NISSAN MURANO · model year

2021 NISSAN MURANO

18 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021NISSANMURANO carries 18 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 MURANO is forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking with 4 filings, followed by unknown or other (2) and forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2021 MURANO, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

18
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
2021 NISSAN MURANO — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2021 NISSAN MURANO. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 5.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

18 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 5/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ENGINE1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS1
SEAT BELTS1

Recent Complaints

20250611SEAT BELTS

The driver side rear seat belt buckle does not engage, the red button on buckle does not pop up

20250603UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I’m not sure what this problem may be but I was at the traffic light with my foot on the brake and the car just accelerated by itself which was very frightening to my and my grandkids I had to pump the brakes twice before it almost ran into the car in front of me. So the engine rises also when this happens

20250130FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The crash sensor light keeps engaging while driving, even when the vehicle is parked or idle. There is nothing in site to indicate a crash. Vehicle was taken to dealer on 5 or more occasions and finally it was replaced in December 2024 after Nissan Corp. got involved. The vehicle engaged the brakes while driving on the highway when NOTHING was present to indicate danger. This was mentioned to Nissan and the dealer (AutoNation) on my last visit in January 25 and the dealer stated they could not reproduce the issue, although the problem still exist, I was told by the dealer that it's normal. Nissan Corp mentioned a senior mechanic will investigate, but was never sent to dealer. Instead, I emailed video of it happening to customer affairs at Nissan. The senior mechanic (Nissan Corp) and the mechanic at the dealer provided reasons like a piece of lint could be on the lenses (not while driving 55mph), could be sunlight blocking the sensor (what about at night), or the lenses could be dirty

20250130FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The crash sensor light keeps engaging while driving, even when the vehicle is parked or idle. There is nothing in site to indicate a crash. Vehicle was taken to dealer on 5 or more occasions and finally it was replaced in December 2024 after Nissan Corp. got involved. The vehicle engaged the brakes while driving on the highway when NOTHING was present to indicate danger. This was mentioned to Nissan and the dealer (AutoNation) on my last visit in January 25 and the dealer stated they could not reproduce the issue, although the problem still exist, I was told by the dealer that it's normal. Nissan Corp mentioned a senior mechanic will investigate, but was never sent to dealer. Instead, I emailed video of it happening to customer affairs at Nissan. The senior mechanic (Nissan Corp) and the mechanic at the dealer provided reasons like a piece of lint could be on the lenses (not while driving 55mph), could be sunlight blocking the sensor (what about at night), or the lenses could be dirty

20250121CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

On Jan 15, 2025, my vehicle exhibited an unintended sudden acceleration event while applying the brakes to slow the vehicle. Shortly after applying the brakes, the vehicle's engine revved very high and the car launched forward despite my foot on the brake and then struck another vehicle in front of me. The automatic emergency braking did not trigger. The air bags did deploy. No significant injuries, but both cars were damaged, my Murano likely totaled. I am confident that I did not accidentally hit the gas pedal.

20250121CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

On Jan 15, 2025, my vehicle exhibited an unintended sudden acceleration event while applying the brakes to slow the vehicle. Shortly after applying the brakes, the vehicle's engine revved very high and the car launched forward despite my foot on the brake and then struck another vehicle in front of me. The automatic emergency braking did not trigger. The air bags did deploy. No significant injuries, but both cars were damaged, my Murano likely totaled. I am confident that I did not accidentally hit the gas pedal.

20250121CrashENGINE

On Jan 15, 2025, my vehicle exhibited an unintended sudden acceleration event while applying the brakes to slow the vehicle. Shortly after applying the brakes, the vehicle's engine revved very high and the car launched forward despite my foot on the brake and then struck another vehicle in front of me. The automatic emergency braking did not trigger. The air bags did deploy. No significant injuries, but both cars were damaged, my Murano likely totaled. I am confident that I did not accidentally hit the gas pedal.

20240925EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The component of the vehicle is the passenger headlight. The vehicle is available for inspection at any time.I was unable to see at night clearly with the use of only one headlight because the other headlight went out. At the time that the headlight went out I was on a 2 Lane Rd. with no street lights and it became very dark and difficult to see.The defect has been confirmed at a Nissan dealership on September 23. The dealership found separation of the assembly, causing the condensation in the passenger side headlight causing it not to work. The vehicle has not been inspected by any other entity, besides the certified Nissan dealership. The system warning message appeared only when the headlight went out.

