2004-2008 Nissan Quest: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2004-2008 Nissan Quest and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Passenger room
Cons
- Control layout
Vehicle Highlights
Redesigned for 2004, Quest had the longest wheelbase and overall length of any minivan. The original Quest, offered from 1993-2001, was a clone of the Mercury Villager and among the smallest minivans. The new Quest was sold only as a Nissan and came in S, SL, and SE models. All used a 240-hp V6 and automatic transmission. S and SL had a 4-speed automatic and 16-inch wheels, the SE a 5 speed and 17s. All seated seven with the available Seat Package, and had dual sliding side doors. Standard were ABS, traction control, tire-pressure monitor, and curtain side airbags for all three seating rows. Front side airbags and an antiskid system were available. A seven-passenger seating package included 2nd-row bucket seats that folded toward the floor and a 3rd-row bench that folded into the floor. With those seats folded, Nissan claimed a 4x8 sheet of plywood would lie flat on the floor. Available features included a full-length overhead console with air vents and reading lights, Nissan's Skyview roof (four overhead glass roof panels), rear-obstacle detection, and DVD entertainment with one or two screens. Also offered were power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, power seat/pedal/mirror memory, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a navigation system.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Nissan Quest 3.5SL Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 8 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 10 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 58 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2004-2008 Nissan Quest. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2004-2008 Nissan Quest.
Year to Year Changes
2005 Nissan Quest:
A new base model is added to the lineup. All model names now included 3.5 in their names. The new 3.5 joined the 3.5S, 3.5SL, and S.5SE.
2006 Nissan Quest:
A rearview camera and run-flat tires are newly available.
2007 Nissan Quest:
A revamped interior and freshened front and rear styling highlighted 2007 for Nissan's minivan. For '07, the speedometer and tachometer were relocated from the middle of the dashboard to in front of the driver. The 3rd-row bench seat has been redesigned, and additional sound insulation installed.
2008 Nissan Quest:
The 2008 Nissan Quest was largely unchanged.
Our road test for the 2004-2008 Nissan Quest includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2004-2008 Nissan Quest and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2004-2008 Nissan Quest is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Quest is among the faster minivans, with fine power off the line, good merging and passing muscle. Fuel economy is also impressive for the class, with test Quests averaging between 17.9 and 18.4 mpg. Quests absorb most bumps pretty well, but can pitch and bound over big moguls. The 3.5 SE's 17-inch tires ride more harshly over sharp ridges and ruts than the other models' 16s. No opportunity to test with the available run-flat tires. Quest is among the larger minivans, so it's less car like to drive than some rivals, especially in tight spots. On the upside, steering is responsive and natural in feel, and Quest corners with good grip, modest body lean. Inside, there's little undue road rumble, and the engine is no louder than most rival V6s, but it does sound coarse in rapid acceleration. The dashboard sacrifices too much function for the sake of avant-garde styling. Main gauges are atop center of dashboard. The design takes getting used to, and makes small warning lights hard to see. Also odd is the placement of audio and climate controls on nearly horizontal surface atop a semicircular center-console column. They're easy to reach, but many markings are too small to decipher at a glance. The available navigation system absorbs no audio or climate functions--a big plus. Interior materials a mix of many colors and textures; most are attractive, but some look cut-rate. Up front, tall folks may need more seat travel, but they get plenty of headroom. All models have a height-adjustable driver seat and adjustable lumbar support. Adjustable pedals are a boon for shorter drivers. The dash top reflects badly in the windshield, while 3rd-row headrests block the view aft. Visibility is good otherwise. There's adult-sized room in the 2nd and 3rd rows. Wide door openings ease entry/exit for 3rd row passengers, as do tilt-forward 2nd-row seats. Second-row seats slide fore/aft about 3 inches to increase 3rd-row room. The available Skyview roof, dual-screen entertainment system, and overhead console are all nice touches.
Value for the Money
Quest gives up a little too much function in its quest to be stylish. It also lags the top-rated minivans for refinement and workmanship, and gets quite pricey with options. But it does carry seven in reasonable comfort, and delivers the expected safety and convenience features.
