Wrench.Pro

2008 Nissan Quest Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Nissan Quest has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Body panel and trim detachment.” 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.

Save this car as:

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 2008 Nissan Quest.

Reported to NHTSA

Body panel and trim detachment

STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2008-07 → 2015-11

“I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR TRACK PANEL BLEW COMPLETELY OFF AND ALSO SHATTERED THE COVERING OF THE REAR PASSENGER LIGHT CLUSTER. I WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO THE SHOULDER AND RECOVER THE PANEL. I AM AMAZED THAT IT DID NOT HIT THE WINDSHIELD OF A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10794866
“WHILE DRIVING ON A MAIN HIGHWAY, THE RIGHT SIDE RAIL COVER FELL OFF DURING THE IMPACT FROM DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE. IT WAS DETERMINED BY MY OWN REPAIR FACILITY THAT IT WAS MISSING THE ONLY SCREW WHICH HOLDS THE RAIL COVER, ALONG WITH 5-6 PRONGS. THIS SCREW BELONGS ON A METAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10344994
“I OWN A 2004 NISSAN QUEST. I HAD LIFT THE TRUNK OF THE CAR WITH A REMOTE TO QUICKLY GRAB SOMETHING FROM THE TRUNK AS I WAS IN A HURRY. THE HATCHBACK CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HAND. THE BAG I WAS GRABBING GOT CAUGHT IN BETWEEN AND KEPT ME FROM SEVERING MY HAND. I TOOK THE CAR TO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10235701

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel gauge inaccurate reading

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

12 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2026-05

“The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that the vehicle ran out of gasoline with the fuel gauge indicating that there was a quarter tank to a half tank of gasoline inside the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where the contact was informed that the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11698607
“THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS AN INCORRECT READING. THE INDICATOR SHOWS THAT IT IS EMPTY EVEN WHEN I REFUEL IT WITH FULL TANK. THE CAR STOPS ON THE ROAD AS THE FUEL SHOWS AN INCORRECT READING WHICH POSES A DANGEROUS THREAT. I HAVE GOT THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED THREE TIMES. IT IS VERY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11298382
“INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE - MY WIFE'S NISSAN QUEST 2008 CAME TO A COMPLETE STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING 70 MILES LEFT TO EMPTY. THE REGULAR DASHBOARD GAUGE, ALSO SHOWED SOME LEVEL OF GAS. IN REALITY, THE TANK HAD NO GAS AT ALL. WE CONFIRMED THAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10633270

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag system malfunction

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2019-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11048222
“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN TO AVOID BLACK ICE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN SWERVING. IT EVENTUALLY ROLLED OVER TWO TIMES AND ENDED UP IN A RAVINE. THE CONTACT STATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10323532
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE THAT WAS IN THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10490109

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal linked to unintended acceleration

SERVICE BRAKES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2023-07

“WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES THE CAR ACCELERATES. I HAVE HAD A DATA RECORDER ATTACHED WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT DIDN'T RECORD ANYTHING.-- THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY---, WHILE IN SLOW TRAFFIC AS I PUMP THE BRAKES. SPECIFICALLY : THE RPM ACTUALLY INCREASED AS THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11256563
“WHILE THE ENGINE WAS ON AND THE CAR IN DRIVE, BUT STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE UNEXPECTEDLY REVVED UP TO ABOUT 6000 RPM. THE FIRST TIME WAS ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, IN A PARKING LOT. I THOUGHT PERHAPS I HAD INADVERTENTLY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11216922
“I was parking and barely moving with my foot in the brake when the vehicle suddenly reved up loudly. I had to depress the brake heavily to keep it from moving forward and put it in neutral. The vehicle continued to rev hard until I turned off the engine”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11535382

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake hydraulic system failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-03 → 2016-10

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 30-35 MPH IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HIM STOPPED ABRUPTLY. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES BECAME SPONGY AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10321724
“THE BRAKE, ABS, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS SHOWING ON THE DASH AND WILL NOT GO OUT. I JUST HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS PUT ON THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THE VEHICLE AT FIRST WOULD CRANK BUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10913962
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF MILES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT ALSO COMPLAINED OF A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE RIMS WERE HOT TO THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10855026

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment smoke and burning odor

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2011-07 → 2018-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WOULD RISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION WITHIN THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10415246
“TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT AND WHILE DRIVING NOTICED THE CAR START TO SMOKE. TWO DAYS LATER TRIED TURNING ON AGAIN AND NO SMOKE BUT SOUNDS LIKE A BELT WAS RUBBING TOGETHER. TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PART #92463-5Z000 PIPEEASSY AND 92471-ZE60A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10415283
“ON JUNE 26TH 2013 THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING AND THERE WAS A CORRESPONDING STRONG ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE COAST OFF THE MAIN ROAD AND THE FAMILY WAS ABLE TO EXIT SAFELY. NO FIRE STARTED BUT CAR WOULD NOT RESTART”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10525589

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)

25 crashes 1990–2024

How the 25 occupant deaths break down

16

driver deaths

9

passenger deaths

25

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 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.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

3

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 2008 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.

Check another vehicle →