2012 NISSAN QUEST Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I purchased the van and noticed that at times it would suddenly de-accelerate and drop from whatever speed im doing and refuse to speed up even if I press the gas peddle to the floor. Id come up to a stop sign and stop, then at times it wouldnt accelerate, even with the peddle to the floor, it would barely move forward. I brought it back to the person I purchased it from tried to describe what happened, they had someone check the transmission and said it was fine. Its continued to do this, and has almost caused crashes because it does it periodically and without warning on inclines, at red lights, if I driven a long distance (i.e. 1hr or so) etc, and when stopped. Its done this especially when it comes to hills, its terrifying but I have no other vehicles and now only drive it locally, avoid hills, and only if I absolutely have to. This is my first Nissan and wasn't aware of issues like this as I typically buy Buick's, so I researched Nissan issues and recalls and recently saw a recall from October 2025 related to the fuel pump injector system reset that describes what ive experienced exactly, but when I took it to the Nissan dealership in Saratoga NY, they said its not a recall, just a warning for my model and year, and they would need to charge me to inspect it, and didnt advise if it was repairable. Anyone else who has this model Nissan I would want warned immediately, and I mean immediately. Its scary seeing other vehicles coming up behind me and I dont know if my van will accelerate or not, I took out a loan to buy this vehicle and am still paying it off. I cant buy another right now. The actual recall for what appears to be the same issue came out for 2013 and newer Nissans but again, should include this model for year 2012. Those of us with this vehicle should be included in the recall so we can drive safely as well. Please make this update to the recall asap. Thank you for your time and consideration to review this

My van is not accelerating properly, it seems to idle out and does not go over 20 mph it idles on acceleration decline. i could not get out of way fast enough if traffic was busy.

The CVT transmission on this vehicle has failed. The vehicle is jerking and and stalls while driving. If I'm at a light stopped and the light changes to go, the vehicle won't move unless I put my foot all the way down on the accelerator then it Jenks and starts to move. I took it to Sheridan Nissan in Delaware, and they told me this has been the issue with the CVT transmission and I need to just get rid of the van. To get a new one put in is over $7000 with just a 12 Mos12,000 miles warranty and they say it may go out again. I was told by another dealership that Nissan new about this problem, but won't fix it. I've noticed that they have replaced CVT transmissions in other Nissan vehicles and other years, but seem to skip the 2012 Nissan Quest. The engine light came on after it started jerking and I had it towed to Nissan and then they told me that the transmission is slipping. They told me I could drive it home, but to "get rid of it because it doesn't have much life left." Please make Nissan recall these transmissions like they did others. If they are all CVT transmissions, why are some being fixed and others being ignored? Please help.

Have fixed myself Ac compressor kit about 97,051miles on [XXX], maf sensor, two vvt solenoids having driven it 20,000 miles in five years trying to rid light. Nov 2019 purchased at 94,719 miles. Roberts nissan of manchester, tn checked and serviced on [XXX] at 95,186 milles in excellent condition. Light will not stay off for power train system, cam timing bank, timing chains, vct camshaft timing vct, power supply circuit. Nissan did replace recall ABS actuator. Had checked Cookeville Nissan [XXX] light on and they turned off saying it checked ok after a cold start for $230. It is loud now at 114,998 miles! This auto must have defective parts since Gateway has serviced it regularly. I am concerned about driving. Talked to consumer affairs of Nissan and was told it was over 65,000 miles and not valid. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owed a 2012 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle launched forward at high speed without any warning. The contact pressed on the brake pedal, but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing the contact to loss control and drive into a ditch and crashing a tree causing the vehicle came to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the left leg and foot and head and seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totally loss from the insurance company. The manufacturer was contact and stated that there was no recall for the failure and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Crash 1 injured

CVT Transmission failed and had to replace with new CVT Transmission while returning from a trip on June 7 2023. It failed in middle of the trip. Aamco Boardman, OH helped replace it with brand new transmission and it cost $7525. Last year also Compressor failed and had to replace it with brand new compressor at the local garage here in Shippensburg. Mileage is only 110000 miles. Very disappointed and dissatisfied with 2012 Nissan Quest.

