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VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE

Nissan Quest1993–2017

Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.

🚐 MINIVAN
Nissan Quest
1993–2017
B
Defect Risk
Recall intensity
0.0/yr · seg. median 0.0
Limited data — provisional
Safety
Low
0 inj.
✓No open federal investigations
19
Recalls
54
Complaints
2004
Best Yr
0
Injuries
Top issue: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIPAvoid 2008
25
Years Analyzed
19
Total Recalls
54
Total Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths

Best Years to Buy a Nissan Quest

Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.

#1 PICK21yr old
2005
Acceptable · 51/100
Reliability57/100
Value window39/100
Recalls1
Complaints0
#2 PICK20yr old
2006
Acceptable · 51/100
Reliability57/100
Value window39/100
Recalls1
Complaints0

Nissan Quest Years to Avoid

#1 WORST
2008

3 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#2 WORST
2004

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

#3 WORST
2009

2 recalls · 0 complaints

Top issue: No complaints on record

Federal Defect Investigations

NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 3 past investigations into the Quest became recalls.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of September 11, 2026.

Nissan Quest — Year-by-Year Comparison

Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.

YearRecallsComplaintsInjuriesDeathsReliabilityValueBuyer ScoreVerdict
201700——
82
71
78
Excellent
201600——
82
64
76
Excellent
201500——
82
57
73
Excellent
201400——
82
51
71
Excellent
201300——
82
46
69
Excellent
201200——
82
42
68
Excellent
201100——
82
39
67
Excellent
201000——
82
39
67
Excellent
200920——
57
39
51
Good
200830——
57
39
51
Good
200700——
82
39
67
Excellent
200610——
57
39
51
Excellent
200510——
57
39
51
Excellent
200420——
57
39
51
Good
200300——
82
39
67
Excellent
200200——
82
39
67
Excellent
200100——
82
39
67
Excellent
200000——
82
39
67
Excellent
199900——
82
39
67
Excellent
199810——
57
39
51
Excellent
199710——
57
39
51
Excellent
199610——
57
39
51
Excellent
1995215——
57
39
51
Caution
1994118——
57
39
51
Caution
1993421——
57
39
51
Avoid

Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.

Known Nissan Quest Problems

Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
9
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
6
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
3
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
2
SEAT BELTS
2
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
2
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
2

Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.

Shopping by Era

How each generation of the Quest compares — best year within each era shown.

2013–2017

Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 78).

Best: 2017
2017 · 782016 · 762015 · 732014 · 712013 · 69

Pre-2013

Older Quest models are deeply depreciated but carry higher wear and repair risk. High mileage is common. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and verify full recall history.

Proceed with Caution
2012 · 681999 · 672000 · 672001 · 672002 · 672003 · 672007 · 672010 · 67

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best year Quest to buy?+

The 2005 Nissan Quest scores highest on our Buyer Score (51/100) — combining a reliability score of 57/100 with a value score of 39/100. It has 1 recall and 0 NHTSA complaints on record.

Which Quest years have the most problems?+

The 2008, 2004, 2009 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2008 Quest leads with 3 recalls and 0 owner complaints.

What is the Buyer Score?+

The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.

What are the most common Quest problems?+

The most frequently reported Nissan Quest issues involve: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.

Deep-Dive Research

Common Problems

Full year-by-year breakdown of every documented defect for the Nissan Quest.

Reliability Score

Reliability rating and score breakdown compared to similar minivan vehicles.

Years to Avoid

Every Quest year ranked by problem score — worst years listed with full reasoning.

Found the right year? Verify the specific car.

A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.

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