Nissan recalling nearly 363,000 first-gen Murano crossovers
Nissan has announced that they are recalling some 360,000 first generation Murano CUVs because of an engine stall risk. Apparently, the material they used for their air intake ducts is prematurely aging and shrinking, causing a separation risk in the system. That separation can cause an engine stall, "increasing the risk of a crash." The affected models are the 2003 through 2007 Nissan Muranos.
Anyone with one of those models should contact their Nissan service rep to arrange a free inspection and/or repair. Customers can also call Nissan directly at 1-800-647-7261. The parts for the recall should be available in great enough quantity by July 6, when the recall officially begins. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's full press release is after the jump.
This is just the latest in a string of recalls for the popular first-gen Nissan Murano, following seat belt, fuel tank, and electrical problems. Hat tip to Art!
[Source: NHTSA]
Press Release:
Report Date : May 21, 2009 at 02:09 PM
NHTSA Campaign ID number : 09V169000
Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
NISSAN / MURANO 2003-2007
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. Mfr's Report Date: MAY 14, 2009
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V169000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Potential Number of Units Affected: 362891
Summary:
NISSAN IS RECALLING 362,891 MY 2003-2007 MURANO VEHICLES. THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS, WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERMEDIATE RESONATOR IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE, MAY SEPARATE FROM THE RESONATOR WITH ENGINE MOVEMENT. THIS SEPARATION OCCURS DUE TO THE PREMATURE AGING OF THE MATERIAL USED IN THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS WHICH CAUSES EXCESSIVE SHRINKING.
Consequence:
ENGINE MAY STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE/REPAIR THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 6, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
John P. 6:10PM (5/21/2009)
That pic just reminded me again how much better that Murano looks compared to the new one. Still a terrible sounding name.
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Jake B 8:06PM (5/21/2009)
That is exactly how I felt when I saw the picture as well. Then I shuddered at the image of the PT Cruiser Convertible style Murano Convertible, Ew. While I do like the 370z, I kinda dig the 350z a bit more...
Nissan Styling where are ye.
Shiftright 1:02AM (5/22/2009)
I think Murano is a cool name. It's named after the Italian town famous for the beautiful and high quality hand blown glass. But damn, the original was one of the best looking SUV Crossover things an dthe new one is so butt ugly. How did they do that?
Ligor 10:31AM (5/22/2009)
the original was definitely in it's own leage
the new one has been uglified
my wife has an 07 Black Murano and she'd do to trade it back in a year. she definitiely doesn't like the new one and will not go back to nissan for one unless they update the styling before then. she does love her car though and she's thinkig of the buy option
inline6 6:13PM (5/21/2009)
What's the deal? GM had 4 years to get this thing right, and now they're recalling a thousand! Stupid GM! I hope every GM customer dies in a flaming wreck, every UAW employee gets bowel cancer, and every GM exec burns in he...
Wait...what?! You said Murano? Doesn't Nissan make that?
Oh well then...hey! It's good that Nissan has found the problem (now the 8th recall of this generation) and is taking steps to fix it! What a good company they are!
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Coolio 8:59PM (5/21/2009)
Brilliant !!!
StanleyVanBuren 6:34PM (5/21/2009)
GET A BRAIN, MURANOS!
GO USA
(see: http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/f/f/get_a_brain_morans.jpg)
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Cameron 6:41PM (5/21/2009)
Totally unrelated, but I worked at a Nissan dealership as a lot attendant when these things were brand new and they had the worst new car smell of any car I have ever been in.
The $9000 Suzuki Forenzas on the lot had a much more appealing mixture of VOCs!
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Protzenegger 2:09AM (5/22/2009)
Mmmmm, VOCs...
EWong 6:49PM (5/21/2009)
I work for a Nissan dealer and sometimes when this fails, you get a multi-cylinder misfire code and a lean a/f code if the tube didnt completely fall off. It usually happens between the box between the airbox and the throttle body.
On another note, recently new Rogue's have problems with TPMS sensor nuts cracking apart causing tires to instantly deflate when driving.. thats a bigger problem imo
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Richard 11:04PM (5/21/2009)
I hate "nuts cracking apart!"
Smegley 6:52PM (5/21/2009)
They should recall each and every second gen Murano due to the brain damage they inflict resulting from sheer ugliness.
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Shiftright 1:03AM (5/22/2009)
I concur wholeheartedly without reservation...
arturo 7:04PM (5/21/2009)
I agree the first generation Murano was good looking. It had a muscle like appearance with curvy lines and aggressive stance. and then it went back to Japanese gadgetry.
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Rev 8:46PM (5/21/2009)
Aww man, I seriously just got the start of a migraine looking at that pic.
Riding in my friend's Murano gives me headaches and nausea. Now I gotta go outside and get some fresh air. Certain cars and (cheesy, mellow seventies) music trigger major headaches in me. Been a problem for 30+ years and I've even taken biofeedback courses to battle the headaches.
This screws up my evening. Ughhh...
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Rev 8:49PM (5/21/2009)
Cameron 6:41PM (5/21/2009)
"Totally unrelated, but I worked at a Nissan dealership as a lot attendant when these things were brand new and they had the worst new car smell of any car I have ever been in."
Holy cow. That's the problem. The friggin' stuffy smell must be the cause of my headaches.
Thank you, Cameron. I don't know how to tell the guy nicely that I can't ride in his car anymore....
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P.V. 9:12PM (5/21/2009)
Oof. That's a pretty hefty recall for a pretty serious problem. 'Nuff said.
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Robert Kamanzi 11:24PM (5/21/2009)
Am I the only one here who's surprised at how many they sold in 4 years? That's close or more than 90000 units per year, that's an amazing accomplishment. It's an entry luxury SUV (I've yet to see one for less than $30,000) and they've managed to sell so many of them. Anyone has the figures on the new one?
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inline6 10:28AM (5/22/2009)
It's 5:
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
That's about 72,600 per year. Which is still not too bad.
Aprime 11:31PM (5/21/2009)
What's with Nissan and air intakes, seriously?
Remember not too long ago when they recalled Altimas because their air intakes could catch fire?
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