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Nissan · Known Issues

1999-2017 Nissan Quest Problems: 15 Known Issues

1999-2017 model years · 810+ owner reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's analysis of 810+ owner reports, the 1999-2017 Nissan Quest has 15 documented known issues, with 10 rated critical. The most serious are CVT Transmission Failure Under Load ($300-$6,000 repair), Power Sliding Door Motor and Latch Failure ($200-$800 repair), Fuel Level Sender Resistor Failure Causing False Fuel Gauge Reading (V42) ($0-$600 repair), ABS Actuator Valve Gelling with DOT3 Fluid Causing Long Brake Pedal (V43, Campaign P0A08) ($0-$1,500 repair), Fuel Pump Control Module Software Fault Causing Engine Stall (V43, Recall 12V076) ($0-$0 repair), Brake Pedal Pivot Pin Not Spin-Formed to Specification (V42, Recall 10V072) ($0-$0 repair), RE5F22A Five-Speed Automatic Transmission Slippage and Failure (V42) ($2,200-$4,500 repair), Front Passenger Occupant Detection Bladder Fails to Suppress Airbag (V42, Recall 04V103) ($0-$0 repair), Rack and Pinion Steering Gear Mounting Bolts Improperly Torqued (V41, Recall 00V292) ($0-$0 repair) and VQ35DE Timing Chain Guide and Secondary Tensioner Wear (Rattle on Start-Up) ($1,200-$2,800 repair). The most commonly reported issue is CVT Transmission Failure Under Load with 520 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $150 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • Quest Transmission2
  • Quest Fuel System2
  • Quest Brakes2
  • Quest Electrical3
  • Quest Safety/Recalls3
  • Quest Steering1
  • Quest Engine1
  • Quest Body/Panels1
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Transmission2
  • Fuel System2
  • Brakes2
  • Electrical3
  • Safety/Recalls3
  • Steering1
  • Engine1
  • Body/Panels1
  • FAQ

All 15 Known Issues

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan Quest problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 810+ owner reports, the 1999-2017 Nissan Quest has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Failure Under Load, Power Sliding Door Motor and Latch Failure, Fuel Level Sender Resistor Failure Causing False Fuel Gauge Reading (V42). Of these, 10 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Nissan Quest reliable?

The 1999-2017 Nissan Quest has 15 known issues documented across 810+ owner reports. 10 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Failure Under Load and Power Sliding Door Motor and Latch Failure and Fuel Level Sender Resistor Failure Causing False Fuel Gauge Reading (V42) and ABS Actuator Valve Gelling with DOT3 Fluid Causing Long Brake Pedal (V43, Campaign P0A08) and Fuel Pump Control Module Software Fault Causing Engine Stall (V43, Recall 12V076) and Brake Pedal Pivot Pin Not Spin-Formed to Specification (V42, Recall 10V072) and RE5F22A Five-Speed Automatic Transmission Slippage and Failure (V42) and Front Passenger Occupant Detection Bladder Fails to Suppress Airbag (V42, Recall 04V103) and Rack and Pinion Steering Gear Mounting Bolts Improperly Torqued (V41, Recall 00V292) and VQ35DE Timing Chain Guide and Secondary Tensioner Wear (Rattle on Start-Up). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Quest problems?

Repair costs for known Nissan Quest issues range from $0 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Failure Under Load, typically costs $300-$6,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What year Nissan Quest is the most reliable?

Reliability varies across model years of the Nissan Quest. Based on documented issues, problems are most commonly reported in earlier model years. Au7o recommends checking the specific known issues for your target year before purchasing, and having a pre-purchase inspection performed by a qualified mechanic. Our known issues database covers the 1999-2017 Nissan Quest with 15 documented issues documented across 810+ owner reports.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data sourced from 810+ owner reports, NHTSA recalls, TSBs, and automotive forums.

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ALL YEARS2017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420001999
Community reported
520 owners

The Quest CVT (Jatco JF010E/RE0F09B) paired with the VQ35DE V6 suffers from premature failure, particularly when the vehicle is fully loaded with passengers and cargo. The combination of a heavy minivan with a CVT designed for lighter vehicles leads to overheating and accelerated wear. Failures commonly occur between 60,000-120,000 miles.

