FaultScore

Nissan Quest engine problems

395 of the 2,918 complaints filed about the Nissan Quest are about the engine — 14% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

395

Complaints

14%

Share of all complaints

7

Crashes

15

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1991 Quest 1 0.3%

Median failure at 115,000 miles

1993 Quest 37 9.4%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

1994 Quest 61 15.4%

Median failure at 112,200 miles

1995 Quest 45 11.4%

Median failure at 85,721 miles

1996 Quest 17 4.3%

Median failure at 62,384 miles

1997 Quest 10 2.5%

Median failure at 70,511 miles

1998 Quest 5 1.3%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

1999 Quest 8 2.0%

Median failure at 72,560 miles

2000 Quest 9 2.3%

Median failure at 78,784 miles

2001 Quest 3 0.8%

Median failure at 76,750 miles

2002 Quest 4 1.0%

Median failure at 11,859 miles

2004 Quest 71 18.0%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

2005 Quest 20 5.1%

Median failure at 85,000 miles

2006 Quest 12 3.0%

Median failure at 47,360 miles

2007 Quest 50 12.7%

Median failure at 100,633 miles

2008 Quest 6 1.5%

Median failure at 86,413 miles

2009 Quest 3 0.8%

Median failure at 84,000 miles

2011 Quest 15 3.8%

Median failure at 7,400 miles

2012 Quest 15 3.8%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

2014 Quest 1 0.3%

Median failure at 64,000 miles

2015 Quest 2 0.5%

Median failure at 300 miles

What owners said

2007 Nissan Quest at 230,000 miles Griffin, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2007 Nissan Quest. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 177,000. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine overheated and the vehicle lost automotive power. The contact made several attempts to restart the vehicle and continued driving. During one failure, the vehicle failed to start, and the vehicle was towed to the residence. The failure became more persistent over time and had occurred approximately five times. The vehicle failed to start and had to be towed twice. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start and went into LIMP Mode. Several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. While driving at approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle continued to go into LIMP Mode. The vehicle was restarted several times and driven to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was inspected by a certified mechanic, who discovered that the vehicle had been subjected to odometer fraud. The mechanic informed the contact that the actual mileage on the vehicle was 230,000. The contact reached out to the Griffin Police Department, reported the odometer fraud, and was then informed to fill out a small claims case.

NHTSA complaint #11729937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Nissan Quest at 64,000 miles Tolleson, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that while at a red light, once the light turned green, the contact had to depress the accelerator pedal several times, and 5 seconds afterward,s the vehicle accelerated. No warning lights were illuminated; however, the "Low Coolant" message was displayed on the instrument panel. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the residence, and was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.

NHTSA complaint #11709141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Nissan Quest Whitehall, NY

ENGINE

I purchased the van and noticed that at times it would suddenly de-accelerate and drop from whatever speed im doing and refuse to speed up even if I press the gas peddle to the floor. Id come up to a stop sign and stop, then at times it wouldnt accelerate, even with the peddle to the floor, it would barely move forward. I brought it back to the person I purchased it from tried to describe what happened, they had someone check the transmission and said it was fine. Its continued to do this, and has almost caused crashes because it does it periodically and without warning on inclines, at red lights, if I driven a long distance (i.e. 1hr or so) etc, and when stopped. Its done this especially when it comes to hills, its terrifying but I have no other vehicles and now only drive it locally, avoid hills, and only if I absolutely have to. This is my first Nissan and wasn't aware of issues like this as I typically buy Buick's, so I researched Nissan issues and recalls and recently saw a recall from October 2025 related to the fuel pump injector system reset that describes what ive experienced exactly, but when I took it to the Nissan dealership in Saratoga NY, they said its not a recall, just a warning for my model and year, and they would need to charge me to inspect it, and didnt advise if it was repairable. Anyone else who has this model Nissan I would want warned immediately, and I mean immediately. Its scary seeing other vehicles coming up behind me and I dont know if my van will accelerate or not, I took out a loan to buy this vehicle and am still paying it off. I cant buy another right now. The actual recall for what appears to be the same issue came out for 2013 and newer Nissans but again, should include this model for year 2012. Those of us with this vehicle should be included in the recall so we can drive safely as well. Please make this update to the recall asap. Thank you for your time and consideration to review this

NHTSA complaint #11700978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Nissan Quest Murray, KY

ENGINE

My van is not accelerating properly, it seems to idle out and does not go over 20 mph it idles on acceleration decline. i could not get out of way fast enough if traffic was busy.

