2009 Murano SL FWD - Clunking noise

[Cottonman57]

I purchased this Murano one year ago, and for the most part, I'm pretty happy with it. However, shortly after purchasing
it, we started noticing a clunk that seems to emanate from the undercarriage, close to the accelerator. Generally, it will
do it when I back out of the garage, put the transmission in drive, and then accelerate normally. Lately, it seems to be
doing it more often, generally from a dead stop, when trying to accelerate normally (we tend to baby our cars). This is
a fairly significant clunk and can often detect it with your right foot as it rests on the floorboard.

I have had it in to the local dealer no less than four times, and the last time they brought in a factory rep, who kept
the car overnight. The next day he told me that they checked everything that it could be, but didn't find anything worn
or in need of attention. I can't always get the car to make the noise, especially when I'm at the dealership. However, he
said they got it to make the noise by stepping on the brake while trying to accelerate. He also stated that they even tested
a new Murano, and it made the same noise. Stupid me....I should have had him show me. I find it hard to believe, as I have
yet to see any other comments regarding this particular issue. Long story short, the noise is still there, I have been around the
auto industry a good portion of my life, and I know this is not normal. If it is, it seems to me that they have an engineering issue
that needs to be resolved. I'm hoping someone here has experienced something similar, or at least has some ideas as to the cause.

[2tigers]

Ditto with with the same model and same complaint since new, Dealer could never duplicate the problem
so they said. My description was the same (clunk) when accelerating usually from stop or slow and
not always, sounds as if something slides back and forth. Every thing top side is secure and my sound
appears to come from the rear and getting more frequent after 50K. I recently paid an independent
shop to try to trace it and naturally they couldn't duplicate it, when I picked it up and took a drive with
the mechanic it still wouldn't do it till after I dropped him off. Very annoying but I'm going to live
with it and not worry about till something gives. Please post if find a solution.

[Cottonman57]

Thanks for the post! Nice to know someone else can relate to my problem (misery love company I guess). Hopefully we'll hear from someone who had the same problem, but was able to get it resolved! By the way, they originally thought it was a motor mount and replaced one. No improvement. I always thought it could be a CV joint....but what do I know.

[funkee]

If the "clunk" sound happens when you begin driving, and at relatively low speed, it is the ABS self check. If you hear a second noise, chances are you have VDC - and the second "clunk" is the VDC self check.

Nothing needs to be fixed.

[JunseiMotors]

I second that. The initial noise is an ABS self check. But should only happen during the first take off from when first starting the vehicle. If you keep hearing it every time you accelerate or actually feel it in the body, then I feel this on alot of Murano's. Are you talking about a CLUNK noise like if you had a bad mount? I also second that on what they said that a brand new Murano did the same noise. Ive had to do that for a similar clunk. Just go back to the dealer you went to, have them duplicate the problem they said they did on the new Murano. They would be more then happy to help you. Especially if its to make the customer feel more safe about the vehicle.

[Cottonman57]

The clunk usually occurs when starting out from a dead stop. It doesn't happen every time, but will normally do it more than once during the course of a few hours of driving. Funny, no one at the dealership or the factory rep mentioned that it could be the ABS check. The fact that it occurs more often than just once, leads me to believe that it's something else.

[JunseiMotors]

ABS self check is only once after initial start up. Will do it every time u turn on the car. Just once and that's it. If you turn it off and then turn it back on again, ABS self check again so yes its something else. You say they duplicated the noise on a new Murano. Just got back and have them show you. Like I said they would be more then happy to show you im sure.

[Yerself]

I have just bought the same Murano one month ago. Same year and model. Guess what else? Same problem! Doesn't seem too major so I will have the dealer check next time I'm there. All symptoms are exactly like yours so I am curious to see if you get it resolved. I thought it might be the CVT at first but some research on this forum indicated possible suspension / control arm. I know nothing about vehicles so that means little to me. Hopefully one if us gets it figured out. I have an extended warranty so I am not too worried.