CarBrief

The 2012 Nissan Quest has 93 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and one recall for software that can make the engine stall when fuel runs low[2]. Owners also describe transmission trouble in a sample of power train complaints[3].

93owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
21MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 93 owner complaints for this van[1]. Five mention a crash, two a fire and three an injury. None report a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts, so the groups below add up to more than 93[1].

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Power train[3] 28 82,000
Electrical system[6] 18 55,000
Fuel/propulsion system[7] 16 65,000
Engine[8] 15 30,000
Unknown or other[9] 12 79,875
Structure[10] 9 55,000
Speed control[11] 8 26,400
Brakes[12] 6 not given

Power train. This is the largest group, with no crashes, fires or injuries[3]. In the sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 8 describe transmission trouble, such as slipping on hills or a transmission that needed replacing[3]. Five describe a delay or no response from the gas pedal when pulling away from a stop[3]. The median failure mileage is 82,000[3].

Stalling at low fuel. In a sample of 12 texts from the fuel/propulsion group, 9 describe the engine stalling, often at or below a quarter tank, on a hill or in a turn[7]. Owners in the electrical group describe the same thing, with 8 of 12 sample texts describing stalling[6]. This matches the recall below. In the samples we read, 3 of 12 fuel group texts[7] and several electrical group texts[6] say the owner was told the van was outside the recall, yet the problem looked the same. We cannot verify those claims.

Engine. The engine group has 1 crash and 2 fires[8]. Both fires show up in the 12 sample texts we read, where owners describe smoke and flames while driving at highway speed[8]. At least four of the 12 sample texts describe stalling[8]. Fire reports are few in this data (2 of 93)[1], but they are among the most serious.

Speed control and brakes. Speed control has 2 crashes and 1 injury[11]. Brakes have 2 crashes and 1 injury[12]. The counts are small, so we do not treat them as common problems.

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for the 2012 Quest[4].

If you are looking at a used 2012 Quest, ask a dealer to check that this recall was completed. Some owners in our complaint sample say their van was outside the recall but still stalled the same way[6].

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 3.5L 6-cylinder, front-wheel drive Quest with an automatic (variable gear ratios) at 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined MPG[5]. It runs on regular gas[5]. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,200, based on its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new[5].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists no 5-Star Safety Rating for the 2012 Quest (front-wheel drive van)[13]. It is marked not rated[13]. That is not a poor score. It means there is no rating to compare.

Engine and size

The EPA test list shows a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine rated at 253 hp[14].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications, so US vans can differ slightly[15].

S/SV SL/LE
Length[15][16] 201 in 201 in
Width[15][16] 78 in 78 in
Height[15][16] 73 in 73 in
Wheelbase[15][16] 118 in 118 in
Curb weight[15][16] 4,381 lb 4,504 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

1995: 167 complaints, 3 recalls19951996: 134 complaints, 2 recalls1997: 89 complaints, 2 recalls19971998: 41 complaints, 1 recalls1999: 118 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 87 complaints, 2 recalls2001: 42 complaints, 1 recalls20012002: 29 complaints, 0 recalls2004: 445 complaints, 4 recalls20042005: 82 complaints, 2 recalls2006: 74 complaints, 1 recalls20062007: 228 complaints, 1 recalls2008: 50 complaints, 3 recalls20082009: 22 complaints, 2 recalls2011: 66 complaints, 1 recalls20112012: 93 complaints, 1 recalls9320122013: 18 complaints, 0 recalls20132014: 18 complaints, 0 recalls2015: 12 complaints, 0 recalls20152016: 13 complaints, 0 recalls2017: 6 complaints, 0 recalls2017
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Quest model year. The 2012 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951673
19961342
1997892
1998411
19991184
2000872
2001421
2002290
20044454
2005822
2006741
20072281
2008503
2009222
2011661
2012931
2013180
2014180
2015120
2016130
201760

NHTSA data covers 21 Quest model years[4]. With 93 complaints, 2012 has the sixth most[4]. Five years have more: 2004 (445), 2007 (228), 1995 (167), 1996 (134) and 1999 (118)[4]. Counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold.

The 2011 model year has 66 complaints and 1 recall[4]. The 2013 through 2017 years each have 18 complaints or fewer and no recalls: 18, 18, 12, 13 and 6 in order[4]. If you want a Quest with a lighter complaint record, those later years look better on this measure, though it says nothing about condition or price.

Should you buy a used 2012 Quest?

The data shows one clear, documented issue: stalling at low fuel, covered by a free software fix[2]. Confirm the fix was done on any van you consider. Power train is the biggest complaint group, with a median failure mileage of 82,000, and owners in our sample describe transmission trouble[3]. Ask for service records and test drive for hesitation when pulling away from a stop. Complaints are unverified, the texts we read are a small sample[1], and the 93 complaints are fewer than several other Quest years[4], so inspect the individual van and check its recall status before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Quest?
Power train is the largest complaint group with 28 of 93 complaints[1][3]. In a sample of texts we read, owners describe transmission trouble and a delay when accelerating from a stop[3]. Stalling at low fuel is also described, and it is the subject of a recall[7][2].
Has the 2012 Nissan Quest been recalled?
Yes, once. Recall 12V076 covers a fuel pump software problem that may cause stalling. Dealers reprogram the module for free[2].
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Nissan Quest?
The EPA rates it at 19 city, 24 highway and 21 combined MPG[5].
What is the best year for the Nissan Quest?
By complaint and recall counts alone, 2013 through 2017 look lightest, with 18 complaints or fewer each and no recalls[4]. The counts are not adjusted for sales and say nothing about condition.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 93 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Quest (5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 12V076, filed February 29, 2012: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  3. 28 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Quest model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Quest, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 18 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 16 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 15 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,875). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 8 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA Test Car List, 2012 Nissan Quest with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 253 hp. www.epa.gov
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, QUEST 4 DR MINIVAN S/SV: length 201 in, width 78 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,381 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, QUEST 4 DR MINIVAN SL/LE: length 201 in, width 78 in, height 73 in, wheelbase 118 in, curb weight 4,504 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.