1994 Nissan Quest Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe fuel vapors and leaks, frequently traced to the fuel tank vent hose and fuel lines under the hood, along with broken exhaust manifold studs that let exhaust noise and gases escape. Body and lighting complaints also come up regularly: door locks that relock themselves, and rear lamp sockets that lose contact so the brake and tail lights stop working. Many reports appear on vehicles well past 100,000 miles, and some describe recurring repairs rather than a single failure.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell and leaks at tank vent hose and fuel lines

   • 22 complaints (13%)
   • median 160,000 mi at 15.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2015

   Owners describe a gasoline smell after refueling or while driving, sometimes strong enough to fill the cabin with the windows down. Several report fuel dripping or pooling under the van near the filler neck, and mechanics found the fuel tank vent hose cracked, deteriorated, or detached from its upper connection. Others describe a fuel line or fuel rail hose leaking in the engine compartment; dealers reportedly replaced hoses or advised replacement, and some repairs were paid by the owner. Reports span a wide mileage range, from moderate use to 200,000 miles and beyond, and many are tied to the period right after refueling.

   Recall 00V419001

   What to check: Smell the filler area and engine bay after refueling and look for drips under the tank; ask whether the vent hose recall was completed and whether fuel lines or rail hoses have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Strong odor of gasoline inside van...I contacted previous owner,he had same issue,told me he had it checked out at a garage,they said no leaks in fuel system,& told him the wind blows the smell into the cab of van.......he told me that he would smell gas inside of van when driving with window open,I just had window slightly open,went about a mile,my wife got sick from strong gas odor,so we turned around and headed home....I can not smell due to having my sinuses severed in a motorcycle crash 10 yrs ago,so lucky my wife was with me to smell …”

   NHTSA complaint #10712939, filed 2015-04, 210,000 miles

   “At first I noticed an odor of gasoline at each fillup. Several weeks after that, after filling up and driving home,I noticed gasoline running out onto the ground beneath the fuel filler neck. I brought the car to a mechanic, who found the fuel tank vent hose deteriorated and detached from its upper connection. He trimmed off the end of the hose and reattached it. I am concerned that this will happen again, and possibly result in a fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #736656, filed 2000-11
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   Broken exhaust manifold studs and bolts

   • 23 complaints (14%)
   • median 108,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2005

   Complaints describe a growing exhaust rattle or puttering noise that turns out to be studs or bolts holding the exhaust manifold to the engine block sheared off. Owners say exhaust then escapes at the joint, and a few mention fumes reaching the passenger compartment. Repairs often involved re-drilling broken studs, replacing gaskets, and in some cases resurfacing warped manifolds, with several owners reporting the fix was costly and that the problem returned. Reported across a broad mileage range, often on vans with six-figure mileage, and described as gradual as the noise gets louder over time.

   What to check: Listen for an exhaust tick or rattle at cold start, especially near the manifold, and ask whether manifold studs or gaskets have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I would like to add my complaint to the long list you already have about the broken bolts on the front and rear manifolds. I had three broken studs that needed re-drilling and one bolt that only needed replacement. The manifolds were warped and had to be removed and planed. Total cost was $756.16. The problem I was having was a loud rattle noise. When I asked the mechanic about not fixing the problem I was told it was a potential fire hazard. There appears to be a defect in this engine model. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10041348, filed 2003-10, 169,960 miles

   “We bought the van w/38,000 miles on it and I thought it was a bit loud. Dealer reassured me that most vans were louder than cars. This was our first mini van. Noise kept getting louder with time. I put on new exhaust system to the manifold. It quietened down some. Took it back to muffler shop and they rechecked it and informed me that the engine manifold bolt had sheared off. Said it was a design defect that he saw often in the mercury villagers and Nissan quests. …”

   NHTSA complaint #718520, filed 2000-02
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Rear lamp socket loses contact (tail and brake lights)

   • 11 complaints (7%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1999–2013

   Complaints describe rear running lamps and brake lights that work only intermittently or stop working entirely. Owners and shops traced it to a loose metal contact can inside the lamp socket that separates from the plastic housing. Several owners say the dealer told them the van was not covered by the rear lamp socket recall because of its build date or VIN, and that repair would be their cost. Reported from around 25,000 to 300,000 miles, usually noticed when a light fails to come on rather than at a particular age.

   Recall 96V253004

   What to check: Have someone watch the tail and brake lights while you operate the switch, and ask whether the rear lamp sockets have been replaced or the recall applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Defect matches description for mfg. Campaign #96v253004. I took it to a Nissan dealer for repair but they refused to cover the repair. They claimed that my vehicle was manufactered several months before the recalled vehicles.”

   NHTSA complaint #740977, filed 2001-02

   “The rear lamp socket comes on and off intermittently due to metal separating from plastic sockets, which caused the rear lights to fail. The vehicle experienced the same defect as stated in recall 96v253004, but the vehicle identification number was not included. Consumer feels if the vehicle was not produced in numerical order, then how could they go by the VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10034372, filed 2003-09, 132,000 miles
4. 4
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Power door locks relock themselves

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 40,000 mi at 10.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2004

   Owners report the power door locks locking on their own while the van is parked, idling, or being unlocked and opened. Some describe doors relocking as soon as the handle is pulled, which can lock occupants in or out of the vehicle. Dealers were often unable to duplicate the condition, and several owners say the problem remained unresolved after repeated visits. Usually described on older, higher-mileage vans, sometimes intermittently over several years.

   What to check: Test each door with the key, keypad, and interior switch, and check whether the locks stay unlocked when a handle is pulled.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own an 94 Nissan Quest minivan. The power door lock keep locking by itself intermittently (when the van is running, or when the the door is closing, or when the I touch the door handle to open, or when I turn the key to unlock/open the door.)I'd been complained this to Nissan corporation, Nissan dealers since 1995. I brought the car to various dealers for repair on advice from Nissan consumer affairs office (1-800-Nissan-1) and wasted so much of my time just to sit all days waiting for the familiar results: can not duplicate; can not fix. …”

   NHTSA complaint #713020, filed 1999-10

   “All doors lock upon touching the inner or outer drivers door handles. This results in passengers being locked in or out of the vehicle. When you attempt to unlock the door with the key, keypad or interior lock button the doors instantly lock again when you attempt to open the door. This problem has been on and off for several years.”

   NHTSA complaint #10080941, filed 2004-07, 40,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal fading or sinking (ABS complaints)

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 2.3 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   Some owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor, either when stopped at a light or when ABS engages, and having to pump the brakes to stop. A few note noise on the left side or chirping attributed to warped rotors, and dealers sometimes said they could not reproduce the condition. Reported on older vans with mostly unknown mileage; conditions mentioned include stopping at traffic lights and braking on ice.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the pedal feel with the engine running, including a firm hold at a stop, and ask about brake and ABS service history; a service bulletin covers rotor resurfacing and general brake diagnostic guidance.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We have had nothing but problems with this van. Air conditioner/ brakes/seat belts,and the most costly of all, transmission failed at 2800.00.I know that we have had more problems, but cann't think of them all.”

   NHTSA complaint #716647, filed 1999-12

   “Vehicle has had intermittent brake failure typically when sitting at a traffic light. There is a noise and then the brake pedal goes to the floor. The brakes then fail and the vehicle will start to roll.”

   NHTSA complaint #529665, filed 1998-01

Buying note. These reports center on fuel and exhaust leaks plus aging electrical and brake components, so a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the fuel system, manifold joints, rear lamp sockets, and brakes is worthwhile. Ask for records showing recall work and prior repairs were completed, since several owners describe repeat work on the same parts.

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.