YearToAvoid

2012 Nissan Quest Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2012 Nissan Quest ranks 2nd-worst of 12 model years, with a complaint index of 91 and 93 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Top problem areas are transmission/powertrain (30%), engine (24%), and fuel system (22%), plus one recall for a fuel pump software issue.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
91/100
#2 of 12 Quest years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
93
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
5
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
3
Top issue
Transmission & Powertrain
Best nearby year
2013
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
21
19 city / 24 hwy
Injuries / deaths
3 / 0

Top 2012 Nissan Quest problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain28 (30%)
  2. Engine22 (24%)
  3. Fuel System20 (22%)
  4. Electrical System18 (19%)
  5. Other12 (13%)
  6. Structure & Body10 (11%)
  7. Brakes6 (6%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (5%)
  9. Airbags4 (4%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Vehicles stall or fail to start when parked or driving on a downhill slope or grade, even with a full fuel gauge reading.
  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or the vehicle lurching forward when shifting into reverse, with brakes failing to stop it.
  • Some drivers report the engine losing power or shutting off on its own while underway, leading to crashes.
  • Engine compartment smoke and fire have been reported while driving at highway speed, with no warning light illuminated beforehand.
  • Airbags failed to deploy in at least one reported low-speed collision.
  • A structural or steering-related issue was described as causing the vehicle to veer without driver input on two separate occasions.
2012 Nissan Quest complaints: complaints filed per quarter52012 Q12013 Q32015 Q32017 Q22019 Q12021 Q12023 Q2
93 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2012 Q1 to 2025 Q4; peak 2021 Q1 (5).

2012 Nissan Quest recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 12V076000Feb 29, 2012Electrical System23,531 vehicles

    Electrical system:software

    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 â¼ tank fuel or less, there may be an insufficient supply of fuel to the engine. As a result, the engine may stall.

    Risk: Vehicle stalling could increase the risk of a crash.

    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.

2012 Nissan Quest fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
24 MPG
Combined
21 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,100
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
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.

2012 compared with other Quest years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092011201220132014201520162017
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Good4522219
2011Caution7366121
2012Avoid9193121
2013Best1818021
2014Good3618021

All Nissan Quest years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Nissan Quest reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Quest ranks 2nd-worst among 12 model years with a complaint index of 91, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Quest years.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Quest?
NHTSA complaints show transmission and powertrain issues make up 30% of complaints, engine issues 24%, and fuel system issues 22%, with a median failure mileage around 70,000 for the vehicle overall.
Does the 2012 Nissan Quest have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA recall 12V076000 covers a fuel pump control module software issue that could cause stalling on slopes at low fuel levels; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
Which Nissan Quest years are better than 2012?
Years like 2013, 2016, and 2017 have much lower complaint indexes (18, 9, and 0) and Best verdicts, while 2009 also rates Good with an index of 45.
How does the 2012 Quest compare to the worst year, 2007?
The 2007 Quest has the highest complaint index at 100 with 228 complaints and an Avoid verdict, making 2012, at index 91, the second-worst year.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.