Total Complaints
195 filings
NISSAN QUEST · model year
195 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994NISSANQUEST carries 195 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 QUEST is engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe with 22 filings, followed by structure:body:door (15) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (14). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 1994 QUEST, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
195 filings
Crashes Reported
9 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE | 22 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 15 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 14 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 9 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 8 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 5 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS | 5 |
| AIR BAGS | 4 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 4 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 4 |
I'M BRAZILIAN AND I NEED HELP, HERE IN BRAZIL THERE'S NO ONE WHO CAN HELP ME...... CAR WITH A BACKSPRING WITHOUT STRENGTH AND SKIDDING WITHOUT LEAVING THE PLACE, WHEN SHE DOES NOT STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR IN THE BACK SHE LEAVES ALONE AND HAS NO STRENGTH TO CLIMB UPHILL IN THE REVERSE, BUT THE OTHER BORES FOR FRONTS ARE GOOD ..THIS CAR IS IN MOVEMENT, I WILL ALWAYS WORK WITH IT.
Mileage: 127,171
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS STOPPED WORKING. THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE SEAT BELT WAS BUCKLED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT CONTROL MODULE FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT; HOWEVER, THE PART REQUIRED WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
Mileage: 148,000
STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE VAN...I CONTACTED PREVIOUS OWNER,HE HAD SAME ISSUE,TOLD ME HE HAD IT CHECKED OUT AT A GARAGE,THEY SAID NO LEAKS IN FUEL SYSTEM,& TOLD HIM THE WIND BLOWS THE SMELL INTO THE CAB OF VAN.......HE TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD SMELL GAS INSIDE OF VAN WHEN DRIVING WITH WINDOW OPEN,I JUST HAD WINDOW SLIGHTLY OPEN,WENT ABOUT A MILE,MY WIFE GOT SICK FROM STRONG GAS ODOR,SO WE TURNED AROUND AND HEADED HOME....I CAN NOT SMELL DUE TO HAVING MY SINUSES SEVERED IN A MOTORCYCLE CRASH 10 YRS AGO,SO LUCKY MY WIFE WAS WITH ME TO SMELL IT,,,I WAS JUST ABOUT TO LIGHT A CIGAR,WE WOULD HAVE BLOWN UP........I'VE HAD THIS VAN FOR A WEEK NOW,I NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE TILL NOW....BUT PREVIOUS OWNER SAID IT HAPPENED MANY TIMES FOR HIM,OF AND ON IN THE 8 YEARS HE OWNED IT. *TR
Mileage: 210,000
BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS FAIL TO COME ON AND DASH LIGHTS HAVE ALSO FAILED,DEALER STATES VEHICLE NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL 96V253004 . SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS FROM DIFFERENT MANUFACTURING DATES AND VIN#. SEEMS TO BE MORE UNIVERSAL THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT. HOPING NISSAN CAN RESOLVE. *TR
Mileage: 300,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 80 MPH WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED FLEW OPEN, FRACTURING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT HAD TO TIE DOWN THE HOOD TO KEEP IT FROM FLYING OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 11/03/11*LJ UPDATED 11/04/11*JB
DRIVING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. WAS PULLING OFF THE HIGHWAY WHEN VEHICLE DIED. OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FIRE DEPT PUT OUT FIRE. THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP, IGNITION WIRES AND WIRING HARNESSES MELTED. VEHICLE DECLARED TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE COMPANY. 8JB
Mileage: 129,000
EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE I TOOK IT TO MIDAS AND HE SAID THAT HE HAS BEING THESE VAN WITH THIS PROBLEM WHERE THE BOLTS BROKEN INTO THE MANIFOLD EXHAUST. I WANT DO THIS SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN AND DO THE COMPANY NO OF THIS. SO CAN YOU TELL ME IF THERE ARE A RECALL ON THESE VANS. IF SO, CAN YOU LET ME KNOW. *NM
CLUNK NOISE WHILE MAKING LEFT (SLOW) TURN. 3 LEFT TURNS LATER, RT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM SUSPENSION, AND CAR SKIDDED TO STOP. LOWER RT BALL JOINT HAD BROKEN AND INNER CV JOINT HAD SEPARATED. DAMAGE TO RT FENDER WHEN TIRE HIT CAR FRAME. VERY FORTUNATE ONLY TRAVELING ~ 7MPH WHEN WHEEL BROKE LOOSE OTHERWISE THE LOST OF CONTROL WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. EXAMINATION OF BALL JOINT SHOWED DAMAGED 'BOOT' AND LOST OF ALL GREASE. CAR GETS REGULAR STATE SAFETY CHECKS AND WAS IN FOR TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT AND OVERALL CHECKOUT LAST YEAR.
