Overview
The 2017 Nissan Murano is a midsize 2-row crossover SUV aimed at drivers who want a comfortable, quiet daily family vehicle with a more upscale look and feel than many mainstream rivals. It’s ideal for commuters, small families, and road-trippers who prioritize ride quality, interior comfort, and easy-to-use tech over sporty handling or maximum towing. For 2017, it sits in the third-generation Murano lineup (redesigned for 2015), competing with models like the Ford Edge, Honda Passport (later years), and Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. It’s a strong choice for value and comfort, with reliability that can be solid when maintenance is kept up—especially for the transmission.
Key Features
1) 3.5L V6 power: The 2017 Murano uses Nissan’s 3.5-liter V6 (VQ35) paired with an Xtronic CVT automatic transmission, delivering smooth acceleration and confident highway passing.
2) Front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive: FWD is standard, while AWD is available for drivers who deal with rain, snow, or gravel roads.
3) Comfort-focused cabin: The Murano is known for supportive “Zero Gravity” front seats, a quiet ride, and a refined interior layout that feels closer to near-luxury than budget SUV.
4) Strong safety and driver-assist availability: Depending on trim and packages, you may find features such as blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and around-view monitoring that make parking and lane changes easier.
5) Practical midsize packaging: With two rows of seating, the Murano emphasizes passenger comfort and cargo usability over squeezing in a third row, making it a good fit for couples and smaller families.
Common Issues & Reliability
Shoppers often search “2017 Nissan Murano problems” and “2017 Nissan Murano reliability” because this model’s long-term dependability depends heavily on drivetrain care and attention to common wear items. Here are common issues reported by owners:
1) CVT transmission behavior and wear: Some owners report shuddering, surging, hesitation, or whining—often noticed between roughly 60,000 and 120,000 miles. The CVT is sensitive to fluid condition and driving conditions (heat, stop-and-go traffic). Not every Murano has a CVT failure, but it’s the single most important system to evaluate on a test drive.
2) Suspension and steering noises: Clunks or rattles over bumps may appear as mileage climbs (often around 50,000–90,000 miles), commonly related to worn sway bar links, struts, or bushings. Symptoms are usually more annoying than dangerous, but repairs can improve ride quality and tire wear.
3) Electrical and infotainment glitches: Intermittent Bluetooth pairing issues, screen freezing, backup camera glitches, or sensor warnings can pop up. These are often software-related or tied to aging batteries/weak voltage, but diagnosing can take time.
4) A/C performance concerns: Some owners report weaker cooling or noisy operation as the vehicle ages, sometimes tied to compressor wear, refrigerant leaks, or blend door issues. A marginal A/C system tends to show up in hot weather and at idle.
Frequently Asked Questions
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