2011 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 2011 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 system3440.5%
- Engine1517.9%
- Powertrain (other)1011.9%
- Electrical1011.9%
- Driver assistance56.0%
- Brakes33.6%
- Airbags22.4%
- Interior & seats11.2%
- Exterior lighting11.2%
- Body & structure11.2%
- Seat belts11.2%
- Visibility11.2%
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
My vehicle is experiencing the issue under Recall NHTSA ID 12V076000: fuel supply issue that could cause engine stalling. Specifically, due to a programming error, the fuel pump might not supply enough fuel to the engine when driving at slow speeds or idling downhill with a ¼ tank or less of fuel.
If I push the brakes to make the car stop, then try to have it accelerate again, like at a stop sign or anything, the gas pedal feels like it’s not doing anything, and the car doesn’t start for like 5 seconds, then when it does it goes about 5 mph for like 500 feet, then it goes back to normal, and because of this we feel it’s not safe to operate. This happens every time I drive it, so I only feel safe on not very populated roads driving it.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The electrical system failed that connected the radio, navigation system and back up camera around four to five months after receiving bill of sale. When parked or stopped the vehicle stalls by dimming of lights and making a kind of stalling sound. The windows sometimes tend to slowly wind up or down(electrical). My safety and that of others were put at risk because of the electrical issues and so the vehicle is notable to perform at the level it should. The vehicle was inspected by a certified auto mechanic and was confirmed that it was an electrical issue. No warning was detected that i am aware of.
I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER AND MY TWO GRANDKIDS. WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED TO STOP AND THEN GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOPLIGHT THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. EVERYTHING COMPLETELY WENT OFF THE CAR WOULD NOT START, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO WENT DOWN THERE WAS NO POWER ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. I THEN CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REPORTED THE ISSUE. THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT INTO THE NISSAN DEALER AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. WHILE AT THE NISSAN DEALER THE REPAIRMAN THERE WERE THREE INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CVT MALFUNCTIONING ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. DURING THE TIME THAT I WAS AT NISSAN HAVING MY VEHICLE DIAGNOSE, THERE WERE TWO OTHER SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE THERE FOR THE SAME REASON. AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND NISSAN WAS AWARE OF IT. WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED THEY HAD SEVERAL CVT ISSUES. AT ONE POINT THEY PUT OUT A NOTICE TO ALL OF THOSE AFFECTED FOR THE RECON. ONCE THEY REALIZE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THEY INTERN REMOVED THE NOTICE FROM THE ONLINE. AND DECIDED TO HANDLE IT ON A CASE BY CASE, WHICH NOW THEY ARE NOT REPAIRING BECAUSE THEY'RE MAKING IT A DECISION OF THEIR OWN AND NOT AS A RECALL. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE MALFUNCTIONING CVT THAT THEY PLACED IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS MULTIPLE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE THAT PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ONLINE AND NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY PART THAT THEY PLACED IN THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE HAD MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT DID WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT SOMETHING MAJORLY COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO BOTH MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER AND MY GRANDKIDS WE MAY NOT STILL BE ALIVE TODAY.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking and became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty transmission. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Van became sluggish when coming to the busy intersection. When I tried to accelerate when light changed, engine light came on and van would not go over 5mph. I was almost hit. Codes were run by a mechanic. Four internal transmission codes are present. Was told that the Quest has a transmission known for these problems. We could've been killed from the vehicle not moving with traffic.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
If I push the brakes to make the car stop, then try to have it accelerate again, like at a stop sign or anything, the gas pedal feels like it’s not doing anything, and the car doesn’t start for like 5 seconds, then when it does it goes about 5 mph for like 500 feet, then it goes back to normal, and because of this we feel it’s not safe to operate. This happens every time I drive it, so I only feel safe on not very populated roads driving it.
The electrical system failed that connected the radio, navigation system and back up camera around four to five months after receiving bill of sale. When parked or stopped the vehicle stalls by dimming of lights and making a kind of stalling sound. The windows sometimes tend to slowly wind up or down(electrical). My safety and that of others were put at risk because of the electrical issues and so the vehicle is notable to perform at the level it should. The vehicle was inspected by a certified auto mechanic and was confirmed that it was an electrical issue. No warning was detected that i am aware of.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
On April 19, 2022, I was driving home after picking up my son. The traffic was bumper to bumper. And as I sat in traffic, when I moved my foot from the brake to the accelerator, the vehicle would not move. So while sitting in traffic, and the traffic began to move, I could not move. So I turned the car off, and turned it back on, and I was able to move enough to get the vehicle on to the shoulder of traffic. My father came and changed the battery, and I was able to start the car and drive home, which was 30 minutes away. Two days later, same thing happened again. After driving the vehicle for a delivery, I was on my way to get some gas. And as I turned from one street to another, the vehicle stalled on me as I was turning slow. The vehicle would not start up at all. So I had to call a towing service to tow the vehicle home. According to some people online, the problem could be in the CVT transmission overheating, or it could possibly be a software issue. The 2011 Nissan Quest were a part of a recall, but when I put my VIN number in, it doesn't show my vehicle being one, but its doing what the recall was calling for. Our safety was put at risk, because the vehicle stalled in the middle of 2 busy highways, causing a safety risk for me and my son, but also causing a risk for others behind me in traffic, not knowing that my vehicle was stalled. There were no warning signs that popped up at all. The car just quit driving. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. Right now it is just sitting in front of my house, until we figure out what to do next. I have had to pay 2 towing fees for the problem, and don't want to come out paying a whole lot for this issue. We just bought this vehicle from a private owner 2 weeks ago, and this is the first week it is doing this.
