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Nissan · NHTSA safety record

2012 Nissan Quest

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 93 safety complaints about the 2012 Nissan Quest with the US government. Of those, 5 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 3 people were injured and no death is recorded. One recall campaign is open against it, covering the electrical system.

The most complained-about system is the power train, named in 28 complaints, 30% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 70,000 miles, the median across the 70 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers January 2012 to November 2025 · How this is counted

What is on file

93 complaints on file

93

Complaints

5

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

3

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 28 · 30%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18 · 19%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 16 · 17%
ENGINE 13 · 14%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 12 · 13%
STRUCTURE 9 · 10%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8 · 9%
SERVICE BRAKES 6 · 6%
TIRES 5 · 5%
AIR BAGS 4 · 4%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 4 · 4%
WHEELS 4 · 4%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 93.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 13.

16 12 8 4
12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2012 to 2025.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2012 Nissan Quest. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

1 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

12V076000 · February 29, 2012

The defect
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 29, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2012. DUE TO SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING, WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR IDLING ON A DECLINE WITH ¼ TANK FUEL OR LESS, THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY STALL.
The risk
VEHICLE STALLING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.

NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · up to 23,531 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Gwinnett Place Nissan / Quest Recall

AQ12003

Closed audit query · opened October 25, 2012 · closed December 12, 2014

the electrical system

NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-003 to determine whether Gwinnett Place Nissan of Duluth, Georgia complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and noncompliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. ? 30120(i). NHTSA issued an information request (IR) to Gwinnett Place Nissan on October 31, 2012. Gwinnett Place Nissan responded to this request on November 19, 2012. NHTSA then issued an IR to Nissan North America, Inc. on March 11, 2013. Nissan North America, Inc. responded to this request on April 5, 2013.NHTSA's investigation indicated that Gwinnett Place Nissan sold and delivered 28 recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers. Gwinnett Place Nissan did not contest this finding. NHTSA therefore concluded that Gwinnett Place Nissan was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165. Under a Settlement Agreement dated November 24, 2014, Gwinnett Place Nissan paid compromised civil penalties in the amount of $110,000.This AQ is closed.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · crash · towed · 50,000 miles

The contact owed a 2012 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle launched forward at high speed without any warning. The contact pressed on the brake pedal, but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing the contact to loss control and drive into a ditch and crashing a tree causing the vehicle came to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the left leg and foot and head and seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totally loss from the insurance company. The manufacturer was contact and stated that there was no recall for the failure and did not provide any assistance. The

NHTSA complaint 11540402, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 injured · crash · 42,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A WALL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED EXTENSIVELY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA complaint 10610449. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured

ON 8/7/17 MY WIFE WAS HIT IN THE LEFT SIDE OF HER EYE/HEAD AREA BY THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WHILE SHE WAS TRYING TO GET OUR 2 YEAR OLD SON OUT OF THE CAR. OUR CAR WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. SHE WENT INSIDE OUR HOME TO GET A BAG FOR A BEACH DAY WITH OUR 5 CHILDREN, BUT AFTER A FEW MINUTES, SHE DIDN'T COME BACK TO THE CAR. I WENT INSIDE WITH OUR CHILDREN TO FIND OUT WHAT SHE WAS DOING, AND I FOUND HER ON THE FLOOR, HEAD DOWN, WITH A POOL OF BLOOD BEHIND HER HEAD, AND SHE WAS UNCONSCIOUS. I CALLED 911 AND MY SON BEGAN CPR, AS SHE HAD FOAM COMING FROM HER MOUTH. MY SON AFTER NUMEROUS CONTINUOUS PUMPS TO HER CHEST, AROUND 5 MINUTES, SHE FINALLY TOOK A BREATH. WHEN THE PARAMEDICS ARRIVED,

NHTSA complaint 11031563, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire · towed · 32,632 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, WHEN HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STATED HE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED SAFETY THE VEHICLE WITH HIS FAMILY. THE CONTACT STATED HE SAW FIRE EXITING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE POLICE WAS ON THE LOCATION AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WAS A POLICE OR FIRE REPORT COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE WAS INJURED OR SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS

NHTSA complaint 11353955, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
I purchased the van and noticed that at times it would suddenly de-accelerate and drop from whatever speed im doing and refuse to speed up even if I press the gas peddle to the floor. Id come up to a stop sign and stop, then at times it wouldnt accelerate, even with the peddle to the floor, it would barely move forward. I brought it back to the person I purchased it from tried to describe what happened, they had someone check the transmission and said it was fine. Its continued to do this, and has almost caused crashes because it does it periodically and without warning on inclines, at red lights, if I driven a long distance (i.e. 1hr or so) etc, and when stopped. Its done this especially

NHTSA complaint 11700978, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My van is not accelerating properly, it seems to idle out and does not go over 20 mph it idles on acceleration decline. i could not get out of way fast enough if traffic was busy.

NHTSA complaint 11629506. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
The CVT transmission on this vehicle has failed. The vehicle is jerking and and stalls while driving. If I'm at a light stopped and the light changes to go, the vehicle won't move unless I put my foot all the way down on the accelerator then it Jenks and starts to move. I took it to Sheridan Nissan in Delaware, and they told me this has been the issue with the CVT transmission and I need to just get rid of the van. To get a new one put in is over $7000 with just a 12 Mos12,000 miles warranty and they say it may go out again. I was told by another dealership that Nissan new about this problem, but won't fix it. I've noticed that they have replaced CVT transmissions in other Nissan vehicles

NHTSA complaint 11593554, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Have fixed myself Ac compressor kit about 97,051miles on [XXX], maf sensor, two vvt solenoids having driven it 20,000 miles in five years trying to rid light. Nov 2019 purchased at 94,719 miles. Roberts nissan of manchester, tn checked and serviced on [XXX] at 95,186 milles in excellent condition. Light will not stay off for power train system, cam timing bank, timing chains, vct camshaft timing vct, power supply circuit. Nissan did replace recall ABS actuator. Had checked Cookeville Nissan [XXX] light on and they turned off saying it checked ok after a cold start for $230. It is loud now at 114,998 miles! This auto must have defective parts since Gateway has serviced it regularly. I am

NHTSA complaint 11590145, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
CVT Transmission failed and had to replace with new CVT Transmission while returning from a trip on June 7 2023. It failed in middle of the trip. Aamco Boardman, OH helped replace it with brand new transmission and it cost $7525. Last year also Compressor failed and had to replace it with brand new compressor at the local garage here in Shippensburg. Mileage is only 110000 miles. Very disappointed and dissatisfied with 2012 Nissan Quest.

NHTSA complaint 11526634. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Nissan Quest

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2011 66 1 —

Other 2012 Nissan models

Versa 486 Altima 426 Rogue 318 Sentra 180 Murano 135 Maxima 107 Juke 87 Frontier 78

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Nissan on this site — 205 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst