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1996 Nissan Quest

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Quest years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Nissan Quest are substantially higher than the model-year median of 66.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 27 of 134 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports6 fire reports3 injury reports

Latches/locks/linkages complaints

26 reports
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22,851 miles · Oct 22, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

ALL DOORS WILL LOCK UNDER 3 SCENARIOS: 1) DOORS WILL RELOCK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, UNLOCKING THE DOORS. 2) DOORS WILL LOCK AFTER CLOSING DRIVER DOOR. 3) DOORS MAY LOCK WITHOUT ANY ACTION TAKING PLACE. *AK COULD BE LOCKED OUT OF VEHICLE IF DOORS LOCK WHEN CLOSING DOOR, WITH KEYS IN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED DOOR LOCK…

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ALL DOORS WILL LOCK UNDER 3 SCENARIOS: 1) DOORS WILL RELOCK IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING, UNLOCKING THE DOORS. 2) DOORS WILL LOCK AFTER CLOSING DRIVER DOOR. 3) DOORS MAY LOCK WITHOUT ANY ACTION TAKING PLACE. *AK COULD BE LOCKED OUT OF VEHICLE IF DOORS LOCK WHEN CLOSING DOOR, WITH KEYS IN THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REPLACED DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IN 1998, PROBLEM STARTED REOCCURING IN 2002 AND CONTINUES TO OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10096248

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

LATCHES/LOCKS ON SLIDING DOOR WOULD OPEN, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE PASSES OVER A ROUGH SURFACE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10080616

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

I SUBMITTED COMPLAINT REQUEST 10051248 IN DECEMBER 2003. NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME ABOUT THE SIDE DOOR CONTINUALLY UNLATCHING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10067732

57,656 miles · Jan 12, 2004
Latches/locks/linkages

1. DRIVER DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN AT LEASE ONCE A DAY. REPLACED ACTUATOR BY DEALER ON 6/14/00, WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR THEN STARTED DOING SAME THING AGAIN PLUS. 2. SLIDING DOOR OPENS AND THE AJAR LIGHT COMES ON DAILY OR WHENEVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD IS HIT. 3. REAR DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY RESET FOR ALL THE…

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1. DRIVER DOOR LOCK WILL NOT OPEN AT LEASE ONCE A DAY. REPLACED ACTUATOR BY DEALER ON 6/14/00, WORKED FOR ABOUT A YEAR THEN STARTED DOING SAME THING AGAIN PLUS. 2. SLIDING DOOR OPENS AND THE AJAR LIGHT COMES ON DAILY OR WHENEVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD IS HIT. 3. REAR DOOR HAS TO BE OPENED AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY RESET FOR ALL THE DOORS TO LOCK. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES, 1890 IS AN ESTIMATE, EVERY TIME I DRIVE THIS CAR, WHICH BELONGS TO MY WIFE THE DOORS ACT AS DESCRIBED, MY WIFE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING SINCE 1998. THE DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACING THE LOCKS, BUT AFTER READING SEVERAL OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM THIS SITE, I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THANK FOR YOUR HELP. WAYNE PLAISANCE *LA

NHTSA ODI #10052933

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

I HAVE A NISSAN QUEST 1996 - I REPORTED A DOOR LATCH POPPING OPEN IN APRIL 2001 WHEN THE CAR HAD 50,000 MILES. SINCE THEN THE LATCH WAS REPLACED AND HAS BEEN ADJUSTED A NUMBER OF TIMES. THE DOOR CONTINUES TO FAIL AND POP OPEN OR RATHER GO AJAR AND THE INSIDE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. THIS MAKES FOR A NUMBER OF UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITI…