NHTSA complaint #11629506 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Nissan Quest New York, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

See attached document from complainant

NHTSA complaint #11549768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Nissan Quest Cincinnati, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started overheating and jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle started smoking, and the contact pulled over on the side of the road and added coolant, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11537650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Nissan Quest Palmdale, CA

ENGINE

I entered 14 freeway by sierra hwy entrance, as soon as I got in the fwy and left the pedal gas to slow down to get into traffic my van lost power and the shut off complete, i was very fortunate that it happened at the entrance and the cars behind me were able to stop on time and nobody got hurt, also today as soon I exit the cvs store get in into traffic, 1 minute after the van lost power and got stuck in traffic, this is very scary for me and my kids, my mechanics are not able to find the problem, please help

NHTSA complaint #11518166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Nissan Quest Cornwall, NY

ENGINE

The electrical system failed that connected the radio, navigation system and back up camera around four to five months after receiving bill of sale. When parked or stopped the vehicle stalls by dimming of lights and making a kind of stalling sound. The windows sometimes tend to slowly wind up or down(electrical). My safety and that of others were put at risk because of the electrical issues and so the vehicle is notable to perform at the level it should. The vehicle was inspected by a certified auto mechanic and was confirmed that it was an electrical issue. No warning was detected that i am aware of.

NHTSA complaint #11452881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Nissan Quest Antioch, CA

ENGINE

CVT transmission is failing, it is very very common with Nissan.

NHTSA complaint #11430974 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Nissan Quest at 76,000 miles Pittsboro, NC

ENGINE

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER AND MY TWO GRANDKIDS. WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED TO STOP AND THEN GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOPLIGHT THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. EVERYTHING COMPLETELY WENT OFF THE CAR WOULD NOT START, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO WENT DOWN THERE WAS NO POWER ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. I THEN CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REPORTED THE ISSUE. THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT INTO THE NISSAN DEALER AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. WHILE AT THE NISSAN DEALER THE REPAIRMAN THERE WERE THREE INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CVT MALFUNCTIONING ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. DURING THE TIME THAT I WAS AT NISSAN HAVING MY VEHICLE DIAGNOSE, THERE WERE TWO OTHER SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE THERE FOR THE SAME REASON. AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND NISSAN WAS AWARE OF IT. WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED THEY HAD SEVERAL CVT ISSUES. AT ONE POINT THEY PUT OUT A NOTICE TO ALL OF THOSE AFFECTED FOR THE RECON. ONCE THEY REALIZE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THEY INTERN REMOVED THE NOTICE FROM THE ONLINE. AND DECIDED TO HANDLE IT ON A CASE BY CASE, WHICH NOW THEY ARE NOT REPAIRING BECAUSE THEY'RE MAKING IT A DECISION OF THEIR OWN AND NOT AS A RECALL. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE MALFUNCTIONING CVT THAT THEY PLACED IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS MULTIPLE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE THAT PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ONLINE AND NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY PART THAT THEY PLACED IN THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE HAD MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT DID WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT SOMETHING MAJORLY COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO BOTH MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER AND MY GRANDKIDS WE MAY NOT STILL BE ALIVE TODAY.

NHTSA complaint #11404205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Quest at 217,865 miles Phoenix, AZ

ENGINE

CRANK POSITION SENSOR WON'T START AFTER SITTING STATIONARY AFTER IT RAN AND STOPPED ITS INTERMEDIATE.

NHTSA complaint #11396915 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Nissan Quest at 120,000 miles Riverside, CA

ENGINE

I JUST REPLACED ALL THE MOTOR MOUNTS ON MY 2007 NISSAN QUEST. THEY HAVE GONE BAD AGAIN. AFTER LOOKING UP MANY FORUMS ONLINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AND POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW. WHY HAS THIS NOT BECOME A RECALL ON NISSAN'S PART? ARE MOTOR MOUNTS NOT A CONCERN? EVERYONE IS STATING THAT NO MATTER WHAT THEY USE, EITHER AFTERMARKET OR GENUINE NISSAN PARTS, THEY ALL FAIL.

