Home · 2011 Nissan Quest · Complaints

What 66 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Quest

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (66)Crash / fire / injury (2)Fuel system (34)Electrical system (10)Transmission & drivetrain (10)Engine & cooling (9)Engine (6)Speed control (4)Brakes (3)Airbags (2)Body & structure (1)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (1)

Newest first · 66 complaints · page 1 of 3

Jun 19, 2026Brakes

I’ve experienced a complete brake failure and near collision involving my family. I have sent a formal written complaint to Nissan Corporate and I need to open a safety case immediately.” We were exiting the freeway when the brakes went to the floor. I tried to pump the breaks, that did not help, I dodge several cars and flew out into on coming traffic just missing two vehicles. The issue has been confirmed by Mountainview Auto Service. It has not been inspected by anyone other than Mountainview. No warning lights. We were headed out to dinner and on the freeway the traffic came to a stop and I had to use the emergency lane to stop and at that time I was able to pump the breaks, upon taking the van back home was when I experenice total break failure using only yhe emergency breaks to stop. Thuis all took place on December 27, 2025

NHTSA ODI 11745279

Jun 12, 2025Fuel system

My vehicle is experiencing the issue under Recall NHTSA ID 12V076000: fuel supply issue that could cause engine stalling. Specifically, due to a programming error, the fuel pump might not supply enough fuel to the engine when driving at slow speeds or idling downhill with a ¼ tank or less of fuel.

NHTSA ODI 11666539

Oct 30, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started jerking and became inoperable. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a faulty transmission. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

NHTSA ODI 11552576

Aug 1, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

Van became sluggish when coming to the busy intersection. When I tried to accelerate when light changed, engine light came on and van would not go over 5mph. I was almost hit. Codes were run by a mechanic. Four internal transmission codes are present. Was told that the Quest has a transmission known for these problems. We could've been killed from the vehicle not moving with traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11535922

Jun 1, 2023Electrical systemFuel system

If I push the brakes to make the car stop, then try to have it accelerate again, like at a stop sign or anything, the gas pedal feels like it’s not doing anything, and the car doesn’t start for like 5 seconds, then when it does it goes about 5 mph for like 500 feet, then it goes back to normal, and because of this we feel it’s not safe to operate. This happens every time I drive it, so I only feel safe on not very populated roads driving it.

NHTSA ODI 11524841

Apr 23, 2022Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

On April 19, 2022, I was driving home after picking up my son. The traffic was bumper to bumper. And as I sat in traffic, when I moved my foot from the brake to the accelerator, the vehicle would not move. So while sitting in traffic, and the traffic began to move, I could not move. So I turned the car off, and turned it back on, and I was able to move enough to get the vehicle on to the shoulder of traffic. My father came and changed the battery, and I was able to start the car and drive home, which was 30 minutes away. Two days later, same thing happened again. After driving the vehicle for a delivery, I was on my way to get some gas. And as I turned from one street to another, the vehicle stalled on me as I was turning slow. The vehicle would not start up at all. So I had to call a towing service to tow the vehicle home. According to some people online, the problem could be in the CVT transmission overheating, or it could possibly be a software issue. The 2011 Nissan Quest were a part of a recall, but when I put my VIN number in, it doesn't show my vehicle being one, but its doing what the recall was calling for. Our safety was put at risk, because the vehicle stalled in the middle of 2 busy highways, causing a safety risk for me and my son, but also causing a risk for others behind me in traffic, not knowing that my vehicle was stalled. There were no warning signs that popped up at all. The car just quit driving. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer. Right now it is just sitting in front of my house, until we figure out what to do next. I have had to pay 2 towing fees for the problem, and don't want to come out paying a whole lot for this issue. We just bought this vehicle from a private owner 2 weeks ago, and this is the first week it is doing this.

NHTSA ODI 11461921

Feb 18, 2022Electrical systemEngine

The electrical system failed that connected the radio, navigation system and back up camera around four to five months after receiving bill of sale. When parked or stopped the vehicle stalls by dimming of lights and making a kind of stalling sound. The windows sometimes tend to slowly wind up or down(electrical). My safety and that of others were put at risk because of the electrical issues and so the vehicle is notable to perform at the level it should. The vehicle was inspected by a certified auto mechanic and was confirmed that it was an electrical issue. No warning was detected that i am aware of.

