Total Complaints
56 filings
NISSAN QUEST · model year
56 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1998NISSANQUEST carries 56 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. 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 1998 QUEST is visibility:windshield with 6 filings, followed by structure:body:door (5) and equipment:appliance:air conditioner (5). 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 1998 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
56 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 6 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 5 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 5 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 5 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
WHEN I AM DRIVING I AM SMELLING GAS INSIDE MY VEHICLE DURING MY HEATER ON AND OUTSIDE, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN! *TR
Mileage: 193,456
THE FUEL PUMP MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE IS RUNNING FROM (MID-CAR) / (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE IT'S IN THE SPEAKERS) AND YOU CAN SMELL GAS BAD - ESPECIALLY AFTER A FILL UP. *TR
Mileage: 143,535
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 604996-FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) YET THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
Mileage: 7,000
HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING SINCE EARLY IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE. ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT IN PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION BUT DEALER COULD NEVER REPLICATE PROBLEM, AND THUS WENT UNFIXED. NOW THE PROBLEM OCCURS REGULARLY. CAN UNLOCK DOOR WITH KEY (KEYLESS ENTRY NO LONGER WORKS) AND BEFORE WE GET THE DOOR OPEN, IT LOCKS AGAIN. ALL DOORS DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK WHEN FRONT LOCKS ARE ENGAGED. CAN LOCK VEHICLE, RETURN AND OPEN SIDE DOOR BEFORE FRONT DOOR IS UNLOCKED AND ALARM BEGINS SOUNDING. FOUND VERY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS POSTED AND KNOW PERSONALLY OF ONE OTHER OWNER WHO HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. *NM
Mileage: 30,000
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING FIRM BRAKE PRESSURE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND . ALTHOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT THAT NORMALLY ILLUMINATED WHEN IN USE TURNED OFF,THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT A HIGHWAY SPEED IN SPITE OF THE BRAKE PRESSURE THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO ENFORCE. WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP NOR SLOW DOWN THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE ENOUGH SO THE CONTACT COULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO REST FOR A PERIOD OF TIME , AND INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. UPON INSPECTION THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED BUT A STRONG ODOR WAS DETECTED. THE ODOR SMELLED AS IF SOMETHING HAD OVERHEATED. AFTERWARDS,THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BE DRIVEN NORMALLY. THERE HAVE BEEN NO FURTHER
Mileage: 118,000
FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BREAKS / SNAPS WHILE CAR HAD BEEN RESTING FOR 30 HOURS, PUNCTURES TIRE. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF TROUBLE ORFAILURE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
FROM THE BEGINNING OUR NISSAN VAN (1998) HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS LOCKING AFTER THE ENGINE IS OFF AND THE DOOR IS OPENED. TODAY, I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VAN TODAY, AS THE DOOR KEEP LOCKING EVERY TIME I WOULD TRY TO OPEN THE HANDLE. IF THIS HAD BEEN A CHILD, THEY COULD HAVE DIED IN THE HEAT (THIS IS THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER IN FLORIDA) TRAPPED IN THE CAR. I HAVE CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM, BUT FOUND THAT ONLY LETTERS WERE SENT OUT TO THE CONSUMER REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD RESULT IN TRADGEDY FOR CHILDREN, IF THEY ARE CAUGHT IN THE VEHICLE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE QUICKLY.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
Mileage: 103,000
VEHICLE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VAN HAS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY BOTH WHEN THE IGNITION WAS ON, AND WHEN IT WAS OFF. ALSO, WHEN USING THE KEY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET THE DOORS OPEN ON THE FIRST TRY. THIS IS ON ON-GOING PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THAT THE SALE OF MINIVANS ARE PRIMARILY TARGETED TO DRIVERS WITH CHILDREN.
VEHICLE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VAN HAS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY BOTH WHEN THE IGNITION WAS ON, AND WHEN IT WAS OFF. ALSO, WHEN USING THE KEY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET THE DOORS OPEN ON THE FIRST TRY. THIS IS ON ON-GOING PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THAT THE SALE OF MINIVANS ARE PRIMARILY TARGETED TO DRIVERS WITH CHILDREN.
VEHICLE LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VAN HAS LOCKED AUTOMATICALLY BOTH WHEN THE IGNITION WAS ON, AND WHEN IT WAS OFF. ALSO, WHEN USING THE KEY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE DOORS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET THE DOORS OPEN ON THE FIRST TRY. THIS IS ON ON-GOING PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN ONE CONSIDERS THAT THE SALE OF MINIVANS ARE PRIMARILY TARGETED TO DRIVERS WITH CHILDREN.
THE ENGINE BEGAN MAKING A TICKING NOISE WHICH GOES AWAY AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP. MY MECHANIC THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE VALVE LIFTERS BUT ON CLOSER INSPECTION DISCOVERED THAT TWO OF THE SIX BOLTS THAT ATTACH THE MANIFOLD TO THE ENGINE HAD SNAPPED OFF. THE REPAIR WILL COST AROUND $800 TO $900. *LA
Mileage: 75,000
AUTOMATIC LOCKS WILL INTERMITTENTLY ACTIVATE WHEN KEY IS IN THE IGNITION. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE THE DOORS LOCKED, IN WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS LOCKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXAMINED BY DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE CAR ALARM SOUNDS ON ITS OWN INTERMITTENTLY, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THIS PROBLEM, THE RADIO VOLUME GOES DOWN BY ITSELF.*AK *NLM
THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILS TO KEEP THE CAR LOCKED OR UNLOCKED, THE CONSUMER MUST NOT USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BECAUSE IT WILL DISABLE THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM,THE LOCKS LOCK AND INLOCK RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. *YH
CONSUMER STATES THAT IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT.*JB
WHILE TRAVELING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND ANOTHER VEHICLE JUMPED IN FRONT OF HIM. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES AND HE HIT MOTORIST FROM BEHIND. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK *JG
DOORS LOCK INTERMITTENTLY, THIS HAPPEN WHILE IN PARK, IDLING IN PARK, VAN OFF AND ATTEMPING TO OPEN DOOR AFTER USING REMOTE.
THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM FAILS TO KEEP THE CAR LOCKED OR UNLOCKED, THE CONSUMER MUST NOT USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BECAUSE IT WILL DISABLE THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM,THE LOCKS LOCK AND INLOCK RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED. *YH
THE VEHICLE LOCKS THE DOOR AUTOMATICALLY WITH NO REASON. THIS CAN HAPPEN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE IS RUNNING. ALSO, IF UNLOCKING THE VEHICLE BY THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY, THE DRIVER DOOR WILL OPEN. UPON PRESSING THE "UNLOCK" BOTTON AGAIN TO UNLOCK ALL DOORS, ALL DOOR WILL UNLOCK AND IMMEDIATELY ALL, INCLUDING THE DRIVER'S DOOR WILL LOCK. TWICE I HAD MY CAR LOCKED UP ON ME WHILE RUNNING IN MY GARAGE. I AM A PROUD FATHER OF A NEW INFANT. WHILE TRYING TO PUT THE BABY IN THE VEHICLE, WHAT CAN I DO IF THE DOORS LOCK ON THEIR OWN AGAIN? IT WILL BE A DANGER TO MY CHILD'S SAFETY. ALSO, IF YOU TRY TO UNLOCK THE CAR WITH THE UNLOCK (ELECTRICAL) BOTTON, IT SOMETIME WILL NOT LET YOU DO SO BY AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF WE NEED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. PLEASE REVIEW AND ADVISE.*AK
OCCASIONAL GRINDING NOISE AND/OR PULSATING BRAKE PEDAL WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED NORMALLY.*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.