1996 Nissan Quest: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 134 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is latches/locks/linkages (19% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2000
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan quest. While inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear passenger side subframe was rusted and corroded. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was not contacted in reference to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 200,000.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan quest. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle started to shake without warning. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle. The failure occurred approximately every four months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who indicated the vehicle had a design flaw and the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired three times for the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,799. *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan quest. The contact noticed an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside of the vehicle while driving. The contact was unaware of a fuel leak under the vehicle or inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1996 nissan quest. The contact stated that the fumes from the gasoline system were entering the vehicle and becoming overwhelming. The dealer was contacted who advised the contact that the vehicle was under recall and that it would take two weeks to obtain the parts needed for repairs. The contact did not inform the manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2010
“My 1996 nissan quest has fuel vent problems particularly after refuel. I smell fuel inside the car and I am concerned about the risk of fire and/or explosion. This problem appears to be identical to the problem described in NHTSA recall number 00v419001. However, nissan company is saying that my nissan's VIN is not included in the recall. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1996 nissan quest. While driving to a stop. The contact noticed a puff of smoke near the front end of her vehicle. She stopped and exited the vehicle to look under the hood and noticed flames. She immediately slammed the hood down and removed her children from the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the fire and stated that a fuel leak was the cause of the failure. There were no warning indicators prior to the fire. A police report was filed. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 09/10/08. *lj updated 09/12/08 *jb”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2008
“Drivers side seat belt latch broken and completely unuseable. Dealer says they will fix it "under a life time warranty because it is a safety device and has a lifetime warranty". *nm”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jun 2006
“Dt: since 08-26-05 the air bag warning light stayed on. It had been turning on and off for the past two years. When the consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealership they told him that the airbag unit had to be replaced. The consumer has not yet replaced the airbag unit. There have been no accidents. The consumer felt that the airbag unit should not have to be replaced since it has never been used. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2005
“Dt: the airbags did not deploy although the van was destroyed and totaled. Even the police couldn't believe that the airbags did not depoly. Consumer hit a deer, and the impact was on the driver's front side. Neither of the two front airbags worked.*ak”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2005
“NHTSA recall campaign 00v419001 concerning fuel tank vent hose. While driving there was a strong smell of gasoline in the vehicle. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN although it experienced the same effects. *ak consumer added when the fuel tank is filled more than half way, the gasoline smell is prominent. Consumer has to drive with window open. *tt”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2005
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE INSTRUCTIONS DESCRIBING HOW AND WHERE THIS LABEL IS TO BE INSTALLED. IF AN OWNER PREFERS, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL FOR THEM.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE ALLOWS AIR TO VENT FROM THE FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE VENT HOSE. IF (1) THE FUEL TANK IS OVERFILLED, NOT ALLOWING EXCESS FUEL IN THE VENT HOSE TO FLOW BACK INTO THE TANK, (2) THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER REFUELING AND, (3) THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNIFICANT HEATING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL IN THE TANK CAN EXPAND INTO THE VENT HOSE AND LEAK FUEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1996 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Quest by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Nissan Quest reliable?
NHTSA has 134 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1996 Nissan Quest. The most complained-about area is latches/locks/linkages (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1996 Nissan Quest problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 103,000 miles or less.
Does the 1996 Nissan Quest have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:power window devices and controls. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.