2008 Nissan Quest Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2008 Nissan Quest most often describe a fuel gauge that reads wrong, sometimes leaving the van out of fuel without warning, followed by accelerating or revving when the brake is pressed. Airbag deployments or spiral cable failures, sudden shutdowns or no-start events, and rust or corrosion in the frame and air conditioning lines are also reported. Where mileage is given, the fuel gauge complaints fall between about 86,000 and 152,000 miles, while the other patterns are spread across a wide range of mileage.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or the car runs out of fuel

   • 11 complaints (22%)
   • median 113,500 mi at 7.6 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe a fuel gauge that reads full or empty at random, shows a quarter to half tank when the tank is empty, or stays on empty after refueling. Some owners say the van ran out of gas or stalled while the gauge still showed fuel, and a complaint describes the gauge not working at all. According to complaints, the dealer replaced the fuel pump or sensor without fixing the gauge, and some owners were told the repair part was on backorder or discontinued. Where mileage is given, these complaints range from about 86,000 to about 152,000 miles, and some describe the gauge showing a full or empty tank at random.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel gauge combination meter amp service campaign for this model year has been performed. On a test drive, compare the gauge reading with the amount added at the last fill-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Nissan recalled certain VIN for fuel gauge malfunction. My fuel gauge does not work at all, and my engine light is on all the time. I live in temperatures in az that can exceed 125 degrees, so if I run out of gas, this could be a very serious situation.”

   NHTSA complaint #10877093, filed 2016-06, 99,000 miles

   “The fuel gauge shows an incorrect reading. The indicator shows that it is empty even when I refuel it with full tank. The car stops on the road as the fuel shows an incorrect reading which poses a dangerous threat. I have got the fuel pump replaced three times. It is very frustrating to spend so much time and money and not getting the issue fixed. The car also failed inspection because of this issue. There is a recall for 2007-2008-2009 Nissan quests' but my 2008 Nissan Quest is not included in the recall!”

   NHTSA complaint #11298382, filed 2020-01, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Car accelerates or revs when the brake is pressed

   • 8 complaints (16%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 11.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2023

   Owners describe the car accelerating or the engine revving when the brake pedal is pressed, sometimes while stopped with a foot on the brake and sometimes in slow traffic. Some complaints describe ABS grinding or the engine speed rising as the car gains speed, and a complaint describes a car accelerating backward out of a driveway, where the brakes and steering did not respond before a crash. According to complaints, a data recorder attached during an episode recorded nothing, and the dealer said it could not guarantee a repair would resolve the problem. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 35,500 to about 109,400 miles, and some happen at low speed in traffic or while stopped with a foot on the brake.

   What to check: Ask the dealer to review any stored throttle, brake switch, or ABS fault codes, and whether any recorded data exists from the event. In a safe open area, press the brake while in gear at low speed and check that the engine does not rev.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The car accelerates when I press on the brake. I have complained to the dealer about this is october 2018 and today april 2019. This is a pre-accident complaint. When I drive in stop and go traffic it feels like the ABS brake motor is trying to make the car go faster instead of stopping the car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11195710, filed 2019-04, 35,500 miles

   “When I press the brakes the car accelerates. I have had a data recorder attached when this happened, but the dealer says that it didn't record anything.-- this happens intermittently---, while in slow traffic as I pump the brakes. Specifically : the RPM actually increased as the car made the ABS grinding sound and increased the velocity of the car. I had to quickly put the car in neutral to get control of the vehicle. The dealer service agent states that they cannot guarantee that any repair will resolve the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11256563, filed 2019-09, 35,550 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbag deployment, warning light, or spiral cable failure

   • 10 complaints (20%)
   • median 92,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe airbags deploying while driving or while stopped at a traffic light with no impact, sometimes with seat belts locking as well. Other complaints describe an airbag warning light that stays on, and a spiral cable in the steering wheel that dealers said needed replacement after it failed. According to complaints, a clip or spring in an airbag module came loose, and the owner was charged for the replacement after the warranty had expired. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 69,800 to about 130,000 miles, and some airbag events are described at low speed or while stopped at a traffic light.

