CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012 Nissan Quest is great in terms of low complaints, but it also has an abysmal crash test rating for one very common type of impact.

The IIHS' "small overlap" crash test rates the vehicle's ability to protect front seat passengers when the car is impacted across 1/4th of the front bumper.

This mimics hitting a pole, or an off-center crash into another car — more common in the real world than a full frontal head-on crash.

See our crash test page for the detailed results — As you can see from the IIHS' crash test video, the Nissan Quest does not protect intrusion into the passenger space & major injury to the front seat passengers is likely.

2.9

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,396 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Nissan Quest electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Nissan Quest:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Nissan Quest Owner Comments

problem #16

Apr 052022

Quest

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle lost power multiple times while being driven. The alternator has been replaced three times last being 12/21. Battery has also been replaced. Vehicle has been to 2 mechanics. Potentially thought A/C compressor was causing problem. Replaced by mechanic number 2 May 2022. Vehicle runs until headlights are engaged, a/c or radio etc. Vehicle was driven 10 miles without radio, a/c or lights. Power drained within 2 miles of turning headlights on and cut out in traffic. Sputters and able to pull over without causing accident barely. Left stranded multiple times. Once on a major highway with traffic, stranded on side of road. Spouse rescued while waiting for tow truck. Multiple tows with major motor club. Catalytic Converter light is active and was checked by TJ's in Loganville, GA, it did not need to be replaced at this time. Affordable Auto Services, Mulberry Road Winder GA and B&B Auto Services, Dacula GA (3 alternators and 2 batteries).

- Bethlehem, GA, USA

problem #15

May 122021

Quest

  • miles
Instumrnt panel goes blank, often stays off. Sometimes have to pull over to turn off vehicle and turn back in. Rarely works when this is done.

- Albuquerque , NM, USA

problem #14

Aug 092021

Quest

  • miles
Traveling at a high speed of 75 vehicle without warning stalls can't give any gas... Will not restart to after it has sat for about 20 mins then it will start and stall out again..ABS light and brake battery light keeps jumping on and off

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #13

Aug 082021

Quest

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My Brake system was flushed but my brake light and battery and ABS LIGHT stays on flickering I was driving my vehicle at high speed and it it just stalls with no warning... I have to wait 20 mins or more before it'll start again. It has bn doing this for an entire year..driving full speed with no warning just shut down in middle of traffic

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #12

Sep 302020

Quest

  • 99,000 miles
The lcd screen on the dash door keeps acting crazy like scrambling and it has now just gone completely black

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #11

Oct 272020

Quest

  • 152,000 miles
I was sold a deceptive van at the end Sept 2020, I did a test drive with the salesman, pointed out several issues with the van like check engine light on, traction light on, air bag light on, remote missing to control tv, the salesman told me not to worry about all the lights that's on he will get that fix at a later date and to buy the tv remote and a deduction will be applied to my contract. I was fine with that, but that hasn't been the case. I admittedly start to find other issue with the van the more I drove it like the rear wiper motor is not working, the complete steering wheel is not working so the horn, cruise control, bluetooth settings, radio volume button. I have made the salesman a where of this but his whole tone changed. I was told to get whatever issues fixed myself and maybe a deduction would be applied to my balance, once again I said but that's not what we agree on. So now its time for my temporary tag to expire, was issued a new one 3 times but had to take it to a shop to let them manipulate the system because the van will not pass marta/emission to get register for real license plate with the check engine light on. The van is missing the Cadillac converter and the salesman will not put one on said you do not really need it on the van. At this point he said in a conversation with me that a previous owner had the van for about a month and returned it for issues, but when I said I'm not satisfied with the van and want to return as well, it was pass 2 months now and as long as the van gets me to point a to point B that's all that matters! once again the more I drive the van I'm finding issues so now the button on the radio get stuck when pushed in, controlling the heat and air it has a mind of its own, so when I turn on the heat, the ac button will not turn off, also the automatic window buttons don't work properly. This van is unsafe to drive period.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #10

Oct 282019

Quest

  • 42,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Quest. While driving approximately 50 mph and slowing down in traffic, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but hesitated to respond. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not informed of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V076000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 42,000.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #9

Jun 142018

Quest

  • 125,000 miles
The van began to sputter and seemingly misfire once shifted into gear. I suspected a case of clogged fuel injectors and pressed firmly with the throttle to clear the line of debris. The van then stalled in the intersection as I was making a left turn, the transmission disengaged itself and provided no gear resistance. Fortunately the timing of oncoming traffic allowed me to coast out of the intersection, using the downward grade of a nearby alley in order to exit the street. Inspection of the van revealed obd II codes: P0500 and P0720. Further investigation revealed an existing recall for automobiles of this make, model and year, that exhibit the events I have encountered. I believe that recall:12V076000 recall date 02/29/2012 should be expanded to include my VIN due to the similarity of events encountered as well as the hazard thereby created. I am fortunate to have made it through the intersection without getting T-boned. Below are reference quotes and links that further describe the experience and illustrate the identical circumstances that prompted the existing recall. Reference a: P0500.enginetroublecode.com/Nissan-Quest P0500 obd-II diagnostic powertrain (P) trouble code description P0500 obd-II trouble code the vehicle speed sensor outputs a 4 pulse signal for every revolution of the rotor shaft, which is rotated by the transmission output shaft via the driven gear. After this signal is converted into a P0500 code. Reason for P0500 code the reason of P0500 obd-II engine trouble code is fuel composition sensor circuit malfunction. Parts or components should not be replaced with reference to only a P0500 dtc. The vehicle service manual should be consulted for more information on possible causes of the fault, along with required testing. Reference B: https://www.cars.com/recalls/Nissan-Quest-2012/ see attach. Thanks

