VehicleVerdict

2004 Nissan Quest problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 651 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.1 times the median Quest year — the 2004 model ranks #1 of 25 Quest years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 52 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (95), transmission (72), and body & structure (72), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

651

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

4

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

19

Fires reported

52

Injuries

4

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Quest years?

Quest NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted651 complaints1991: 1 complaints1992: 4 complaints1993: 164 complaints1994: 195 complaints1995: 205 complaints1996: 174 complaints1997: 127 complaints1998: 56 complaints1999: 165 complaints2000: 120 complaints2001: 57 complaints2002: 38 complaints2004: 651 complaints2005: 124 complaints2006: 108 complaints2007: 311 complaints2008: 75 complaints2009: 29 complaints2011: 92 complaints2012: 139 complaints2013: 22 complaints2014: 22 complaints2015: 16 complaints2016: 16 complaints2017: 7 complaints
Quest NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Quest years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Nissan Quest problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System9515%
Body & Structure7211%
Transmission7211%
Engine7111%
Latches & Locks6410%
Brakes477%
Airbags457%
Other335%
Visibility & Wipers294%
Tires & Wheels274%
Seats234%
Fuel System193%
Suspension132%
Speed Control132%
Steering81%
Lighting81%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)61%
Seat Belts61%

Does the 2004 Nissan Quest have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

05V480000SeatsOctober 17, 2005 · 33,042 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH A FOLDING THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, WHEN THE THIRD ROW SEAT IS RAISED FROM ITS STOWED POSITION, IT ENGAGES STRIKER BRACKETS, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION. THE FOLD-AWAY STRIKER LOOP IS WELDED TO A MOUNTING BRACKET. THE STRIKER MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS MOUNTING BRACKET DUE TO A BROKEN WELD AT THE POINT OF ATTACHMENT TO THE BRACKET.

Consequence

IF THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER WELD FAILS, THE STRIKER COULD SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET. STRIKER SEPARATION COULD AFFECT THE RISK OF INJURY IN CERTAIN TYPES OF CRASHES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

05V474000SeatsOctober 13, 2005 · 109,437 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THERE IS A SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM THAT CONTAINS EXPOSED MOVING COMPONENTS LOCATED AT THE REAR INSIDE EDGE OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT.

Consequence

WHEN THE OPERATOR ATTEMPTS SEAT ADJUSTMENT, A FINGER MAY BE PINCHED IN THE MOVING SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM WHICH COULD CAUSE AN INJURY.

Remedy

ON EARLIER MODEL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JUNE 28, 2004, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INBOARD SECOND ROW SEAT ADJUSTMENT HANDLE, RIVET A PLASTIC REINFORCEMENT TO BACKSIDE OF THE EXISTING SEAT BACK COVER CARPETING, INSTALL TIE-DOWNS AND A FLANGE TO THE INBOARD SIDE SHIELD. ON VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 29, 2004 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 26, 2005, DEALERS WILL RIVET A PLASTIC REINFORCEMENT TO THE BACKSIDE OF THE EXISTING SEAT BACK COVER CARPETING, INSTALL TIE-DOWNS AND A FLANGE ON THE INBOARD SIDE SHIELD. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

04V186000Latches & LocksApril 16, 2004 · 26,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER SLIDING DOOR(S), AT AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE BELOW APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE ACTUATOR FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR(S) MAY EXPERIENCE BINDING DUE TO AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION CONDITION. IN ORDER TO OPEN, CLOSE OR REVERSE A POWER SLIDING DOOR, THE SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER MUST BE IN "PARK." IF THE ACTUATOR IS EXPERIENCING BINDING AND THE DRIVER SHIFTS THE VEHICLE OUT OF "PARK" WHILE A POWER SLIDING DOOR IS STILL CLOSING, THE DOOR LATCHES MAY NOT ENGAGE.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN THE DOOR COMING OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY UPON RAPID ACCELERATION, AND AN OCCUPANT COULD FALL OUT OF THE DOOR AND BE INJURED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR(S). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

04V103000AirbagsMarch 1, 2004 · 13,757 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE ADVANCED AIR BAG REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THE AIR BAG FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS TO BE TURNED OFF (SO THAT IT DOES NOT INFLATE) WHEN CERTAIN OCCUPANTS, SUCH AS SMALL CHILDREN, ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT.

Consequence

THIS REDUCES THE RISK OF SUCH OCCUPANTS BEING UNJURED BY AN INFLATING AIR BAG IN A COLLISION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION/SENSOR ASSEMBLY. IF THE SEAT CUSHION/SENSOR IS FOUND TO BE OPERATING IMPROPERLY, THE SEAT WILL BE REMOVED AND RECALIBRATED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“DROVE IT TO A PARK ABOUT 1:00 P.M. STAYED THERE TIL ABOUT 3:00 PM GOT HOME PARKED IN FRONT OF HOUSE ON STREET. WENT IN BACK YARD FOR A BBQ ABOUT 20 TO 30 MINUTES LATER NOTICED IT STARTED TO SMOKE UNDER HOOD TOWARD THE REAR OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON PASSENGER SIDE ABOUT WHERE PASS. FEET WOULD BE OR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 31, 2014 · fire

“I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND WENT ON THE HOUSE MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES WERE BIG AND THEY WERE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I HAD JUST DROVE THE CAR ABOUT AN HOUR, THERE WAS NO SMELL NO SOUND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS NOTHING. THE FLAMES WERE BIG AND CAR WENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · May 22, 2014 · fire

“WHILE APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WITHIN SECONDS OF PARKING THE VEHICLE A FIRE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A DANGEROUSLY SLOW ACCELERATION AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN THE WRONG GEAR WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO POOR FUEL ECONOMY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 15, 2004 · fire

“I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND WENT ON THE HOUSE MINUTES LATER THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. THE FLAMES WERE BIG AND THEY WERE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. I HAD JUST DROVE THE CAR ABOUT AN HOUR, THERE WAS NO SMELL NO SOUND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS NOTHING. THE FLAMES WERE BIG AND CAR WENT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 22, 2014 · fire

“THE MODEL OF THE VAN IS A NISSAN QUEST MODEL YEAR 2004. THE ONLY DOOR WITH A KEY LOCK IS THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. WE HAVE A REMOTE LOCK/UNLOCK WHICH WAS PROVIDED WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW. THIS REMOTE IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH IF DEFECTIVE WOULD PREVENT SOMEONE FROM ENTERING THE VEHICLE IF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · February 26, 2007

2004 Nissan Quest — common questions

Is the 2004 Nissan Quest reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 651 complaints put the 2004 model at #1 of 25 Quest years. It is one of the Quest years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Quest problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (95 complaints), transmission (72 complaints), body & structure (72 complaints).

Does the 2004 Nissan Quest have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Nissan Quest. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Nissan Quest under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Quest years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Quest years to avoid are 2004, 2007, 1995, 1994, 1996, 1999, 1993, 2012. The cleanest record among Quest years belongs to 1991.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.