2004 Nissan Quest Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 20, 2023 · 445 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Quest years
Far more complaints than other years 1st of 21 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 445 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Nissan Quest. That is the most of any Quest model year in the database (21 years). The most reported problem area is electrical system (77 complaints, 17%), typically at around 60,685 miles. Complaints mention 7 crashes, 10 fires, 39 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.

Nissan Quest
NISSAN QUEST RE52 China. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Dinkun Chen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2004 Nissan Quest problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Electrical System77 · ~60,685 mi
Power Train72 · ~37,000 mi
Structure70 · ~16,550 mi
Latches/locks/linkages61 · ~5,588 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling48 · ~60,000 mi
Air Bags42 · ~44,079 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic37 · ~21,523 mi
Visibility26 · ~3,000 mi
Tires24 · ~4,800 mi
Unknown or Other24 · ~118,500 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System problems7717%60,685“sliding door” (12%)$1,350
Power Train problems7216%37,000“timing chain” (8%)—
Structure problems7016%16,550“sliding door” (30%)—
Latches/locks/linkages problems6114%5,588“sliding door” (43%)—
Engine and Engine Cooling4811%60,000——
Air Bags429%44,079——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic378%21,523——
Visibility266%3,000——
Tires245%4,800——
Unknown or Other245%118,500——
Engine235%104,500——
Seats225%16,000——
Equipment215%3,268——
Suspension133%57,486——
Vehicle Speed Control133%100,500——
Fuel System, Gasoline123%3,100——
Steering82%107,500——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)72%111,500——
Seat Belts61%55,000——
Exterior Lighting51%30,000——
Service Brakes51%105,000——
Fuel/propulsion System41%130,000——
Fuel System, Other31%1,739——
Interior Lighting31%458——
Wheels31%130——
Traction Control System20%68,500——
Equipment Adaptive/mobility10%———
Parking Brake10%40,000——
Visibility/wiper10%130,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2004, with 111 complaints
2003: 172003172004: 1111112005: 602005602006: 52522007: 242007242008: 24242009: 8200982010: 22222011: 182011182012: 19192013: 122013122014: 18182015: 222015222016: 12122017: 8201782018: 882019: 3201932020: 442021: 2202122023: 11

n = 445 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2004 Nissan Quest recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Seats:mid/rear assemblyOct 17, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V480000 · 33,042 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Seats:mid/rear assemblyOct 13, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V474000 · 109,437 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: When the operator attempts seat adjustment, a finger may be pinched in the moving seat adjustment mechanism which could cause an injury.

Fix: 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.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchApr 16, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V186000 · 26,000 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This can result in the door coming open unexpectedly upon rapid acceleration, and an occupant could fall out of the door and be injured.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactiveMar 1, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V103000 · 13,757 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: This reduces the risk of such occupants being unjured by an inflating air bag in a collision.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Side air bag non-deployment (PE08004) — opened Jan 25, 2008, closed May 30, 2008.
  • Finger pinch point (EA05012) — opened Aug 19, 2005, closed Oct 20, 2005, led to recall 05V474000.
  • Finger pinch point (PE05019) — opened Apr 21, 2005, closed Aug 19, 2005.
  • Power-sliding door opening (PE04027) — opened Mar 15, 2004, closed Jun 2, 2004, led to recall 04V186000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I entered 14 freeway by sierra hwy entrance, as soon as I got in the fwy and left the pedal gas to slow down to get into traffic my van lost power and the shut off complete, i was very fortunate that it happened at the entrance and the cars behind me were able to stop on time and nobody got hurt…

Fuel/propulsion System · received Apr 20, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11518166

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while at a complete stop, the driver and passenger side front overhead airbags deployed without impact. The contact sustained headaches and sought medical treatment 2 days later with his doctor. The contact stated no warning lights were…

Air Bags · received Dec 30, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11445620

unknown the frame is rusted in front steering section. /photos of area are being provided for your inquiry.

Unknown or Other · received Jul 31, 2021 · NHTSA complaint 11427275

The passenger side sliding door is malfunctions

Unknown or Other · received Oct 4, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11362629

We recently had to change the alternator and noticed on the passenger side front the subframe has a large hole in it and is completely not safe to drive and nothing has been hit there and it has not been in an accident related to that area at all, vehicle was parked at my home when this was found…

Structure · received Jun 8, 2020 · NHTSA complaint 11327861

Other Nissan Quest years

← 2002 Quest · 2005 Quest →

See all Nissan Quest problems by year, every Nissan model, or the Nissan VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Quest?

Owners most often report electrical system, power train, structure problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 77 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Nissan Quest?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2004 Nissan Quest a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Quest model years, the 2004 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.