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2012 Nissan Quest

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Quest do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 66.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

70 reports with mileage · 23 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

16 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I purchased the van and noticed that at times it would suddenly de-accelerate and drop from whatever speed im doing and refuse to speed up even if I press the gas peddle to the floor. Id come up to a stop sign and stop, then at times it wouldnt accelerate, even with the peddle to the floor, it would barely move forward. I broug…

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I purchased the van and noticed that at times it would suddenly de-accelerate and drop from whatever speed im doing and refuse to speed up even if I press the gas peddle to the floor. Id come up to a stop sign and stop, then at times it wouldnt accelerate, even with the peddle to the floor, it would barely move forward. I brought it back to the person I purchased it from tried to describe what happened, they had someone check the transmission and said it was fine. Its continued to do this, and has almost caused crashes because it does it periodically and without warning on inclines, at red lights, if I driven a long distance (i.e. 1hr or so) etc, and when stopped. Its done this especially when it comes to hills, its terrifying but I have no other vehicles and now only drive it locally, avoid hills, and only if I absolutely have to. This is my first Nissan and wasn't aware of issues like this as I typically buy Buick's, so I researched Nissan issues and recalls and recently saw a recall from October 2025 related to the fuel pump injector system reset that describes what ive experienced exactly, but when I took it to the Nissan dealership in Saratoga NY, they said its not a recall, just a warning for my model and year, and they would need to charge me to inspect it, and didnt advise if it was repairable. Anyone else who has this model Nissan I would want warned immediately, and I mean immediately. Its scary seeing other vehicles coming up behind me and I dont know if my van will accelerate or not, I took out a loan to buy this vehicle and am still paying it off. I cant buy another right now. The actual recall for what appears to be the same issue came out for 2013 and newer Nissans but again, should include this model for year 2012. Those of us with this vehicle should be included in the recall so we can drive safely as well. Please make this update to the recall asap. Thank you for your time and consideration to review this

NHTSA ODI #11700978

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

My van is not accelerating properly, it seems to idle out and does not go over 20 mph it idles on acceleration decline. i could not get out of way fast enough if traffic was busy.

NHTSA ODI #11629506

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System

CVT transmission is failing, it is very very common with Nissan.

NHTSA ODI #11430974

42,000 miles · Dec 10, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT HESITATED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V076000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #11288100

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

SE ME PRENDI UNA. SEAL EN LA PANTALLA. LO LLEVE MECNICO. U ME APARECE EL CODIGO PO101 Y AL LEERLO DICE. PROBLEMAS. DE LA CONDUCION GASOLINA AL MOTOR. MALO EL FLUJO GASOLINA TENGO TEMOR. PUES. ANDO CON 3 NIAS. QUE SE. VAYA. A PARAR MI CARRO Y UN ACCIDENTE

NHTSA ODI #11197266

110,000 miles · Feb 20, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

MULTIPLE TIMES GOT INTO THE VEHICLE (NO SPECIFIC TIME THIS WOULD OCCUR) AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD START AS IT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. WHEN THE VAN WOULD BE PLACED IN REVERSE IT WOULD ENGAGE AND BACKING UP WOULD OCCUR. ONCE THEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN SHUTTER AND T…

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MULTIPLE TIMES GOT INTO THE VEHICLE (NO SPECIFIC TIME THIS WOULD OCCUR) AND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD START AS IT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. WHEN THE VAN WOULD BE PLACED IN REVERSE IT WOULD ENGAGE AND BACKING UP WOULD OCCUR. ONCE THEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN SHUTTER AND THEN STALL OUT. THIS DID OCCUR TWICE WHILE DRIVER WAS PULLING OUT, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE WOULD FINALLY START. AFTER THE FIRST TWO TIMES THIS OCCURRED, WE STARTED DOCUMENTING THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AND EACH TIME THIS OCCURRED IT WAS ON OR BELOW A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS. SINCE KEEPING AT LEAST A 1/2 TANK OF FUEL, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT EXHIBITED THIS BEHAVIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC TO BE LOOKED AT. AFTER ASSESSING THE VEHICLE BASED ON OUR DESCRIPTION, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER DUE TO BEING A TSB OUT ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF VEHICLE. PRIOR TO THIS ISSUE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUTTER AFTER BEING STOPPED IN DRIVE (STOP SIGN, PULLING OUT MOVING FORWARD, OR ACCELERATING UP A HILL). TESTING WAS DONE, AND CODE P0500 WAS LISTED. WE HAD THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR CHANGED, NEW BATTERY, AND UP /LOWER MANIFOLD GASKETS CHANGED, IN ATTEMPT TO FIX THIS ISSUE. AFTER EACH OF THESE SERVICES WERE DONE, THE VEHICLE DID RUN SOMEWHAT BETTER, BUT STILL OCCURS OFF AND ON.

