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ProblemsByVin File / 2012-NISSAN-QUEST NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2012 · Nissan

Nissan Quest problems

93 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.6 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 Quest?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

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.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
28 reports · fails ~94,826 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
15 reports · fails ~58,183 mi · avg $850
moderate
engine
9 reports · fails ~51,262 mi · avg $3,100
severe
body
8 reports · fails ~58,925 mi · avg $1,500
severe
tires
5 reports · fails ~23,400 mi · avg $150
moderate
fuel system
4 reports · fails ~2,333 mi · avg $1,200
severe
airbags
3 reports · fails ~78,983 mi · avg $1,100
severe
cruise control
3 reports · fails ~31,600 mi · avg $600
severe
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2012 Quest's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2012 Quest?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2012 Quest · powertrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan quest. While driving various speeds, the fuel tank gauge indicated that the tank was empty. The contact stated that two hours after filling up the fuel tank, the tank would be empty. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was…
12/27/2018 · at 161,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11163697.0 · see powertrain pattern →
2012 Quest · electrical
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan quest. While driving approximately 50 MPH and slowing down in traffic, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but hesitated to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not informed of the failure. The…
12/10/2019 · at 42,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11288100.0 · see electrical pattern →
2012 Quest · electrical
I was parked on a slope, with about 1/8 a tank of gas and the van would not start. I was able to start the vehicle after I put it in neutral and rolled it to level ground. I googled the problem and found out there was a recall, which I was never informed about. I took the van…
12/10/2012 · at 4,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10487873.0 · see electrical pattern →
2012 Quest · powertrain
My van is not accelerating properly, it seems to idle out and does not go over 20 mph it idles on acceleration decline. i could not get out of way fast enough if traffic was busy.
View all 93 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2012 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.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 12V076000 February 29, 2012

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Nissan quest vehicles, manufactured from july 29, 2010, through february 21, 2012

Vehicle stalling could increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 2, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Common questions

Is the 2012 Nissan Quest reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 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 2012 Nissan Quest?

On the NHTSA data, the 2012 Nissan Quest does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2012 Nissan Quest?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 28 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 94,826 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 94,826 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 2012 Nissan Quest?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 93 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.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Nissan/Quest. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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