We are aware of the login problems affecting the forums, and appreciate your patience as we work on a fix.
Did you recently purchase a new Tesla, Rivian or Lucid vehicle directly from the manufacturer and willing to share how your experience compared to previous vehicle purchases made through a traditional dealer? A reporter would like to speak with you; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 2/19 for details.
Nissan Quest 2004+: Problems & Solutions
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
We had an AAA battery stuck in the bottom so every so often it would roll in a position to obstruct something plus all the other junk the kids have “stored” back there.
Hope this helps you solve the problem.
Ben
MODERATOR
Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
Federal Trade Commission regarding issues of unfair business practices etc... I filed on on Quest Tires... http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm
Better Business Bureau Auto Line - It has worked for me to get reimbursed for brake repaires. http://www.dr.bbb.org/autoline/
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration - investigations into vehicle defects - http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/
While it might not do you a lot of good if enough people file complaints it could put pressure on manufacturers to address issues!
Check this site, and click on "body structure doors"
I am not sure if thsi will help. If not, GOOGLE Nissan Quest TSBs and see if you can come up with something.
I will try to find the site I used before and send it later if I find it.
You might ask him if he adjusted your doors by this TSB. I believe this is the one you are looking for. Let us know how you make out on this problem.
This will sound weird but try your AC on the bi-level setting and see how that works. And turn off the rear AC. I had issues with my AC during the first year and the past two summers the AC has been excellent. I'm not sure if the dealer did something during one of the service visits but no complaints anymore. Actually kids complain about it being too cold.
If the obvious things do not work, take it to the dealer to get it checked.
Recently I traded it for an '06 SE, and things couldn't be more different. I don't know if the SE is a "Wednesday" car or if there was a running engineering change or what, but this A/C gets things cold and keeps them cold. No complaints so far, and it's been blast-furnace hot in my area.
My suspicion on the '04 is that there was a valve somewhere for the heater core that wasn't properly shutting off, so I was getting heat all the time. But the dealers either wouldn't or couldn't verify.
I recently picked up a copy of the service manual, so I might have a look to see if anything sounds plausible, but I'm not touching the '06 since it works.
"A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." Have you taken it to the dealer? This is NOT normal.
We took a trip from Ontario to Boston in 95 degree heat, sunny, and 6 people in the Quest. It cooled everyone admirably, and averaged 25.9 mpg going 75 mph. The Odyssey forum is full of folks complaining about lower than expected MPG, BTW.
However, what DOES seem to be normal is that folks don't read the owner's manual about using the "Max AC" setting, or about using recirculate mode to improve cooling performance and mpg.
She called the dealership who came out and mostly popped it into place. The car was going in for oil change anyway. The dealership says they will take care of this (re-paint if necessary). They also said this is not the first time they have seen this. We have 36.5k
Anyone ever had this problem?
warranty extension. You can print the article out and show it to your service department.
... Gary
A few months before I had checked on it with Nissan and they said it was covered under the extended warranty for 60,000 miles and I had them send me a letter stating that and thus I showed it to the dealer...
What's up with that? Didn't they up the warranty on all 2004 Quest's?
I just took in my 2004 Quest to a dealer again for steering wheel shake while driving and even more shake while braking. Best guess on the braking is that rotors are warped again, not sure if that's the problem with the steering shake. I have brand new Goodyear 225/65/16 tires on it, balanced twice already. However, the problem while braking must be rotors. If I lightly apply the brakes I can see the steering wheel shake back and forth, left to right. If I press hard on the brakes it's not doing it, my guess the rotors are not warped enough yet to give shake during hard braking?
While under warranty, I'm trying to get Nissan to address the problem rather than try other brand pads and rotors which some have suggested.
Are there actually 2004 Nissan Quest owners who are not having this problem with the brakes?
Rotors have been turned 4 times and pads replaced twice, now at 38,000 miles with the problems beginning at 29,000 miles although when I first purchased the vehicle, in the first few thousand miles they had to turn the rotors.
I went from several thousand miles 20,000+ miles before I think that I recognized the problem again. I'm not sure how it lasted that long and now I can't get more than a few thousand miles out of the brakes before it shows up again?
It looks like to me a basic design problem in the brakes so how can they really fix it without a redesign?
So why are not more Quest owners complaining or are they just living with the problem or do I have a lemon?
... Gary
2004 Quest SE
Here is the copy/paste from the email they sent me:
> Thank you for contacting Nissan North America, Inc. /Infiniti and allowing us the opportunity to be of assistance.