Common Symptoms

  • Shuddering with full passenger load
  • Transmission slipping during uphill driving
  • Overheating warning light
  • Delayed engagement from stop
  • Complete loss of drive

How to Fix

Change CVT fluid every 30,000 miles with NS-3. Avoid overloading the vehicle. Add external CVT cooler for heavy-use scenarios. CVT replacement: $4,000-6,000. Check extended warranty eligibility.

What you need to fix it

Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

  • Genuine Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid 999MP-CV0NS2

    2011-2014 Quest CVT only; confirm the owner's manual, service-fill quantity and level procedure. Do not mix with NS-3 or ATF.

    Z1 Motorsports
  • Genuine Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid 999MP-CSHNS3

    2015-2017 Quest CVT only; confirm VIN, service-fill quantity and temperature-based level procedure. Do not mix with NS-2 or ATF.

    Team Nissan

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.

Typical repair cost:$300 - $6,000

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Based on 520 owner reports

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Community Reported
High Confidence520 owner reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2026Reviewed Feb 2026

The third-generation Quest used the RE5F22A five-speed automatic behind the VQ35DE - a transmission shared with the contemporary Maxima and Altima 3.5, and the subject of a class-action complaint filed in 2011 alleging premature failure in 2004-2007 Quest vans. This is a conventional planetary automatic and is a DIFFERENT unit from the JATCO CVT fitted to the 2011-2017 V43; do not conflate the two failure stories. Owners report slippage on light throttle, flare between gears, a harsh 1-2 or 2-3 engagement, and the SLIP indicator illuminating - often followed by the van losing drive entirely. The mechanism is clutch-pack wear accelerated by fluid overheating; drained fluid comes out dark and burnt. The center-dash cluster fault can also strand the transmission in O/D OFF, so confirm which of the two is actually occurring before quoting a rebuild.

Common Symptoms

  • Transmission slips under acceleration
  • RPM flares between shifts
  • Harsh or delayed engagement into drive or reverse
  • SLIP warning light illuminated
  • Burnt-smelling dark transmission fluid
  • Complete loss of forward drive

How to Fix

No recall or extended warranty covers this. Diagnosis starts with a fluid inspection and a scan for stored transmission codes; burnt fluid with clutch material means the unit needs a rebuild or replacement, not a fluid service. Rebuild with updated clutch and valve-body components, and add or verify an auxiliary transmission cooler - overheating is the driver of the wear. Use only the Nissan Matic fluid specified for the year; the wrong fluid accelerates the same failure. Owners who caught it early enough report success with a full fluid-and-filter service plus cooler, but slippage under load means the clutches are already gone.

Typical repair cost:$2,200 - $4,500

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

NHTSA opened preliminary evaluation PE14-012 in May 2014 after roughly 140 complaints that 2007 Quest vans ran out of fuel with the gauge still showing fuel remaining. Nissan traced the fault to one of two resistors in the fuel level sender unit circuit opening up, which makes the gauge and the distance-to-empty display read high once the tank drops below about a quarter. Owners reported the DTE readout showing more than 70 miles of range immediately before the engine stalled from fuel starvation - a genuine safety exposure, because the stall happens without warning in traffic. Nissan's own investigation found the same sender circuit in 2008 and 2009 vans, and the agency closed PE14-012 on Nissan's agreement to run a service campaign covering approximately 68,003 model year 2007-2009 Quest vehicles.

Common Symptoms

  • Fuel gauge shows fuel remaining when tank is empty
  • Distance-to-empty display reads high, sometimes by 60-80 miles
  • Engine stalls from fuel starvation with gauge above empty
  • Gauge needle jumps or sticks below a quarter tank

How to Fix

This is covered by a Nissan service campaign (bulletin NTB15-071), not a safety recall, so it does not appear on a standard NHTSA VIN recall lookup - ask a Nissan dealer to check the VIN against the campaign directly. The remedy is free at the dealer: an external amplifier box with a jumper harness is installed to bypass the failing resistor circuit in the sender, restoring accurate readings. If the campaign has already been performed or the van is outside it, the alternative is replacing the fuel level sender unit inside the tank. Until repaired, treat the gauge as unreliable below a quarter tank and refuel by odometer distance.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $600

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On 2011-2012 model year Quest vans, Nissan determined that the fuel pump control module could fail to command enough pump capability at low speed and low torque once the tank was down to about a quarter or less, starving the engine and causing it to stop running without warning. Nissan filed this as a safety recall - NHTSA campaign 12V076000 - because an unannounced stall in traffic is a crash risk. This is a control-module calibration defect on the V43 and is distinct from the mechanical sender-resistor fault that affected the earlier 2007-2009 vans; owners with a low-fuel stall should check which of the two their model year falls under.