ACCELERATION FROM A FULL STOP IS UNRELIABLE. THE ISSUE IS MOST PROMINENT WHEN GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO LEVEL OFF, WHEN ACCELERATION RESUMES TO NORMAL RESPONSE. EVEN ON LEVEL ROAD SURFACES, THE ACCELERATION IS INCONSISTENT ONCE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT ISSUE FOR WELL OVER A YEAR.
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
I’ve experienced a complete brake failure and near collision involving my family. I have sent a formal written complaint to Nissan Corporate and I need to open a safety case immediately.” We were exiting the freeway when the brakes went to the floor. I tried to pump the breaks, that did not help, I dodge several cars and flew out into on coming traffic just missing two vehicles. The issue has been confirmed by Mountainview Auto Service. It has not been inspected by anyone other than Mountainview. No warning lights. We were headed out to dinner and on the freeway the traffic came to a stop and I had to use the emergency lane to stop and at that time I was able to pump the breaks, upon taking the van back home was when I experenice total break failure using only yhe emergency breaks to stop. Thuis all took place on December 27, 2025
CAR WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE NOSE DOWN WITH 1/2 TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START. BRAKE SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING AND CAR STARTED TO MOVE FORWARD DOWN THE HILL. NEEDED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR. *TR
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
THE PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. THE SEAT BELT WARNING IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED WHEN NO PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG DISABLE LIGHT NEVER TURNS OFF EVEN WITH A FULL-SIZE ADULT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN NISSANS, INCLUDING A RECALL ON 2013-2016 MODEL YEARS OF OTHER MODELS BUT NEVER THE QUEST.
AFTER A SHORT 3 YEARS THE DASH ABOVE THE PASSENGER SIDE SRS AIRBAG LOCATION ON THE DASH SPLIT. I ESCALATED THE ISSUE TO NISSAN 3RD LEVEL ESCALATION AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE DASH BUT WOULD GIVE ME 1000.00 TO SPLIT THE COST. ON JAN 25 2016 MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A NO FAULT ACCIDENT SMASHING HEAD ON INTO A SNOW BANK AND THEN ROLLING ONTO THE ROOF THEN CRUNCHING ON THE PASSENGER DOOR. MY FOREHEAD WAS SMASHED INTO THE STEERING WHEEL OF 10 AIRBAGS NOT 1 AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I SUSTAINED INJURY AND IF I HAD A MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE PASSENGERS. NO SIDE IMPACT BAGS DEPLOYED OR PASSENGER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I AM CONCERNED THAT WITH THIS VIOLENT IMPACT AND THE ROLLING OF THE VEHICLE THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SIDE IMPACT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND BOTH FRONT SRS AIRBAGS DEPLOYMENT. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. AT MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN WAKE FOREST ALONE THERE HAS BEEN 4 INCLUDING MINE THAT HAD THIS TYPE OF DEFECTIVE DASH THAT WAS REPLACED. MY VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSE ACCORDING TO THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATION.
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
THE PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. THE SEAT BELT WARNING IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED WHEN NO PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG DISABLE LIGHT NEVER TURNS OFF EVEN WITH A FULL-SIZE ADULT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN NISSANS, INCLUDING A RECALL ON 2013-2016 MODEL YEARS OF OTHER MODELS BUT NEVER THE QUEST.
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 2011 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE LENS DOES NOT HAVE A BULB IN THE SOCKET. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE LENS WAS COSMETIC; THEREFORE, IT WOULD NOT HAVE A BULB IN THE SOCKET. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,500.
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
BOTH TRACKS THAT THE SLIDING DOORS SLIDE ON HAVE BROKEN AND THE DOORS WILL FALL OFF IF THE DOORS ARE OPENED.
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
THIRD ROW SEAT BELT LAP BELT BUCKLE THAT USES A KEY.TO RELEASE. PLASTIC BUCKLE BODY FAILED WHEN SEAT FOLDED UP AND DOWN. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY VAN WILL START JERKING LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE DRIVE AROUND AND IT WOULDN'T ACT UP. SINCE THEN, I'VE NOTICED IT DOES WHEN WHEN USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.
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 .