I was on a busy freeway only 10 miles from my city and my van with no warning started to slow down and I tried pushing gas to make it go faster to the speed limit because there were semi trucks lined behind and beside me and it wouldn’t accelerate at all. It just continued to slow down at a fast rate and I was trying to get to the side of the freeway as fast as possible and the steering wheel got hard to turn to the side. It was a struggle and I had my husband, and all 5 of my daughters with me. We were all scared out of our minds. Vehicles were passing so close to us and so fast. The vehicle came to a complete stop on the side of the freeway and the engine was still running and I tried to push gas but it just revved up and didn’t move at all. My family and I were stranded for hours waiting for help to come. We could have been hit by so many vehicles. I turned off the van and restarted a few minutes later to try to get it to go but it wouldn’t budge. Just made whining sounds.

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).

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.

The dashboard on my 2012 Nissan Quest S is splitting at the edges leaving a gap between 1/16-1/32 wide. The area around the passenger air bag is now outlined and I am concerned it my effect the air bag. This started about a year ago and is getting worse.

Daughter's Quest has a bad CVT transmission. Diagnosis made by independent service center. Check engine light came on. Codes P1700, P0746, & P0868. Unsafe to drive - doesn't accelerate, shakes, shutters, etc. Other Nissan Quest/Nissan owners with same issue (Pathfinder, Rogue, Juke, Murano, Versa,Sentra,Altima). Refer to CarComplaints.com. I mailed a letter to Nissan Corp Office in Franklin TN. They offered no assistance. Nissan settled a class action law suit for Sentra, Versa, Altima with same trans problem by agreeing to replace trans and extend warranty from 5yrs/60K miles to 10 yrs/120K miles. Want Nissan to replace bad CVT transmissions and extend warranty on Quest vans and other models with bad CVT transmissions.

Dashboard has a square cut on the passnger side, it is like a blade cut.

CVT transmission is failing, it is very very common with Nissan.

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

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

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

My 2012 Nissan Quest has completely rotted out causing the muffler system and the motor mount to move causing significant damage and repair. Over $2,500 just to buy parts and repair all due to excessive rust on the body frame underneath. Its only a 2012 yet it looks as if it is a lot older. While driving the muffler system failed and broke away along with the motor mount which shifted. Cannot be driven any longer.

IN 2019 OUR PAINT STARTED PEALING OFF IN CHUNKS. I CAN RUB MY HAND A CROSS THE PAINT AND IT WILL FALL OFF. WHEN I WASH MY VEHICLE EVEN MORE PAINT WILL COME OFF. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SPOTS ON MY VEHICLE WHERE THE METAL IS EXPOSED.

FRONT SUN ROOF EXPLODED, SHOWERING GLASS OVER THE ROOF. DRIVING ON A SMOOTH CITY STREET AT 35 MPH. NO OTHER VEHICLE OR PERSON IN THE VICINITY, AND NOTHING OVERHEAD. TEMPERATURE NEAR FREEZING AND SPITTING SNOW. THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY.

I AM HAVING A PROBLEM ON THE CVT TRANSMISSION OF MY 2012 NISSAN QUEST. IT'S BECOMING TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE IT'S KEEP ON JERKING WHEN I'M DRIVING IT IN THE STREET THAT IS WAY I DON'T DRIVE IT IN THE FREEWAY BECAUSE IT'S TOO DANGEROUS AND LATELY IT SPEED UP THAT I ALMOST GET AN ACCIDENT. FIRST IT WON'T RUN WHENEVER I STOP AT STOP SIGN AND/OR STOP LIGHT, WHEN I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR IT WON'T RUN LIKE IT NORMALLY DO AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WILL SPEED UP THAT I ALMOST GET IN AN ACCIDENT. I WANT THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER TO RECALL MY QUEST AND FIX MY TRANSMISSION.

AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON AS SOON AS CAR IS IN IGNITION AND STAY WHEN CAR IS STATIC. THE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN IN MOTION. THE DEALER FIXED THIS ISSUE AND ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON. I AM BEEN TOLD TO PAY ANOTHER 3000 DOLLARS TO FIX THE SEAT.