20240412FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while her mother was driving at 6 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop, after which the vehicle lost power. As a result, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light, and the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking systems failed to activate, and the driver lightly tapped the vehicle in front. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

20240412FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Murano. The contact stated while her mother was driving at 6 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to come to a complete stop, after which the vehicle lost power. As a result, the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light, and the Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking systems failed to activate, and the driver lightly tapped the vehicle in front. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

Mileage: 35,000

20230925BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

Back up system sensors alarms when nothing is behind vehicle and sometimes does not alarm when there is something behind me. I bought the car 5/31/2023 the problem started right away, I took my car to the dealership for repair on 6/7/2023 for the first time. They were unable to reproduce the issue, I have had my car at the dealership 6 times since, they have seen and videoed my car giving false warning lights and sounds like something is behind me even though nothing is behind me. They have replaced all 4 backup sensors and most recently the left blindside warning sensor and tail light, I still have the same issue. I have asked for a loaner car because I am worried I am going to back into something, they tell me this is not a safety issue and I am to drive the car even though there is a problem with the backup system. They have a specialist scheduled for 10/10/2023 to see if he can figure out what is wrong. Both the dealership and Nissan consumer affairs tell me the car is safe to driv

20230224FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The cruise will not maintain the set speed when going downhill. This does not have to be a steep hill. Any downward slope with cause the speed to increase until I hit the brake pedal. It has gotten up to 13 miles over before I hit the brake. I owned a 2018 Murano and it did not do this. I've also owned many other vehicles with cruise control and none have done this. I have taken this to Town Center Nissan more than once for this problem and they say that it they can't duplicate it and then the answer changed to it is normal when going downhill.

20221203FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

The problem we have with the Murano is the cruise control. We live in a mountainous area and the issue we have is the cruise control will not maintain our speed when going downhill. It wasn't until we had bought the car that we learned that because the vehicle is equipped with a CV transmission that the car cannot downshift to slow the car down in a dissent. The first time we hit a downward slope heading home from the dealer the car increased in speed twenty miles over the set speed. The only waring we got was the cruise control set speed display was flashing. Had we known that the Murano was not able to maintain a reasonable speed going downhill we never would have bought it. We raised our concerns about the cruise control issue to the dealer we purchased it from, and they told us that the manual states that the cruise control won't maintain a reasonable speed in a downhill. Never explaining why it doesn't. We finally got the answer from another Nissan dealer. He explained that a CV t

20220716ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car stalls and dashboard goes blank or backup warning lights or other warning lights randomly coming on. I don't feel safe. My car could stall and cause accidents. 2 dealership inspected and said they could not find anything wrong.

20220716UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car stalls and dashboard goes blank or backup warning lights or other warning lights randomly coming on. I don't feel safe. My car could stall and cause accidents. 2 dealership inspected and said they could not find anything wrong.

20220408VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

The contact rented a 2021 Nissan Murano. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle, the rear windshield suddenly shattered. The contact indicated that during the failure, no object had struck the windshield to cause it to shatter. The manufacturer was notified but vehicle was a rental and would not discuss the defect. Also, Pennsylvania State Attorney but manufacturer declined to engage about the damage to the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not determined. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.

Mileage: 11,000

20210825VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

A specific cruise control feature of the 2021 Nissan Murano, in my opinion, is dangerous to operate and may or may have already caused a serious injury/accident. I have brought this concern to the people at the Dealership in Tucson, AZ on several occasions. I have also contact the Nissan North America Consumer Affairs Office in Franklin, TN. Both of these parties have told me the cruise control system is working properly. So what is my concern? The last four cars that I have owned had cruise control systems. Two of the cars were Nissan Muranos. A 2010 Nissan Murano and a 2014 Nissan Murano Platinum. All four the cars' cruise control systems operated the same. Unfortunately, the 2021 Nissan Murano's cruise control does not operate the same as my last four cars, The 2021 Murano has one feature that is very dangerous and needs looking into. Example of the four previous cars: Let's say you set the cruise control at 40mph and decide to increase to 50mph by pressing and holding the

20210604FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

As I was driving up a parking garage ramp, about 1/2 way up the ramp, the vehicle slammed on the breaks like a front end collision was imminent. There were no cars in front of me, and I wasn't close to any required turns in the parking garage. If someone was driving too close, they would have rear-ended my vehicle. The vehicle simply had no reason to stop on its own.

Compare 2021NISSANMURANO to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 NISSAN MURANO have?
The 2021 NISSAN MURANO has 18 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 NISSAN MURANO?
The 2021 NISSAN MURANO received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 5/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 NISSAN MURANO?
The most-complained component for the 2021 NISSAN MURANO is FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL.
Is the 2021 NISSAN MURANO safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2021 NISSAN MURANO has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.