2004 Nissan Quest: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 445 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (13% of complaints); the 2002 and 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Oct 2005
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 445 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2023
“The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the driver and passenger side front overhead airbags deployed without impact. The contact sustained headaches and sought medical treatment 2 days later with his doctor. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2021
“We recently had to change the alternator and noticed on the passenger side front the subframe has a large hole in it and is completely not safe to drive and nothing has been hit there and it has not been in an accident related to that area at all, vehicle was parked at my home when this was found and still is I did not take any pictures at that time of the rotting hole in the subframe I can get pictures but we will have to remove right side front tire so please let me know if this has to be done. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine would suddenly cut off while in motion at 25-35 miles per hour. Two repairs were necessary at a cost of approximately $500 to get the problem repaired. The problem was that both the front and rear crank shaft sensors had to be replaced. As for the seat problem, one of the release levers broke off completely. I have not yet had it repaired so I do not have a cost for this repair. I have to use pliers to release the lever.”Owner report · Engine · May 2018
“The spedometer and the lights for it don't work got pulled over and told I had a fake inspection because of them not working can't get an exact reading on my mileage,fuel or if the vans over heating I can't tell how fast or slow I'm going”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Feb 2018
“Tamara inflators, sent my van to my local nissan dealer for brake repairmen. I was told since the front subframe at passenger side had severe rust area, my van is not safe to drive. It will cost me more than $4,000 to replace. I checked internet. There are many same problems occurred on 2004 quest. It looks like the defect of materials to me.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2018
“Takata recall the speedometer goes in and out all the lights in the van is not working and light blink on and off and the overdrive stays on all the time”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Jan 2018
“All side air bags have activated without any accident or collision. The rearward bags activated at 5 mph the forward side airbags activated while the vehicle was not moving.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2017
“On different occasions, when attempting to drive from 0mph, the vehicle will not accelerate. I have to turn it off then turn it back on then usually it will work. Also sometimes it won't start it turns over strong but will not crank. I'll wait several minutes or so then attempted again then it will crank and drive normal.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2017
“At various speeds the car will die and lights flash and I have to pull over and try and start the car. It will restart but this happens intermittently and at various times and speeds. They told us this happens on a lot of these models and it is the ecm.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 39 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THERE IS A SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM THAT CONTAINS EXPOSED MOVING COMPONENTS LOCATED AT THE REAR INSIDE EDGE OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT.
Remedy: ON EARLIER MODEL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JUNE 28, 2004, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INBOARD SECOND ROW SEAT ADJUSTMENT HANDLE, RIVET A PLASTIC REINFORCEMENT TO BACKSIDE OF THE EXISTING SEAT BACK COVER CARPETING, INSTALL TIE-DOWNS AND A FLANGE TO THE INBOARD SIDE SHIELD. ON VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 29, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26, 2005, DEALERS WILL RIVET A PLASTIC REINFORCEMENT TO THE BACKSIDE OF THE EXISTING SEAT BACK COVER CARPETING, INSTALL TIE-DOWNS AND A FLANGE ON THE INBOARD SIDE SHIELD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH A FOLDING THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, WHEN THE THIRD ROW SEAT IS RAISED FROM ITS STOWED POSITION, IT ENGAGES STRIKER BRACKETS, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION. THE FOLD-AWAY STRIKER LOOP IS WELDED TO A MOUNTING BRACKET. THE STRIKER MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET DUE TO A BROKEN WELD AT THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE ADVANCED AIR BAG REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS TO BE TURNED OFF (SO THAT IT DOES NOT INFLATE) WHEN CERTAIN OCCUPANTS, SUCH AS SMALL CHILDREN, ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION/SENSOR ASSEMBLY. IF THE SEAT CUSHION/SENSOR IS FOUND TO BE OPERATING IMPROPERLY, THE SEAT WILL BE REMOVED AND RECALIBRATED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER SLIDING DOOR(S), AT AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE BELOW APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE ACTUATOR FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR(S) MAY EXPERIENCE BINDING DUE TO AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION CONDITION. IN ORDER TO OPEN, CLOSE OR REVERSE A POWER SLIDING DOOR, THE SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER MUST BE IN "PARK." IF THE ACTUATOR IS EXPERIENCING BINDING AND THE DRIVER SHIFTS THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" WHILE A POWER SLIDING DOOR IS STILL CLOSING, THE DOOR LATCHES MAY NOT ENGAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR(S). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 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 2004 Nissan Quest reliable?
NHTSA has 445 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Nissan Quest. The most complained-about area is power train (13% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Quest problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 55,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Nissan Quest have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:mid/rear assembly. 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.