Did you recently rush to buy a new vehicle before tariff-related price hikes? A reporter is looking to speak with shoppers who felt pressure to act quickly due to expected cost increases; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com for more details by 4/24.
Nissan Quest 2004+: Problems & Solutions
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Would you mind posting your dealer's information, and perhaps enough info so I could call and talk to them and get some details about what they tested on your van as well as what they actually replaced. I've been battling this off and on since January. Our problem is that our normal lives never have us close to a Nissan dealer, so the odds of it happening and being able to take it in to display the symptom is pretty slim.
Alternatively, if you don't want to reveal the details I requested, would you ask the dealer for the same information so that I could pass it on to a local dealer and have them look into it?
Thanks,
-cj
PS Feel free to email me as well.
I will be bringing mine back in a few weeks as I am told there is no safety / structural issue here.
"Tech found the TCM was defective.
Replaced the TCM to correct.
JE34AA 31036 BD 32"
In the part number, 21036-CK600 is listed.
The dealer is Kings Nissan in Cincinnati, (513) 697-9770, and the Service Advisor's name is Jason, perhaps he can provide you with more information. Hope this helps.
"Technician and Nissan Corp Rep verfied noise from right rear sliding door. Technician performed bulletin adjust dovetails and lube divetails. Technician roadtested with Nissan rep no more noises present at this time"
FC: ZH41
From another work order: "Installed rubber spacers to door stops".
I have also heard that this rattling can be caused by a loose wireharness in manual sliding doors, one person I spoke with said that it was deafening. What I had was a popping noise, but the fix did work properly. The only noise I still get is the thrid row seat has a little front-back play in the seat back, which also has a fix. I am getting that done soon
We have experience a problem with the Passanger Air Bag light not going off (airbag engaging) when my wife is in the passanger seat. According to the manual it should go off when there is a person above 102lbs in the passanger seat. (my wife is 127lbs). Some times it goes off and sometimes not. Most of the time she has to push on the roof of the van to get it to engage. Our dealer told us that they have had 3 other similar complaints of people of the approx same weight. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Also does any one hear a "clunking" sound right after you start the van from the A/C system? Sounds like the compressor clutch engaging. I am and automotive HVAC engineer, I know this is not normal!!!!!
Thanks
TSB on the door:
Make : NISSAN Model : QUEST Year : 2004
Service Bulletin Num : 03080 Date of Bulletin: AUG 19, 2003
NHTSA Item Number: 10003510
Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
Summary:
SLIDING DOOR ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE. *TT
Recall for Airbag:
Make : NISSAN Model : QUEST Year : 2004
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 04V103000 Recall Date : FEB 24, 2004
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 13757
Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE ADVANCED AIR BAG REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, “OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.” THE AIR BAG FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS TO BE TURNED OFF (SO THAT IT DOES NOT INFLATE) WHEN CERTAIN OCCUPANTS, SUCH AS SMALL CHILDREN, ARE IN THE FRONT SEAT.
Consequence:
THIS REDUCES THE RISK OF SUCH OCCUPANTS BEING UNJURED BY AN INFLATING AIR BAG IN A COLLISION.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION/SENSOR ASSEMBLY. IF THE SEAT CUSHION/SENSOR IS FOUND TO BE OPERATING IMPROPERLY, THE SEAT WILL BE REMOVED AND RECALIBRATED. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Notes:
CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Recall for Door:
Make : NISSAN Model : QUEST Year : 2004
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 04V186000 Recall Date : APR 01, 2004
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 26000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER SLIDING DOOR(S), AT AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE BELOW APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE ACTUATOR FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR(S) MAY EXPERIENCE BINDING DUE TO AN OUT OF SPECIFICATION CONDITION. IN ORDER TO OPEN, CLOSE OR REVERSE A POWER SLIDING DOOR, THE SHIFT SELECTOR LEVER MUST BE IN “PARK.” IF THE ACTUATOR IS EXPERIENCING BINDING AND THE DRIVER SHIFTS THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK WHILE A POWER SLIDING DOOR IS STILL CLOSING, THE DOOR LATCHES MAY NOT ENGAGE.
