Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Nissan Quest owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Quest. While waiting at a stop light, the engine surged and the vehicle was forced out into a four-way intersection. After a few seconds, the engine went back to idling normally. On February 9, 2015, while waiting at a restaurant drive thru, the engine surged forward while the brakes were engaged and crashed into the preceding vehicle. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000. The consumer stated on three occasions, the engine revved, and lunged forward as he was braking, causing him to loose control of the vehicle which resulted in him hitting a handicap parking sign. …
Had a crash in nov 2005 at low speed (approximately 25 MPH). The brakes seemed to simply not work. The brake pedal was pressed very hard and seemed like nothing was happening. I have had the brakes checked at every other service appointment and nothing seems to be obvious to the Firestone mechanic. Also the tires skid a lot on even sandy streets. I dare not drive in snow with this elephant of a van. It gets stuck in snow on the slightest of inclines. My Nissan Quest se 2004 has had the privilege of holding up the traffic several times on the slightest incline in the road in snow. I am honestly very scared of driving in the snow. Today is the first day I have started exploring whether other people have had similar problems and found a number of them online. So I decided to do my part by sending this info in.
I parked my van in the driveway of my house. The driveway has a steep incline. I put the van in park and engaged the parking brake. I stepped out of the van, waved to my husband and the van began rolling backward. My baby was still in the van, so I tried to get back in to make sure the parking brake was on. Unfortunately, it was moving too fast. The van dragged me into the street, slammed me into the asphalt and drug my across the road. The neighbors mail box which was cemented into the ground stopped the van...after it was ripped from the ground. I suffered contusions and scrapes along the right side of my face and shoulder from the road and contusions and scrapes to my left ribs, hip and thigh.
While driving approximately 25 MPH driver attempted to slow down by depressing the brake pedal, vehicle hit a curb and a light pole. Then, vehicle rolled over twice. Driver sustained minor cuts and bruises driver and was transported to the emergency room for treatment.
I am very unhappy with the 2004 Nissan Quest. I have had to bring it to the dealership on several occasions since I bought it with 12 miles in September 2004. I thought that the Nissan name would be as good as the toyotas that I have bought, which have lasted without trips to the dealer every few thousand miles. This complaint is based on having to replace the brakes and rotor at 29,000 miles; it was just the straw that broke the camel's back. Once I looked into the complaints listed, I realized that this could be a design flaw. When I inquired of the service manager about the brakes wearing so quickly, he stated it is a heavy vehicle and it all depends on how you drive. He stated that some people's brakes on this same make and model wear out even sooner, as if this was some consolation to me. …
Between the dates of feb 10-17, 2008; my 2004 Nissan Quest minivan began to experience some electrical issues. The TCS, slip, and ABS lights came on in the dash and a humming noise was coming from my engine. I took my vehicle to the dealership (were I purchased it from), and as I pulled into the lot the lights went off (feb 28). The service rep. Told me the information should be stored in my van's computer system. I paid $97.40 for the dealership to hook my car up for a diagnostic check only to be told that ABS system pump and module assembly needed to be replaced at a cost of $1790. The service rep also told me that what ever was causing the humming noise would be repaired. Only a temporary fix, because on my way back home the noise started again. He also told me that my brakes were functional but my ABS unit did not affect my normal brakes. …
The brakes have to be changed at least 3-4 times a year, and rotors had to be changed because they were about a 1/2 in. Gone. Steering wheel began to shake every time I had to brake. Brakes never stop squeaking. Finally had to put new calipers in about a week ago I finally thought my brakes would be working fine again. Worked good for one day, squeaking came back every time I brake, still hear scrapping noise from the brakes. One problem after another with this car. When it rains from front window leaks into the glasses holder since I purchased the car. Yesterday the passenger sliding door has a hook at the back of the door when it closes it hooks to it also, the piece fell into the door now the door does not close right. The sensor thinks the door is open so now the bottom lights stay on. This was the worse purchase I May have done. …
Dt: the brakes heat up and the rotors warp. The steering wheel would start shaking when the consumer applied the brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealership at that point. The consumer stated it happened every 4000 miles since she has had the vehicle. It first happened in March of 2004. The dealership is telling the consumer that the brakes are heating up. The rotors have been resurfaced three times. They ordered new rotors and they have been on for approximately 3 months and the steering wheel is shaking again. She has also gone through two fuel injectors. She was told that she is putting low grade fuel into the vehicle. …
Bad vibration when braking, changed rotors and pads on front brakes seem to make the problem less but after a period of time a clunking noise 5000 miles was starting to be heard. Control arm ball joint on right side had excessive play and was replaced, but that did not get ride of the shudder in the braking situation. Told it was warped brakes, replaced break rotors and pads 1000 miles . Still no difference in the shudder is still there rotated the tires no difference in the shudder. I had new tires in the car when the right front wheel fell off. No stud-lugs could be found and major damage to front fender and bumper. Our au pair driver reported a noise coming from somewhere but visual inspection did not indicate where the problem was. Continued to drive when the noise became louder pull off interstate to shoulder at about 15 MPH tile fell off. Body and mechanical work will be done. …
Vehicle started out with front end vibrations driving home from the dealership. Brought in and they balanced tires. Problem came back, they then resurfaced the rotors, however the problem returned and they replaced 2 rotors when the vehicle was 1 year old. The problem has now returned. I brought the vehicle to the dealership for repair. I am being told that I need 4 new rotors and that the rotors are warped. This is a safety issue that is a manufacturers defect and is endangering our lives and others out there. The dealership only resurfaced the 2 front rotors. They are all still warped. My van is not yet 2 years old. Manufacturer does not want to acknowledge a default. I have never heard of changing the rotors on a vehicle every 6 months to a year. We do not want there to be a statistic of injuries or deaths caused by a manufacturers defective braking system that cannot be rectified.
Brake complaints in other Quest years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Nissan Quest?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Nissan Quest, 10% of the model year's 445 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Quest brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Nissan Quest, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Quest brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.