Used car safety, rank #46 of 181
Nissan Murano 4WD Safety Rating (2018-20)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2018-20 Nissan Murano 4WD, a midsize SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
The 2018-20 Nissan Murano 4WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 22 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize SUVs average of 24.9, which is 12% below the class average. That places it #46 of 181 used vehicles with a safety score of 71.8/100.
What the Nissan Murano death rate means
At 22 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Nissan Murano 4WD beats the midsize SUVs average of 24.9 by 12%. The 95% confidence interval is 0 to 43, so the upper end of the range overlaps the class average and the advantage is not certain.
The other-driver death rate of 38 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Nissan Murano. It is higher than the Nissan Murano's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used SUVs
The safest midsize SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Nissan Murano 4WD highlighted. It ranks 9 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the Nissan Pathfinder 2WD at a death rate of 0.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Pathfinder 2WD | 2018-20 | 0 (0 to 22) | 93.2 | 3.5/5 | $16,000 to $26,000 |
| Nissan Murano 2WD | 2018-20 | 4 (0 to 12) | 90.8 | 3.5/5 | $16,000 to $25,000 |
| Chevrolet Traverse 4WD | 2018-20 | 6 (0 to 13) | 88.1 | 3.0/5 | $18,000 to $30,000 |
| Subaru Ascent | 2019-20 | 6 (0 to 16) | 88.1 | n/a | $22,000 to $32,000 |
| Ford Edge 4WD | 2019-20 | 6 (0 to 15) | 88.1 | 3.5/5 | $17,000 to $28,000 |
| Honda Pilot 2WD | 2019-20 | 7 (0 to 20) | 84.2 | 3.5/5 | $20,000 to $32,000 |
| GMC Acadia 2WD | 2017-20 | 10 (2 to 19) | 81.9 | 3.0/5 | n/a |
| GMC Acadia 4WD | 2017-20 | 11 (3 to 20) | 81.1 | 3.0/5 | n/a |
| Nissan Murano 4WD (this page) | 2018-20 | 22 (0 to 43) | 71.8 | 3.5/5 | n/a |
Class average for midsize SUVs: 24.9 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Nissan Murano
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Nissan Murano we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Nissan Murano | TSP+ | 92.9 |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 71.8 used-car score above.
Reliability and cost of ownership
Reliability: 3.5 out of 5
RepairPal rates the Nissan Murano 3.5/5, 20th out of 26 in its category. Owners spend about $507 a year on repairs and maintenance, visiting the shop 0.5 times a year for unscheduled work, and 14% of those repairs are severe.
RepairPal detailsSafety recalls for the Nissan Murano 4WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
2 recall campaigns on the 2020 model year, covering suspension, steering.
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Suspension: rear, axle, spindle
Risk: The steering knuckle or rear axle could deform upon impact, such as from hitting a curb, resulting in a loss of steering control, or possible wheel separation. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front steering knuckle and rear axle housing, as necessary, free of charge.
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Steering: linkages
Risk: Ball joint separation can cause a loss of vehicle control, and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transverse link's lot codes, and if necessary, replace them and perform a vehicle alignment, free of charge.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-04. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2020. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Nissan Murano 4WD: Common Questions
Is the Nissan Murano 4WD a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 22 per million registered vehicle years for the 2018-20 Nissan Murano 4WD, 12% below the class average (24.9 for midsize SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 71.8 out of 100 and rank #46 of 181 used vehicles.
What is the Nissan Murano 4WD driver death rate?
22 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 0 to 43. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Nissan Murano died at a rate of 38 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2018-20 models.
How does the Nissan Murano 4WD compare with other midsize SUVs?
The midsize SUVs class averages 24.9 driver deaths per million; the Nissan Murano 4WD sits at 22. Among the 9 midsize SUVs compared above it ranks 9 by safety score; the top of that group is the Nissan Pathfinder 2WD with a death rate of 0.