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2004 Nissan Quest Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2004 Nissan Quest has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Timing chain and tensioner rattle.” 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.

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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.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2004 Nissan Quest.

Reported to NHTSA

Timing chain and tensioner rattle

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

21 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2015-08

“TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER BROKE CAUSING TIMING CHAIN TO RATTLE LOUDLY. NISSAN SAID THE REPAIR WOULD BE ABOUT $2,400.00”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452572
“I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH WHEN I HEARD A NOISE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE CRANK NOISE WHEN I STOPPED TO CHECK , THE ENGINE STOPPED AND NEVER STARTED AGAIN I TOWED TO GARAGE AND THEY SAY IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10482136
“VAN MAKES A RATTLE WHEN RPM'S ARE LOWER THAN 3000. IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN AS I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10651100

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front subframe rust

STRUCTURE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2012-09 → 2021-07

“MY MECHANIC NOTICED SEVERE ROTTING OF RIGHT SIDE OF SUBFRAME WHICH HOLDS THE ENGINE AND OTHER IMPORTANT CAR PARTS IN PLACE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10475157
“I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SOME MAINTENANCE/REPAIR TO THE FRONT AXLE ON 1/16/2020 AND THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE BY THE FRONT TIRE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE HE CAN PUSH HIS FINGER THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE FRAME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11299715
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HER THAT THE SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10618831

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power sliding door opening, closing and latching faults

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

18 NHTSA complaints · 2007-06 → 2020-10

“CHILDREN WAS ENTERING VEHICLE AND DOOR SPONTANEOUSLY CLOSED ON HAND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10724190
“2004 NISSAN QUEST SL VAN, PASSENGER SIDE POWER DOOR, CLOSING ON ITS OWN AND FAILING TO SENSE AN OBSTRUCTION (IN THIS CASE, MY CHILD)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10193800
“WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SLIDING DOORS OPENED AUTOMATICALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10252094

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument cluster, odometer and gauge failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

14 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2020-01

“THE SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING AND THE ODOMETER DOES NOT WORK RIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11301022
“THE GAUGES FOR THE CURRENT MILEAGE, FUEL, TEMPERATURE ARE ALL GOING IN AND OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10836935
“ODOMETER , GAS GAUGE. TEMPERATURE GAUGE, STOPPED WORKING, ON THE LEFT SIDE OF DASH MAKING THE VEHICLE NOT BE ABLE TO PASS INSPECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10694408

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission slipping and shift faults

POWER TRAIN

19 NHTSA complaints · 2007-03 → 2016-09

“THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS YOU INTO GEAR AND THEN WONT SHIFT.. MAKES THE VAN UNDRIVEABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10723754
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEARS WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10588677
“OVER THE LAST 6 MONTHS, THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2004 QUEST HAS SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10714604

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ECM corrosion and engine stalling

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

17 NHTSA complaints · 2008-06 → 2017-09

“MECHANIC REPORTS ECM FAILED WHILE DRIVING DUE TO RUST DEVELOPMENT. ECM IS PLACED IN UNPROTECTED LOCATION DIRECTLY UNDER WINDSHIELD DRAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10522748
“THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ECM FAILED DUE TO CORROSION BUILD-UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10264291
“THE CONSUMER STATED THE ECM WAS INSTALLED DIRECTLY UNDER THE WINDSHIELD PLASTIC COWL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10567265

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Vehicle fire in engine compartment

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

9 NHTSA complaints · 2008-03 → 2016-01

“CAR FIRE. OUR MINIVAN WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE SHUTOFF AND THE KEYS WERE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10821347
“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 45 MINUTES, IT SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10246344
“WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AS SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10407691

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag deployment without collision

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2007-05 → 2021-12

“ALL SIDE AIR BAGS HAVE ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT OR COLLISION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11061990
“THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT WITH THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10550462
“WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A TIE DOWN STRAP AND BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10195950

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

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.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

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.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

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.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

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.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

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.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

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.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

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.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

50 crashes 1990–2024

How the 50 occupant deaths break down

29

driver deaths

21

passenger deaths

50

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2004 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.

Why we show driver deaths too

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.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

10

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

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 2004 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.

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