10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
43,226 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Nissan Quest:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #29

Jan 012014

Quest 6-cyl

  • miles
Quest will jerk extremely hard after slowing down or letting of on the gas and then returning to normal speed.

- New Market, AL, USA

problem #28

Jan 082014

Quest 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Nissan Quest. Consumer writes in regards to a faulty design/ installation of engine control module. The consumer stated the ECM was installed directly under the windshield plastic cowl. The open mesh cowl would drain all the water directly onto the ECM. It was how water dripped on the ECM's enclosure, that caused the corrosion prematurely. The repairman even decided not to install the replacement in its original bracket to avoid accumulating moisture.

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

problem #27

Mar 242012

Quest

  • 140,000 miles
We were going over loveland pass in Colorado. As soon as we started going back down the engine failed. I had to drift with no power to a shoulder to pull off on. My two kids were in the car and were scared about me having no power. Had to wait an hour to tow it. The garage said the timing belt broke, $1900 to fix.......

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

problem #26

Feb 092011

Quest

  • 78,000 miles
Timing chain tensioner broke causing timing chain to rattle loudly. Nissan said the repair would be about $2,400. Apparently this is a very common problem with the Nissan 3.5 engine and should be subject to a recall.

- Munster, IN, USA

problem #25

Feb 092010

Quest

  • 110,000 miles
I own a 2004 Nissan Quest. I recently had to replace the timing chain at a cost of $1500. I am quite angry about this since I have recently found out that many other owners are also experiencing the same problem with the Quest. This is an issue Nissan should have recalled the car for. I was told hat if this chain had broken while I was drivng, it could cause teh the engine tro seize. Well that is just great to know that I hand my daughter the keys to this car and they could have been killed. Is that what you are waiting for..someone to die before you realize how big a problem this is? I have also read that other makes of Nissan are also experiencing this problem. Nisssan should be held responsible for this repair. I have always purchased Nissan, but with these kind of costly repairs and dangerous issue at hand, I will definately choose another maker if Nissan does not come forward with a recall and reinburse those of us that have already had pay for these costly repairs. I am very disapointed with Nissan, since I am sure they are aware of this problem and have done nothing about it.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #24

May 022011

Quest

  • 105,000 miles
There is a loud, annoying and dangerous rattling sound coming from the motor. Based on what seems like hundreds of thousands of complaints and many opinions from very experienced mechanics, it is the timing chain - the whole thing- from the chain, tensioners and everything associated with the entire timing chain mechanism. This is absurdly annoying, extremely dangerous and outrageously labor intensive and expensive to fix. I, like so many others out there, put my family in this vehicle on a daily basis and have to wonder just how safe this thing is. What happens if the chain breaks" what happens if it breaks while on a major highway" I just had my family to Florida this summer - can't imagine that scenario. Obviously, this problem exists absolutely everywhere with this vehicle.

- Church Hill, MD, USA

problem #23

Oct 272011

Quest 6-cyl

  • miles
My car engine has been making a clicking noise for the past 10,000 miles and seems to be getting worse. On taking it into the dealer at approx 95,000 miles, they told me I needed to have the timing chain replaced with other incidentals for a cost of approx $3200., $2300 alone for the timing belt aspect. I did not follow through with the timing chain repair but only the repair of the high speed steering hose. I have been reviewing the timing chain reports and it definitely seem that Nissan has a problem with failing timing chains and it does seem like a manufacturing defect and as such should be recalled. I strongly recommend that NHTSA start an investigation into recalling all the Nissan timing chain vehicles.

- Vienna, VA, USA

problem #22

Apr 102011

Quest

  • 94,000 miles
Loud rattling in my engine when I start my van and when I drive through town. Very embarrassing! mechanic thinks it is the timing chain tensioners in the engine that is going to cost over $3,500. I only have 94,000 miles on the van so it should not be doing this!

- Janesville, WI, USA

problem #21

May 262011

Quest

  • miles
There is an awful ticking sound coming from the engine. My car has been serviced my Nissan repeatedly and it's still making the noises. Now I've been told it's the timing chain. After reading up on this issue it's apparent that there a widespread problem with this part in the Nissan Quests.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #20

Apr 282011

Quest 6-cyl

  • 84,225 miles
At a regular dealer visit for an oil change, I was told that I have a broken timing chain guide on my 04 Nissan Quest. The cost of this repair is approximately $1800. Upon doing some research, I discovered that this is a fairly common issue with 04 Quests and it appears to happen between 60 -90,000 miles (mine is just over 80,000). Link is attached: questdriver.com/node/835.

- Maple Grove, MN, USA

problem #19

Jan 152009

Quest

  • 73,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Quest. The contact stated when starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine but the noise would cease once he began driving. The contact stated he has heard the noise for over a year. The dealer advised that the timing chain would need to be replaced at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000 and the current mileage was 93,000.