NHTSA ODI #11181320

161,000 miles · Dec 27, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL TANK GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO HOURS AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK, THE TANK WOULD BE EMPTY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL TANK GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO HOURS AFTER FILLING UP THE FUEL TANK, THE TANK WOULD BE EMPTY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BROWN'S FAIRFAX NISSAN (11010 FAIRFAX BLVD, FAIRFAX, VA 22030, (703)-591-8009) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES PER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA ODI #11163697

125,000 miles · Aug 1, 2018
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THE VAN BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND SEEMINGLY MISFIRE ONCE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. I SUSPECTED A CASE OF CLOGGED FUEL INJECTORS AND PRESSED FIRMLY WITH THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE LINE OF DEBRIS. THE VAN THEN STALLED IN THE INTERSECTION AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED ITSELF AND PROVIDED NO GEAR RESISTANCE. FORTUNA…

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THE VAN BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND SEEMINGLY MISFIRE ONCE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. I SUSPECTED A CASE OF CLOGGED FUEL INJECTORS AND PRESSED FIRMLY WITH THE THROTTLE TO CLEAR THE LINE OF DEBRIS. THE VAN THEN STALLED IN THE INTERSECTION AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED ITSELF AND PROVIDED NO GEAR RESISTANCE. FORTUNATELY THE TIMING OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC ALLOWED ME TO COAST OUT OF THE INTERSECTION, USING THE DOWNWARD GRADE OF A NEARBY ALLEY IN ORDER TO EXIT THE STREET. INSPECTION OF THE VAN REVEALED OBD II CODES: P0500 AND P0720. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED AN EXISTING RECALL FOR AUTOMOBILES OF THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR, THAT EXHIBIT THE EVENTS I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. I BELIEVE THAT RECALL:12V076000 RECALL DATE 02/29/2012 SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY VIN DUE TO THE SIMILARITY OF EVENTS ENCOUNTERED AS WELL AS THE HAZARD THEREBY CREATED. I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE MADE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT GETTING T-BONED. BELOW ARE REFERENCE QUOTES AND LINKS THAT FURTHER DESCRIBE THE EXPERIENCE AND ILLUSTRATE THE IDENTICAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT PROMPTED THE EXISTING RECALL. REFERENCE A: HTTP://P0500.ENGINETROUBLECODE.COM/NISSAN-QUEST P0500 OBD-II DIAGNOSTIC POWERTRAIN (P) TROUBLE CODE DESCRIPTION P0500 OBD-II TROUBLE CODE THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR OUTPUTS A 4 PULSE SIGNAL FOR EVERY REVOLUTION OF THE ROTOR SHAFT, WHICH IS ROTATED BY THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT VIA THE DRIVEN GEAR. AFTER THIS SIGNAL IS CONVERTED INTO A P0500 CODE. REASON FOR P0500 CODE THE REASON OF P0500 OBD-II ENGINE TROUBLE CODE IS FUEL COMPOSITION SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION. PARTS OR COMPONENTS SHOULD NOT BE REPLACED WITH REFERENCE TO ONLY A P0500 DTC. THE VEHICLE SERVICE MANUAL SHOULD BE CONSULTED FOR MORE INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THE FAULT, ALONG WITH REQUIRED TESTING. REFERENCE B: HTTPS://WWW.CARS.COM/RECALLS/NISSAN-QUEST-2012/ SEE ATTACH. THANKS

NHTSA ODI #11115192

80,000 miles · Jun 28, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

THERE IS A FUEL SYSTEM GLITCH IN THE SOFTWARE. THE CAR STALLS WHEN IDLING OR TRAVELING AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 40 MPH. IT ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENS AT STOP LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN DRIVE BUT IT WILL REVERSE. I AM ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPOT BUT AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD. IT IT'S VERY IN…

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THERE IS A FUEL SYSTEM GLITCH IN THE SOFTWARE. THE CAR STALLS WHEN IDLING OR TRAVELING AT SPEEDS LOWER THAN 40 MPH. IT ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENS AT STOP LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL NOT EVEN DRIVE BUT IT WILL REVERSE. I AM ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPOT BUT AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD. IT IT'S VERY INCONSISTENT AND WILL HAPPEN FREQUENTLY FOR WEEKS, THEN GO A COUPLE WEEKS WITHOUT HAPPENING BEFORE IT STARTS BACK AGAIN. A MESSAGE POPS UP ON THE SCREEN ABOUT A SOFTWARE ERROR WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENS. IT IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE 2011-2012 QUESTS BUT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH THE RECALL. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO GET REPAIRED TWICE AND NO ONE COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. AFTER IT WOULD NOT DRIVE AT ALL YESTERDAY, A NEW MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM AND THE BULLETIN ABOUT THE RECALL BUT NISSAN WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T MATCH.

NHTSA ODI #11104537

70,000 miles · Aug 11, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. 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. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (COUGHLIN AU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. 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. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (COUGHLIN AUTOMOTIVE IN NEWARK, OHIO) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL SENSORS WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #11014723

Official recalls

1

12V076000 · Electrical System:software; Fuel System, Gasoline

Feb 29, 2012

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: VEHICLE STALLING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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.

Consequence: VEHICLE STALLING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline

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.

Consequence: VEHICLE STALLING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ12003 · Gwinnett Place Nissan / Quest Recall

Opened Oct 25, 2012 · Closed Dec 12, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:software

NHTSA opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-003 to determine whether Gwinnett Place Nissan of Duluth, Georgia complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and noncompliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. ? 30120(i). NHTSA issued an information request (IR) to Gwinnett Place Nissan on October 31, 2012. Gwinnett Place Nissan responded to this request on November 19, 2012. NHTSA then issued an IR to Nissan North America, Inc. on March 11, 2013. Nissan North America, Inc. responded to this request on April 5, 2013.NHTSA's investigation indicated that Gwinnett Place Nissan sold and delivered 28 recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers. Gwinnett Place Nissan did not contest this finding. NHTSA therefore concluded that Gwinnett Place Nissan was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165. Under a Settlement Agreement dated November 24, 2014, Gwinnett Place Nissan paid compromised civil penalties in the amount of $110,000.This AQ is closed.