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I HAVE A NISSAN QUEST 1996 - I REPORTED A DOOR LATCH POPPING OPEN IN APRIL 2001 WHEN THE CAR HAD 50,000 MILES. SINCE THEN THE LATCH WAS REPLACED AND HAS BEEN ADJUSTED A NUMBER OF TIMES. THE DOOR CONTINUES TO FAIL AND POP OPEN OR RATHER GO AJAR AND THE INSIDE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. THIS MAKES FOR A NUMBER OF UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. FIRST THE DOOR COULD SLIDE OPEN ALL THE WAY ENDANGERING MY CHILDREN. IF I WERE TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT, THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THE DOOR WILL REMAIN CLOSED AND INTACT. THIRD, DRIVING AT NIGHT AND SUDDENLY HAVE THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATE MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AND DRIVE. THE ORIGINAL COMPLAINT WAS ODI745323. I RECENTLY SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH JEFF AUSTIN AT NISSAN CONSUMER DIVISION - PHONE NUMBER 1-800-NISSAN1 EXTENSION 8441. HE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOT ANY RECORD OF THIS OCCURRING IN OTHER VEHICLES AND SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP - THEY TOLD ME SINCE I WAS THE ONLY COMPLAINT AND THE MILEAGE WAS OVER 60,000 THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST ME AND THAT I SHOULD SEEK BODY REPAIR TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR THE LAST 30,000 MILES AND IS GOING ON 4 YEARS. I REFUSE TO PAY ANYTHING FURTHER TO HAVE THIS RECTIFIED. THIS IS A DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED TO MY SATISFACTION. I HAD SPOKEN PREVIOUSLY WITH DAN NEFF (310) 771-5463 AND THE INITIAL CHANGE OF THE LOCK MECHANISM APPEARED TO HELP FOR A SHORT PERIOD. I PAID FOR THAT FIX. SHORTLY AFTER I SPOKE WITH MR. NEFF THE PROBLEM BEGAN OCCURRING AGAIN AND HAS SINCE THAT TIME. NISSAN HAS BEEN UNWILLING TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND YET THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER INCIDENTS AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE WEB PAGE SEARCH INCLUDING ODI'S 602908, 703853, 845494, 721420, 864190, 10049456, 863863, 754162, 602996, 848600, 745164, 745414, 10001339, 10022724 I WANT THIS ISSUE RESOLVED, I WANT THE DOOR FIXED AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING ANYTHING FURTHER TO ENSURE THAT THIS DEFECT IS REPAIRED TO MY SATISFACTION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10051248

90,000 miles · Dec 9, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK/UNLOCK INTERMITTENTLY, REAR PASSENGER SIDE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY WENT OUT, SLIDING DOOR WILL AJAR WHILE IN OPERATION, AND TAPPING NOISE FROM ENGINE HAS NOT BEEN RECOGNIZED BY MECHANICS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10049456

100,000 miles · Aug 4, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

1996 NISSAN QUEST DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030773

116,000 miles · Jun 10, 2003
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING SLIDING DOORS OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10022724

72,000 miles · Dec 20, 2002
Latches/locks/linkages

WHILE DRIVING OR EVEN IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, THE SLIDING DOOR LOCK WILL UN-LATCH AND DOOR WILL OPEN BY ITSELF AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL ALSO COME ON. TS

NHTSA ODI #10001339

Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2001
Latches/locks/linkagesInjury

AT THE SLIGHTEST DECLINE (NOSE FACING DOWNWARD) THE SLIDING DOOR WILL VIOLENTLY SHUT HITTING WHOMEVER OR WHATEVER IS IN THE PATH. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO REMOVE SOMETHING FROM THE MIDDLE OR BACK SEAT, YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR BODY IN BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR FRAME TO KEEP IT OPEN. MY SON GOT HIS ARM HURT JUST RECENTLY DUE TO THE …

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AT THE SLIGHTEST DECLINE (NOSE FACING DOWNWARD) THE SLIDING DOOR WILL VIOLENTLY SHUT HITTING WHOMEVER OR WHATEVER IS IN THE PATH. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO REMOVE SOMETHING FROM THE MIDDLE OR BACK SEAT, YOU HAVE TO PUT YOUR BODY IN BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR FRAME TO KEEP IT OPEN. MY SON GOT HIS ARM HURT JUST RECENTLY DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE DOOR SHUTTING ON HIM. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THE DOOR HAS NEVER HAD ANY TYPE OF LOCKING MECHANISM TO HOLD THE DOOR OPEN WHEN NEEDED. OR IF IT WAS SUPPOSE TO HAVE ONE, MY VAN'S LATCH HAS NEVER WORKED. I HAVE DONE A SEARCH TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS SITUTION, HOWEVER DID NOT FIND ONE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASED NEW BUT ONLY NOW HAS MANIFESTED ITSELF INTO THE POTENTIAL DANGER! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AND ADDRESSED TO CORRECT THIS PROTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUTION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #754162

Official recalls

2

00V419001 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

Dec 15, 2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE ALLOWS AIR TO VENT FROM THE FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE VENT HOSE. IF (1) THE FUEL TANK IS OVERFILLED, NOT ALLOWING EXCESS FUEL IN THE VENT HOSE TO FLOW BACK INTO THE TANK, (2) THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER REFUELING AND, (3) THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNIFICANT HEATING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL IN THE TANK CAN EXPAND INTO THE VENT HOSE AND LEAK FUEL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.

