2016 Nissan Quest problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 13 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2016 Nissan Quest has 13 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 71,244 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Quest | 18 | 0 |
| 2014 Quest | 18 | 0 |
| 2015 Quest | 12 | 0 |
| 2016 Quest (this page) | 13 | 0 |
| 2017 Quest | 6 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
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 2016 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 — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 71,244 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — 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.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2016 Nissan Quest
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.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I have a 2016 Nissan quest. It snowed last night, and a piece of ice got stuck in the driver's side exterior door handle and kept the handle slightly ajar. Because of this, the driver's side door would not open using the interior door handle. I had to unroll the window, and push…
Brake switch stopped functioning. Brake lights intermittently did not work, and eventually push start did not function. Researched online is a common problem.
Check engine light appeared without warning and car would slow down and no longer accelerate on the highway. Took to the dealership and was told it needed a new transmission with only 64,000 miles of use.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact shifted the CVT transmission into low (L) manually. The contact stated that the vehicle began to vibrate and then began to shake the entire vehicle. The contact removed his…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Nissan Quest reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Nissan Quest?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 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 8.8/10 — above the segment average. 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 2016 Nissan Quest?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,244 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 2016 Nissan Quest a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 13 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 71,244 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 2016 Nissan Quest?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 71,244 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 71,244 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 2016 Nissan Quest?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 13 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.