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 102017

Quest

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Quest. While at a stop light, the vehicle stalled without warning on a decline. Once the contact reached the bottom of the decline, she was able to shift the vehicle into neutral and drive normally. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V076000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Conner, TX, USA

problem #7

Jan 252016

Quest

  • 60,000 miles
Though my vehicle was not subject to a recall I had the same issue as the other vehicles that had been recalled. With 40 miles left to go, according to my gauge, my vehicle stalled in traffic, on two different occasions, while turning left into gas stations. When I presented this issue to a dealer and to Nissan America I was told my vehicle was not subject to a recall, even though it was for the same problem and required the same repair as the recalled vehicles. I was charged over $300 for reprogramming my computer.

- Donalsonville, GA, USA

problem #6

Nov 132015

Quest

  • 73,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I bought this vehicle not knowing this vehicle had prior owner trans problem with dealer. At about a month to two month after I bought this vehicle at 68300 in the busy California traffic the vehicle stalled on me foot on the gas but trans is not moving. This is the diagnosis: Doc codes P0725 engine speed * P0746 pic solienoid a * P0776 pic solenoid B * P0868 fluid pressure low * P1701 tcm. * P1722 vehicle speed signal and * P1778 step motor in transmission cvt trans burnt replacement was recommended at a cost $ 3110,81 and labor cost $ 1619,00. Trans was done by August 14 2014 in November 2015 the same thing again too many people are having the same problem with this trans in cars an vans the dealer is doing nothing about it. Imagine 3 times same vehicle and it' under 70,000 miles

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 102014

Quest

  • 55,000 miles
May 2014, I had a wet driver side a pillar that was leaking. Nissan attributed it to a defective sunroof with a crack. The headliner, subwoofer and amplifier were replaced. On July 10, 2015, I took my car to a flagship carwash. After my car was washed I noticed water on the right side of the rear sunroof and on the headliner in the rear of the vehicle on both the right and left sides of the car was wet in all the above noted locations. My radio also stopped working. Nissan had my car for five days and said they could not recreate the leak or determine what was wrong with the radio. They would not look at the radio as it was not under warranty. I took my car to a local radio repair shop and they discovered rust behind the panels in the rear of the vehicle, in the cargo area and 2 inches of water under my cargo area. Vehicle was purchased Feb 2013 new.

- Parkton , MD, USA

problem #4

Feb 192015

Quest

  • 82,499 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted; however, it would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the solenoid needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting same failures as mentioned in NHTSA campaign number: 12V076000 (electrical system, fuel system, gasoline). The VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 82,499.

- Southfield, MI, USA

problem #3

Nov 152012

Quest 6-cyl

  • 4,000 miles
I was parked on a slope, with about 1/8 a tank of gas and the van would not start. I was able to start the vehicle after I put it in neutral and rolled it to level ground. I googled the problem and found out there was a recall, which I was never informed about. I took the van into the local Nissan shop and they performed the recall fix. When I asked why I wasn't notified of the recall, they said that my vehicle was manufactured after the dates covered by the recall, but it was obviously affected by the same issue (and that the dates in the recall must be "off"). the recall number is 12V076000, it covers vehicles manufactured between 7/29/2010 and 2/21/2012. My vehicle was manufactured on 2/23/2012, and has the same issue.

- North Wilkesboro, NC, USA

problem #2

Sep 022012

Quest 6-cyl

  • 1,330 miles
Car was parked on a parking lot on a very slight decline. Low fuel indicator just came on but distance to empty indicator still shows 50+ miles. Vehicle started at first but started to shudder and then engine died. Tried restarting a few times but it will just shut off right away. All electrical components were fine (radio, lights, etc). Had to put 2 gallons of gas to get it to start again. Drove to the gas station right away and filled it up with only 14.5 gallons of tank. Manual says vehicle has 20 gallon fuel tank capacity. I was aware of the recall (campaign: 12V076000) but initially thought that my vehicle was not included since the campaign was back in March 2012 and I bought the vehicle in July 2012. Was later confirmed by Nissan Consumer Affairs and dealer service advisor that my car was indeed not included in the recall. However, car shows similar symptoms with same model cars that were recalled.

- Chula Vista, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 292012

Quest

  • 500 miles
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 with the manufacturer regarding NHTSA campaign I.D. number: 12V076000 (electrical system: Software) before purchasing the vehicle and the manufacturer advised that the vehicle did not fall under the recall. The contact did not take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure mileage was 500.

- Auburn, AL, USA

Not what you are looking for?