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ProblemsByVinFile / 2005-NISSAN-QUESTNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Nissan
2005 Nissan Quest problems
The 2005 Nissan Quest has 82 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2005 Nissan Quest has 82 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 12 complaints, typically surfacing around 96,973 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2005 Quest?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2005 Nissan Quest? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 96,973 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
engine — 11 owner reports
· tends to show around 106,889 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 10 owner reports
· tends to show around 76,722 mi · ~$850 to fix
body — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 24,133 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: powertrain is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 96,973 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2005 Quest· seatbelts
Outer rear seat belts do not work properly. There is stitching in the seat belt that does not allow the clasp to move freely. The clasp gets stuck below the stitching and it gets stuck above the stitching. I child cannot work the seat belt properly. Once the clasp is below…
The transmission on my 2005 Nissan quest went out while on vacation in north carolina from out of state in june of 2015. Just replaced the timing chain today 12/16/15 am losing faith on nissans reliability.
While driving the instrument panel goes in and out making it difficult to see speed, fuel level, temp, turning signals, rpms, and everything else necessary to drive safely. Sometimes while the panel comes back to working properly it enables the overdrive causing the engine to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Nissan quest. The contact stated that she would hear a cracking noise whenever she turned the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure continued. The vehicle was eventually…
Had a problem with your 2005 Nissan Quest?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
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.
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
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.
Common questions
Is the 2005 Nissan Quest reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Nissan Quest is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2005 Nissan Quest?
The 2005 Nissan Quest is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2005 Nissan Quest?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 12 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 96,973 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2005 Nissan Quest a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 82 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 96,973 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2005 Nissan Quest?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 12 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 96,973 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 96,973 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Quest has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Nissan Quest?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 82 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Nissan/Quest.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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