in the rear after passing speed bumps, check rear shock absorber cushions. Their destruction leads to damage to the body at the attachment points.

4. All-Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive: reliable, but capricious

All-wheel drive system All-Mode 4x4-i in Murano Z52 operates on the basis of an electromagnetic clutch that engages the rear axle as needed. In general, the system is reliable, but has two weaknesses:

1. Clutch overheating during long off-road driving or towing. This leads to automatic disconnection of the rear axle and an error C1105.
2. Rear gear bearing wear (manifests itself as a hum at speeds above 80 km/h). Resource - 120–150 thousand km.

Another problem - oil leak from transfer case. If you do not monitor the level, this leads to wear of bearings and gears. Changing the oil in the transfer case and rear gearbox costs 10–15 thousand rubles, but if the problem starts, repairs can cost 100+ thousand rubles.

How to check the operation of all-wheel drive?

To diagnose the all-wheel drive clutch, follow these steps:

1. Start the car and turn on the mode 4WD Lock.

2. Raise the front axle on a lift (the rear wheels should rotate).

3. If the rear wheels do not rotate, the clutch is faulty or the oil in the transfer case needs to be changed.

5. Electronics and glitches of the on-board computer

Murano Z52 equipped with a modern multimedia system NissanConnect, but her work leaves much to be desired. Frequent complaints:

• 📱 Screen freezes when connecting a smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
• 🔊 Spontaneous muting (solved by rebooting the system or updating the software).
• 🚗 Parking sensor errors (especially in frost below –15°C).

A more serious problem is system malfunctions Intelligent Key. Sometimes the car does not recognize the key, and the owner has to open the door mechanically. The reason for this is a weak antenna signal in the door handle. The solution is to replace the battery in the key or reflash the immobilizer unit (cost: 5-10 thousand rubles).

There are also cases when adaptive cruise control (Intelligent Cruise Control) turns off for no reason. Official dealers attribute this to interference from radar detectors or cameras, but often the problem lies in oxidation of the control unit contacts.

Check the fuses (under the hood, F30 and F31)|Update the multimedia firmware via the official Nissan website|Reset the on-board computer settings (Settings → System → Reset)|Check the battery charge (low voltage causes malfunctions)-->

6. Body and interior: premium at first glance

Design Murano Z52 stands out among its competitors, but the quality of materials and workmanship does not always correspond to the premium class. Main complaints:

• 🪟 Plastic creaking in the dashboard and door panels (especially in cold weather).
• 🚪 Peeling of chrome elements on the door handles and radiator grille.
• 💺 Wear and tear on leather seat upholstery (cracks appear after 3–4 years).

A more serious problem is corrosion of sills and arches. Despite galvanization, after 3–5 years of operation in regions with salt, rust appears on the roads. Cars that have not undergone anti-corrosion treatment are especially vulnerable. The cost of eliminating corrosion spots is from 20 thousand rubles.

The interior often breaks down heated seats (heating elements burn out) and electric sunroof (jams due to moisture ingress). Repairs cost 15–40 thousand rubles, depending on the problem.

7. Real fuel consumption: myth vs. facts

Official fuel consumption for Murano Z52 with engine VQ35DE and the variator is declared as 10.5 l/100 km combined cycle. However, in real conditions, owners get completely different numbers:

• 🏙️ Urban cycle — 14–16 l/100 km (due to frequent acceleration and operation of the variator at high speeds).
• 🛣️ Route (90–110 km/h) — 9–10 l/100 km.
• ❄️ Winter mode - up to 18 l/100 km (due to long warm-up and slipping).

The secret to saving lies in riding style And fuel quality. CVT Xtronic sensitive to sudden accelerations - if you press the gas pedal more than 70%, consumption instantly increases by 20–30%. You should also avoid gasoline with an octane rating lower than AI-95, as this leads to detonation and increased engine appetite.

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Use of octane fuel AI-98 can reduce consumption by 5–7% due to optimal operation of the variable valve timing system.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Nissan Murano Z52

❓ Is it worth buying a Murano Z52 with a mileage of more than 150 thousand km?

Purchase Murano Z52 with a mileage of 150 thousand km is justified only if the variator and engine are fully diagnosed. Please note:

• Condition of the oil in the variator (should be light, without a burnt smell).
• The presence of knocks in the suspension (especially in the rear multi-link).
• Engine oil consumption (the norm is up to 500 ml per 5 thousand km).

If the previous owner looked after the car, then with proper operation Murano Z52 can last up to 300 thousand km. Otherwise, be prepared to invest in repairs (from 200 thousand rubles).

❓ What is the resource of the Xtronic variator on the Murano Z52?

Average variator resource JF017E with proper maintenance - 200–250 thousand km. However, this indicator greatly depends on:

• Regularity of oil changes (every 60 thousand km).
• Driving style (aggressive acceleration reduces the resource by 30–40%).
• Oil quality (use only NS-3).

Signs of the imminent “death” of the variator: jerks during acceleration, humming noise at speed, errors P0776 or P0841.

❓ What oils are recommended for the VQ35DE engine?

For VQ35DE oils with specifications are suitable API SN or ILSAC GF-5. Optimal options:

• 5W-30 - for temperate climates (for example, Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30).
• 5W-40 - for hot climates or high loads (Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-40).
• 0W-20 - for cold regions (but requires more frequent replacement).

Important: avoid oils with a high content of detergent additives - they can accelerate the wear of the seals.

❓ How often should Murano Z52 be serviced?

Recommended maintenance schedule for Murano Z52:

Knot	Interval (thousand km)	What to do
Engine (oil + filter)	10–15	Changing the oil and oil filter
Variator (oil)	60	Complete oil change NS-3 + filter
Air filter	30	Replacement (more often when operating in dusty conditions)
Brake fluid	40	Complete replacement
Spark plugs	100	Replacement with original (NGK IFR6T11)

❓ What analogues can be considered instead of Murano Z52?

If problems bother you Murano Z52, take a look at the alternatives:

• Toyota Highlander (XU50) - more reliable, but less dynamic.
• Honda Pilot (2nd generation) - easier to repair, but worse in comfort.
• Hyundai Santa Fe (4th generation) - cheaper to maintain, but less premium.
• Mazda CX-9 (2nd generation) - the best alternative in terms of price/quality ratio.

Each of these crossovers has its own pros and cons, but in general they are less problematic to operate than Murano Z52.