Mileage: 100,000
DT: CONSUMER STATES BRAKE LIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE SHOP, METAL TUBE THAT SEPARATES FROM HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE. NO LIGHTS CAME ON. PUT IN NEW BRAKE SWITCH, NEW FUSES, AND BULBS.*AK
Mileage: 110,000
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD STARTING, ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SURGE, AT LOW SPEEDS AND UP HILL. THE THERMOSTAT STUCK AND SEVERAL OTHER MALFUNCTIONS. *BF THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE OVER HEATED ENGINE HAD SERIOUS BURNING INSIDE. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON TO SEE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AT PEAK HEAT. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, HAD NO STEAM, NO CHECK ENGINE, JUST A FEAR OF ENGINE MELT DOWN ABOUT TO RECUR. *SC
THE VEHICLE WAS HARD STARTING, ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SURGE, AT LOW SPEEDS AND UP HILL. THE THERMOSTAT STUCK AND SEVERAL OTHER MALFUNCTIONS. *BF THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE OVER HEATED ENGINE HAD SERIOUS BURNING INSIDE. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON TO SEE THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AT PEAK HEAT. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, HAD NO STEAM, NO CHECK ENGINE, JUST A FEAR OF ENGINE MELT DOWN ABOUT TO RECUR. *SC
OIL PRESSURE BUILD UP WHICH WAS CAUSING THE GASOLINE TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL LINE, AND A STRONG FUEL ODOR CAME INTO THE CABIN. THE FUEL TANK HOSE WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK
Mileage: 110,000
THE DEALER BROKE THE CRANKSHAFT WHEN REMOVING THE MAIN PULLEY BOLT. DEALER/NISSAN REFUSED TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL HELP ON REPAIRS. *BF *TC THE CONSUMER DID SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS BROKEN CRANKSHAFTS. THE MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE INITIAL TENSILE FORCE SET ON THE ENGINE ACCESSORY BELTS DURING ASSEMBLY, THEREFORE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM. *JB
THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY WERE CAUSING THE DASHBOARD, AND ALL OF THE MARKER LIGHTS TO FAIL. THE DEALER STATEED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB 96V253004
Mileage: 25,800
EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPLACEMENT, BOLTS AND STUDS. *JB
Mileage: 108,000
BOLT HOLDING LOWER PULLEY TO CRANKSHAFT SHEARED OFF. POSSIBLE CRANK SHAFT FAILURE. *JB
Mileage: 112,200
ALL DOORS LOCK UPON TOUCHING THE INNER OR OUTER DRIVERS DOOR HANDLES. THIS RESULTS IN PASSENGERS BEING LOCKED IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY, KEYPAD OR INTERIOR LOCK BUTTON THE DOORS INSTANTLY LOCK AGAIN WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE DOOR. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON AND OFF FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *LA
Mileage: 40,000
REAR LAMP DOES NOT ILLUMINATE RELIABLY BECAUSE METAL CAN IN THE LAMP SOCKET MOVES AND SEPARATES FROM PLASTIC SOCKET HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN MALFUNCTION OF THE STOP AND REAR RUNNING LAMPS. REAR LAMP MALFUNCTION COULD RESULT IN FOLLOWING DRIVERS COLLIDING WITH VEHICLE BY VIRTUE OF NOT BEING ALERTED TO SUBJECT VEHICLES PRESENCE OR INTENDED ACTIONS. ISSUE IMPACT BOTH REAR LIGHTS.*AK
Mileage: 50,000
VEHICLE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING.*MR ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND STALLED AGAIN FROM CITY SPEED TO HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE OXYGEN SENSOR WAS REPLACED AND THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. AFTER 2.5 HOURS OF ELECTRICAL TESTING, NOTHING WAS FOUND. THE EXISTING STALLING IS REPAIRED BY SHUTTING THE A/C OFF TO PROVIDE THE ENGINE WITH POWER. THE PREVENTION IS TO USE HIGHER OCTANE GAS, OMIT OVERDRIVE AND AVOID USING THE A/C. NISSAN ASKED THAT THE CONSUMERS WAIT FOR THE VEHICLE TO BREAK SO THEY COULD FIND THE CAUSE. THE ENGINE ITSELF BROKE AT 59K MILES. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CRANKSHAFT AND CAMSHAFT SYSTEM. BUT THE 1994 MODELS THE SENSOR IS IN THE DISTRIBUTOR. *PH
THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON/OFF. DEALER REPLACED ONE OF THE SENSORS. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT STILL CAME ON. *AK
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
Inner Tie Rod Failures
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart.
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.