The 2012 Nissan Quest carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering software. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Sliding door and latch malfunction.” 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Campaign #12V076000 · Feb 29, 2012
Issue: 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.
Risk: VEHICLE STALLING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Nissan Quest.
STRUCTURE
6 NHTSA complaints · 2015-09 → 2020-10
“AUTOMATIC REAR DOORS CANNOT BE STOPPED FROM CLOSING ONCE ACTIVATED AND A PERSON CAN GET CRUSHED IN THE DOOR”
“DRIVER SIDE DOOR WON'T OPEN, IF IN A EMERGENCY CASE HOW CAN THE DRIVER GET OUT OF THE CAR”
“BROKEN DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK ACCUATOR CAUSED THE DOOR TO NOT OPEN. THE MECHANICAL DOOR LOCK SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED RESULTING IN A DOOR THAT IS LOCKED AND WILL NOT UNLOCK TO OPEN”
STRUCTURE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2021-07
“My 2012 Nissan Quest has completely rotted out causing the muffler system and the motor mount to move causing significant damage and repair. Over $2,500 just to buy parts and repair all due to excessive rust on the body frame underneath”
“IN 2019 OUR PAINT STARTED PEALING OFF IN CHUNKS. I CAN RUB MY HAND A CROSS THE PAINT AND IT WILL FALL OFF. WHEN I WASH MY VEHICLE EVEN MORE PAINT WILL COME OFF”
“OUR AC QUIT WORKING AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE AC LINES HAD HOLES IN THEM DUE TO CORROSION. THIS IS ABSURD FOR A VEHICLE ONLY THREE YEARS OLD”
TIRES, WHEELS
5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-05 → 2014-09
“MANUFACTURER TIRES DEFECTIVE/BALD CAUSED LOSS OF TRACTION AND SPINNING. COULD NOT MAKE IT UP THE DRIVEWAY”
“I HAVE 20,000 MILES ON MY CAR AND MY TIRES NEED REPLACING! I PURCHASED IT NEW IN APRIL 2012. I HAVE HAD IT FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. I DRIVE IT CAREFULLY AND HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED WHEN NEEDED”
“I BOUGHT A 2012 NISSAN QUEST ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO. I HAVE 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE TIRES ARE HORRIBLE! THEY ARE BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL 400”
POWER TRAIN
21 NHTSA complaints · 2015-03 → 2024-06
“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”
“COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RIGHT AFTER PASSING THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. THE NISSAN DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT CAN'T BE REBUILT”
“OUR MINIVAN WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSING THE GAS, IT HESITATED FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN JOLTED FORWARD, CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEHIND US TO DRIVE OFF ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION”
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
10 NHTSA complaints · 2012-01 → 2019-04
“VAN WAS PARKED NOSE DOWN ON APPROX. 10 TO 12 DEGREE HILL. VAN REFUSED TO START AND HAD BE TOWED TO DEALER. WAS TOLD NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS WORKING ON A FIX. WAS THAN TOLD TO KEEP AT LEAST HALF A TANK OF GAS IN VAN AT ALL TIMES”
“VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING UP A 2-3% GRADE. IT APPEARED TO RUN OUT OF FUEL ALTHOUGH THE NAVIGATION DISPLAY INDICATED THERE WERE 21 MILES UNTIL EMPTY. THE FUEL GAUGE ALSO INDICATED FUEL REMAINED”
“WHEN THE FUEL TANK REACHED A QUARTER TANK AND THE VEHICLE WAS IN A DECLINE, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DECLINE FROM WHERE THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO PURCHASE FUEL AND FILLED THE TANK ABOVE A QUARTER OF THE TANK”
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2 NHTSA complaints · 2013-01 → 2014-07
“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 WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER”
Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 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.
Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: 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)
15 crashes 2010–2024
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
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.
5
complaints mentioning a crash
2
complaints mentioning a fire
Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls 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 2012 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.