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2003 Nissan Murano

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 Murano.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2003 Nissan Murano is a midsize SUV that requires 4.2 qt of 5W‑30 API oil and is paired with an automatic transmission featuring variable gear ratios. Its EPA fuel‑economy ratings are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg. In the model’s complaint history covering 2003‑2026, the 2003 year recorded 799 owner complaints — well below the 2005 peak of 986 but far above the 2026 low of 1 — with the power‑train category leading the issues and six recalls issued.

Model year2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2003

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque80 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy18/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 490 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP235-65TR18OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	16546V0100
Spark plug	224015M015 alt 224015M014
Front wiper blades	28890CB80A alt 28890CB81A
Serpentine belt	1195031U00 alt 11720VC200
Thermostat	1305031U00 alt 212008J10B
Cabin air filter	27277VP01A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	187.8 in
Overall width	74 in
Overall height	67.3 in
Wheelbase	111.4 in
Curb weight	3975 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.2 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	18 / 23 / 20 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Murano of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–8.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2003 SL

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2003	SL 3.5L V6	7.00 sec	15.60 sec	245 hp	AWD
2003	SE 3.5L V6	7.50 sec	15.90 sec	245 hp	AWD
2003	SL 3.5L V6	7.50 sec	15.90 sec	245 hp	AWD
2003	SL 3.5L V6	8.10 sec	15.89 sec	245 hp	AWD
2006	SE 3.5L V6	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	245 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil	80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.3 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	80W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	0.7 Pints

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	21-24 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5.0-6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	26.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	NGK
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	14-22 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.21 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	5.03 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	177-182 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression	185-142 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	17-22 ft-lbs / 28-35 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	101-129 ft-lbs / 53-71 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0016 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.102 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.102 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.024 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

29-36 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

29–36 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts.
3	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees
5	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4-7 ft. lbs., step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., step 3: 20-23

4–7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 mi	Steering System (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2003 Nissan Murano recorded 799 complaints, 6 recalls, 4 investigations, and 109 Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). Primary issues for this model year were concentrated in the Power Train (205), Electrical System (131), Seats (103), and Engine & Engine Cooling (54), alongside 14 crash-related and 5 fire-related complaints. This target year sits at the start of a high-complaint arc for the first generation, where volume remained elevated through 2006 and peaked in 2005 with 986 complaints. While the 2004 model saw a slight dip in complaints and recalls, the 2003 model represents the initial peak of TSBs and investigations for the era. Because it is an early-generation vehicle with high initial TSB counts and significant Power Train complaints, this is not a recommended year to buy.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

109

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

799

Owner complaints

14 involved a crash · 5 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’03’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 799 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train205

Electrical System131

Seats103

Engine & Engine Cooling54

Visibility36

Vehicle Speed Control19

Fuel System, Gasoline15

Latches/Locks/Linkages14

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09V169000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 19/05/2009

NISSAN IS RECALLING 362,891 MY 2003-2007 MURANO VEHICLES. THE INTAKE AIR DUCTS, WHICH ARE CONNECTED TO THE INTERMEDIATE RESONATOR IN THE AIR INTAKE SYSTEM OF THE ENGINE, MAY SEPARATE FROM THE RESONATOR WITH ENGINE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE/REPAIR THE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V048000Seat Belts:Rear/OtherReported 13/02/2006

ON SOME SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IN CERTAIN HIGH SPEED FRONTAL CRASHES, THE WEBBING OF A REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT MAY CONTACT THE REAR SEAT BACK HINGE WHERE IT CAN BE CUT BY THE SHARP EDGE OF THE METAL PORTION OF THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTORS OVER THE WEBBING OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 20, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 109 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Murano. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 16546V0100 Spark plug 224015M015 Front wiper blades 28890CB80A

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 Murano take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2003 Murano have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Murano get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.