Nissan Murano Lemon Law

The Murano's most notable defect is its continuously variable transmission (CVT). Instead of shifting through fixed gears, it uses a belt and pulleys, and owners frequently report a distinct judder or shudder when accelerating, a delay or hesitation before the transmission engages, whining or clunking sounds, and a slipping feeling as if the engine is revving without the vehicle moving. The CVT also tends to overheat, which can trigger a reduced-power fail-safe mode.

Murano owners describe other recurring issues as well: erratic or jerky shifting, stored transmission trouble codes, and diagnostic warning lights that come back after service, along with electrical and infotainment glitches. Under California's Lemon Law, a vehicle may qualify when a substantial defect that first appeared under warranty isn't repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, or when the car is out of service for an extended cumulative period. A CVT that keeps shuddering, slipping, or overheating is a classic example of that kind of persistent problem.

There has been no federal safety recall of the Murano's CVT. Instead, Nissan faced class-action claims and extended the transmission warranty on affected model years, and dealers have addressed complaints through control-module reprogramming and, in some cases, full CVT replacement. A warranty extension or a reflash is not a guaranteed fix. When the same transmission problem keeps returning after repairs, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a buyback, a replacement, or a cash settlement.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your Murano has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your Nissan Murano qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and Nissan pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.