Common Symptoms

  • Engine stalls without warning at low speed
  • Stalling occurs mainly with a quarter tank or less
  • Loss of power steering and brake assist after the stall
  • Hard restart immediately after stalling

How to Fix

Free recall remedy: Nissan dealers reprogram the fuel pump control module at no charge under campaign 12V076000. Check the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup or with a Nissan dealer - this is a decade-old recall and many second- and third-owner vans have never had it performed, since it is a reflash that leaves no visible evidence. If the reprogram is already done and the van still stalls at low fuel, the fuel pump assembly and the level sender should be tested rather than reflashing again.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

Nissan ran a voluntary service campaign, ID P0A08, covering roughly 320,616 vehicles including 2011-2015 Quest vans (alongside 2010-2014 Murano and Murano CrossCabriolet). The cause is a chemical reaction between the chromate surface coating on the ABS actuator's normally-closed valve and DOT3 brake fluid, which forms a gel around the valve. The gel can hold the normally-closed valve open, making brake fluid pressure fluctuate and giving the driver noticeably increased pedal travel - the pedal goes farther toward the floor for the same braking effort. Because the defect is chemistry between the fluid specification and the valve coating, it develops with time and fluid age rather than with any particular driving pattern, and it recurs if the van is refilled with DOT3 after the repair.

Common Symptoms

  • Increased brake pedal travel
  • Pedal feels soft or sinks toward the floor
  • Brake pressure fluctuates during braking
  • ABS warning light in some cases
  • No external fluid leak found

How to Fix

Free under Nissan campaign P0A08. Dealers inspect the ABS actuator with CONSULT, replace the actuator if the valve is affected, flush the system from DOT3 to DOT4 fluid, and fit a revised reservoir cap plus an owner's manual insert specifying DOT4. The fluid change is the part owners must not undo: refilling a repaired van with DOT3 recreates the condition. If a 2011-2015 Quest has a long or sinking pedal and no external leak or air in the lines, have the dealer verify whether P0A08 has been performed on that VIN before chasing a master cylinder.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $1,500

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

NHTSA campaign 10V072000 covers a manufacturing defect in the brake pedal assembly on 2008-2009 Quest vans: the end of the brake pedal pivot pin was not spin-formed to specification during production. A pivot pin that is not properly formed can allow the pedal to shift on its pivot, and the resulting misalignment reduces the braking force actually delivered to the master cylinder for a given pedal effort. Owners experience a pedal that feels wrong or a van that does not stop as it should - a straightforward crash risk. This is a build defect at the pedal box, entirely separate from the hydraulic ABS-actuator problem that affects the later V43 generation.

Common Symptoms

  • Reduced braking force for normal pedal effort
  • Longer stopping distances
  • Unusual or shifting brake pedal feel
  • Pedal movement or play at the pivot

How to Fix

Free recall remedy under NHTSA campaign 10V072000 - Nissan dealers inspect the brake pedal assembly and repair or replace it at no cost. Check the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup; 2008-2009 vans that have changed hands several times often still show this as open. Any 2008-2009 Quest showing reduced braking force, unusual pedal feel or pedal movement should have this recall verified before other brake diagnosis, because a pedal-box fault will not be found by inspecting pads, rotors or fluid.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

The Quest's power sliding doors suffer from motor failures, broken cables, and latch mechanism issues. The electric motor that drives the door wears out, leaving the door stuck partially open or unable to power-close. The latch assembly also fails, preventing the door from staying closed. In some cases, the door opens unexpectedly while driving, creating a serious safety hazard.

Common Symptoms

  • Power door stops mid-travel
  • Door won't close completely
  • Grinding noise when door operates
  • Door opens on its own while driving
  • Power door feature stops working entirely

How to Fix

Replace the sliding door motor assembly ($300-$600) or the latch assembly ($150-$300) depending on the failure. Check the door cable for fraying before assuming the motor is bad. Lubricate the door track and rollers with white lithium grease every 6 months. If the door opens unexpectedly, the latch recall (NHTSA 15V-595) may apply — contact Nissan dealer.

