Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
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 contact owns a 2004 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, a rattling noise emitted from the rear driver's side of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the noise came from the bracket that holds the seat in the upright position. The contact stated that the failure only occurred when the seat was in the upright position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Engine would suddenly cut off while in motion at 25-35 miles per hour. Two repairs were necessary at a cost of approximately $500 to get the problem repaired. The problem was that both the front and rear crank shaft sensors had to be replaced. As for the seat problem, one of the release levers broke off completely. I have not yet had it repaired so I do not have a cost for this repair. I have to use pliers to release the lever.
Van right auto sliding door flew open on my 3 children going 50mph 11 yr. Old son had to hold door closed with his body and feet until safely stop. Door going back and forth, would not stay closed, would not stay opened!!! Dealership had to unhook battery to get the door to disengage! Said probably minor problem. Contacted sales dept - problems from 1st week with van. No contact for several days, contacted them. Would be a week or two to replace part. No call again. Called them 4th week. Serv. Dept. Said new bulletin (not a recall) did not have replace. Part. When picked up in summer began to have major rattling in side doors, rear door, 2nd & 3rd row seats. Took back to dealership, did some adjustments needs body shop work, to set up apointment. No call. Door came open again with my children +2 onboard while driving. …
Tl* - the contact stated that on June 12 2006 while car was parked he attempted to lower the seat into the seat well, to do that he had to pull the seat back forward, and secure it with a strap. The contact stated that the seat weighed approximately 70 lbs. The contact couldn't get his hand out of the strap, and it took his hand down into the well, and the back of the seat severed the index finger of his right hand up to the knuckle. The contact stated that the strap on the back seat was the actual problem. The strap had a big red warning sign on the back strap, and that the strap was made longer every year. The contact stated that he has all information pertaining to this incident. He did not have a police report, but he had witnesses, medical reports and xrays. The contact stated that until this incident with the strap he was having difficulties with the vehicle. …
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. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that the vehicle's side electrical sliding door opens and closes automatically. The doors on the vehicle will also occasionally fail to open. The door will open so that a passenger May enter the vehicle, then the door will close before they are completely inside the vehicle. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer approximately six times and the dealer changed the sensors and readjusted the doors. The door continues to not work properly. The vehicle is part of recall # 04V186000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch), but the failure persists. The current mileage is 70,000 and failure mileage was 42,000. The consumer stated battery weak, dealer replaced battery. The consumer stated slow leak in tires, the dealer replaced all four tires. The dealer stated there was a recall on 2nd row seat, dealer stated parts are on special order. …
On November 9, 2008 a friend of my daughter was attempting to adjust her mid row passenger seat forward and her left middle finger was crushed by the mechanism for several minutes before we were able to get it out by putting the seat back in the original position. She was rushed to the emergency room where an xray was performed and she has a broken bone at the finger tip along with a mutilated finger and nail. This was very traumatic and although I have owned my Nissan Quest for almost 5 years, I was shocked at the fix the recall was supposed to have done. It does not cover the mechanism on the handle side - only the rear. The is an extremely poor remedy for this problem. We have been fortunate that this hasn't happened before now.
A serious but non life threatening injury occurred to the victim's right ring finger, cutting through the nail and nearly severing the fingertip. Emergency medical attention was required. While attempting to slide the 2nd row drivers side seat forward, the subject finger was crushed/cut by the seat support mechanism. The subjects hand was on the required lever in a normal fashion, a way in which no injury would be expected. A design flaw in the plastic protective cover allows for fingers to be in danger. A smaller finger, such as a child's, might have been completely severed. Nissan needs to provide a fix to this design flaw to avoid further and more serious injuries from occurring.
NHTSA campaign number: 05V474 1. Sliding 2nd row seat forward. 2. Pinch point near chair handle crushed the tip of my 3rd finger 3. Nissan ignored my concerns and told me it was my fault. They were put on notice in December 2003. They also sent their engineer out of chicago to inspect the problem. They stated no defect existed and no correction was needed. Nissan's file number on my complaint is: 439 2014 it is interesting to note Nissan's planned recall is 1 day after the statute of limitations for my injury and the 1st reported injury you have on file for the same date which occurred in plantation, fl. I recent found out about the recall for reasons other than the injury.
While attempting to move the passenger side second-row seat back, I reached around the seat to grab the lever, and my pinkie finger was caught in the seat mechanism. At the emergency room, they determined that I had broken my finger and my nail had to be removed because it had been sliced through. I have lasting nerve damage and the bone has not healed correctly. I wrote a letter to Nissan detailing this experience - I am very concerned about the safety of my children in this car and am afraid to try to use any of the seat levers again. However, Nissan has not responded, after four months. This defect needs to be fixed.
Related recalls
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
On certain Mini vans equipped with a folding third row rear seat, when the third row seat is raised from its stowed position, it engages striker brackets, one on each side of the seat cushion. The fold-away striker loop is welded to a mounting bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the third row seat striker brackets free of charge. The recall began on December 19, 2005. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Seats › Mid/rear assembly
On certain Mini vans, there is a seat adjustment mechanism that contains exposed moving components located at the rear inside edge of the second row seat.
Remedy: On earlier model vehicles built through June 28, 2004, dealers will replace the inboard second row seat adjustment handle, rivet a plastic reinforcement to backside of the existing seat back cover carpeting, install…
NHTSA investigations
Finger pinch point
Odi has received five reports alleging that the consumer was injured using the vehicle's second-row seat release lever to fold the second row seat.Nissan states, ...the customer operation of the lever in some cases and subsequent orientation of their fingers is different than expected.Nissan also reported additional complaints for a total of 11 injuries.Nissan modified the lever for production twice.the latest…
Finger pinch point
The seat adjustment mechanism contains exposed moving components, located at the rear edge of the second row seat.when the operator attempts to adjust the seat, a finger May be pinched in the moving seat adjustment mechanism.Nissan will conduct a safety recall on an expanded scope of Nissan quest vehicles.on vehicles produced from March 26, 2003 through September 26, 2005, Nissan will rivet a plastic reinforcement…
Seat complaints in other Quest years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2004 Nissan Quest?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Nissan Quest, 5% of the model year's 445 complaints. The component named most often is mid/rear assembly (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Quest seat problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-480 (mid/rear assembly, Oct 17, 2005); NHTSA recall 05V-474 (mid/rear assembly, Oct 13, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Quest seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 16,000 miles, and 53% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to seats 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.