Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Nissan Quest, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 31 | 22% |
| Visibility | 23 | 16% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 7% |
| Seat belts | 9 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 6% |
| Equipment | 9 | 6% |
| Structure | 7 | 5% |
| Power train | 5 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
STEEL BRAKE LINES TO REAR BREAKS RUSTED THROUGH IN SEVERAL PLACES - TWO LINES TO REAR THAT PASS UNDER THE FLOOR AND ALONG THE DRIVER SIDE RAIL AND OVER THE REAR LEFT WHEEL AXLE, AND ALSO AT THE AREA IMMEDIATELY BEFORE EA
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT LAP BELT WILL NOT REMAIN SECURE INTO THE BUCKLE. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IN THE EVENT OF THE CRASH THE OCCUPANTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAI
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED A LOT OF FUEL. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE ARE NO LEAKS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN QUEST. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VENT ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES, THE SMOKE CLEARED. SHE TURNED THE KEY IN THE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS SQUEAKING AND THAT SHE HAD TO HOSE OFF HER FRONT ROTORS WHEN THEY OVERHEATED. HER VEHICLE WAS ALSO EXPERIENCING LONG STOPPING DISTANCES.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKEN NISSAN REPLACED BOLTS 1800.00 20,000 MILES LATER SAME PROBLEM NISSAN SAYS NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN LONGER THAN 20,000 MILES AS FAR AS I CAN TELL NISSAN DID NOT USE THE NEW IMPROVE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
AS HAS HAPPENED TO CLOSE TO 100% OF QUEST/MERCURY VILLAGER OWNERS, I HAVE CRACKED MANIFOLDS, MISSING MANIFOLD STUDS, AND SEVERAL BROKEN MANIFOLD STUDS. THIS RESULTS IN POOR STARTS, EXHAUST LEAKS, AND A NOTICEABLE "C
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
FRONT DRIVERS AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT IS STUCK IN ONE STATIONARY POSITION. CONSUMER CAN HEAR MOTOR RUNNING BUT NO MOVEMENT OF SEATBELT. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1993 Nissan Quest. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.
LEAVES AND OTHER FOREIGN MATERIAL CAN ENTER THROUGH THE COWL PANEL AIR INTAKE DURING OPERATION OF THE FRONT HEATER AND/OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RESULTING IN A BUILD-UP OF MATERIAL IN THE PLENUM. THIS CAN LEAD TO NOISE, ODORS, OR IN SOME CASES, IGNITION OF THESE MATERIALS.
Risk: A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM INTAKE SCREEN.
THE SERVICE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WAS NOT PROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE EVACUATION AND FILLING OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AT THE ASSEMBLY PLANT.
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TOINTERNAL MASTER CYLINDER LEAKAGE WHICH CAN CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING ON TWO OF THEFOUR WHEELS. IF THIS OCCURS, THERE WOULD BE INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL
Fix: A NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER WILL BE INSTALLED.
ONE OR BOTH OF THE BOLTS SECURING THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM TRACKS TO THE B-PILLARS WERE NOT ADEQUATELY TIGHTENED.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTSYSTEM TRACK JOINTS HAVING LESS THAN DESIGN STRENGTH, AND INCREASE THE RISK OFINJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION OR SUDDEN STOP
Fix: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEM TRACK MOUNTING BOLTS.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 87 | excellent |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 143 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 31 of them (22%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 82/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.