CarBrief

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Nissan Quest and half of them name the power train[1][2]. The agency lists no recalls for this model year[3].

18owner complaints[1]
21MPG combined (EPA)[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 18 owner complaints for the 2013 Quest[1]. None mention a crash, a fire, an injury or a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the van.

The power train group is the largest, with 9 complaints and a median mileage at failure of 101,000[2]. In the complaints we read, owners describe transmission trouble. Some talk about the van not accelerating, shaking or slipping, and a whining noise. Some describe a transmission that failed outright. Some say no warning light came on first[2].

The other groups are small:

In the tire complaints we read, owners describe the outer edges of the tires wearing fast[7]. In the structure complaints we read, one owner describes a sliding door that failed to retract on time and another describes peeling paint[8]. With counts this small, none of these is a pattern we can call common.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2013 Quest[3]. Check the van's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup before you buy, because new recalls can be added later.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates the 3.5L 6-cylinder Quest with an automatic (variable gear ratios) and front-wheel drive at 19 MPG city, 25 highway and 21 combined[4]. It runs on regular fuel. The EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $3,200[4]. That estimate uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the van was new.

Safety ratings

The NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings list the 2013 Quest (van, front-wheel drive) as not rated[12]. That means there is no star score to compare.

Engine and size

The EPA lists the 3.5L 6-cylinder engine at 265 hp[13]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version S/SV SL/LE
Length[14][15] 201 in 201 in
Width[14][15] 78 in 78 in
Height[14][15] 73 in 73 in
Wheelbase[14][15] 118 in 118 in
Curb weight[14][15] 4,381 lb 4,504 lb

How 2013 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 recalls2013: 18 complaints, 0 recalls1820132014: 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 2013 is highlighted[3].
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's year-by-year counts for the Quest put 2013 at 18 complaints and 0 recalls[3]. The 2014 model year also has 18 complaints and 0 recalls[3]. Later years are lower on complaints: 12 for 2015, 13 for 2016 and 6 for 2017, all with 0 recalls[3]. Earlier years are mixed. 2009 has 22 complaints and 2 recalls, and 2012 has 93 complaints and 1 recall[3].

So 2013 sits among the quieter years for complaints, but not the quietest. These counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold.

Should you buy a used 2013 Quest?

The 2013 Quest has a small complaint file and no recalls on file[1][3]. The one area to look at closely is the transmission, since the power train group holds 9 of the 18 complaints[1][2]. Have a mechanic check how the van accelerates and shifts, and ask for service records. The 18 complaints[1] are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a reason to inspect, not as proof of how every van behaves.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2013 Nissan Quest?
NHTSA has 18 complaints, and 9 name the power train[1][2]. In the complaints we read, owners describe transmission trouble[2].
Does the 2013 Nissan Quest have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2013 model year[3].
What is the gas mileage of the 2013 Nissan Quest?
The EPA rates it at 19 city, 25 highway and 21 combined MPG[4].
How does the 2013 Quest compare with other years?
It has 18 complaints, the same as 2014, and more than 2015, 2016 and 2017[3].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 18 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Nissan Quest (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 9 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Quest model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. EPA rating for Quest, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  5. 3 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 2 complaints name the wheels component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 2 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 1 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 1 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, VAN FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Nissan Quest with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 265 hp. www.epa.gov
  14. 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
  15. 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.