Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
About the 2012 Nissan Murano
With an overall Carivo score of 6.5/10, the 2012 Nissan Murano earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.4/10, while Value at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.2/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.4/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.4/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.3/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.
Priced from $23,040–$29,525, 14 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Murano sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The value score of 6.2/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2012 Nissan Murano, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance and technology and reliability and value scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
How It Ranks Among SUVs
The 2012 Nissan Murano ranks #2376 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $23,040 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 36%.
$0 — 1 campaign on record; recall work is always free at franchised dealers
Insurance
Varies widely by driver and state — always quote the exact trim before buying
We only print costs we can compute from sourced data (EPA fuel economy, NHTSA recalls). We don't estimate maintenance or depreciation — anyone who gives you one number for those is guessing.
Which Murano Year Should You Buy?
Across the Murano model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well
Broad dealer network supports easy servicing and parts availability
✗ Where it falls short
Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
Value-for-money is a weak point; comparable alternatives offer more for the price
Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment
Fuel economy at 14 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly
NHTSA Recalls — 2012 Nissan Murano (1 on record)
The following recall campaign has been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle with our free VIN recall checker.
Tires / Pressure monitoring and regulating systems 22/02/2012 · 12V068000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 MURANO AND ROGUE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2012. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH…
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Own a 2012 Nissan Murano that's been repaired repeatedly for the same problem? It may qualify under your state's lemon law — run the free lemon law check →
Common Questions — 2012 Nissan Murano
Is the 2012 Nissan Murano reliable?
We rate the 2012 Nissan Murano's reliability 6.2/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Murano have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2012 Nissan Murano worth buying?
It scores 6.5/10 overall, ranking #2376 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 3% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
How much does the 2012 Nissan Murano cost?
The 2012 Nissan Murano starts at $23,040 and ranges up to $29,525 across trims (MSRP when new). At 14 MPG, expect roughly $3,750/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Which Murano years should you avoid?
Based on our year-by-year scoring, the weakest Murano years we've rated are 2015 (6.8/10) — each at least half a point below the nameplate's best (7.4/10). See the full year table above before deciding.
What problems does the 2012 Nissan Murano have?
The documented issues for the 2012 Nissan Murano are its NHTSA recall campaigns, which involve: Tires (details in the recalls section above; repairs are free at dealers). For wear-and-tear patterns beyond recalls, owner forums are the best source — we only report what federal data documents.
Owner Essentials — Nissan Murano
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More Nissan Reviews
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
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