Owner tips & cautions

  • WarningIf the sliding door opens while driving, disable the power door switch immediately and use manually only. Then get to the dealer for the latch recall. This is a child safety issue.
Typical repair cost:$200 - $800

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Community Reported
Medium Confidence

On the third-generation (V42) Quest, Nissan moved the instrument pod to a center-dash location, and that pod is the single most complained-about component of the generation. Owners report the LCD segments for odometer, fuel level and coolant temperature going blank or showing only dashes, gauges and warning lamps cutting out intermittently, and in many cases the whole pod losing power while driving. A recurring owner observation is that when the cluster drops out the transmission simultaneously reverts to 'O/D OFF' and the van jolts on the next shift, because the same feed/ground path also carries transmission signaling. The failure is a solder-joint and internal circuit-board fault in the cluster itself plus, in some cases, a failing body control module - swapping in a used cluster from a donor van typically reproduces the same symptom because the donor unit has the same aged board.

Common Symptoms

  • Odometer, fuel and temperature LCD shows dashes or goes blank
  • Gauges and warning lights cut in and out while driving
  • Entire instrument pod loses power intermittently
  • Transmission drops into O/D OFF when the cluster blanks
  • Dim or pixelated LCD segments

How to Fix

No recall exists. The economical repair is to remove the cluster and have the circuit board and LCD ribbon connections rebuilt by a cluster-repair specialist, which retains the original mileage; several vendors offer a mail-in service for this exact 2004-2006 pod. A new dealer cluster requires odometer programming and costs several times more. If the cluster repair does not resolve intermittent dropouts, check the body control module and the cluster power/ground harness behind the dash before condemning a second cluster.

Typical repair cost:$200 - $900

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
Community reported
290 owners

The Quest rear A/C system fails prematurely due to the rear evaporator developing leaks. The rear A/C then blows warm air while the front works normally. The rear expansion valve can also stick, preventing proper refrigerant flow. Repairing the rear A/C requires significant disassembly of interior panels.

Common Symptoms

  • Rear A/C blows warm air
  • Front A/C works but rear does not
  • Hissing noise from rear A/C area
  • A/C system low on refrigerant frequently
  • Moisture or ice under rear of vehicle

How to Fix

Diagnose whether the rear evaporator or expansion valve has failed. Replace rear evaporator (requires interior panel removal, $800-1,500 labor-intensive). Replace rear expansion valve if stuck. Recharge A/C system after repair.

What you need to fix it

Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.

  • Genuine Nissan rear evaporator core 27411-CN000

    2011-2017 Quest 3.5L VQ35DE, rear auxiliary HVAC; confirm VIN and required O-rings.

    NissanPartsDeal
  • Genuine Nissan rear expansion valve 92200-1JA0A

    2011-2017 Quest rear auxiliary HVAC; confirm VIN and whether the valve is included with the selected evaporator assembly.

    Nissan USA Parts

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.

Typical repair cost:$400 - $1,500

Research This Issue

Based on 290 owner reports

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Community Reported
Medium Confidence290 owner reportsLast reported by owners Feb 2026Reviewed Feb 2026

NHTSA campaign 04V103000 covers 2004 Quest vans equipped with the automatic airbag suppression option, in which the front passenger seat uses a seat-cushion bladder and sensors to detect who is in the seat. Nissan found that with a certain child test dummy positioned as required by the federal test, automatic suppression may fail to occur - meaning the passenger airbag stays armed with a child in the seat, contrary to the advanced air bag requirements of FMVSS 208. The consequence is exactly the scenario the suppression system exists to prevent: a full-force passenger airbag deploying against a child. Owner notification began June 23, 2004.