NHTSA complaint #11387091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Nissan Quest at 75,000 miles Asbury Park, NJ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN WORLD OF RED BANK (NEWMAN SPRINGS RD E, RED BANK, NJ 07701) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR AN UNKNOWN FAILURE AND WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. A YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #11365118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Nissan Quest at 30,000 miles Sunnyvale, TX Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND THE FAMILY EXITED SAFELY HOWEVER SMOKE FILLED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAMILY MEMBERS NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE AS FLAMES WERE EXITING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SHERIFF ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HOWEVER WAS UNABLE TO. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED MORE THAN HALF OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWAITING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER TROPHY NISSAN ( 5031 N GALLOWAY AVE, MESQUITE, TX 75150) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS TRANSFERRED TO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *LN

NHTSA complaint #11354413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Nissan Quest at 32,632 miles Mesquite, TX Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, WHEN HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STATED HE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED SAFETY THE VEHICLE WITH HIS FAMILY. THE CONTACT STATED HE SAW FIRE EXITING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE POLICE WAS ON THE LOCATION AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WAS A POLICE OR FIRE REPORT COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE WAS INJURED OR SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RECORD SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,632.

NHTSA complaint #11353955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Nissan Quest at 286,000 miles Marina, CA

ENGINE

TIMING CHAIN ISSUES . HAD IT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME AND IT SEEMS IT'S STILL HAS PROBLEMS. LAST REPAIR WAS DUE TO BROKEN GUIDE AND AND BROKEN TENSIONERS. AM WORRIED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11350693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Nissan Quest at 73,000 miles Atlanta, GA

ENGINE

THIS VEHICLE HAS HARD TAKE OFF FROM 0 TO 10 MPH. ACCELERATION NOT SMOOTH AT ALL.

NHTSA complaint #11319560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Nissan Quest at 144,000 miles Shawnee, KS

ENGINE

MY 2007 NISSAN QUEST WITH144,500 MILES, HAS A REAL BAD CLUNKING SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING, DECELERATING, OR TAKING OFF FROM A STANDSTILL. A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT IS FROM BAD MOTOR MOUNTS. WHEN ACCELERATING OR BRAKING, THE MOTOR MOVES A LOT. IT DOES NOT MAKE ANY MORE NOISES WHEN TURNING, MAINLY WIN BRAKING AND ACCELERATING, BUT ALSO WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS UP OR DOWN A GEAR.

NHTSA complaint #11281349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Nissan Quest at 99,000 miles NEW Britain, CT

ENGINE

ENGINE NOISE WHEN IS COLD , SOMETIMES IS LOOSING POWER , WHEN YOU STEPON GAS PEDAL CAR IS NOT MOVING , STOP SIGN AND TRAFIC LIGHTS

NHTSA complaint #11270562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Nissan Quest at 109,400 miles Cape MAY, NJ

ENGINE

WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED UP TO ABOUT 6000 RPM. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, IN A PARKING LOT. I THOUGHT PERHAPS I HAD INADVERTENTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. TWO DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT HALF A MILE, STOPPED THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, AND WHEN I STARTED AGAIN THE ENGINE RACED ONCE IT WAS PUT IN GEAR. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND THEN ON 3 TIMES FOR IT TO COME BACK TO NORMAL. YESTERDAY I DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND WHILE I WAS STOPPED WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE CAR STARTED TO REV HIGH AND MOVE INTO THE INTERSECTION UNTIL I MOVED IT OUT OF DRIVE. I HAD TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART FOR IT TO RETURN TO NORMAL. ABOUT 15 OR 20 MORE MILES OF DRIVING AND A HALF DOZEN STOPS, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPACE. WHEN I GOT HOME I CONNECTED MY CODE READER, THERE WERE NO CODES. IT IS NOW AT MY MECHANIC, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED FOR THEM YET.

NHTSA complaint #11216922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Nissan Quest problems