Consequence:
THIS CAN RESULT IN THE DOOR COMING OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY UPON RAPID ACCELERATION, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO AN OCCUPANT.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR(S). OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
It seems that Nissan made an adjustment to fix that problem but now the switch weight set too high.
Thanks for the door info we have noticed that the powersliding door stops as we back out of the driveway if it is not completly closed yet.
I tried maniacally at the shop fitting a Yak and a Thule gutter rack on to the sliding door interior gutters to no avail. On both the profile (the lower part of the lower clamp + the shape) around the gutter is maybe 2 millimeters out causing the door to bulge out a little. Yuk.
I tried the Thule 300 gutter rack, forget the yakima. On the Thule, the round knob to tighten needs replacing with just a bolt at it's big enough to foul the door itself. The oivoid Yak knob avoids this.
Anyone else have any luck? Great van but I really want the bikes on the roof rather than on a hitch + will want to put skis + a box up there for snow season. Help!
I just got off the phone with Jason at Kings Nissan. He said that if I had the repair order number or your name he could probably trace down the diagnostics run by the technician and give me that info.
I can understand if you wouldn't want to provide that info on the board, but would you mind emailing me one of the two pieces of info? You can email me through my profile, or simply google the name "chris cleeland" and you'll find me.
Thanks,
-cj
The dealer says they can't really know what it is unless it comes in with the engine light on, or actually presenting the problem, as it did last time....aaaarrrrggghhhh!!!
Anyway, any EZ Pass users out there with 04 Quests? Where did you mount your tag so as not to cause radio interference or any interference with the tag transmitter?
TIA.
Except when we're using the towbar (bikerack or camper).
Then it's useless for backing up, because it's always on.
Any way to disable or mute it when were towing something?
Mounted my tag on the windshield where the rearview mirror hides it from my line of sight. Have not had any problems with it. The radio antenna is located on the rearmost side glass.
I read that in the manual about the antenna (rear side windows), I guess I was confused by the "metallic-like" black dots on the inside of the windshield on the top, especially the larger area above the mirror.
Anyone know what those are for?
I guess you put it below those, more directly behind the mirror, then?
Yes, there is a rear sensor disable to the left of the steering wheel (above your left knee) where the other "disable" switches, like VDC, ov'head lights, etc, are.
I put my EZ pass behind the mirror (right side) and it works perfectly
I filed a NHTSA report on it. After talking to the service guy at the dealer, it sounds as if they don't even check with Nissan about it unless they can see it happening, so there is no way to get the info up the chain.
know the rest. Turned the car off, restarted
it and it was fine.
After starting my 04 Quest SE, reverse sensor is either off ("off" light on switch is on) or, if it does stay on, as soon as I backup and it starts to beep in proximity to an object, it shuts off (again, "off" light comes on).
I cannot turn it back on via the on/off switch, must shut car off, restart, and then same thing happens.
Any thoughts before I call the dealer?
TIA.
Regards
I am schedule for replacement this Friday! Hopefully it will resolve the problem.
Glad to hear the problem was resolved!
Bob
Has anyone had a problem after the fix?
Thanks
Bob
the grinding noise when turning the steering wheel all the way to the left disappeared after 3 or 4 times of manifesting itself and never came back, the service engine soon light came on together with rough idling after a fill up with cheap gasoline and was fixed by the dealer who "reset" the engine computer, as for the gas gauge stuck on empty, experienced that twice only with Shell gasoline, it will slowly go up after about 50-60 miles, never had the problem with other brands. If you go to Car and Driver's website and go to their minivan comparo where they ranked the Quest 3rd, the last statement on the Quest review says it all.. "The Quest manages to be a rarity in the minivan realm—it stirs up emotion."
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=15&article- _id=8103&page_number=4
I compared the A/C vent temperatures to my other vehicles, 95 Ford F150 extended cab and 2000 Grand Am, and both of these vehicles registered 40 degrees out of vents. In fact, my F150 will go down to 38 on occasions. Drove my quest for the same amount of mileage (8), the same time of day, and the vent temperature barely got down to 50 degrees. All three vehicles used the same R134a freon. Now with temperatures at 100 - 110 degrees, this is becoming an issue.
Brought the Quest in for service a second time and they said this is normal. They measured a temperature of 46 - 48 with a outside ambient temperature of 95 degrees. Maybe for an "older" vehicle this will be acceptable but for a brand new vehicle.... no! Especially when I can drive my 95 F150 in 105 degree heat with the windows down and my A/C still blows 42 degrees out of the vents.
I pulled the TSB04-020(A/C blows warm air from Floor Vents) and will see if the dealer can address. Not too promising since this applies to Vehicles built before August 2003. Time to test drive another Quest and measure the A/C vent temp.
Anyone else has seen anything similar?
Has anyone experienced this rattle. I need to pinpoint it so I can hopefully have it fixed. Its very annoying!
I would appreciate any help!
Thanks
I just lost our BBB Lemon Law arbitration and now have to decide how to proceed. I like the car but...
We have had this problem occur twice since we bought the car in Nov 2003. Second week we owned it my husband told me the transmission slipped from a stopped position or low speed the car had no power, the engine was working hard but the car barely moved...he believes it is slipping because the rpms are high. Once the car was turned off and started again the problem was gone.
Second time happened to me in March of this year. Same situation, I drove it sraight to the dealer, did not turn off the car, and test drove with our service rep. He witnessed the problem but guess what...they had it for a week, couldn't duplicate so did nothing.
Ok...what we have observed and this is the reason I decided to pursue the lemon law...our gas mileage is terrible. Around town we get 11-12 miles per gallon. We feel very strongly that this poor gas mileage is related to this transmission problem. ANYONE ELSE GETTING THIS KIND OF GAS MILEAGE??? On road trips with all freeway driving we get around 18-19 miles to gallon, never in the 20's!!!
So...please let me know if anyone has a similar problem. I lost my case since we had only 2 times, I was hoping the 2 times with a problem that could cause bodily injury or death would apply. But no...the gas mileage, Nissan's position was the sticker quotes are mere estimates, and their position was we don't back those one bit! What's to stop them from claiming 50 miles/gallon.
I might not meet the lemon law but false advertising is looking like a claim. I'm upset since the gas mileage was a factor in which car we bought.
Thanks,Tara
as for mileage, they can not make an arbitrary number as it is reported to the Federal govt. But it is based upon range received by test vehicles driven to the letter of the law (when it comes to economical usage) no sudden starts, etc. There is usually a posting on the car as to what the range of the tested vehicles showed.
Bottom line is I do not find it acceptable to pay 30k for a car, have a major component of the car malfunction and be given no explantion and no fix.
They have offered no explanation for this transmission problem and don't appear interested in determing the cause. In fact, by their reation, lack there of, I am quite confident they are full aware of what exactly is going on...problem is, they don't know how to fix it. There are enough other similar complaints on this list and the NHS??? complaints. I'm an engineer, I tell you those engineers at Nissan know something about this problem.
I would really like to take a poll of how many people have had this lack of power issue. Perhaps we could contact Nissan as a group and ask for their assistance. I am willing to use the proper channels and give them an opportunity to respond.
My next instinct tells me...go to the press.
Thanks, Tara
It is a great car, and I did opt for this one over the Sienna for many of the reasons mentioned on this list. At 5' 9'' tall I felt really cramped in the Sienna. What's a mini-van for if not to feel comfortable! But I also bought a new van, after owning a Quest for 8 years (which was GREAT!), because I wanted a reliable car. What do I have now? A brand new car with a transmission that slips...not what I had in mind.
thanks, Tara