Pre-purchase inspection checklist — 2005 Nissan Murano
The 2005 Nissan Murano has some notable recall issues with the engine intake air ducts and the fuel tank assembly. While serious, these concerns can be manageable if addressed before purchase. Owners have also frequently reported other miscellaneous problems. Overall, a thorough inspection and test drive are crucial.
NHTSA data on file today
The 2005 Nissan Murano has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 987 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V169000 INTAKE AIR DUCTS/RESONATOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V401000 STEERING WHEEL LOCK INTELLIGENT KEY/FMVSS 114 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V054000 FUEL TANK FITTING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V048000 REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06V003000 FUEL TANK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #05V319000 WIRE BREAKING INSIDE ALTERNATOR NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Seats 456 complaints
- Visibility 124 complaints
- Latches/Locks/Linkages 118 complaints
- Electrical System 102 complaints
- Power Train 56 complaints
- Air Bags 52 complaints
Of the 987 complaints on file, 12 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 987 complaints, owners report 17 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Known issues to inspect
Intake air duct separation
How to check: Inspect for duct separation or material shrinkage.
Steering column may lock improperly
How to check: Verify ignition and gear shift coordination.
Rear seat belt potential cuts
How to check: Check rear seat belt positions and hinges.
Alternator may stop charging battery
How to check: Test battery charging with multimeter.
Fuel tank vapor fitting may detach
How to check: Examine fuel tank area for potential leaks.
Test-drive walkthrough
- 01
Cold start
What to check: Check for any unusual engine noises.
Red flag: Loud knocking or ticking sounds.
- 02
First minute idling
What to check: Observe any dashboard warning lights.
Red flag: Check engine or battery lights on.
- 03
Initial acceleration
What to check: Listen for smooth transmission shifting.
Red flag: Jerking or rough shifts.
- 04
City driving
What to check: Observe steering responsiveness and alignment.
Red flag: Steering pulls to one side.
- 05
Highway acceleration
What to check: Ensure stability and no vibrations at speed.
Red flag: Shaking or instability when accelerating.
- 06
Braking
What to check: Test brakes for responsiveness and noise.
Red flag: Squealing or delayed response.
Questions for the seller
Use this exact phrasing.
- Has the intake air duct been replaced?
- Have any recalls been completed recently?
- Any issues with the ignition or steering?
- How is the battery charging system?
- Have there been any fuel leaks?
Documents to request
Don't sign anything until you have these.
- Recall repair records
- Maintenance history
- Vehicle history report
- Warranty documentation
- Title and registration
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2005 Nissan Murano at the time. AI output can be wrong; confirm anything you find with a mechanic.
Next step
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