Common Symptoms

  • Passenger airbag OFF indicator does not illuminate with a child in the front seat
  • Airbag status light behaves erratically as occupants shift
  • Airbag warning lamp illuminated

How to Fix

Free recall remedy under NHTSA campaign 04V103000: dealers inspect the front passenger seat cushion and sensor assembly, and where it is found not operating correctly, the seat is removed and the sensor recalibrated. Check the VIN against the NHTSA lookup. Independently of the recall, treat a passenger airbag status light that stays on with a child in the seat, or that behaves erratically as occupants shift, as a live fault - the bladder and its sensor can also fail with age, and the same recalibration or a sensor replacement is the repair. Children under 13 belong in the rear rows regardless.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

NHTSA campaign 05V474000 covers 2004-2006 Quest vans in which moving components of the second-row seat adjustment mechanism are left exposed. Because the second row of a minivan is where children climb in, out and between rows unsupervised, an exposed pinch point in the adjuster is a real injury exposure - fingers can be caught in the mechanism as the seat is slid or folded. Nissan filed it as a voluntary safety recall in October 2005. It is worth flagging on any used V42 purchase precisely because it is a passive hazard rather than a driveability fault: nothing about how the van drives will tell an owner whether the remedy was performed.

Common Symptoms

  • Exposed moving parts visible in the second-row seat adjuster
  • Fingers can be pinched when sliding or folding the second-row seat
  • Missing covers over the seat adjustment mechanism

How to Fix

Free recall remedy under NHTSA campaign 05V474000 - Nissan dealers install covers over the exposed portion of the second-row seat adjustment mechanism at no charge. Verify the VIN against the NHTSA recall lookup before carrying children in the second row of a 2004-2006 Quest; if the covers are absent, the recall is almost certainly still open. There is no aftermarket substitute - the parts are the dealer-supplied covers.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

NHTSA campaign 23V067000, filed in 2023 and covering 404,690 vehicles including 2008-2009 Quest vans (alongside 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder and Armada), addresses the resin Nissan emblem on the driver's airbag cover. The emblem, supplied by Autoliv, can develop cracks with age and heat cycling and detach during airbag deployment - launching a hard plastic fragment directly at the driver's face at deployment speed. This is a separate defect from the Takata inflator recalls and is not resolved by any Takata remedy. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023, so many owners of these older vans - especially second and third owners whose address is not on file with Nissan - have never been notified.

Common Symptoms

  • Visible cracks around the Nissan emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover
  • Emblem loose or lifting from the airbag cover

How to Fix

Free recall remedy under NHTSA campaign 23V067000 - Nissan dealers replace the driver's airbag cover at no charge. Because this recall is recent but the vehicles are old, VIN verification is the practical step: check the VIN on the NHTSA recall lookup or with a Nissan dealer rather than assuming an older van has no open recalls. Do not attempt to glue, replace or remove the emblem yourself - the cover is part of the airbag module and any work on it risks both an improper deployment and disabling the restraint.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

NHTSA campaign 00V292002 covers second-generation Quest minivans in which one or more of the five bolts mounting the rack and pinion steering gear to the vehicle may have been tightened incorrectly at the factory. The first sign is looseness in the steering, often with a knock, clunk or vibration felt through the wheel. Left in service the under-torqued bolts can fracture or back out entirely, at which point the steering gear moves relative to its mounts and steering control is reduced or lost. This is a V41-era defect on the Ford-co-developed Quest/Villager platform - it does not carry forward to the V42 or V43 vans, whose steering was a clean-sheet design.

Common Symptoms

  • Looseness or play in the steering
  • Clunk or knock from the front when turning or over bumps
  • Steering vibration
  • Reduced steering response

How to Fix

Free recall remedy under NHTSA campaign 00V292002: dealers inspect the mounting, replace any broken or missing steering gear mounting bolts, and torque all five to specification. Owner notification began November 13, 2000. On a van this old the recall is long past its notification window but the remedy remains free - and independently of the recall, any second-generation Quest with steering looseness, a clunk over bumps or an unexplained vibration should have the five rack mounting bolts inspected and torqued as a first step, since it is a short check that rules out a loss-of-control failure.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

Both the V42 (2004-2009) and V43 (2011-2017) Quest use the VQ35DE 3.5L V6, and this engine family has a well-documented timing-drive wear pattern discussed at length in Nissan owner communities. Three distinct parts fail: the plastic primary chain guide cracks and breaks up, the secondary (bank) chain tensioners lose their hydraulic bleed-down control, and the primary tensioner plunger sticks. The signature is a loud rattle or buzz for a few seconds on cold start-up as oil pressure builds, plus a rattle on throttle between roughly 1,500 and 2,500 rpm; worn secondary tensioners instead produce a constant whine from the front of the engine. It is a mileage-and-oil-quality failure, most often surfacing past 120,000-150,000 miles and much earlier on engines run on extended or neglected oil changes. Left alone, a disintegrating guide can let the chain jump timing.