Quest gives up a little too much function in its quest to be stylish. It also lags the top-rated minivans for refinement and workmanship, and gets quite pricey with options. But it does carry seven in reasonable comfort, and delivers the expected safety and convenience features.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Nissan Quest 3.5SL Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 4 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 8 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 10 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 58 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Nissan Quest includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Nissan Quest .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Air conditioner:
The A/C may quit working due to a refrigerant leak caused by the stabilizer bar rubbing the A/C refrigerant lines. (2004-05)
Check-engine light:
The check engine light will come on due to misfiring cylinder(s) caused by faulty fuel injectors. (2004)
Cold-starting problems:
In very cold weather (10 degrees F or below) following a cold soak, the starter may not work after a short trip requiring replacement of the intelligent power distribution module. (2004-06)
Cold-starting problems:
The engine may not restart after a short trip (less than 10 minutes) in very cold weather (less than 10 degrees F), requiring replacement of the power distribution module. (2004)
Cold-starting problems:
The engine may start fine in warm weather, but may be hard to start in cold weather due to faulty camshaft position sensors. (2004)
None:
The courtesy lights keep falling out of the headliner above the second and third row seats. (2004-07)
Oil leak:
Oil leak at the oil cooler adapter (oil filter adapter) due to bad gasket. (2004-06)
Sunroof/moonroof:
Water leaks from the sun roof and seams, so holes and corners must be resealed. (2004-06)
Transmission problems:
The transmission may go into limp home mode (3rd gear only) after starting the engine, but work fine after restarting due to a problem with the transmission control module. (2004-05)
Transmission problems:
Harsh shifts between first and second may be due to poor electrical contact at the line pressure solenoid, requiring a solder repair or solenoid replacement. (2004)
Windows:
The pop-out vent windows may rattle and/or close by themselves requiring replacement of the window latches. (2004-06)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $1,320 |
| Alternator | $780 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $3,460 |
| Brakes | $1,320 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,450 |
| Exhaust System | $890 |
| Radiator | $920 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $2,300 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $830 |
Our price chart for this generation Nissan Quest details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| Quest | $17,800-21,000 | $16,400-19,300 | $11,400-13,400 |
| Quest SE | $24,000-26,500 | $22,300-24,600 | $15,600-17,200 |
| 2007 | |||
| Quest | $15,000-17,500 | $13,700-15,900 | $9,500-11,000 |
| Quest SE | $20,800-22,500 | $19,100-20,700 | $13,500-14,600 |
| 2006 | |||
| Quest | $13,000-15,500 | $11,800-14,100 | $7,500-9,000 |
| Quest SE | $18,000-19,700 | $16,600-18,100 | $11,500-12,600 |
| 2005 | |||
| Quest | $11,300-13,500 | $10,200-12,200 | $6,200-7,400 |
| Quest SE | $15,500-17,000 | $14,100-15,500 | $9,900-10,900 |
| 2004 | |||
| Quest | $9,800-11,000 | $8,800-9,900 | $5,100-5,700 |
| Quest SE | $13,000-14,300 | $11,800-13,000 | $7,500-8,300 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Nissan Quest include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door van | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 124.0 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 204.1 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 77.6 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 71.9 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 4040 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 148.7 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 20.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 7 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 42.0 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.7 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 41.7 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 41.3 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
A 240-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 is the only engine to power this generation Quest. Two transmissions were available, however. A 4-speed automatic was found in 3.5 and 3,5S models, while a 5-speed automatic came in 3.5SE and 3.5SL versions.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc V6 | 3.5 / 214 | 240 | 242 | 4-speed automatic: 19/26 5-speed automatic: 18/25 |
4-speed automatic: -- 5-speed automatic: 17.9 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Nissan Quest include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2006 Quest |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 5 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2004-2008 Nissan Quest directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2004-05 Quest:
A faulty 3rd-row seat bracket could break, leading to injury. A replacement bracket was installed by dealers.
2004-06 Quest:
Mechanism for 2nd-row seat adjust could pinch finger(s) of operators. A replacement mechanism was installed by dealers.
2007:
During production, a select number of vehicles underwent an offline inspection at the assembly plant where a bolt in the front suspension assembly was removed. On some of these vehicles, it is possible that this bolt may not have been tightened to specification when it was reinstalled. Dealers will replace the attachment bolts and tighten them to the specified value.
2008 Quest with manual-adjustment front seats:
The manual seat-adjustment hardware may not fully engage when adjusted, increasing risk of injury in a crash. Dealers will inspect the seat track assembly on the driver and front-passenger seats and replace the entire seat assembly.
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