NHTSA ODI 11452881

Sep 7, 2021Fuel systemElectrical system

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle stalled without warning. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V076000 (Electrical System, Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ODI 11431943

Mar 22, 2021Electrical systemEngine

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER AND MY TWO GRANDKIDS. WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE CAR STARTED TO STOP AND THEN GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND CAME TO A STOPLIGHT THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. EVERYTHING COMPLETELY WENT OFF THE CAR WOULD NOT START, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ALSO WENT DOWN THERE WAS NO POWER ANYWHERE IN THE VEHICLE. I THEN CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND REPORTED THE ISSUE. THEY ADVISED ME TO TAKE IT INTO THE NISSAN DEALER AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. WHILE AT THE NISSAN DEALER THE REPAIRMAN THERE WERE THREE INFORMED ME THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CVT MALFUNCTIONING ISSUE WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. DURING THE TIME THAT I WAS AT NISSAN HAVING MY VEHICLE DIAGNOSE, THERE WERE TWO OTHER SAME MAKE AND MODEL OF MY VEHICLE THERE FOR THE SAME REASON. AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR ME THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AND NISSAN WAS AWARE OF IT. WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED THEY HAD SEVERAL CVT ISSUES. AT ONE POINT THEY PUT OUT A NOTICE TO ALL OF THOSE AFFECTED FOR THE RECON. ONCE THEY REALIZE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS THEY INTERN REMOVED THE NOTICE FROM THE ONLINE. AND DECIDED TO HANDLE IT ON A CASE BY CASE, WHICH NOW THEY ARE NOT REPAIRING BECAUSE THEY'RE MAKING IT A DECISION OF THEIR OWN AND NOT AS A RECALL. I'VE BEEN HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THE MALFUNCTIONING CVT THAT THEY PLACED IN THESE VEHICLES. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND CAME ACROSS MULTIPLE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE THAT PEOPLE HAVE POSTED ONLINE AND NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FAULTY PART THAT THEY PLACED IN THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE HAD MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AS IT DID WHEN I CAME TO A STOP LIGHT SOMETHING MAJORLY COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO BOTH MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER AND MY GRANDKIDS WE MAY NOT STILL BE ALIVE TODAY.

NHTSA ODI 11404205

Mar 19, 2021Fuel system

WHEN THE VAN HAS 1/4 OR LESS OF GAS AND IS ON AN SLIGHT INCLINE. THE VAN WILL NOT START ONLY WILL START AGAIN WHEN YOU PUT IN 5 GALLONS OF GAS. I HAVE DROVE THIS VAN LIKE THIS FOR ALMOST A YEAR MAKING SURE IT IS HALF TO FULL TANK OF GAS. NOW I AM HAVING PROBLEMS EVEN WITH THE TANK FULL GOING UP INCLINES WANTING TO STALL EVEN WITH THE GAS PETAL PUSHED ITS NOT SENDING THE SIGNAL TO THE FUEL.

NHTSA ODI 11403948

Mar 12, 2021Fuel systemElectrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2011 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND 20 MINUTES LATER EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. THE CONTACT CALLED NISSAN OF SALEM (2755 MISSION ST SE, SALEM, OR 97302, (503) 581-3849) AND ABC NISSAN (1300 E CAMELBACK RD, PHOENIX, AZ 85014, (602) 682-4468) AND THE DEALERS WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V076000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 159,000.

NHTSA ODI 11402558

Mar 3, 2021Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD MY VAN WILL START JERKING LIKE IT'S NOT GETTING ENOUGH FUEL. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE MECHANIC COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE DRIVE AROUND AND IT WOULDN'T ACT UP. SINCE THEN, I'VE NOTICED IT DOES WHEN WHEN USING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS.

NHTSA ODI 11399017

Sep 27, 2020Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlFuel system

ACCELERATION FROM A FULL STOP IS UNRELIABLE. THE ISSUE IS MOST PROMINENT WHEN GOING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO LEVEL OFF, WHEN ACCELERATION RESUMES TO NORMAL RESPONSE. EVEN ON LEVEL ROAD SURFACES, THE ACCELERATION IS INCONSISTENT ONCE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. THIS HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT ISSUE FOR WELL OVER A YEAR.

NHTSA ODI 11361348

Sep 21, 2020Electrical system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT USED THE KEYFOB TO DEACTIVATE THE HORN HOWEVER, AFTER APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY TERMINALS TO DISABLE THE HORN FUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDISCLOSED SPEED, THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE TIRE BLOWOUT CAUSED THE HOOD LATCH CABLE TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO BAYOU NISSAN (13050 I-10 SERVICE RD, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70128), AND THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A FEE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI 11360158

Jul 31, 2020Body & structure

BOTH TRACKS THAT THE SLIDING DOORS SLIDE ON HAVE BROKEN AND THE DOORS WILL FALL OFF IF THE DOORS ARE OPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11342584

Jun 1, 2020Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE ACCELERATION DROPS OFF WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP FOR THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS. VEHICLE ACCELERATES NORMALLY AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS OF UNRESPONSIVE ACCELERATION. DEALERSHIP ADVISED ON SERVICE VISITS, THEY CLAIM THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, BUT I CAN WHILE LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326768

Mar 28, 2020Engine

THIS VEHICLE HAS HARD TAKE OFF FROM 0 TO 10 MPH. ACCELERATION NOT SMOOTH AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI 11319560

