Nissan Murano first generation (index Z50) The 2007 model year remains one of the most controversial crossovers on the secondary market. On the one hand, this is a stylish “Americanized” SUV with a comfortable interior and powerful VQ35DE, on the other hand, a car with a reputation as an “expensive Japanese to maintain”, where even replacing a light bulb in a headlight can result in the dismantling of half the front end. In this article we have collected real owner reviews with mileages from 80 to 300 thousand km, analyzed typical breakdowns and compared Murano with competitors - Toyota Highlander, Honda Pilot And Mitsubishi Outlander.

Why 2007? This is the last year of release pre-restyling version (2003–2007), which is considered more reliable than the updated one Murano 2008–2010 with problematic variators JF011E. Cars from 2007 are often found with petrol 3.5 V6 (245 hp) and a classic automatic RE5R05A — the most successful transmission for this crossover. But even they are not without “diseases” that sellers are silent about.

Real fuel consumption: owner data vs official figures

In technical specifications Nissan Murano Z50 2007 fuel consumption is indicated:

  • 🏙️ City: 13.8 l/100 km
  • 🛣️ Route: 8.7 l/100 km
  • ⚖️ Mixed cycle: 10.5 l/100 km

But the owners in the reviews give completely different numbers.

According to a survey on Drive2 (more than 200 answers), average consumption at Murano 2007 since VQ35DE and automatic transmission is:

  • 🔥 Winter (city): 16–19 l/100 km - This is due to warm-up, short trips and viscous oil in the automatic transmission.
  • ☀️ Summer (city): 14–16 l/100 km - with calm driving without traffic jams.
  • 🚗 Highway (90–110 km/h): 9.5–11 l/100 km - here the engine reveals itself best.
⚠️ Attention: If your Murano "eats" more 20 l/100 km in the city, check:
  • Oxygen sensors (lambda probes) - their service life rarely exceeds 100 thousand km.
  • Fuel pump filter - a clogged filter causes the engine to run on a rich mixture.
  • Spark plugs - original NGK PLFR5A-11 serve up to 60 thousand km, but are often counterfeited.

For comparison: Toyota Highlander 2007 since 2GR-FE (3.5 V6) under the same conditions consumes 1–1.5 liters less per 100 km. The difference is explained by the “heavier” automatic transmission in Nissan and less optimized ECU firmware.

📊 What is the fuel consumption of your Murano Z50?
  • Up to 15 l/100 km
  • 15–18 l/100 km
  • 18–22 l/100 km
  • More than 22 l/100 km

Reliability of the VQ35DE engine: service life, oil appetite and “diseases”

Engine VQ35DE - this is a “business card” Nissan early 2000s. It was placed on 350Z, Skyline, Pathfinder and of course Murano. In theory, its resource exceeds 300–400 thousand km, but in practice it all depends on the service.

Typical problems VQ35DE on runs 150+ thousand km:

  • 🛢️ Oily appetite - up to 1 liter per 1000 km. Reason: wear of the oil scraper rings and stuck piston rings. Solution: decarbonization or capital.
  • 🔊 Knock of hydraulic compensators — appears when it’s cold. Changing the oil often helps 5W-40 with a high content of detergent additives.
  • 🔥 Overheating - the thermostat or a clogged radiator is to blame. Critical temperature for VQ35DE: 105°C.
  • 💨 Valve cover seals leaking — oil drips on the cylinder block. Eliminated by replacing gaskets (original - 11972-4M500).

Problem Development mileage Repair cost (RUB) Is it possible to travel further?
Front crankshaft oil seal leaking 120–180 thousand km 8 000–12 000 Yes, but there is a risk of oil loss
Timing chain wear 200–250 thousand km 25 000–40 000 No, risk of breakage
Occurrence of rings 180–220 thousand km 15,000 (decarbonization) or 100,000+ (capital) Yes, but with increased oil consumption

Important nuance: VQ35DE extremely sensitive to oil quality. Owners in reviews recommend pouring only semi-synthetics or synthetics with permission API SL/SM and viscosity 5W-30 or 5W-40. The use of cheap oils leads to clogged oil channels and accelerated wear.