- Westfield, IN, USA

problem #18

Jun 202010

Quest

  • 129,000 miles
2004 Nissan Quest van engine shut off while I was driving on the highway and lost it acceleration twice while driving locally. I just got this van for only a month. Nissan Canada this is not safe at all. I bought this van because I have small children. If you have a heart, please check on all the van because this could caused serious accidents. I don't what to do with this one now. If I had known this problem I would get some other van. I need help!

- Woodbridge, Ont, L4l0b2 Canada, 00, USA

problem #17

Sep 052004

Quest

  • 350 miles
Nissan Quest 2004 buzzing/whining noise from timing chain area and cause van to stall

- St.Peters, MO, USA

problem #16

Jun 222009

Quest

  • 114,000 miles
My 2004 Nissan Quest SE caught on fire and was totaled. The vehicle has been acting strange and 5 days prior to the fire was the last day I drove it. It would not crank after I put it in the garage and so I was going to have it towed to the Nissan dealer the next week. It was not touched after that day until we were awoke by our smoke alarms. We opened our garage door as it was the nearest exit only to realize the fire was in the garage. When we went outside around to the garage we saw that the fire was coming from under the hood of the van out the windshield and passenger side front tire.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #15

Mar 262009

Quest

  • 73,403 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that the ECM failed and stalled the computer in the vehicle. The vehicle is under warranty, but the dealer and manufacturer did not cover the repair cost. The contact paid $1,300 to repair the vehicle. The dealer stated that the ECM failed due to corrosion build-up. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 73,403.

- Peabody, MA, USA

problem #14

Feb 092009

Quest

  • 45,789 miles
My Nissan Quest stops while driving...

- Alsip, IL, USA

problem #13

Jun 012008

Quest

  • 69,000 miles
In December of 2006 we purchased a 2004 Nissan Quest SE. The first year was not entirely trouble free, the drivers seat would self adjust while driving. The dealer fixed it no charge. The in December of 07 the trans went out, again the dealer covered it at no charge, gave us a loaner and were done within a week. Except for the inconvenience of not having our van we were fine until now!!! in June of 08 we were going for a Sunday drive and the van just died in the middle of the street. Nothing would work nothing, no power anywhere. We called road side and all they could do was tow us to al piemonte Nissan in melrose park, il. The following Monday, the dealer calls and tells us the ECU is burnt out, and has some corrosion. It's covered under warranty so no need to far right!!! a week later we finally get a loaner, ok not too bad. Two months go by and we finally have word that we have a date when the part will arrive!!!!! the part gets installed but the van runs like crap "omg you mean they actually tested it"!!!! they now are replacing a cracked distributor, god only knows how that happened!!!! the dealr does not charge us for that, but the van still runs like crap so now they have to replace three of the 6 coils and well we had to pay over $800 bucks for that. Totally not expecting that we had to charge it, putting us in the hole even deeper. You know we haven't spent alot of $ on this car but for a 4 year old car it sure has had alot of major components replaced. The the freaking dealer doesn't test the car, so we leave and the remotes, doors, sunroof, windows don't work. The center counsil is falling apart and they didn't even clean the '!@#$% car. I take it back, rip the manager a new one, he gives me a loaner again and I'm back the next day to pick up my van, now they clean it. It's been a few weeks now and the van is fine but I often think what would have happened if it broke down in the middle of the interstate!!!!!

- Melrose Park, IL, USA

problem #12

Dec 252007

Quest 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles
On my 2004 Nissan Quest, the camshaft position sensor failed on my vehicle in the middle of traffic causing my car to cut off completely. This almost caused 2 accidents before I could steer the car off the road.

- Holly Springs, NC, USA

problem #11

Dec 152006

Quest 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,500 miles
: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the engine stalled without warning. Afterwards, the engine would not restart, and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. Initially, the dealer determined the battery needed to be replaced, but the problem persisted. The dealer later determined the throttle body needed to be replaced. After the replacement, the stalling continued, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer to await installation of a data recorder to record any type of failure within the vehicle. The manufacturer was alerted.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #10

Mar 012004

Quest 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,503 miles
The brakes heat up and the rotors warp. The steering wheel would start shaking when the consumer applied the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealership at that point. The consumer stated it happened every 4000 miles since she has had the vehicle. It first happened in March of 2004. The dealership is telling the consumer that the brakes are heating up. The rotors have been resurfaced three times. They ordered new rotors and they have been on for approximately 3 months and the steering wheel is shaking again. She has also gone through two fuel injectors. She was told that she is putting low grade fuel into the vehicle. Other issues: The passenger side auto door would rattle when the vehicle was in motion, abnormal shifting, engine light had come on, rear wiper had broken, steering wheel would shake due to the brakes, the front left seat back was loose due to poor fit, mouding on the rear of the driver's seat was coming off, the fuel gauge was stuck on empty after two fill ups.

- Farmington, NM, USA

Read the next 9 complaints »