2011 Nissan Murano Suspension

This is a follow up to my first submission to include the pictures of the defective subframe we had to replace and the cost for the replacement for a new OEM subframe on this 2011 Nissan Murano SUV. As indicated in my first submission on 1/25/2023 for this car, two repair facilities (Nissan or Fort Lauderdale, Fla and Autobahn of Fort Lauderdale, Fla) inspected and wrote quotes to replace the defective rear subframe. Several mechanics we personally talked to told us this will be a safety problem if the rear subframe was not replaced soon - "just don't drive on the highway until replaced". After the Nissan and our local repair shop indicated this, we got the repair on 3/13/2023 at our local garage. My safety concern is that this is a low mileage car for its age (< 87K) that was garaged and bought new by us. It was maintained very well and all repair mechanics noted this as well. We also heard that rear subframe issues are increasingly become more common with Nissan vehicles with cars produced in years similar to ours. Subframes, which are major suspension and safety components, should not be this deteriorated at this point in their car's life. I have included pictures of the old subframe replaced on 3/13/2023 as well as the cost for the repair of our vehicle. Please look in detail at these digital pics and one can see the erosion of the metal is significant and we are very fortunate to not have had an accident. I don't believe the old subframe is still around for inspection as we did not know the NHTSA needed them until now, but I am sure one could interview this repair shop and get plenty of information on these car's subframes from this era of car manufacture. Plus the pictures are very telling of the problems associated with these cars. The only warning we had when driving was a thumping noise in the left rear section of the car. I did write to Nissan North America (Case # 48133943), but like with the NHTSA no response to date from either group.

The subframe has completely rusted and broke apart. This is a known issue on the Nissan's. We heard a rattling and upon inspection found a piece of the frame had rusted off. The entire rear subframe is rusted through. The vehicle cannot be driven. Nissan should pay for this repair.

We experienced a noise in the rear suspension area of the vehicle while driving, which prompted us to take the car to a Nissan repair facility for an inspection. We were informed the rear subframe components were rusted and needed replacing. We bought this car new in 2011 and it has under 85,000 miles. The car was garaged for most of its life and now needs several thousand dollars of rear subframe suspension parts and labor to make it safe to drive. Just a year year earlier we had to replace the front lower control arms also at the cost of several thousand dollars. These suspension component parts should not fail this early in the life of this Nissan Murano SUV, especially a car that has less than 85,000 miles, that was properly maintained and in excellent condition. As this is a safety issue we are wondering why Nissan or the Federal government has not recalled or at least agreed to repair this issue for owners of this vehicle. There have been many Technical Service Bulletins issued on this defect for many years (since 2007 onward), but no response. I guess for the government and Nissan to acknowledge a safety issue with this car in todays marketplace, it appears a crash, fire, injury or death must occur for someone to take action.

A clunking noise started in the rear of my Murano. Upon inspection I found that the rear suspension subframe crossmember has completely rusted through and the car is now unsafe to drive.

The car was taken for inspection in Pennsylvania and the rear subframe has mostly rotted away where it connects to the frame. Had the subframe broken through it could have caused serious injury. It was confirmed by an independent inspection station. There are recalls on other murano model years so it is possible this year is also a problem that has not been exposed yet. The problem is evident on both sides of the vehicle.