2012 Nissan Quest: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 93 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (29% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2012
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2024
“CVT Transmission failed and had to replace with new CVT Transmission while returning from a trip on June 7 2023. It failed in middle of the trip. Aamco Boardman, OH helped replace it with brand new transmission and it cost $7525. Last year also Compressor failed and had to replace it with brand new compressor at the local garage here in Shippensburg. Mileage is only 110000 miles. Very disappointed and dissatisfied with 2012 Nissan Quest.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2023
“Traveling at a high speed of 75 vehicle without warning stalls can't give any gas... Will not restart to after it has sat for about 20 mins then it will start and stall out again..ABS light and brake battery light keeps jumping on and off”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“My Brake system was flushed but my brake light and battery and ABS LIGHT stays on flickering I was driving my vehicle at high speed and it it just stalls with no warning... I have to wait 20 mins or more before it'll start again. It has bn doing this for an entire year..driving full speed with no warning just shut down in middle of traffic”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2021
“The dashboard on my 2012 Nissan Quest S is splitting at the edges leaving a gap between 1/16-1/32 wide. The area around the passenger air bag is now outlined and I am concerned it my effect the air bag. This started about a year ago and is getting worse.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2021
“My 2012 Nissan Quest has completely rotted out causing the muffler system and the motor mount to move causing significant damage and repair. Over $2,500 just to buy parts and repair all due to excessive rust on the body frame underneath. Its only a 2012 yet it looks as if it is a lot older. While driving the muffler system failed and broke away along with the motor mount which shifted. Cannot be driven any longer.”Owner report · Structure · Jul 2021
“Instumrnt panel goes blank, often stays off. Sometimes have to pull over to turn off vehicle and turn back in. Rarely works when this is done.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2021
“Front sun roof exploded, showering glass over the roof. Driving on a smooth city street at 35 mph. No other vehicle or person in the vicinity, and nothing overhead. Temperature near freezing and spitting snow. The local nissan dealer accepts no responsibility.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2021
“I am having a problem on the cvt transmission of my 2012 nissan quest. It's becoming too dangerous to drive because it's keep on jerking when I'm driving it in the street that is way I don't drive it in the freeway because it's too dangerous and lately it speed up that I almost get an accident. First it won't run whenever I stop at stop sign and/or stop light, when I press the accelerator it won't run like it normally do and then all of the sudden it will speed up that I almost get in an accident. I want the nissan manufacturer to recall my quest and fix my transmission.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2021
“Airbag light comes on as soon as car is in ignition and stay when car is static. The light stays on even in motion. The dealer fixed this issue and another light came on. I am been told to pay another 3000 dollars to fix the seat.”Owner report · Lane Departure · Jan 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 29, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2012. DUE TO SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING, WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR IDLING ON A DECLINE WITH ¼ TANK FUEL OR LESS, THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY STALL.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE 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 2012 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 2012 Nissan Quest reliable?
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2012 Nissan Quest. The most complained-about area is power train (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Quest problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,500 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Nissan Quest have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:software. 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.