The 2001 Nissan Quest has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Power window regulator and motor failure.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.
No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Nissan Quest.
VISIBILITY
6 NHTSA complaints · 2003-02 → 2008-05
“THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC WINDOW STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE, SLOWED AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED WORKING”
“A PLASTIC PIECE HOLDING A METAL CABLE ON THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAD BROKEN IN HALF IN THE SAME SPOT ON BOTH WINDOWS”
“1) BETWEEN 8/07 & 10/07 THREE WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BROKEN”
SEAT BELTS
4 NHTSA complaints · 2006-04 → 2011-01
“I PUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT ON AND CAN NOT GET IT OFF, IT'S STUCK”
“THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT COME FREE”
“WHEN I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID BEING HIT BY THE OTHER VEHICLE MY SON'S SEAT BELT RELEASED AND HE WENT FLYING INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND THEN HIT THE SIDE DOOR”
STRUCTURE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2003-09 → 2011-08
“THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR WHEN THE DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE”
“THE CONTACT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT RELEASED FROM THE TRACK AND THE BACK PORTION FELL TO THE GROUND”
“NOW THE DRIER SIDE SLIDING DOOR JAMMED AGAIN ON 9/14/03 AND THIS TIME THE OUTSIDE SLIDING DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND”
TIRES
4 NHTSA complaints · 2003-02 → 2008-06
“IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS THE FOUR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ON MY VEHICLE HAVE HAD TREAD SEPARATION”
“WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE”
“WHEN THE TIRE SEPARATED IT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE SPINNING OFF THE HIGHWAY”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, STRUCTURE
3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-07 → 2015-06
“THE MAIN ENGINE SUPPORT FRAME MEMBER TO WHICH THE BOTTOM-FORWARD MOTOR MOUNT IS ATTACHED RUSTED COMPLETELY FREE WHERE IT ATTACHES AT THE AREA UNDER THE RADIATOR”
“THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF MY VAN IS RUSTING OUT”
“WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF A RUSTY, CORRODED BRAKE LINE WHICH REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY”
AIR BAGS
4 NHTSA complaints · 2001-05 → 2005-05
“IN MY OPINION THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, BUT DIDN'T”
“EVERYONE AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT STATED THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED”
“ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT NEITHER AIRBAG, DRIVER SIDE OR PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE A DIRECT FRONT ON IMPACT”
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2002-07 → 2004-01
“MY AIR BAGS DID NOT EVEN DEPLOYED INDICATIVE OF THE LOW IMPACT NATURE OF THE ACCIDENT HOWEVER, UPON IMPACT THE QUEST IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT FIRE”
“WHAT IS VERY UPSETTING IS THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNT UP”
“VEHICLE HIT A DEER AT 65 MPH AND CAUGHT ON FIRE”
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$360–$500
Shop
~$255–$355
DIY
~$80–$180
CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.
Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$105–$140
Shop
~$75–$100
DIY
~$15–$40
AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
37 crashes 1990–2024
How the 37 occupant deaths break down
22
driver deaths
15
passenger deaths
37
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.
FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number
FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.
Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.
Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.
IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.
Owner-reported problem signals
Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.
10
complaints mentioning a crash
4
complaints mentioning a fire
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Nissan Quest reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.