CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Quest engine problems
moderate 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Of the 6 model years of Nissan Quest we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 32.
Owners have filed 32 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer personnel aware that we are re-notifying customers at this time.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION After ECM reprogramming, the Calibration Verification Number (CVN) needs to be automatically calculated prior to State emissions testing (also known as Inspection Maintainence, I/M, or SMOG testing depending upon location). Allowing the vehicle to idle for 22 minutes will allow for faster CVN calculation. It is recommended that customers utilize this method if the vehicle needs to be tested for emissions soon after ECM reprogramming. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN: REVISED VQ35 ENGINE TIMING CHAIN PROCEDURES. REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION PROCEDURES FOR THE VQ35 ENGINE FRONT TIMING CHAIN CASE AND TIMING CHAINS (PRIMARY AND SECONDARY) HAVE BEE UPDATED TO NO LONGER REQUIRE REMOVAL OF ROCKER COVERS AND INTAKE COLLECTOR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AIRFLOWMETER SERVICE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most consistent failure in this cluster is premature timing chain and tensioner wear. Owners describe a loud rattling noise on cold start, beginning between 78,000 and 105,000 miles, that escalates until repair is necessary. The issue stems from Nissan's use of nylon gears in contact with metal components—a design Nissan itself apparently recognized as flawed, since the manufacturer switched back to timing belts in later models. Repair costs range from $1,670 to $4,000 per owner accounts, and the engine must be removed to access the timing chain system. Nissan issued a Technical Service Bulletin acknowledging the problem but has not issued a recall and refuses warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles.
Beyond the timing chain, owners report sudden, complete loss of engine power while driving at highway speeds (45–65 mph), which also disables power steering and braking. These failures are unpredictable and occur without diagnostic codes that mechanics can identify.
Several owners also cite fuel gauge failures where the display reads higher than actual fuel level, leading to fuel starvation and engine stall at highway speed despite the gauge indicating remaining fuel. One owner discovered odometer fraud at 230,000 actual miles when purchasing the vehicle as used.
Transmission jerking and slipping have also been documented, with one transmission requiring complete rebuild.
Same Nissan Quest engine reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Timing Chain and Tensioner Wear
Timing chain, guides, and tensioners wear prematurely due to nylon gears meshing with metal components. The design flaw causes the timing chain to become loose and rattle, eventually failing completely. Nissan switched from timing belts to chains marketed as maintenance-free for the vehicle's lifetime, but the nylon-on-metal interface degrades well short of that promise. A Technical Service Bulletin was issued due to the high volume of failures.
When: 50,000 to 120,000 miles, with noise typically beginning around cold start between 78,000 and 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling or 'death rattle' noise on cold starts, lasting from a couple of minutes to more than 5 minutes; Whining noise coming from the engine while parked or at various speeds; Engine humming sound traced to the timing chain; Increased noise at faster speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs range from $1,670 to $4,000. Secondary tensioner replacement cited at $1,700. Complete timing chain and tensioner replacement quoted between $2,000 and $3,500. Engine must be removed from vehicle to perform repair. One owner replaced chain and tensioners after breaking guides at 73,000–83,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Technical Service Bulletin issued. Nissan confirmed the problem during diagnostic inspections at dealerships but refused warranty coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles. No recall issued. Dealerships acknowledged the design deficiency with chain guide, tensioner, and chains but did not offer repair assistance.
Complete Engine Shutdown / Loss of Power
Vehicle loses all engine power and propulsion while driving at speed, also disabling power steering and brake systems. Owners report stalling without warning at highway speeds (45–65 mph) with no warning codes or diagnostics identifying a root cause. Check Engine light illuminates in some instances, though independent mechanics cannot replicate or identify a diagnostic code.
When: Variable mileage; one case at 159,000 miles; one case noted on cold start after refueling
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving at various speeds (45–65 mph); Loss of power steering and power brakes; Check Engine warning light illuminates; Vehicle enters LIMP Mode after refueling and requires multiple restart attempts; Engine stalls and will not restart; Vehicle fails to start persistently over time (5+ occurrences in one report)
Repairs/costs cited: No repair costs reported; vehicles were towed. One owner attempted multiple restarts before reaching a mechanic. No repair completed in several cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed contact that VIN was not part of a recall and offered no further assistance.
Fuel Gauge and Fuel System Malfunction
Fuel gauge displays incorrect level, causing drivers to run out of fuel unexpectedly while gauge still shows remaining fuel. Low fuel warning light fails to illuminate. In at least two cases, vehicles stalled at highway speed when gauge indicated 1/4 tank or 'miles to empty' showed 60 miles remaining. Check Engine light illuminated in one case.
When: Reported at 120,000 miles and during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge reads incorrectly (shows 1/4 tank when vehicle is actually empty, or shows 'miles to empty' when no fuel remains); Low fuel warning light fails to function; Vehicle runs out of fuel unexpectedly during highway driving; Engine stalls mid-drive due to fuel starvation despite gauge readings indicating fuel available; Check Engine warning light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: No repair costs or completion noted in complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: VIN not included in manufacturer recall.
Transmission Jerking, Slipping, and Failure
Transmission exhibits jerking and slipping between gears on a daily basis, particularly when coasting and reaccelerating. In one case, transmission failed completely and had to be rebuilt. Engine mounts also failed concurrently or subsequently in some vehicles.
When: One case at unknown mileage in Sept 2012, repaired Feb 2013. Another case reported ongoing from spring with increasing severity. One recent case during normal daily driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission jerks or slips between gears during normal driving; Severe enough jerking to affect passengers; Transmission fails to engage; Problem especially prevalent when coasting (foot off gas) then reaccelerating; Mechanics unable to replicate or fix the problem after 3+ visits
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission rebuilt. One owner reported $4,000+ costs. Engine mounts replaced concurrently in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan has known about transmission issues for a while but fails to be held accountable, per owner. Extended warranty covers some repairs.
White Smoke from Engine
Engine emits white smoke with no apparent head gasket damage, coolant consumption, or oil consumption. Multiple certified mechanics recommended engine overhaul with no guarantee the symptom would resolve.
When: Around 50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke emission from engine; No coolant consumption; No motor oil consumption; No head gasket damage detected
Repairs/costs cited: Engine overhaul recommended but deemed uncertain to resolve the issue. No repair completed.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan quest. While driving and making a right turn, the vehicle stalled without warning and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was able to be coasted to the side of the road. The contact waited for a minute and was able to drive the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic…
Bought my 2007 Nissan quest in 8/5/13 with the dealer convince my that the vehicle is good and inspected bumper to bumper,after driving for a few times, mileage was 73,000 and present is 83,000 miles,I started hearing noise coming from the timing compartment,I called nissanusa and informed them and they advs to take it in for inspection,they found that the guide for the timing chain system has…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 Nissan Quest?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2007 Nissan Quest?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 85,000 and 122,000 miles, with the median around 105,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 85,000; a quarter make it past 122,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Nissan/Quest.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.