Is the 2012 Nissan QUEST reliable?

The 2012 Nissan QUEST has 139 complaints filed with NHTSA (6.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Nissan QUEST?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (28 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (20 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (20 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Nissan QUEST?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Nissan QUEST?

The 2012 Nissan QUEST gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Nissan QUEST?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Nissan QUEST is approximately $1,401/year (minivan class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Nissan QUEST

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Nissan QUEST has 139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 6.3x the segment average of 22. The most common issue is transmission problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan quest. the contact was driving approximately 2 mph and approached a traffic stop signal. when pulling off from a complete stop, there was a delayed response when the accelerator pedal was applied. the failure occurred sporadically. the vehicle was taken to an autho. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 7 crash reports 3 injuries

139

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

6.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

28 complaints

20%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHO
• THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT IN OUT 2012 NISSAN QUEST AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AFTER COMING TO A STOP. *TR
• ENGINE MOUNT FOUND BROKEN DURING OIL CHANGE. CHANGED AND FOUND BROKEN AGAIN AT ABOUT 50000. CHANGED AND FOUND BROKEN A THIRD TIME AT 75000.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Nissan QUEST

Based on 104 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 54K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 39K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 55K mi · 15 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TIRES

In line with typicalmedian 25K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Later than typicalmedian 80K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE29/02/2012

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 29, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2012. DUE TO SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING, WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS OR IDLING ON A DECLINE WITH ¼ TANK FUEL OR LESS, THERE MAY BE AN INSUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE MAY STALL.

Risk: VEHICLE STALLING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE FUEL PUMP CONTROL MODULE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 2, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-647-7261.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Nissan QUEST

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Nissan QUEST

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,401

Full coverage / month

$117

Liability only / year

$595

vs US avg

-16%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (minivan)0.91x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1401

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan QUEST Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2012 QUEST, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 139 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND APPROACHED A TRAFFIC STOP SIGNAL. WHEN PULLING OFF FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THERE WAS A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: VEHICLE STALLED WHILE TRAVELING UP A 2-3% GRADE. IT APPEARED TO RUN OUT OF FUEL ALTHOUGH THE NAVIGATION DISPLAY INDICATED THERE WERE 21 MILES UNTIL EMPTY. THE FUEL GAUGE ALSO INDICATED FUEL REMAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH AND FORTUNATELY IT COASTED TO THE TOP OF THE GRADE. AT TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT ACCURATELY DISPLAYING THE LEVEL OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DUE TO LOW FUEL ALTHOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS HALF FULL. THE CONTACT INQUIRED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2012 NISSAN QUEST JUST WEEKS AGO, CURRENT MILEAGE 320. ENGINE STALLED WITH LITTLE LESS THAN QUARTER TANK OF GAS IN A SLOW TURN. COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE VAN HAD ENOUGH GAS FOR 30 MILES TRAVEL. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO CARS BEHIND US, SO I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE AND RESTART
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)