Nissan Murano by Model Year: Which Used Year Should You Actually Buy?

Fall weekends in the Midlands have a rhythm to them. The temperatures finally break, you load up the family, and I-26 pulls you northwest toward Congaree National Park or Sesquicentennial State Park before the leaves hit peak color in late October. That kind of drive asks something specific of a vehicle. You want quiet highway cruising, enough rear-seat room that the kids don't mutiny by mile 30, and an interior that makes the whole thing feel like a trip rather than a commute. The Nissan Murano has always been built for exactly that. A fair question before you shop, though, is which used model year actually delivers it without bringing a reliability headache along for the ride.

So which year should you actually buy? For most used buyers, the 2019-2023 model years are the sweet spot. The years to watch out for are 2003-2007, 2009, and 2015, each for documented, NHTSA-verified reasons we'll walk through below.

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Which Model Years Are the Sweet Spot for a Used Murano?

The 2019-2023 Murano is where we'd point most buyers first, since these third-generation cars (Nissan's Z52 platform, launched for 2015) had several years of real-world ownership to shake out their issues, with the one caveat being the 2015 launch year we cover below. The early third-gen headache was that 2015 model year. By 2016, most of it was addressed. By 2019, the generation had settled into a dependable rhythm.

What makes the 2019-2023 so strong for this kind of drive is the third-gen interior. Rear legroom checks in at 36.3 inches (Nissan's published specification), which means actual adults fit back there without folding themselves in half. The available panoramic moonroof on the SL and Platinum trims turns a Midlands fall run into something scenic. We're not overselling it. Picture a two-hour loop to Congaree's bottomland hardwood forest when the cypress trees are going gold. The roof earns its keep.

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Which Years Should You Watch Out For?

The spans to watch before you buy are the 2003-2007 first generation, the 2009 relaunch, and the 2015 model year, each carrying documented recall history or heavy complaint volume on NHTSA's record, though a clean VIN with completed repairs can still change the math on the two newer ones. Start at the beginning and work forward. The first-generation Murano (2003-2007) launched with Nissan's Xtronic CVT, and the transmission wasn't ready for real-world punishment at that scale. Per NHTSA complaint data, the 2005 model year alone accumulated 1,169 complaints, and the 2003 logged 1,050. Failure modes included CVT slippage, stalling, and power steering loss. These cars are old enough now that even a clean one carries real risk of a CVT rebuild. We'd steer clear of these.

The 2009 second-generation launch repeated the pattern. NHTSA issued recall 18V916000 specifically for 2009 Murano vehicles, covering a defect in the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit where valves could fail to close properly, requiring additional brake pedal travel to stop the vehicle. The recall began in February 2019. With 799 NHTSA complaints on file, the 2009 is a year to leave alone. We'd walk past that one.

The 2015 model year is the third one to flag. Nissan's third generation arrived that year, and it brought six NHTSA recalls with it. The most serious was recall 19V807000, covering 2015-2018 Murano vehicles, where the ABS actuator pump could allow brake fluid to leak onto an internal circuit board. That is a documented fire risk. Nissan notified owners and dealers replaced the ABS actuator. If you're looking at a 2015, the first question is whether that recall was completed. The second question is whether you want to take that on at all, given that 2016 and later years are available without that baggage.

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Which Used Murano Year Fits Which Buyer?

The right used Murano really comes down to what you're hauling and how far the budget stretches, so there's no single answer for everyone, though the 2019-2023 span is the one we'd hand most families when the newest tech isn't the top priority. Here's how we sort it out.

Budget-conscious buyers who still want comfort (2011-2014): The second generation found its footing by 2011. You get the V6 that Murano loyalists remember fondly, a quieter cabin than the earliest years, and prices that reflect the age of the car. The CVT was more robust by this point, finally. Legroom and cargo space are solid. You'll want to budget for a thorough inspection, since these cars are now over a decade old, and mileage history matters more than it would on a newer car.

Middle-ground buyers wanting recent tech without new-car cost (2016-2018): By 2016 the third gen had the recall work behind it. Nissan had addressed the ABS issues that plagued the 2015 launch year. These cars have the modern 8-inch (later 9-inch on some trims) infotainment, the premium available BOSE audio, and the refined CVT. Verify recall completion on any 2015-2018 you're considering.

Buyers who want the best used Murano they can find (2019-2023): For a family planning regular fall runs down I-26 to Sesquicentennial State Park or up toward the Upstate, this is the one we'd recommend. The 2019-2023 Murano has the lowest complaint volume of any third-generation span, the most complete driver-assist suite, and the full panoramic-roof availability. It does the job the Murano was always designed for, without the drama of the earlier years.

Buyers open to buying new (2025-2026): The 2025-2026 is a genuinely different vehicle. Nissan replaced the V6 and CVT with a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo four-cylinder making 241 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, paired to a nine-speed automatic. AWD is standard across every 2026 trim. The EPA rates the 2026 Murano at 21 city / 27 highway / 23 combined, per fueleconomy.gov. If you want the freshest tech and the new dual 12.3-inch displays, the massaging seats on the SL with the Comfort Package, and ProPilot 2.1 availability on Platinum, the 2026 is the version to drive. It's a rebuilt platform, not just an update.

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Fall in the Midlands moves fast. Peak color at Congaree typically arrives in mid-to-late October, and Sesquicentennial's oaks and pines put on a quieter show that rewards a slower pace. Either way, you'll want a vehicle that makes the drive the event, not the obstacle. The right model year does exactly that.