One problem related to transmission shudder has been reported for the 2003 Nissan Murano. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Nissan Murano based on all problems reported for the 2003 Murano.
2003 Nissan Murano. After 1. 5 hours of highway driving, stopped car at stop light. When accelerator depressed, car was unresponsive for 5 seconds, then lurched forward. Moments later, accelerator could be depressed to floor (in the middle of a traffic intersection) with unresponsive rpm and acceleration. Once car shut off, car operated fine at highway speeds for remainder of trip. Within a week, while on vacation out-of-state, same problems occurs again. Murano is unresponsive once auto is slowed from highway speeds to stop-and-go traffic on highway. Able to get auto off highway although once clear of the highway, auto will not accelerate from stop light. Car remains unresponsive until shut down and restarted. Once running, car seems to chug and lurch at all speeds. Murano was immediately serviced (the following day) at faulkner Nissan in harrisburg, PA while on vacation and diagnosed with faulty transmission valve body. Replaced at cost of $1800+. On return trip to home (newport, ri), vehicle seems to be fine until decelerating for stop and go traffic. Once that occurs, it experiences countless transmission surges and shakes at all speeds. From standstill, car is unresponsive and often stutters and shakes. On return to home dealership (just one week after first service), dealer (barry Nissan, newport, ri), replaces transmission control unit ($1300+) yet still is unsure if that is the fix. Nissan consumer affairs has yet to return my call despite my initial complaint and multiple efforts to contact them again.