NissanMurano2012Overview/nissan/murano/2012/base/

2012 Nissan Murano

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Murano.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2012 Nissan Murano is an SUV utilizing an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios and an EPA fuel economy rating of 18/23/20 mpg. This model requires 4.8 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. Within a model history spanning 2003 to 2026, the 2012 version recorded one recall and 134 total owner complaints—centered primarily on the Power Train—placing it well below the peak of 986 complaints seen in 2005.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.8 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 · 585 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 · 585 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-55R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter16546V0100
Spark plug22401EW61C
Front wiper blades288901AA0B alt 288901AA1B
Serpentine belt11720JA10B
Thermostat1305031U00 alt 212009HP0A
Cabin air filter27277JA00C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length189.8 in
Overall width74 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase111.4 in
Curb weight4037 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 23 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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.

6.9–9.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2009 SL
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011CrossCabriolet 3.5L V67.70 sec16.00 sec265 hpAWD
2011CrossCabriolet 3.5L V67.90 sec16.20 sec265 hpAWD
2011CrossCabriolet 3.5L V69.40 sec17.70 sec265 hpAWD
2009SL 3.5L V66.90 sec15.40 sec265 hpAWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec265 hpAWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec265 hpFWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.30 sec15.80 sec265 hpAWD
2009SL 3.5L V67.30 sec15.60 sec265 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.8 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 Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.1 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt
Power Steering FluidATF
Transfer Case Fluid80W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity0.7 Pints

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts23 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts80 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary ResistanceExcept 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary ResistanceExcept 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Ignition Timing12, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance585 cca

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure ReliefRadiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.5 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle122 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0003 in / 0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.102 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.102 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.024 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9514–15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
132 ft. lbs., step 2: 84-9032 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts in reverse order
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
4103 degrees103 degrees
5103 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.103 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts in reverse order
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
4103 degrees103 degrees
5103 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 48 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.11 mm, replace bolts.103 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9524–28 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 at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

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 2012 Nissan Murano sits in a relatively quiet portion of the model’s federal record, with 134 complaints, one recall, no investigations, and 129 TSBs. Compared with the 2009 spike of 635 complaints and four recalls, and the later 2015 rise to 201 complaints and five recalls, 2012 represents a low-point in owner-reported problems during this generation, trailing only 2013’s 72 complaints. Complaint volume trended downward from 2009 through 2013 before climbing again in 2014–2015, placing the 2012 model near the bottom of that trough. The leading complaint categories for 2012 were Power Train (25), Air Bags (19), Unknown or Other (14), and Service Brakes (10), with four crash-related and one fire-related complaint, though the data does not specify root causes. TSB volume remained elevated at 129, comparable to 2011’s 131 and 2010’s 102, indicating substantial dealer technical guidance despite the lower complaint count. For a used buyer, 2012 appears to be one of the calmer model years in this Murano generation, with lower complaint and recall activity than most surrounding years, making it a comparatively good year to consider.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
129
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
134
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 134 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train25
Air Bags19
Unknown Or Other14
Service Brakes10
Electrical System9
Visibility/Wiper8
Engine6
Visibility6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V068000Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating SystemsReported 22/02/2012

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… Remedy: ALL OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE STILL IN DEALER INVENTORY. DEALERS HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO ACTIVATE ALL OF THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 129 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Murano take?

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

Does the 2012 Murano have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 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.