   What to check: Ask whether any airbag or spiral cable codes are stored and whether the spiral cable or airbag module has been replaced. Confirm the airbag warning light goes off after the car starts, and check that the horn works from the steering wheel.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall on 11/ 23/20015 my air bag moduel was replaced do to a defect something loose and rattling in the sterring whell airbag module clip/spring came off needed replacement I was told my warrananty was expired by one month so it cost me $821.79 to have it replaced if this was a safty issue I should have not been charge to replace the air bag module if there are recalls pertaining to the takata recall even if was back in 2015 I had it replaced due to a safty issue I didnt want the air bag to deploy and a piece of clip or spring to come …”

   NHTSA complaint #11180477, filed 2019-02, 69,804 miles

   “Airbag deployed while driving. No accident. No impact. The drivers side airbag deployed while driving in a travel lane, no other vehicles near by, no objects were hit. No indication of impact to the body of the vehicle. The seat belts also have locked up as though there was an accident. It appears to be a malfunction of the airbags. Our concern is primarily that if this is a potential defect in the system that it could be much more serious for someone driving on a busy street or freeway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10509710, filed 2013-04, 130,000 miles
4. 4
   Other or unknown

   Sudden engine shutdown or no-start while driving

   • 7 complaints (14%)
   • median 108,200 mi at 7.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2013–2019

   Owners describe the car losing power or shutting off while driving or at a traffic light, sometimes after warning lights come on. Some complaints describe the car cranking without starting, intermittent no-start events, or a rough-running engine that hesitates after a shutdown. According to complaints, a dealer identified a ground battery cable pulled loose, and an independent mechanic diagnosed a brake line or ignition problem that may need replacement. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 86,000 to about 149,000 miles, and some shutdowns happen on the highway or at a traffic light.

   What to check: Ask whether the battery ground cable and any stored engine or fuel system codes have been checked. On a test drive, confirm the car restarts normally after a stop and that no warning lights stay on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brake, ABS, service engine light is showing on the dash and will not go out. I just had brakes and rotors put on this vehicle. I was traveling on the highway and the vehicle just shut down. I was able to pull off to the shoulder safely. The vehicle at first would crank but not start. After a few minutes, I was able to start vehicle. Now the engine runs rough and it hesitates on acceleration.”

   NHTSA complaint #10913962, filed 2016-10, 149,305 miles

   “I was driving through the highway and wend I stop on the light my car stop working so I'll I call the tow truck .and I teke to the mechanic and the mechanic tall me the transmission is gone and he have to replace the transmission”

   NHTSA complaint #11032731, filed 2017-10
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Rust and corrosion in frame, fuel filler, or A/C lines

   Mentioned in 4 of 46 sampled complaints

   Owners describe rust or corrosion in the frame, subframe, fuel filler tube, and air conditioning lines, sometimes found during routine maintenance or inspection. Some complaints say the frame had holes and loose control arms, that the fuel filler tube rusted and leaked fuel while refueling, and that smoke came from under the hood when the air conditioner was on. According to complaints, a dealer confirmed corrosion in the air conditioning lines, and in other cases the manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. Where mileage is given, these reports range from about 46,500 to about 114,000 miles, and the corrosion is described as found during maintenance, inspection, or repairs.

   What to check: Inspect the frame, subframe, and fuel filler area for rust, holes, or fuel odor, and ask a mechanic to check the air conditioning lines for corrosion. Ask whether the control arms and frame condition were checked during the last service.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Turned on the air conditioning unit and while driving noticed the car start to smoke. Two days later tried turning on again and no smoke but sounds like a belt was rubbing together. Took the vehicle into the Nissan dealership and part #92463-5z000 pipeeassy and 92471-ze60a pipeassy rear were corroded. Concern is that if this holds antifreeze shouldn't this part which is the hose be rust resistant? This seems to be a big problem but I was told well it's corroded....”

   NHTSA complaint #10415283, filed 2011-07, 46,500 miles

   “The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Quest. The contact discovered that the front section of the subframe was severely rusted. In addition, the fuel filler tube was rusted and caused fuel to leak from the vehicle while refueling. The cause of the failures was not determined. Jp motors Nissan (3675 frontage rd, peru, il) and the manufacturer were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 114,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11267607, filed 2019-10, 114,000 miles

Buying note. Prospective buyers should ask whether the fuel gauge meter service campaign has been performed, since fuel gauge complaints are the largest group in this sample. During a pre-purchase inspection, also check for brake-pedal acceleration, airbag warning lights, and rust in the frame and air conditioning lines.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 46 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.