RoadVitals

1998 Nissan Quest

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Jan 6, 2014
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 15, 2000
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 41 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 Nissan Quest, most frequently naming the visibility, body & structure and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 54 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Visibility714.6%
  • Body & structure510.4%
  • Airbags510.4%
  • Fuel system510.4%
  • Interior & seats48.3%
  • Brakes48.3%
  • Electrical36.3%
  • Engine36.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Dec 15, 2000
268,229 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE ALLOWS AIR TO VENT FROM THE FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE VENT HOSE. IF (1) THE FUEL TANK IS OVERFILLED, NOT ALLOWING EXCESS FUEL IN THE VENT HOSE TO FLOW BACK INTO THE TANK, (2) THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER REFUELING AND, (3) THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNIFICANT HEATING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL IN THE TANK CAN EXPAND INTO THE VENT HOSE AND LEAK FUEL.
The risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA00015ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE

Opened May 22, 2000
Closed Jan 4, 2001

PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE.HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN.FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES FOLLOWING TANK FILL.STARTING AT JOB#1 1998 MY (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLES) AND JOB#1 1999 MY (FEDERAL EMISSIONS VEHICLES), THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE COMPOSITION CHANGED FROM NITRILE RUBBER HOSES WITH CHLOROPRENE RUBBER COVERS (NBR/CR) TO FLUORACBON RUBBER HOSES WHICH AN OUTER LAYER BLEND OF NBR/PVC.THE CHANGES WER MADE TO IMPROVE HYDRACARBON RESISTANCE FOR COMPLAINCE WITH NEW EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS.THE MODIFIED HOSES ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RESISTANT OT DEGRADATION AND CRACIKING. IN A LETTER DATED DECEMBER 14, 2000, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE IN AFFECTD VEHICLES WITH THE REDESIGNED HOSE.NISSAN WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON FEBRUARY 5, 2001.NISSAN WILL FINISH ITS OWNER MAILINGS ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2001.OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN REVERSE ORDER OF VEHICLE AGE.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 00V419001

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Jan 6, 2014

WHEN I AM DRIVING I AM SMELLING GAS INSIDE MY VEHICLE DURING MY HEATER ON AND OUTSIDE, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN! *TR

NHTSA ID
10558731
Incident
Jan 3, 2014
Mileage
193,456 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jun 1, 2012

THE FUEL PUMP MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE IS RUNNING FROM (MID-CAR) / (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE IT'S IN THE SPEAKERS) AND YOU CAN SMELL GAS BAD - ESPECIALLY AFTER A FILL UP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10460319
Incident
Jun 1, 2012
Mileage
143,535 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 15, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 604996-FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) YET THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

NHTSA ID
10360686
Incident
Apr 15, 1999
Mileage
7,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Jun 13, 2006

HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING SINCE EARLY IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE. ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT IN PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION BUT DEALER COULD NEVER REPLICATE PROBLEM, AND THUS WENT UNFIXED. NOW THE PROBLEM OCCURS REGULARLY. CAN UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY (KEYLESS ENTRY NO LONGER WORKS) AND BEFORE WE GET THE DOOR OPEN, IT LOCKS AGAIN. ALL DOORS DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK WHEN FRONT LOCKS ARE ENGAGED. CAN LOCK VEHICLE, RETURN AND OPEN SIDE DOOR BEFORE FRONT DOOR IS UNLOCKED AND ALARM BEGINS SOUNDING. FOUND VERY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS POSTED AND KNOW PERSONALLY OF ONE OTHER OWNER WHO HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *NM

NHTSA ID
10159730
Incident
Jun 13, 2006
Mileage
30,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 6, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING FIRM BRAKE PRESSURE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND . ALTHOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT THAT NORMALLY ILLUMINATED WHEN IN USE TURNED OFF,THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT A HIGHWAY SPEED IN SPITE OF THE BRAKE PRESSURE THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO ENFORCE. WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP NOR SLOW DOWN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE ENOUGH SO THE CONTACT COULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO REST FOR A PERIOD OF TIME , AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED BUT A STRONG ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE ODOR SMELLED AS IF SOMETHING HAD OVERHEATED. AFTERWARDS,THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN NORMALLY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER PROBLEMS, BUT THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT BEEN ENGAGED SINCE THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
10147067
Incident
Dec 22, 2005
Mileage
118,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 22, 2005

FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BREAKS / SNAPS WHILE CAR HAD BEEN RESTING FOR 30 HOURS, PUNCTURES TIRE. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF TROUBLE ORFAILURE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

NHTSA ID
10133714
Incident
Aug 20, 2005
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 29, 2004

FROM THE BEGINNING OUR NISSAN VAN (1998) HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS LOCKING AFTER THE ENGINE IS OFF AND THE DOOR IS OPENED. TODAY, I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VAN TODAY, AS THE DOOR KEEP LOCKING EVERY TIME I WOULD TRY TO OPEN THE HANDLE. IF THIS HAD BEEN A CHILD, THEY COULD HAVE DIED IN THE HEAT (THIS IS THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER IN FLORIDA) TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I HAVE CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT FOUND THAT ONLY LETTERS WERE SENT OUT TO THE CONSUMER REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD RESULT IN TRADGEDY FOR CHILDREN, IF THEY ARE CAUGHT IN THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE QUICKLY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10082958
Incident
Jul 29, 2004
Airbags
Filed Mar 5, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10061478
Incident
Mar 5, 2004
Mileage
103,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB08-097L

STEERING

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB23-049

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uniformity during the connection process, therefore reducing the number of incorrect “Test with DCA” and “Replace” results. HINT: If 12 volt batteries are allowed to discharge for a prolonged period of time, battery life may be drastically reduced. This condition may lead to premature battery replacement and customer dissatisfaction. IMPORTANT:  CPX-900 is now an accepted testing tool to use along with or in place of the DSS-5000  CPX-900 operating instructions are found at: https://nissancpx900.midtronics.com/  DSS-5000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandss5000.midtronics.com/  DCA-8000 is now a required testing tool to be used for all warranty replacement decisions. The DCA-8000 is also a more efficient charger than previously available, and will charge any available 12 volt lead acid battery safely and accurately as long as all precautions and inputs are made correctly. The DCA-8000 operating instructions are found at: https://nissandca8000.midtronics.com/

NTB23-053

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray Silicone-based lubricant or grease, or inadvertently overspray Silicone-based lubricant or grease onto any interior electrical components. These types of lubricants can be detrimental to the proper operation of electrical components.

NTB13-107F

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB16-003C

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB13-028H

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan Quest by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2017600
2016130028.0
2015120041.4
2014180038.2
2013180028.8
2012931145.4
2011661142.1
2010000
2009222150.1
2008503160.1
20072281141.4
2006741038.5
2005822152.1
20044454459.8
2002290035.9
2001421046.7
2000872157.7
19991184154.4
1998Viewing411143.7
1997892258.8
19961342255.3
19951673357.4
19941652253.4
19931185260.6
1992300
1991100

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.