Sep 25, 2019Transmission & drivetrainElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE VEHICLE WAS STALLING MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE FREEWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING (9/25/19) AND THERE IS A SUDDEN THUMP ON THE ENGINE AS IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND WOULD STALL AGAIN AFTER A FEW YARDS. SO I DECIDED TO PULLOVER SAFELY AND STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION BUT WITH EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY A SAFETY ISSUE AS IT INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH OR BEING HIT FROM BEHIND, WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING. THIS IS THE 2ND NISSAN QUEST I OWNED AND IT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THE 1ST ONE HAD ISSUES AT 50,000+ MILES. THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11258037

Aug 26, 2019Fuel system

MY 2011 NISSAN QUEST, WHILE DRIVING MY VAN THE GAS PEDDLE DOESN'T SEEM TO RESPOND AT TIMES. I WAS ALMOST HIT ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING ST 65 ON A 70 MPH, STEPPING ON THE GAS THE PEDDLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE SPEED STARTED TO DECLINE. WHILE DRIVING TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN STEPPING ON THE GAS THE VAN WOULDN'T RESPOND.

NHTSA ODI 11246392

Oct 2, 2018

WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE OUR BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASING OUR VEHICLE. IN 2018 ALONE WE PURCHASED 3 BATTERIES THEN THE FINAL STRAW IS THAT THERE IS AN "H" SLIT IN THE DASH YET THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS. WHICH DURING OUR FINANCING TIME PERIOD WAS NEVER A CONCERNED TO THE DEALER. NOW THAT THE CAR IS PAID OFF, THESE 2 SPECIFIC HABITUAL PROBLEMS HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECTED THE PRICE OF OUR VEHICLE. UPON RESEARCHING THE VEHICLE IT SEEMS OUR VAN MAY BE PART OF THE SOFTWARE RECALL BUT I AM ALSO THINKING THAT THE CRANKSHAFT MAY BE A HUGE FACTOR ALSO.

NHTSA ODI 11132904

Sep 5, 2018AirbagsSeats

THE PRESSURE SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HAS FAILED. THE SEAT BELT WARNING IS ALWAYS ILLUMINATED WHEN NO PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG DISABLE LIGHT NEVER TURNS OFF EVEN WITH A FULL-SIZE ADULT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE IN NISSANS, INCLUDING A RECALL ON 2013-2016 MODEL YEARS OF OTHER MODELS BUT NEVER THE QUEST.

NHTSA ODI 11124465

Aug 17, 2018Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN AT A STOP, OR A VERY SLOW SPEED (LESS THAN 2 OR 3 MPH), AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR DOES NOT RESPOND RIGHT AWAY. THERE IS A 2 OR 3 SECOND DELAY THEN THE CAR JERKS FORWARD AND ACCELERATES. THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION TWICE, BUT ISSUE NOT RESOLVED. WHEN DROPPING VEHICLE OFF TO DEALER, THE DEALER SHUTTLE VAN, WHICH IS ALSO A NISSAN QUEST, WAS EXHIBITING THE SAME ISSUE, WHICH I FELT AND THE DRIVER ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED.

NHTSA ODI 11120690

Apr 2, 2018

RECALL WHEN YOU ARE STEPPING ON THE GAS TRYING TO TAKE OFF WITH THE VEHICLE IT WILL LOOSE POWER AND YOU NEED TO LET OFF THE GAS AND TRY AGAIN. WHEN TRYING TO GO AGAIN IT WILL HITCH THEN YOUR NEED TO GIVE IT MORE GAS. DOES IT EVERY TIME YOU STOP.

NHTSA ODI 11082457

Jul 12, 2017Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlEngine

I JUST PAID MY VAN OFF WHEN I STARTED HAVING ENGINE ISSUES.AT 120,000 CODES READ P1701 TCM WIRING , P0746 PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID , P1778 STEP MOTOR , P0868 PRESSURE CONTROL MODULE .IS IT THE TRANSMISSION THE MECHANIC DOESNT WANT TO TOUCH IT JUST WANTS TO CHANGE THE TRANNY . I CAN NOT AFFORD THIS. I AM SINGLE MOM IS THERE NOT SOMEONE THAT CAN REBUILD THEM PROPERLY ???? I BOUGHT A NISSAN BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WOULD LAST LONGER. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE VAN IN 6 MONTHS ITS A TOTAL LOSS IF I SPEND THE MONEY AND IT HAPPENS AGAIN THEN I AM PUTTING GOOD MONEY AFTER BAD. IT'S NOT WORTH ANYTHING AS A DOWN PAYMENT IF I HAVE TO TOW IT IN. HAS ANYONE GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS??? HOW I FOUND OUT IS THAT I TURNED ONTO A BUSY STREET PUSHED THE GAS IT WOULDNT GO. THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO DRIVE UPON THE CURVE ACCIDENT NARROWLY AVOIDED. THIS SUCKS

NHTSA ODI 11004701

Feb 24, 2017

DASH IS CRACKED OVER CLUSTER AND VENTS

NHTSA ODI 10956679

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Working with the data? Download all 66 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 25, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Nissan Quest verdict →