> In regards to issue that was stated in your email. At this time we have no documentation that can be provided because there is an automated distribution to our customers and you should be receiving your documentation shortly.
>
> WARRANTY DESCRIPTION EXP. DATE EXP. MILES
> BASIC WARRANTY 04/08/09 60,000
> OUTER TRIM CORROSION 04/08/05 12,500
> ADJUSTMENTS 04/08/05 12,500
> SEATBELTS 04/08/14 UNLIMITED
> POWERTRAIN 04/08/09 60,000
> PERFORATION 04/08/09 UNLIMITED
> EMISSION DEFECTS 04/08/07 36,000
> EMISSION DEFECTS (CALIF 1ST LIST) 04/08/07 50,000
> EMISSIONS PERFORMANCE 04/08/06 24,000
>
> If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to e-mail me.
>
> Sincerely,
> Coleman Stephens
> Consumer Affairs Specialist
> Nissan North America, Inc
Rear brake rotors and pads (which are smaller and thinner than front) replaced about 40k miles. During that time, I felt the same vibration/steering wheel shaking you described. Gone with new rear rotors and pads.
I they have only turned your rotors (they have turned them too much already) then you probably need new rotors. The basic problem with the rear rotors is they are undersized for the vehicle. this was fixed with the 2005 model. If you have a shop that knows how to properly cut rotors, you should not have the issue with rotors warping. The dealership that cut my rotors at 8k miles did it properly. Only reason they cut the rotorw at 41k miles was because of the new pads.
My advice is either find a new dealership to take your van to or find an independent shop to do the work. It's not a warranty item so you may as well get it done right.
And yes, you are covered up to 60k miles. It was part of the September 2004 Customer Service Initiative. Well documented. I bet you can find it on Nissan's website if you search it. The service writere may not be aware of it if they are new to the job but anyone who has been with Nissan for the past 3 years is well aware of the issues with the 2004 Quest and the customer service initiative.
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
I'm currently having it worked on based on 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty received when I had the pads replaced a few months ago.
I'm having it all "done by the book" as if it goes to "legal action" I want it documented that all work was done at a Nissan dealership.
From a full stop, when I step on the gas, nothing happens for a couple seconds except revving (like you are on neutral). Then it will engage and jerk and go. The last time this happened was last year and it only did it twice. When my wife drove it this morning, it happened at every stop, so she drove it back and we called the dealer. The dealer sent a tow truck to pick it up.
The other problem - the dealership could not "duplicate" the problem and therefore can't fix it. They said they haven't had that sort of complaint before but a friend who owned a '04 Quest said she encountered the same problem.
I've been reading about the problem and I think it is related to the TCM (A/T Control Module) issue.
Anyone else experience the same problem?
Was it the TCM?
Please advise. Thanks.
P.S. - Also check on this board. I think when you re-start the engine it erases the codes. The answer may be to turn off the engine and have the tow truck come immediately.
I'm not sure if what you describe is exactly like what I experienced but it sounds like either the A/T control module or the transmission.
... Gary
I tested it in town and on the interstate. So far it is driving like it did when I first purchased it. Very smooth.
However, I know as well as you do it won't last. Rotors will warp again...
I'm thinking with the weather getting cooler it may last a bit longer? As best as I can determine the problem is the materials in the pads and rotors, their design and heat combination causing all the issues.
I'm really pressing for Nissan to address the problem and issue at least a TSB for a fix if not a recall. Of course, I'm just one person. For those of us having issues we all need to make sure we file complaints with the NTSB and blanket Nissan with letters and emails complaining.
Sure I could try non Nissan pads and rotors, some have reported success. I don't really want to do that under warranty as that could be an excuse by Nissan to avoid responsibility. So far I've had 100% of the work documented and performed at Nissan authorized dealerships. They have no excuses. They just need to address the problem and fix it!
... Gary
We have an o5 SL and made the trip Boston - Niagara Falls - Boston this summer with 3 adults and 3 kids. We averaged 22. something on the way out and 25.9 on the way back.
We log all fuel use and average every 5,000 miles and it has never been much lower than 22 overall. I keep it in good tune and keep the tires inflated to 35-38 psi. It now has 34,000 miles on it.
I am taking it in tomorrow and the the dealer said they will have to diagnose it....WHAT....as if the mechanic has an atomic clock in their tool box to reference my clock to it!!
I haven't seen a portable cesium clock yet, but you can get one for your home that resets itself several times daily on a radio signal from the atomic clock in Colorado.
But: does anybody really know what time it is? We've all got time enough to cry... all got time enough to die...
Ben