Common Symptoms

  • Loud rattle or buzz for a few seconds on cold start
  • Rattle from the front of the engine between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm
  • Constant whine from the engine bay
  • Check engine light with camshaft/crankshaft correlation codes
  • Rough running or misfire if timing has jumped

How to Fix

No recall. The correct repair is a full timing-chain job - primary and secondary chains, all guides, both secondary tensioners and the primary tensioner, plus the front cover seal and water pump while the front of the engine is open. Replacing only the tensioner on a chain that has already stretched brings the noise back. Because it is a front-cover-off job on a transverse V6 in a minivan, labor dominates the cost. Prevention is genuinely effective here: keep to a short oil-change interval on the correct-viscosity oil, since sludge is what makes the tensioners stick.

Typical repair cost:$1,200 - $2,800

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

The V42 Quest offered the SkyView fixed glass panels over the second and third rows plus a powered front moonroof - four glass openings in one roof, each with its own drain tray and hose. The drain tubes route down the pillars under the headliner and are prone to kinking and to plugging with debris; when they back up, the water tray around the glass overflows into the headliner rather than out the rocker. Owners report soaked headliners, wet carpet in the second and third rows, and - because the drip path runs down onto the overhead and center electronics - killed radio, amplifier and HVAC control units. The seals around the fixed SkyView glass can also perish independently and let water in between the glass and the roof panel. Nissan addressed water leaks from the SkyView roof in a service bulletin issued in September 2005.

Common Symptoms

  • Water dripping from headliner over front or rear seats
  • Wet or stained headliner and pillar trim
  • Damp carpet in second or third row
  • Musty smell inside the van
  • Radio, amplifier or HVAC control head stops working after rain
  • Water pooling in moonroof tray

How to Fix

No recall. The fix is almost never the roof panel: pull the headliner trim or the A-pillar covers, locate the four drain hoses, and clear them with low-pressure air or a soft trimmer line - never a stiff wire, which punctures the hose. Straighten any hose kinked under the headliner and reroute it clear of the pillar trim clips. If the fixed SkyView glass seal itself has failed, the panel must be resealed or the glass replaced. Anything that got wet downstream - radio, amp, HVAC control head - needs to be dried out and often replaced, which is what turns a cheap drain cleaning into a four-figure bill. Clear the drains preventively at least annually on any V42 with the glass roof.

Typical repair cost:$150 - $2,000

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Community Reported
Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
get a full repair guide

What is the 2011-2017 Nissan Quest CVT Transmission Failure Under Load?

The Quest CVT (Jatco JF010E/RE0F09B) paired with the VQ35DE V6 suffers from premature failure, particularly when the vehicle is fully loaded with passengers and cargo. The combination of a heavy minivan with a CVT designed for lighter vehicles leads to overheating and accelerated… Repairs typically run $300-$6,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2004-2017 Nissan Quest Power Sliding Door Motor and Latch Failure?

The Quest's power sliding doors suffer from motor failures, broken cables, and latch mechanism issues. The electric motor that drives the door wears out, leaving the door stuck partially open or unable to power-close. The latch assembly also fails, preventing the door from stayin… Repairs typically run $200-$800. Severity: high.

What is the 2007-2009 Nissan Quest Fuel Level Sender Resistor Failure Causing False Fuel Gauge Reading (V42)?

NHTSA opened preliminary evaluation PE14-012 in May 2014 after roughly 140 complaints that 2007 Quest vans ran out of fuel with the gauge still showing fuel remaining. Nissan traced the fault to one of two resistors in the fuel level sender unit circuit opening up, which makes th… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: high.

What is the 2011-2015 Nissan Quest ABS Actuator Valve Gelling with DOT3 Fluid Causing Long Brake Pedal (V43, Campaign P0A08)?

Nissan ran a voluntary service campaign, ID P0A08, covering roughly 320,616 vehicles including 2011-2015 Quest vans (alongside 2010-2014 Murano and Murano CrossCabriolet). The cause is a chemical reaction between the chromate surface coating on the ABS actuator's normally-closed… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2011-2012 Nissan Quest Fuel Pump Control Module Software Fault Causing Engine Stall (V43, Recall 12V076)?

