2008 Nissan Quest Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Nissan Quest ranks 3rd worst of 12 model years, with a complaint index of 82 and 50 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Fuel system problems lead at 28% of complaints, followed by brakes at 22%, and the year carries 3 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 82/100
- #3 of 12 Quest years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 50
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19
- 16 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2008 Nissan Quest problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System14 (28%)
- Brakes11 (22%)
- Airbags8 (16%)
- Electrical System8 (16%)
- Engine8 (16%)
- Other6 (12%)
- Structure & Body6 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (10%)
- Steering4 (8%)
- Seat Belts1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report gas leaking from underneath the vehicle with a strong fuel smell after driving on the highway.
- Brakes reportedly turned spongy and failed to engage during panic stops, leading to rear-end collisions.
- Some drivers describe the brake warning light coming on along with a burning odor and hot wheel rims.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a rollover crash on an icy road.
- Owners describe tire pressure monitoring sensors cracking at the stem and leaking air.
- Engine coolant pipes were reported as corroded, causing smoke and a rubbing noise near the air conditioning system.
2008 Nissan Quest recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V067000Feb 10, 2023Airbags404,690 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driverÂs airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
- NHTSA 10V072000Mar 2, 2010Brakes179,383 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2008-2010 titan, armada, and infiniti qx56, and model year 2008-2009 nissan quest vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin end was not spin-formed to specification during the manufacturing process of the brake pedal assembly. The pivot pin could slide and cause the brake pedal to partially disengage from the brake pedal bracket.
Risk: The driver will experience unusual and noticeable looseness in the pedal and a reduction in braking force increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if the pivot pin had been formed properly and will replace the brake pedal assembly if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on march 22, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 08V187000Apr 24, 2008Structure & Body1,126 vehicles
Seats
Nissan is recalling 1,126 my 2008 quest, titan and armada vehicles equipped with manual adjustment front seats. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 207, "seating systems." the seat track assembly may have been manufactured out of specification.
Risk: This may result in the manual seat pawl not fully engaging increasing the risk of personal injuries in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat track assembly on the driver's and front passenger seats and replace the entire seat assembly free of charge. The recall began on may 27, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2008 Nissan Quest fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 19 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Quest years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Nissan Quest reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Quest ranks 3rd worst of 12 model years with a complaint index of 82, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Quest years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Quest?
- Fuel system issues make up 28% of complaints, followed by brakes at 22%, airbags at 16%, electrical system at 16%, and engine at 16%, according to NHTSA data.
- Does the 2008 Nissan Quest have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Quest covering airbags, brakes, and structure and body components, none of which are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Quest problems usually show up?
- The median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 97,000 miles, though brake complaints show a lower median mileage of 47,775 miles.
- Which Nissan Quest years are better than the 2008?
- Several years rank lower risk than 2008, including 2009 (Good, index 45), 2013 (Best, index 18), 2016 (Best, index 9), and 2017 (Best, index 0).