💡

If the engine begins to “tweak” at idle, check the ignition coils. On VQ35DE they fail every 80–100 thousand km. Original coils - 22448-4M015, but many put analogues NGK or Denso>.

Gearbox RE5R05A: weak points and resource

Five-speed automatic RE5R05A - this is the most reliable transmission for Murano Z50. Unlike CVTs of later models, this automatic transmission runs 250–300 thousand km. But there are nuances.

Typical problems RE5R05A:

  • 🔄 Jerks when switching - a dirty filter or low oil level is often to blame. Solution: replacing ATF and filter (original - 31726-31X01).
  • 🛑 Gear start delay - a sign of wear on the solenoids or valve body. Requires diagnostics.
  • 💥 Crunching noise when shifting to "D" or "R" — problem with the torque converter damper. Repairs cost 30–50 thousand rubles.

Critical: Automatic transmission oil needs to be changed every 60 thousand km, even if the manual says that it is “cast for life.” Owners in reviews recommend using Nissan Matic-J or analogues (Idemitsu ATF Type-J, Ravenol ATF JWS 3309).

⚠️ Attention: If after changing the oil there are jerks in the automatic transmission, do not panic - this is normal. New oil washes away deposits, and the box needs 100–200 kmto adapt. If jerking does not occur, check the ATF level (should be at HOT at operating temperature).
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RE5R05A is afraid of overheating. If you tow a trailer or drive in traffic jams, install an additional automatic transmission cooling radiator (original - 31701-31U00).

Suspension and steering: what breaks first?

Suspension Murano Z50 is a compromise between comfort and handling. Stands in front independent multi-link, behind - multi-link with springs. This sounds good on paper, but in practice:

Weak points of the suspension:

  • 🔧 Wheel bearings — enough for 80–120 thousand km. Symptom of malfunction: hum at speeds of 60–80 km/h.
  • 🛞 Stabilizer bushings — they creak already at 50 thousand km. Original bushings - 54501-JK00A.
  • 🔩 Ball joints — they fail at 100–150 thousand km. Replacing them requires removing the lever.
  • 🚗 Shock absorbers - original (56210-4M000) last 100–120 thousand km, but many people put Kayaba or Monroe.

The steering is based on power steering racks. Typical problems:

  • 💧 Leaking rack seals — appears on runs of 150+ thousand km. Repairs cost 15–20 thousand rubles.
  • 🔄 Steering play - Worn rods or steering ends are often to blame.

☑️ Checklist before purchasing Murano Z50 (suspension)

Done: 0 / 4

Interior and electronics: what breaks most often?

Salon Murano Z50 - this is one of the main advantages of the model. Leather seats, soft plastic, spacious trunk (up to 834 l). But there are also disadvantages:

Typical interior problems:

  • 🪑 Peeling leather on steering wheel — appears after 5–7 years of operation. Solution: banner or cover.
  • 🔊 Instrument panel squeaks — plastic latches are to blame. It can be eliminated by disassembling the dashboard and gluing it.
  • 🌡️ Climate control does not work — the interior temperature sensor is often to blame (27890-4M000).

Electronics Murano not the most reliable. Most often they break:

  • 🔋 Window lifter control unit — all the windows stop working at the same time.
  • 🚨 Tire pressure sensor - produces false errors. Solution: flashing or replacing sensors.
  • 📻 Radio with navigation - loses contact with satellites. Many change to Android-auto.

How to reset ESP error on Murano Z50?

Often ESP error (C1130) appears due to oxidized contacts on the ABS sensors. To reset it without a scanner, follow these steps:

  1. Turn on the ignition (do not start the engine).
  2. Press the brake pedal 8 times within 5 seconds.
  3. Turn off the ignition and wait 10 seconds.
  4. Start the engine and the error should disappear.

If the error appears again, check the ABS sensors or control unit.

Typical body problems: rust and paintwork

Nissan Murano Z50 2007 is a car with galvanized body, but this does not save it from corrosion. Main problem areas:

  • 🚗 Wheel arches — they are the first to rust, especially if the car has not been washed in winter.
  • 🚪 Thresholds — rotting from the inside. Check drainage holes.
  • 🔑 Doors — corrosion appears at the bottom, under the seals.
  • 🔦 trunk lid — the paint around the windshield wiper is peeling off.

