CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Nissan Quest powertrain problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 28 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Nissan Quest, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Nissan Quest we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 28.
Powertrain accounts for 30% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 8 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT OIL LEAK DIAGNOSIS USING FLUORESCENT DYE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: Customers concern of a "clicking" noise coming from either left or right front/rear CV-type axles during take-off/acceleration. ACTION: Apply Molykote M77 grease (P/N 44003-7S000) to the hub bearing surfaces. NOTE: * Do not remove the axle from the hub or transmission for this bulletin * Refer to the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for model specific torque specifications. - For 2007-2013 Versa and 2013 LEAF vehicles, see the Service Procedure torque specifications on page 4. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 Nissan Quest CVT transmission is failing across this fleet. Owners describe delayed or zero throttle response, violent jerking during acceleration, slipping on hills, and complete loss of power mid-drive—some have stalled on busy freeways and intersections with multiple passengers aboard. Failures cluster around 68,000 to 130,000 miles, many striking within weeks of the 60,000-mile warranty edge.
Diagnostic codes P1700, P1701, P1722, P1778, P0746, P0868, and others point to transmission fluid pressure, solenoid, and CVT step-motor faults. Dealers uniformly recommend full transmission replacement at costs from $3,100 to $7,525. Critical: at least one owner reports the transmission failed again after replacement, and another experienced the same failure three separate times before 70,000 miles total.
Nissan issued recall 12V076000 in early 2012 for similar symptoms but has not expanded it to cover the full 2012 Quest population despite mounting complaints. Nissan settled class-action lawsuits on the Sentra, Versa, and Altima for identical CVT problems—extending warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles and replacing transmissions—yet refuses the same remedy on the Quest. Owners report Nissan denies coverage based on mileage alone, ignoring purchased extended warranties. One engine mount failure recurred twice in the same vehicle within 25,000 miles.
Same Nissan Quest powertrain reports on nearby years: 2011
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission slipping and loss of power on acceleration
Transmission fails to engage or slips when accelerating from a stop, especially on hills or inclines. Vehicle either hesitates severely (5–10 seconds) before moving, jerks abruptly when power returns, or fails to accelerate at all despite throttle input. In severe cases the van loses all power mid-drive and must be towed.
When: Occurs across mileage range; reported between 68,000 and 161,000 miles, with several failures shortly after 60,000-mile warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: No response or delayed response to throttle input; Jerking and shuddering during acceleration; Slipping on hills and inclines; Complete loss of power while driving; RPM rises but vehicle does not accelerate; Vehicle stalls or shuts down unexpectedly
Codes mentioned: P0500, P0720, P1700, P1701, P1722, P1778, P0725, P0746, P0776, P0868
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required; owners report costs ranging from $3,100 to $7,525 at independent and dealer shops. Multiple owners report transmission failure recurrence after replacement. Fluid flush ($125) did not resolve the problem in one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan has issued recall 12V076000 (02/29/2012) for similar events but has not expanded coverage. Nissan settled class-action lawsuits for other models (Sentra, Versa, Altima) with same CVT issue, extending warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles and replacing transmissions. No such coverage offered for 2012 Quest. Nissan has refused assistance on warranty claims beyond the standard 5 years/60,000 miles, citing mileage limits despite some vehicles being within extended warranties purchased by owners.
Check engine light and transmission warning indicator illumination
Check engine light activates, sometimes accompanied by transmission warning light. Vehicle may continue to operate with reduced capability or stall entirely. Diagnostic scan reveals CVT-related codes.
When: Occurs simultaneously or shortly after transmission slipping/power loss symptoms develop
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Transmission warning light on dashboard; No prior dashboard warning before power loss occurs in some cases
Codes mentioned: P1700, P1778, P0746, P0868
Repairs/costs cited: Code reading at independent shops (AutoZone) and dealerships confirmed CVT transmission fault requiring replacement.
Engine mount failure (repeated)
Engine mount breaks and requires replacement. One owner experienced three separate failures at 50,000 and 75,000 miles after initial service.
When: At 50,000 miles and 75,000 miles in one reported case
Symptoms owners cite: Broken engine mount discovered during service
Repairs/costs cited: Mount replaced twice; failed again both times during subsequent service intervals.
Poor acceleration response, especially on hills
Vehicle sluggish to accelerate; does not reach normal speeds when throttle applied, particularly on inclines. Can idle out during acceleration and fail to exceed 20 mph even with pedal pressed.
When: Occurs during hill climbing and general acceleration
Symptoms owners cite: Slow acceleration response; Vehicle idles down during acceleration on hills; Fails to reach normal cruising speed; No electrical faults detected
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
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 taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The…
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.
Van started to have problems with the acceleration, I stepped on the gas and it didn't responded until several seconds later (5-10), it started slowly and then it accelerates slowly. Every time the vehicle stops, the transmission doesn't work. The check engine light came on, I took the car to an autozone store, and they found the error code p1778, which is CVT transmission error. I took the van…
CVT started slipping around 115,000 miles when taking off on incline. Really bad slipping and had fluid changed at 121,000 miles. Surging and losing power on the interstate in traffic. Went completely out at 130,000 miles leaving my family stranded.
Daughter's Quest has a bad CVT transmission. Diagnosis made by independent service center. Check engine light came on. Codes P1700, P0746, & P0868. Unsafe to drive - doesn't accelerate, shakes, shutters, etc. Other Nissan Quest/Nissan owners with same issue (Pathfinder, Rogue, Juke, Murano, Versa,Sentra,Altima). Refer to CarComplaints.com. I mailed a letter to Nissan Corp Office in Franklin TN.…
At 119,000 miles the vehicle experienced a complete transmission failure while driving. The vehicle wouldn't get out of 1st gear, making acceleration from a dead stop nearly impossible. Several calls to my Nissan dealership and to Nissan corporation resulted in "I'm sorry but we can't do anything for you but offer a complete replacement of your transmission at at cost over $5000". The vehicle is…
I was on a busy freeway only 10 miles from my city and my van with no warning started to slow down and I tried pushing gas to make it go faster to the speed limit because there were semi trucks lined behind and beside me and it wouldn’t accelerate at all. It just continued to slow down at a fast rate and I was trying to get to the side of the freeway as fast as possible and the steering wheel got…
Doesn't want to speed when accelerate, specially on a hill. No electrical problems detect it.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 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 powertrain problem on the 2012 Nissan Quest?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 75,440 and 119,000 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 75,440; a quarter make it past 119,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2012/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.