THE LCD SCREEN ON THE DASH DOOR KEEPS ACTING CRAZY LIKE SCRAMBLING AND IT HAS NOW JUST GONE COMPLETELY BLACK

WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE THE VAN WAS JERKING EVERY TIME THE GAS WAS PRESSED. THIS WAS EVEN HAPPENING THE DAY PRIOR WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. AT ONE POINT THE RPM WOULD GO START GOING HIGH WHEN THE GAS WAS BARELY BEING PRESSED. WE DECIDED TO GET OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT. WE WERE AT A STOPLIGHT AND THE VAN JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED GIVING ANY POWER WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS. THERE WERE NO LIGHT INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD TO ALERT OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN. THE RPM WOULD NOT REV UP EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED. WE TURNED THE VAN OFF AND ON TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE ISSUE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THERE WAS STILL NO POWER PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL. THE VAN HAD TO ROLL UNTIL WE WERE ABLE TO PARK SAFELY AT A GAS STATION. WE LET THE VAN SIT FOR OVER 30 MINUTES JUST IN CASE TO SEE IF IT WAS AN OVERHEATING ISSUE. THERE WAS A JIFFY LUBE NEARBY AND WE ASKED A MECHANIC WHAT THE ISSUE WOULD BE. THEY SAID THAT NISSAN HAD A CVT TRANSMISSION WHICH HAS BEEN KNOWN TO HAVE PROBLEMS LIKE LOSS OF POWER, TRANSMISSION JERKING, ETC. EVENTUALLY WE HAD TO GET THE VAN TOWED BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.

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.

AUTOMATIC REAR DOORS CANNOT BE STOPPED FROM CLOSING ONCE ACTIVATED AND A PERSON CAN GET CRUSHED IN THE DOOR.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN ENGINE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN WORLD OF RED BANK (NEWMAN SPRINGS RD E, RED BANK, NJ 07701) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR AN UNKNOWN FAILURE AND WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT. A YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE REOCCURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

AT 119,000 MILES THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GET OUT OF 1ST GEAR, MAKING ACCELERATION FROM A DEAD STOP NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE. SEVERAL CALLS TO MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND TO NISSAN CORPORATION RESULTED IN "I'M SORRY BUT WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR YOU BUT OFFER A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF YOUR TRANSMISSION AT AT COST OVER $5000". THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 19K MILES OUT OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED FROM NISSAN, BUT THEY ARE CLAIMING THEY DON'T LOOK AT THAT, THEY LOOK AT THE ORIGINAL MANUFACTURE WARRANTY. NISSAN IS AWARE OF ISSUES WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION THEY HAVE PUT IN THEIR CARS BUT REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUES OR WORK WITH CUSTOMERS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS SON WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN EXPLOSION WAS HEARD IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BLACK SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND THE FAMILY EXITED SAFELY HOWEVER SMOKE FILLED THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAMILY MEMBERS NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE AS FLAMES WERE EXITING THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE SHERIFF ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HOWEVER WAS UNABLE TO. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED MORE THAN HALF OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A FIRE OR POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS AWAITING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER TROPHY NISSAN ( 5031 N GALLOWAY AVE, MESQUITE, TX 75150) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS TRANSFERRED TO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *LN*JB

Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, WHEN HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND STATED HE SAW SMOKE EXITING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED SAFETY THE VEHICLE WITH HIS FAMILY. THE CONTACT STATED HE SAW FIRE EXITING THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THE POLICE WAS ON THE LOCATION AND CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS UNAWARE IF THERE WAS A POLICE OR FIRE REPORT COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE WAS INJURED OR SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RECORD SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,632.

Fire

TL* 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.

ENGINE NOISE WHEN IS COLD , SOMETIMES IS LOOSING POWER , WHEN YOU STEPON GAS PEDAL CAR IS NOT MOVING , STOP SIGN AND TRAFIC LIGHTS

THE VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO TRANSMISSION. CVT FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS SOME 93,000 MILES. VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AND DID NOT MOVE. WE HAD TO TOW IT HOME. THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES.

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RIGHT AFTER PASSING THE 60,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE JERKED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. THE NISSAN DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IT CAN'T BE REBUILT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM ACROSS OTHER 2012 NISSAN QUESTS. OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS AS WELL. HTTP://WWW.LEMONLAWCASE.COM/PROBLEM-VEHICLES/NISSAN-CVT-PROBLEMS/ NISSAN SHOULD EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO 100K MILES FOR ALL 2012 NISSAN QUESTS. HTTPS://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/QUEST/2012/TRANSMISSION/TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTML