1998 Nissan Quest Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1998 Nissan Quest, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility714.6%
- Body & structure510.4%
- Airbags510.4%
- Fuel system510.4%
- Interior & seats48.3%
- Brakes48.3%
- Electrical36.3%
- Engine36.3%
- Heating & air conditioning36.3%
- Transmission24.2%
- Suspension24.2%
- Seat belts12.1%
- Powertrain (other)12.1%
- Driver assistance12.1%
- Steering12.1%
- Tires & wheels12.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
BLOWER MOTOR ASSEMBLY (FRONT & REAR) HAVE CHIRPING NOISES CONSTANTLY. *AK
THE WINDSHIELD HAS CRACKED IN THE LOWEST MIDDLE OF GLASS UNDERNEATH THE LEAF SCREEN. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE NISSAN DEALER AND NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY BOTH REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. DEALER HAS ADMITTED THAT THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF STONE CHIP ON THE GLASS. WHEN CONTACTED NISSAN, I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT WARRANT THEIR GLASS EVENTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER FULL WARRANTY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GLASS DOES NOT BREAK AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VAN HAS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY BOTH WHEN THE IGNITION WAS ON, AND WHEN IT WAS OFF. ALSO, WHEN USING THE KEY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET THE DOORS OPEN ON THE FIRST TRY. THIS IS ON ON-GOING PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THAT THE SALE OF MINIVANS ARE PRIMARILY TARGETED TO DRIVERS WITH CHILDREN.
THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILS TO KEEP THE CAR LOCKED OR UNLOCKED, THE CONSUMER MUST NOT USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BECAUSE IT WILL DISABLE THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM,THE LOCKS LOCK AND INLOCK RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. *YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
CONSUMER STATES THAT IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISE AND/OR PULSATING BRAKE PEDAL WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED NORMALLY.*AK
BRAKES: PADS, ROTORS, CALIPHERS WERE WARPING AND FAILING TO OPERATE PROPERLY. THERE WAS NO BRAKE APPLICATION OR STOPPING ABILITY. THEY WERE NOT GRABBING AND WAS MISSING. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER TO HAVE THEM CHECK.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VAN HAS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY BOTH WHEN THE IGNITION WAS ON, AND WHEN IT WAS OFF. ALSO, WHEN USING THE KEY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET THE DOORS OPEN ON THE FIRST TRY. THIS IS ON ON-GOING PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THAT THE SALE OF MINIVANS ARE PRIMARILY TARGETED TO DRIVERS WITH CHILDREN.
AUTOMATIC LOCKS WILL INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATE WHEN KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE THE DOORS LOCKED, IN WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE CAR ALARM SOUNDS ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM, THE RADIO VOLUME GOES DOWN BY ITSELF.*AK *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A TICKING NOISE WHICH GOES AWAY AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP. MY MECHANIC THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE VALVE LIFTERS BUT ON CLOSER INSPECTION DISCOVERED THAT TWO OF THE SIX BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE HAD SNAPPED OFF. THE REPAIR WILL COST AROUND $800 TO $900. *LA
OIL BRACKET ASSEMBLY FAILED, NO OIL READING COULD BE SEEN. MJS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL BRACKET ASSEMBLY FAILED, NO OIL READING COULD BE SEEN. MJS
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS, LOCK AND UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY BY THEMSELVES. NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED CRUNCHING NOISES AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. YH
CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE INTO DRIVEWAY, PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, GOT OUT TO CLOSE GATE, AND THE VEHICLE JUMPED INTO THE REVERSE MODE, CRASHING GATE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND WON'T GO OFF, AND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRYING TO PLACE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE BODY, PULLING IT OUT TO LOCK, RESTRAINT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS TIGHT, BUT IT WILL NOT LOCK UP.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT FAILED. *YC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATS. ALSO, HEATER DOESN'T WORK, AND HEARS RATTLING NOISE WHEN CONSUMER STARTS THE VEHICLE. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE AND THEN TREAD SEPARATED ON RIGHT FRONT BRIDGESTONE TIRE. P205 75 R15. 64,000 MILES ON TIRES .HAS NOT CONTACTED DEALER YET. *AK *SLC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .