2008 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 2008 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
- Fuel system1420.6%
- Brakes913.2%
- Airbags811.8%
- Electrical811.8%
- Body & structure68.8%
- Engine68.8%
- Steering45.9%
- Driver assistance45.9%
- Tires & wheels22.9%
- Other / unspecified22.9%
- Suspension22.9%
- Powertrain (other)11.5%
- Exterior lighting11.5%
- Seat belts11.5%
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
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I bought my van in March of this year (2026) and the fuel gauge will either show that the tank is almost empty (gas light on) or full. Sometimes it will show an accurate gas reading and other times it shows the gas tank is full. I am going to a dealership in the morning to see about getting it fixed under the recall or getting quoted to have it fixed. This is the only vehicle I own and I have to travel with my kids so I cannot ride around with a fuel can inside due to the fumes. I worry about running out of gas with my children in the car.
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that the vehicle ran out of gasoline with the fuel gauge indicating that there was a quarter tank to a half tank of gasoline inside the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle was under an unstated recall for the fuel leveling unit; however, the part for the repair was on a national backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the part was not only on backorder, but that the part for the repair was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was parking and barely moving with my foot in the brake when the vehicle suddenly reved up loudly. I had to depress the brake heavily to keep it from moving forward and put it in neutral. The vehicle continued to rev hard until I turned off the engine.
I backed out of driveway towards the south to head north on public way. Vehicle immediately started accelerating backwards (south) without assistance, quickly getting out of control. No amount of pressure on my part would make the brakes work and there was no control of the steering. The vehicle was no longer under my control and crashed backwards into a large tree which held it from crashing farther, and a small tree on the side which held it from rolling down into a brook. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and I would prefer that it be inspected. No vehicles or pedestrians were in the street when the vehicle lost all control without human assistance. The passenger is front passenger seat was taken to ER and has since been seeing a doctor. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or other service center. The police were at scene of accident right after it occurred. No lights, messages, or other symptoms gave any warning before the vehicle started racing and immediately went out of control with no control over speed, brakes or steering The consumer provided photos and police report.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL ON 11/ 23/20015 MY AIR BAG MODUEL WAS REPLACED DO TO A DEFECT SOMETHING LOOSE AND RATTLING IN THE STERRING WHELL AIRBAG MODULE CLIP/SPRING CAME OFF NEEDED REPLACEMENT I WAS TOLD MY WARRANANTY WAS EXPIRED BY ONE MONTH SO IT COST ME $821.79 TO HAVE IT REPLACED IF THIS WAS A SAFTY ISSUE I SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN CHARGE TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG MODULE IF THERE ARE RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE TAKATA RECALL EVEN IF WAS BACK IN 2015 I HAD IT REPLACED DUE TO A SAFTY ISSUE I DIDNT WANT THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY AND A PIECE OF CLIP OR SPRING TO COME OUT IF NIT WAS DEPLOYED DUE TO A ACCIDENT IBELIEVE I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENCE OF $821.79 IF THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND JUST NOW THERE IS A RECALL THANK GOD I DIDNT GET INTO A ACCIDENT AND HAVE THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED BEFORE I HAD IT REPLACED I MIGHT OF BEEN KILLED OR SERIOS LY INJURED AS I SEE HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WHO HAD THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL ALL I WANT IS TO BE RECONIZED THAT I HAD A DEFECTED AIR BAG AND GET REIMBURSED BY THE SO CALLED MANUFACTURE TAKATA AIRBAG I WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO EMAIL OR FAX MY INVOICE OVER OF THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG MODUEL THANK YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BE HEARING FROM YOU PERTAINING TO THIS TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL
THE LIGHT ON MY DASHBOARD, INDICATING AIR BAG PROBLEM, IS ON. IS MY VAN UNDER RECALL?FOR AIR BAG PROBLEMS
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was parking and barely moving with my foot in the brake when the vehicle suddenly reved up loudly. I had to depress the brake heavily to keep it from moving forward and put it in neutral. The vehicle continued to rev hard until I turned off the engine.
WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED UP TO ABOUT 6000 RPM. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, IN A PARKING LOT. I THOUGHT PERHAPS I HAD INADVERTENTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. TWO DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT HALF A MILE, STOPPED THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, AND WHEN I STARTED AGAIN THE ENGINE RACED ONCE IT WAS PUT IN GEAR. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND THEN ON 3 TIMES FOR IT TO COME BACK TO NORMAL. YESTERDAY I DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND WHILE I WAS STOPPED WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE CAR STARTED TO REV HIGH AND MOVE INTO THE INTERSECTION UNTIL I MOVED IT OUT OF DRIVE. I HAD TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART FOR IT TO RETURN TO NORMAL. ABOUT 15 OR 20 MORE MILES OF DRIVING AND A HALF DOZEN STOPS, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPACE. WHEN I GOT HOME I CONNECTED MY CODE READER, THERE WERE NO CODES. IT IS NOW AT MY MECHANIC, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED FOR THEM YET.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while having routine maintenance by an independent mechanic, she was informed that the frame was rotten and had several holes. Additionally, the control arms were loose and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact stated while driving the steering wheel was shaking and was unable to accelerate over 40 mph. The accelerator pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated the check engine, traction control,ABS, brake light and slip warning indicator lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who confirmed that the subframe needed to be replaced the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the first mechanic who informed that the subframe was not replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SECTION OF THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL FILLER TUBE WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE REFUELING. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. JP MOTORS NISSAN (3675 FRONTAGE RD, PERU, IL) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. *PM*JB
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
See attached document from complainant
WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED UP TO ABOUT 6000 RPM. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, IN A PARKING LOT. I THOUGHT PERHAPS I HAD INADVERTENTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. TWO DAYS AGO IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT HALF A MILE, STOPPED THE CAR FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES, AND WHEN I STARTED AGAIN THE ENGINE RACED ONCE IT WAS PUT IN GEAR. I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND THEN ON 3 TIMES FOR IT TO COME BACK TO NORMAL. YESTERDAY I DROVE ABOUT ONE MILE TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AND WHILE I WAS STOPPED WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE THE CAR STARTED TO REV HIGH AND MOVE INTO THE INTERSECTION UNTIL I MOVED IT OUT OF DRIVE. I HAD TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART FOR IT TO RETURN TO NORMAL. ABOUT 15 OR 20 MORE MILES OF DRIVING AND A HALF DOZEN STOPS, IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHILE I WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPACE. WHEN I GOT HOME I CONNECTED MY CODE READER, THERE WERE NO CODES. IT IS NOW AT MY MECHANIC, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT HAPPENED FOR THEM YET.
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
I backed out of driveway towards the south to head north on public way. Vehicle immediately started accelerating backwards (south) without assistance, quickly getting out of control. No amount of pressure on my part would make the brakes work and there was no control of the steering. The vehicle was no longer under my control and crashed backwards into a large tree which held it from crashing farther, and a small tree on the side which held it from rolling down into a brook. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and I would prefer that it be inspected. No vehicles or pedestrians were in the street when the vehicle lost all control without human assistance. The passenger is front passenger seat was taken to ER and has since been seeing a doctor. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or other service center. The police were at scene of accident right after it occurred. No lights, messages, or other symptoms gave any warning before the vehicle started racing and immediately went out of control with no control over speed, brakes or steering The consumer provided photos and police report.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTRA STRENGTH TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE POWER STEERING SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
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
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while having routine maintenance by an independent mechanic, she was informed that the frame was rotten and had several holes. Additionally, the control arms were loose and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact stated while driving the steering wheel was shaking and was unable to accelerate over 40 mph. The accelerator pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated the check engine, traction control,ABS, brake light and slip warning indicator lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who confirmed that the subframe needed to be replaced the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the first mechanic who informed that the subframe was not replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH THE HIGHWAY AND WEND I STOP ON THE LIGHT MY CAR STOP WORKING SO I'LL I CALL THE TOW TRUCK .AND I TEKE TO THE MECHANIC AND THE MECHANIC TALL ME THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND HE HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION
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
I PUT NEW GOODYEAR ASSURANCE FUEL MAX ON MY 2008 NISSAN QUEST ON 04/27/2012. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS BLOW OUTS AND SLOW LEAKS. I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS. I JUST REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH MICHELIN BRAND AS I COULD NOT GET 10,000 MILES WITH OUT A BLOWOUT ON THE GOODYEARS. ALL TIRE FAILURES WERE DUE TO SMALL SPLITS IN THE TREAD OR SIDE WALL. *TR
MULTIPLE FAILURES OF TPMS SYSTEM. TWO OF FOUR HAVE FAILED DUE TO CRACKS IN THE STEM AREA (NOT THE NUT) RESULTING IN LEAKS AND LOSS OF PRESSURE CREATING UNSAFE CONDITIONS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF MILES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO COMPLAINED OF A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE RIMS WERE HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WOULD RISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONER LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSITANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 46,500.
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
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while having routine maintenance by an independent mechanic, she was informed that the frame was rotten and had several holes. Additionally, the control arms were loose and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact stated while driving the steering wheel was shaking and was unable to accelerate over 40 mph. The accelerator pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated the check engine, traction control,ABS, brake light and slip warning indicator lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who confirmed that the subframe needed to be replaced the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to the first mechanic who informed that the subframe was not replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT PART OF THE SUSPENSION WAS HANGING IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE RESULTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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
AFTER ONLY ABOUT 59000 MILES MY NISSAN QUEST 2008 3.5L IS MAKING LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE. I AM INFORMED BY THE NISSAN DEALER WERE IT IS BEING REPAIRED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH MANY NISSAN VEHICLES AND AND OFFICIAL RECALL SHOULD BE MADE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF ENGINES. SEE NISSAN TECHNICAL BULLETIN FROM DEC. 14. 2009 WITH CLASSIFICATION: EM07-001C AND REFERENCE: NTB07-042C ABOUT THIS VERY WELL KNOW ISSUE FOR ALL NISSAN MAXIMA, ALTIMA, QUEST BUZZING / WHINING NOISE FROM TIMING CHAIN AREA. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. AFTER THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LAMPS RANDOMLY BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE OR IGNITION SYSTEM MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,256.
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
AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING. NO ACCIDENT. NO IMPACT. THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING IN A TRAVEL LANE, NO OTHER VEHICLES NEAR BY, NO OBJECTS WERE HIT. NO INDICATION OF IMPACT TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELTS ALSO HAVE LOCKED UP AS THOUGH THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. IT APPEARS TO BE A MALFUNCTION OF THE AIRBAGS. OUR CONCERN IS PRIMARILY THAT IF THIS IS A POTENTIAL DEFECT IN THE SYSTEM THAT IT COULD BE MUCH MORE SERIOUS FOR SOMEONE DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET OR FREEWAY. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT A LOW SPEED ON A CITY STREET WHEN NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE NEAR. IF THE NHTSA WANTS TO INVESTIGATE WE NEED TO KNOW SOON. OTHERWISE WE WILL ARRANGE TO HAVE THE SRS REPLACED. *TR
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 .