Paintwork Murano soft and scratches quickly. Many owners in reviews complain about:

  • 🎨 Paint fading on the hood and roof.
  • 💥 Chips on the bumper - even from small stones.
  • 🚗 Varnish peeling on the wings - especially on dark-colored cars.

Body repair cost:

  • Local painting of the arch: 15,000–25,000 rubles.
  • Replacing a threshold with cooking: 40,000–60,000 rubles.
  • Full body polishing: RUB 10,000–15,000.

Should you buy a 2007 Nissan Murano today?

Pros Murano Z50 2007:

  • ✅ Spacious salon — one of the most comfortable in the class.
  • ✅ Reliable engine (with proper maintenance).
  • ✅ Classic automatic transmission — no problems with the variator.
  • ✅ Good sound insulation - quieter than Outlander or Santa Fe.

Cons:

  • ❌ High fuel consumption - no less than 14 l/100 km in the city.
  • ❌ Expensive service — original spare parts are expensive, and analogues are not always suitable.
  • ❌ Weak corrosion resistance — without anticorrosive, the body rots in 5–7 years.
  • ❌ Unreliable electronics — especially climate control and power windows.

According to experts, Murano Z50 2007 is worth buying if:

  • 💰 Your budget for maintenance is no less than 15,000–20,000 rub./month.
  • 🔧 You are ready to monitor the car yourself (or there is a proven service).
  • 🚗 Do you need comfortable family crossover, not an off-road “tank”.

Alternatives:

  • 🚙 Toyota Highlander 2007 - more reliable, but more boring.
  • 🚙 Honda Pilot 2007 - more spacious, but with problems J35A.
  • 🚙 Mitsubishi Outlander 2007 - cheaper to maintain, but less comfortable.

💡

If you are choosing between a Murano with a mileage of 150 thousand km and a 200 thousand km, take the one that has a full service history. The VQ35DE engine and RE5R05A automatic transmission, with proper care, will easily survive 300 thousand km, but without a service book this is a lottery.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the 2007 Nissan Murano

❓ What is the real resource of the VQ35DE engine?

When regular oil changes (every 7–8 thousand km) and using high-quality fuel VQ35DE passes easily 350–400 thousand km without capital. The main thing is to keep an eye on:

  • Oil level (not lower than the middle of the dipstick).
  • The condition of the timing chain (replacement every 200 thousand km).
  • The operation of the cooling system (overheating kills the engine in 20–30 minutes).

❓ Is it possible to install gas on Murano 2007?

Technically yes, but not recommended. Problems owners will face:

  • Increased valve wear (gas dries out the lubricant).
  • Increased oil consumption (20–30%).
  • Problems with ECU firmware (needs adjustment for gas).

If you still decide, choose generation 4+ with direct gas injection and install from official dealers Lovato or BRC.

❓ What oil to pour into the RE5R05A automatic transmission?

Officially Nissan recommends Matic-J (catalog number KLE52-00004). Alternatives:

  • Idemitsu ATF Type-J — the best analogue in terms of price/quality ratio.
  • Ravenol ATF JWS 3309 - expensive, but reliable.
  • Mobil ATF 3309 — a budget option, but change more often (every 50 thousand km).
Important: Do not use Dexron III or ATF+4 - they are incompatible with RE5R05A!

❓ What is the ground clearance of the Murano 2007?

According to the passport ground clearance Nissan Murano Z50 amounts to 205 mm. But in practice:

  • Under load (full cabin + luggage), the ground clearance decreases to 180–190 mm.
  • On cars with worn springs, the clearance may be 170 mm and less.

To increase ground clearance, many people install spacers under the springs (+20–30 mm) or change the shock absorbers to Kayaba Excel-G.

❓ Where is the best place to look for spare parts for Murano?

Original spare parts:

  • Nissan official dealers are expensive, but with a guarantee.
  • Existed, Autodoc - cheaper, but long wait.

Non-original (proven brands):

  • Filters: Mann, Framm.
  • Brake pads: Akebono, Brembo.
  • Shock absorbers: Kayaba, Monroe.
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing spare parts for Murano always check VIN code! Many details differ depending on the market (Japan, USA, Europe).