1993 Nissan Quest Problems

What owners report

Owners of this minivan most often describe exhaust manifold studs breaking or shearing off, which produces a ticking or clacking exhaust noise and exhaust odor in the cabin. The other frequent themes are fuel leaks at or near the filler neck and vent hose after refueling, noisy or stuck automatic shoulder belts, smoke, odors or fire from debris in the blower/vent intake, and a mix of brake complaints including a soft or long pedal. Many reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 200,000 miles, and most describe gradual wear problems rather than sudden failures.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Broken exhaust manifold studs and exhaust leak

   • 14 complaints (12%)
   • median 60,000 mi at 8.3 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Complaints describe exhaust manifold studs and bolts that loosen, fall out or snap off, sometimes more than once after a repair. Owners report a clacking or ticking noise on acceleration, poor starts, failed inspections, and exhaust fumes noticed in the cabin at idle or low speed. According to the complaints, several dealers replaced studs, gaskets or the manifold itself, and some owners were told the vehicle was outside warranty coverage. Reported from roughly 19,000 up to about 200,000 miles, with many repeat failures at intervals of 20,000 miles or more.

   What to check: Listen for a ticking exhaust leak on a cold start and on acceleration, and ask for records of any manifold stud or gasket work; inspect the manifold area for missing or sheared studs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “As has happened to close to 100% of Quest/mercury villager owners, I have cracked manifolds, missing manifold studs, and several broken manifold studs. This results in poor starts, exhaust leaks, and a noticeable "clacking" (exhaust leak) upon acceleration. My vehicle has 118k miles. I understand the labor for a complete fix can run over $1000, while parts run under $100. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10070669, filed 2004-01, 118,000 miles

   “Exhaust manifold bolts broken Nissan replaced bolts 1800.00 20,000 miles later same problem Nissan says not responsible because it had been longer than 20,000 miles as far as I can tell Nissan did not use the new improved manifold bolts for this repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #10075189, filed 2004-06, 18,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks around filler and vent hose

   • 19 complaints (16%)
   • median 200,000 mi at 14.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2008

   Owners describe fuel dripping or pouring onto the ground after filling the tank, and a strong gasoline smell around and inside the vehicle, often when the tank is full or nearly empty. Several complaints mention the vent hose and filler hose specifically, and some owners were told their vehicle was not covered by the related recall campaign. A few reports describe a gas tank hole or corroded fuel lines. Mostly reported on vehicles of this age rather than tied to a specific mileage; several describe the leak right after refueling.

   Recall 00V419001Recall 92V172002

   What to check: Ask whether recall 00V419001 or 92V172002 was completed for this vehicle, and check the filler and vent hoses and tank area for cracks or wet spots after a fill-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Filling the gas tank till the gas pump automatic shut-off occurs, fuel leaks (approximately 1/2 gallon) from the fuel line going into the gas tank. Is this the fuel tank vent hose leakage described in NHTSA recall numbers 00v419001 & 00v419002? I need to get this corrected asap to avoid and fuel ignition possibilities. Do I have to wait until the investigation closes for a recall? I hope not.”

   NHTSA complaint #739329, filed 2001-01

   “Consumer has noticed a fuel leak underneath vehicle at vent hose whenever the tank is full. Also, there was recall number 00v419001/ fuel emission control: lines: vapor vent dealing with same problem. Manufacturer stated this vehicle was not included in recall due to VIN. Please provide any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #877778, filed 2001-01
3. 3
   Brakes

   Long pedal, soft brakes and warped rotors

   • 11 complaints (9%)
   • median 181,000 mi at 16.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2010

   Complaints describe a brake pedal that goes to the floor or stays applied, longer stopping distances, and pulsation from front rotors that owners say warped early. Some reports mention brake lines rusted through near the rear wheels or lines that reappeared after a repair. Owners describe dealers resurfacing rotors and pads, and one owner was told the free portion of a related recall no longer applied. Reported from about 55,000 miles up to around 200,000 miles, with several reports in between.

   Recall 92V1320012 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the pedal for firmness and look for pulsation during braking, and have the steel brake lines above the rear axle inspected for rust; ask whether recall 92V132001 was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Steel brake lines to rear breaks rusted through in several places - two lines to rear that pass under the floor and along the driver side rail and over the rear left wheel axle, and also at the area immediately before each rear wheel cylinder.”

   NHTSA complaint #10318214, filed 2010-03, 162,000 miles

   “When there is pressure on brakes, pedal stays in same applied position and brakes release, allowingvehicle to roll. This happened on 3 occasions.when car will coast while applying brake,and when going down hill and in stop position, brakes will release. Contacted dealer, and dealer checked for service bulletins and warnings.”

   NHTSA complaint #894575, filed 2001-08
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Flames and smoke from blower/vent intake debris

   • 12 complaints (10%)
   • median 200,000 mi at 15.1 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2007

   Complaints describe burning smells, smoke, or flames coming from the vents or under the dash when the heater or air conditioning is running. Owners and shops attribute this to leaves and debris collecting in the blower intake plenum near the blower resistor. One owner reported the intake screen installed under a recall campaign failed and a fire followed. Reported across a range of ages and mileages, usually tied to the blower or A/C being on and to debris buildup rather than to a mileage figure.

   Recall 95V222002

   What to check: Ask whether the cowl intake screen from recall 95V222002 is in place, and clean leaves and debris out of the area below the windshield before using the blower.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When operating heater it smells like burning leaves. Also, while operating heater a burst of flames shot from the inside bottom vent, causing a fire that burned the child that was sitting in the passenger's seat. Dealer has not been contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #832276, filed 1998-12

   “Air conditoner failure due to poor design of undercarriage could lead to fire. Sliding doors constantly jams and could result in rear seated people trapped in car as a result on any accidient as this is the only means of egress form the car”

   NHTSA complaint #711883, filed 1999-09
5. 5
   Seat belts

   Automatic seat belts noisy or stuck

   • 8 complaints (7%)
   • median 175,000 mi at 14.5 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners report the motorized front shoulder belts that run along the track making loud noises, moving jerkily or at uneven speed, or stopping in one position while the motor still runs. Complaints mention a lap belt that will not stay buckled, difficulty fitting belts when the second row seat is swapped, and owners being told certain belt repairs were not covered. Mostly reported on higher-mileage vehicles, with examples around 70,000 to 175,000 miles.

   Recall 92V133001

   What to check: Run each automatic shoulder belt through its full travel and listen for grinding, and check that the lap belt buckles and stays latched; ask whether recall 92V133001 was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When the center (2nd row) seat is removed and replaced with the (3rd row) seat the seat belt is too short to fit. The 3rd row seat has no auxiliary buckle like the 2nd row, if it did then the seat belt for the 2nd row seat could be used.”

   NHTSA complaint #520924, filed 1997-08

   “Both front motorized shoulder seat belts-do not ride on track properly, they make load noises, jerky motion, and speed of travel varies. Nissan of america states it is not covered under the lifetime seat belt limited warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #717075, filed 2000-01

Buying note. These reports center on age-related wear: exhaust manifold studs, fuel and brake lines and hoses, automatic belt tracks, and the blower intake. Have a shop inspect those areas and confirm which of the four open recalls listed here were actually performed before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.