Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
On 10/08/2015 - within 10 days after my last servicing thru Nissan dealer I lost transmission on my Nissan Quest 3.5 se model year 2004 with mileage 110000. It was very painful experience as vehicle had to be towed to tom wood dealer where its been replaced at a very high cost from my pocket that I was not prepared. I was surprized on the transmission failure for such a low mileage but more surpise that the dealer could not detect it during multi-point inspection check after every oil change servicing. For the sake of record, I have performed all of the Quest servicing (100%) thru the dealer from where I bought this van initially. Also I had replaced transmission oil at 60K mile servicing that was recommended at that time. This van is well maintained and still got this transmission failure is a surpize and raises concerns to the Nissan dropping quality. …
While driving on the interstate with 2 infants in cars seats as well as 3 other adults the vehicle lost power. It would not accelerate. Within minutes the steering was stiff and was extremely difficult to turn. Pulled off the interstate and onto a side road. The vehicle finallt decellerated to a full stop. Turned it off and restarted a few moments later. Vehicle ran again but no steering. Popped the hood and looked and no power steering fluid in the well. Added fluid and steered OK till 4 blocks from my house at which time the steering acting up again and not accelerating no matter how far you push the pedal. Turned it off and restarted again. Steering not working but accelerated enough to park it at home. Took to my mechanic but says he cannot look at it until Wednesday. Was so scared cause had the grandbabies in the van.
While applying the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. Within seconds of parking the vehicle a fire occurred. The vehicle displayed a dangerously slow acceleration as if the transmission was in the wrong gear when trying to accelerate the vehicle. There was also poor fuel economy (11.6 to 12.1 mpg instead of the normal 19-26 mpg). Also, within the first few weeks of ownership, the power sliding door on the right side opened independently on two occasions and failed to open or close on several occasions, there were problems with the control buttons, the radio text display on the dash read malfunction multiple times and sometimes it occured when the engine was started. There was a problem with the catalytic converter.
I believe a sensor somewhere is going out. The transmission intermittently will "miss" a shift, or come out of gear. If I let my foot off the gas and then give it gas again, it will sometimes "slam" in to gear. When it is acting up, it will also take a couple seconds to go in to drive from park or reverse, then it "slams" in to gear. It also is lacking in power, almost as if a vacuum advance was not working properly. This seems to happen when it is warm. Once, after replacing the battery the vehicle seemed to work fine for some time before starting to act up again.
Attempting to get on the interstate. Accelerated, but RPM's went up to 5 or 6 but the speed did not increase. Husband tried to manually shift, but vehicle would not go into overdrive. We pulled off the road, turned vehicle off and restarted. Vehicle reacted correctly to accelerating with just a little sluggishness. Transmission fluid was checked and it was fine. Unfortunately, day trip was cancelled and children were very disappointed, because we were afraid to be too far from home and not be able to get back.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Nissan Quest. While driving 45 MPH, the transmission slipped and made an abnormal noise from the front end of the vehicle. In addition, the odometer failed to provide the reading level. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission, the water pump, and the electrical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,681.
During 05/05/2016 started having transmission issue, the car suddenly started giving starting problem and then when it will start it will not have any pickup in drive mode. After few hours everything went normal and when started driving all of sudden break got pressed and car couldn't go anywhere and check engine light came on. After diagnostic it found to be bank 1 camshaft sensor but even after replacing vehicle still behaves same with engine light on.
Engine control module [ECM] due to a bad design,rain and water from melting snow leaks onto the ECM and destroys it.I have been told that this is a common occurrence with the 2004 Quest and that Nissan had a secret recall on vehicles up to 8 years old.while driving on a busy highway at 60 MPH the vehicle suddenly slowed to 20 MPH,I was lucky to get off the highway safely.why did Nissan not notify all owners.
I was driving my van and I came to a stop on a hill and it wouldn't go, I had to push the pedal to the floor to go. And it won't go in reverse either. I had power problems years ago but turning my van off and back on 'fixed' the problem. Also the timing chain issue has been going on for years.
The car would stall and the steering would go out, which was very dangerous. It happened daily since May of 2016. In order for the car to go from stopped to a starting position, it would take all of my strength to push down on accelerator to get the car to move.
Transmission complaints in other Quest years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2004 Nissan Quest?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2004 Nissan Quest, 16% of the model year's 445 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Nissan Quest transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 37,000 miles, and 44% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.