Most common 1998 Nissan Quest problems
Share of the 41 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Quest complaints by model year
Best Quest years: 2017, 2015, 2016. Years to avoid: 2004, 2007, 2012, 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1998 Nissan Quest recalls (1)
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly
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)…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the vent hose.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 1998 Nissan Quest:
Fuel tank vent hose leakage
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…
What 1998 Nissan Quest owners say
Body & structure
The vehicle locks the door automatically with no reason. This can happen even when the vehicle's engine is running. Also, if unlocking the vehicle by the remote keyless entry, the driver door will open. Upon pressing the "unlock" botton again to unlock all doors, all door will unlock and immediately all, including the driver's door will lock. Twice I had my car locked up on me while running in my garage. I am a proud father of a new infant. While trying to put the baby in the vehicle, what can I do if the doors lock on their own again? It will be a danger to my child's safety. Also, if you try to unlock the car with the unlock (electrical) botton, it sometime will not let you do so by automatically locking the car. This is a safety issue if we need to exit the vehicle in an emergency. Please review and advise.
Vehicle locks automatically, without warning. The van has locked automatically both when the ignition was on, and when it was off. Also, when using the key to manually open the doors, it is difficult to get the doors open on the first try. This is on on-going problem. This is a dangerous condition, especially when one considers that the sale of minivans are primarily targeted to drivers with children.
Windows, wipers & sunroof
The windshield has cracked in the lowest middle of glass underneath the leaf screen. I have contacted both the Nissan dealer and Nissan customer service and they both refused to correct the problem. Dealer has admitted that there are no signs of stone chip on the glass. When contacted Nissan, I was told they would not warrant their glass eventhough the vehicle is still under full warranty. I want to make sure that the glass does not break and cause an accident.
When trying to unlock car from inside using power locks on both passenger side and or driver side , power locks would automaticlly re-lock doors making exiting van impossible. Also after heavy rain I would get in van and find carpet soaked in front passenger side. Also would get soaked if driving in rain. Passenger side door or window was not opened to let water or rain in.
Fuel & propulsion system
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that as soon as the engine was started, the vehicle would exhibit an unusual whining noise from the rear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed and the contact was advised that the fuel pump would need replacing. The contact stated there was a technical service bulletin for the failure (NHTSA item number: 604996-fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) yet there were no recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 7,000 and the current mileage was 186,000.
The fuel pump makes a whining noise when vehicle is running from (mid-car) / (almost sounds like it's in the speakers) and you can smell gas bad - especially after a fill up.
1998 Nissan Quest engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
EPA ratings. Class: Minivan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Nissan Quest a good car?
Based on 41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Quest rates average: 29% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Quest at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Nissan Quest?
The body & structure — 5 complaints, 12% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body › door. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (5) and fuel & propulsion system (5).
How many recalls does the 1998 Nissan Quest have?
There is 1 recall for the 1998 Nissan Quest, the most recent from December 15, 2000 (tank assembly). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Quest?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2015 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004, 2007, 2012, 1995 and 1996. See the full Nissan Quest years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Nissan Quest problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 103,000 miles; 29% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.