98V012002 · Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls

Mar 3, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE CHILD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE INSTRUCTIONS DESCRIBING HOW AND WHERE THIS LABEL IS TO BE INSTALLED. IF AN OWNER PREFERS, THEIR DEALER CAN INSTALL THIS LABEL FOR THEM.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA00015 · Fuel Tank Vent Hose Leakage

Opened May 22, 2000 · Closed Jan 4, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE.HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN.FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES FOLLOWING TANK FILL.STARTING AT JOB#1 1998 MY (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLES) AND JOB#1 1999 MY (FEDERAL EMISSIONS VEHICLES), THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE COMPOSITION CHANGED FROM NITRILE RUBBER HOSES WITH CHLOROPRENE RUBBER COVERS (NBR/CR) TO FLUORACBON RUBBER HOSES WHICH AN OUTER LAYER BLEND OF NBR/PVC.THE CHANGES WER MADE TO IMPROVE HYDRACARBON RESISTANCE FOR COMPLAINCE WITH NEW EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS.THE MODIFIED HOSES ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RESISTANT OT DEGRADATION AND CRACIKING. IN A LETTER DATED DECEMBER 14, 2000, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE IN AFFECTD VEHICLES WITH THE REDESIGNED HOSE.NISSAN WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON FEBRUARY 5, 2001.NISSAN WILL FINISH ITS OWNER MAILINGS ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2001.OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN REVERSE ORDER OF VEHICLE AGE.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE.HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN.FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES FOLLOWING TANK FILL.STARTING AT JOB#1 1998 MY (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLES) AND JOB#1 1999 MY (FEDERAL EMISSIONS VEHICLES), THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE COMPOSITION CHANGED FROM NITRILE RUBBER HOSES WITH CHLOROPRENE RUBBER COVERS (NBR/CR) TO FLUORACBON RUBBER HOSES WHICH AN OUTER LAYER BLEND OF NBR/PVC.THE CHANGES WER MADE TO IMPROVE HYDRACARBON RESISTANCE FOR COMPLAINCE WITH NEW EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS.THE MODIFIED HOSES ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RESISTANT OT DEGRADATION AND CRACIKING. IN A LETTER DATED DECEMBER 14, 2000, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE IN AFFECTD VEHICLES WITH THE REDESIGNED HOSE.NISSAN WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON FEBRUARY 5, 2001.NISSAN WILL FINISH ITS OWNER MAILINGS ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2001.OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN REVERSE ORDER OF VEHICLE AGE.

Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE.HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN.FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES FOLLOWING TANK FILL.STARTING AT JOB#1 1998 MY (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLES) AND JOB#1 1999 MY (FEDERAL EMISSIONS VEHICLES), THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE COMPOSITION CHANGED FROM NITRILE RUBBER HOSES WITH CHLOROPRENE RUBBER COVERS (NBR/CR) TO FLUORACBON RUBBER HOSES WHICH AN OUTER LAYER BLEND OF NBR/PVC.THE CHANGES WER MADE TO IMPROVE HYDRACARBON RESISTANCE FOR COMPLAINCE WITH NEW EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS.THE MODIFIED HOSES ARE ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE RESISTANT OT DEGRADATION AND CRACIKING. IN A LETTER DATED DECEMBER 14, 2000, NISSAN NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE IN AFFECTD VEHICLES WITH THE REDESIGNED HOSE.NISSAN WILL BEGIN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ON FEBRUARY 5, 2001.NISSAN WILL FINISH ITS OWNER MAILINGS ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2001.OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN REVERSE ORDER OF VEHICLE AGE.

SQ00008 · Unexpected Opening On Sliding Door

Opened May 12, 2000 · Closed Apr 1, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure

There is no summary currently available