YearToAvoid

2012 Nissan Quest Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 22 engine complaints for the 2012 Nissan Quest, 24% of its 93 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure is 30,000, and the data shows 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury tied to this component. No related recalls are listed.

Engine complaints
22
24% of 93
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
30,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden stalling while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with no warning light illuminated.
  • Some owners describe the engine losing power or dropping RPM abnormally at low speeds, forcing them to coast to a stop.
  • Multiple owners report smoke and fire coming from the engine compartment while driving at highway speeds, forcing them to pull over and exit the vehicle.
  • One owner reported the check engine light coming on and finding the engine had no oil, despite the dashboard gauge showing adequate fuel range.
  • One owner described the vehicle failing to idle and losing acceleration, requiring the transmission to be shifted to neutral to move it.
  • One owner reported the vehicle would not accelerate past a low speed and idled erratically during deceleration.

When 2012 Nissan Quest engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 29, 2012, latest Nov 22, 2025.

2012 Nissan Quest engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2012Sep 2012May 2013Jul 2015Oct 2019Jan 2021Nov 2025
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2012 to Nov 2025; peak Aug 2021 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Nissan Quest

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Quest model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200524 (29%)
  2. 200615 (20%)
  3. 200758 (25%)
  4. 20088 (16%)
  5. 20094 (18%)
  6. 201117 (26%)
  7. 201222 (24%)
  8. 20131 (6%)
  9. 20141 (6%)
  10. 20152 (17%)
  11. 20160 (0%)
  12. 20170 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2012 Nissan Quest have?
NHTSA lists 22 engine-related complaints for the 2012 Nissan Quest, which is 24% of the 93 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Nissan Quest engine?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for the engine component on the 2012 Nissan Quest.
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Quest engine problems occur?
The median mileage at failure for reported engine problems on the 2012 Nissan Quest is 30,000 miles.
Do engine problems on the 2012 Nissan Quest involve fires or crashes?
NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint set includes 2 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury.
Is engine trouble worse on the 2012 Quest than other years?
The 2011 Quest has 17 engine complaints at a 26% share, close to the 2012 model's 22 complaints and 24% share, while 2013–2017 model years show far fewer engine complaints.

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.