Nissan Quest Best and Worst Years (2011–2017)
Avoid the 2011 and 2012 Nissan Quest, which carry Complaint Index scores of 83 and 100, the highest in the lineup, driven by fuel system stalling and transmission failures. The 2016 and 2017 model years score 17 and 0 and are the best choices.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
- Model years
- 7
- 2011–2017
- NHTSA complaints
- 226
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- Crashes reported
- 7
- Fires reported
- 4
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Quest Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Quest problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Avoid | 83 | 66 | 2 | 0 | 1 | Fuel System | 21 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 100 | 93 | 5 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 50 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | — |
| 2014 | Caution | 67 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 21 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 33 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 22 | — |
| 2016 | Best | 17 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | — |
| 2017 | Best | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Transmission & Powertrain | 22 | — |
Quest years to avoid: what went wrong
2012 Nissan Quest Index 100 · 93 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2012 Quest has the highest Complaint Index in the lineup at 100, with 93 complaints. Transmission and powertrain issues lead at 30% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 82,000. Engine complaints (24%) had a much earlier median failure mileage of 30,000, including reports of smoke and fire while driving at highway speed. Fuel system stalling issues (22%) continued from the prior year. The year also saw 5 crashes and 2 fires, and shares the same fuel pump control module recall, 12V076000, as the 2011 model.
2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 engine problems →2012 fuel system problems →
2011 Nissan Quest Index 83 · 66 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2011 Quest logged 66 complaints and carries a Complaint Index of 83. Fuel system problems make up 52% of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 7,400 miles — owners reported stalling while driving downhill with a low fuel tank. Engine complaints (26%) showed a similar early-failure pattern at 7,500 miles median. NHTSA also lists one recall, 12V076000, covering a fuel pump control module software fix. Two crashes and one injury were reported.
Most common Nissan Quest problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain65 (29%)
- Fuel System56 (25%)
- Engine43 (19%)
- Electrical System41 (18%)
- Other27 (12%)
- Structure & Body19 (8%)
- Brakes15 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (6%)
- Airbags9 (4%)
- Seat Belts5 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Nissan Quest should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2011 and 2012 Nissan Quest are the years to avoid, with Complaint Index scores of 83 and 100, the two highest of the 2011-2017 range.
- Which Nissan Quest model year is the best?
- The 2016 and 2017 Quest are the best years, with Complaint Index scores of 17 and 0 and only 13 and 6 total complaints respectively.
- What is the most common problem with the Nissan Quest?
- Across all years, transmission and powertrain issues account for 29% of complaints (65 of 226), followed by fuel system problems at 25% and engine issues at 19%.
- Does the Nissan Quest have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists one recall campaign, 12V076000, covering 2011-2012 Quest vehicles for a fuel pump control module software reprogram.
- Are 2013 and 2014 Nissan Quest models safe to buy?
- They are rated Caution, with Complaint Index scores of 50 and 67 — better than the 2011-2012 Avoid years but higher than the 2015-2017 Good/Best years.