On 2011-2012 model year Quest vans, Nissan determined that the fuel pump control module could fail to command enough pump capability at low speed and low torque once the tank was down to about a quarter or less, starving the engine and causing it to stop running without warning. Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2008-2009 Nissan Quest Brake Pedal Pivot Pin Not Spin-Formed to Specification (V42, Recall 10V072)?

NHTSA campaign 10V072000 covers a manufacturing defect in the brake pedal assembly on 2008-2009 Quest vans: the end of the brake pedal pivot pin was not spin-formed to specification during production. A pivot pin that is not properly formed can allow the pedal to shift on its piv… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2004-2007 Nissan Quest RE5F22A Five-Speed Automatic Transmission Slippage and Failure (V42)?

The third-generation Quest used the RE5F22A five-speed automatic behind the VQ35DE - a transmission shared with the contemporary Maxima and Altima 3.5, and the subject of a class-action complaint filed in 2011 alleging premature failure in 2004-2007 Quest vans. This is a conventi… Repairs typically run $2,200-$4,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2004 Nissan Quest Front Passenger Occupant Detection Bladder Fails to Suppress Airbag (V42, Recall 04V103)?

NHTSA campaign 04V103000 covers 2004 Quest vans equipped with the automatic airbag suppression option, in which the front passenger seat uses a seat-cushion bladder and sensors to detect who is in the seat. Nissan found that with a certain child test dummy positioned as required… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 1999-2000 Nissan Quest Rack and Pinion Steering Gear Mounting Bolts Improperly Torqued (V41, Recall 00V292)?

NHTSA campaign 00V292002 covers second-generation Quest minivans in which one or more of the five bolts mounting the rack and pinion steering gear to the vehicle may have been tightened incorrectly at the factory. The first sign is looseness in the steering, often with a knock, c… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2004-2017 Nissan Quest VQ35DE Timing Chain Guide and Secondary Tensioner Wear (Rattle on Start-Up)?

Both the V42 (2004-2009) and V43 (2011-2017) Quest use the VQ35DE 3.5L V6, and this engine family has a well-documented timing-drive wear pattern discussed at length in Nissan owner communities. Three distinct parts fail: the plastic primary chain guide cracks and breaks up, the… Repairs typically run $1,200-$2,800. Severity: high.

What is the 2004-2009 Nissan Quest SkyView Roof and Moonroof Drain Blockage Causing Interior Water Damage (V42)?

The V42 Quest offered the SkyView fixed glass panels over the second and third rows plus a powered front moonroof - four glass openings in one roof, each with its own drain tray and hose. The drain tubes route down the pillars under the headliner and are prone to kinking and to p… Repairs typically run $150-$2,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2004-2006 Nissan Quest Second-Row Seat Adjustment Mechanism Finger Pinch Hazard (V42, Recall 05V474)?

NHTSA campaign 05V474000 covers 2004-2006 Quest vans in which moving components of the second-row seat adjustment mechanism are left exposed. Because the second row of a minivan is where children climb in, out and between rows unsupervised, an exposed pinch point in the adjuster… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2004-2007 Nissan Quest Center-Dash Instrument Cluster LCD and Gauge Dropout (V42)?

On the third-generation (V42) Quest, Nissan moved the instrument pod to a center-dash location, and that pod is the single most complained-about component of the generation. Owners report the LCD segments for odometer, fuel level and coolant temperature going blank or showing onl… Repairs typically run $200-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2008-2009 Nissan Quest Driver Airbag Cover Emblem Cracks and Becomes a Projectile (V42, Recall 23V067)?

NHTSA campaign 23V067000, filed in 2023 and covering 404,690 vehicles including 2008-2009 Quest vans (alongside 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder and Armada), addresses the resin Nissan emblem on the driver's airbag cover. The emblem, supplied by Autoliv, can develop… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2011-2017 Nissan Quest Rear A/C System Failure?

The Quest rear A/C system fails prematurely due to the rear evaporator developing leaks. The rear A/C then blows warm air while the front works normally. The rear expansion valve can also stick, preventing proper refrigerant flow. Repairing the rear A/C requires significant disas… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: low.