DecodedCars2012 Nissan Murano
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4 Dr SUV S AWD/Sv AWD, 4 Dr SUV Sl AWD/Le AWD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 20 combined · 18 city / 23 hwy
- Length
- 189.8 in
- Curb weight
- 4,037–4,169 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Nissan Murano is a SUV - offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 190 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,037 lb (4 Dr SUV S AWD/Sv AWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 23 highway), 4% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 116 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2012
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Murano — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Murano →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dr SUV S AWD/Sv AWD | 189.8 in | 74 in | 68.1 in | 111.4 in | 63.4 / 63.4 in | 4,037 lb | 58/42 |
| 4 Dr SUV Sl AWD/Le AWD | 189.8 in | 74 in | 68.1 in | 111.4 in | 63.4 / 63.4 in | 4,169 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murano FWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | -4% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Murano AWD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | +5% | $3,350 | 444 |
| Murano CrossCabriolet | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | 0% | $4,350 | 468 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Nissan Murano.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Murano (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Toyota 4Runner | 19 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2012 Ford Explorer | 23 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Toyota Highlander | 28 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 19 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2012 Volkswagen Touareg | 22 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (1)
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · Feb 22, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V068000 · 2,983 vehicles
- Problem
- NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 MURANO AND ROGUE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2012. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138,ÂTIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM.Â
- Risk
- A NON-ACTIVE TPMS CANNOT WARN A DRIVER THAT A TIRE IS UNDERINFLATED. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH.
- Fix
- ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE STILL IN DEALER INVENTORY. DEALERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ACTIVATE ALL OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS.
Not every 2012 Nissan Murano is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Nissan Murano buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 27 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Air Bags — 25 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Service Brakes — 12 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 75,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Murano. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Murano years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Murano | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Murano | 23 | 192.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 Murano | 23 | 192.9 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 25 |
| 2024 Murano | 23 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 5 |
| 2023 Murano | 23 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 8 |
| 2022 Murano | 23 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 6 |
| 2021 Murano | 23 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 17 |
| 2020 Murano | 23 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 45 |
| 2019 Murano | 23 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 44 |
| 2018 Murano | 24 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 113 |
| 2017 Murano | 24 | 192.5 in | Not rated | 3 | 107 |
| 2016 Murano | 29 | 192.5 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 109 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →