Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 146 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Nissan Quest, and it carries 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages | 26 | 18% |
| Air bags | 15 | 10% |
| Structure | 14 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 11 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 6% |
| Visibility | 7 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 4% |
| Steering | 6 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE VEHICLE OR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEH
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REP
NHTSA complaint: Structure
CAN NOT FILL UP THE VAN WHIT GASOLINE,STOP FILL IN ,LIKE IF IS FULL,AND GASOLINE GAUGE INDICATES WRONG READING
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A
NHTSA complaint: Steering
STRONG GAS ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVE. IT GOT SO BAD IT ACTUALLY CAUSED HEADACHE. I HAVE NO SENSE OF SMELL WAS UNABLE IDENTIFY THIS PROBLEM SOONER TILL HEADACHES STARTING TO OCCURRING. THEN OTHER PEOPLE TOLD ME THA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
STRONG GAS ODOR INSIDE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVE. IT GOT SO BAD IT ACTUALLY CAUSED HEADACHE. NISSAN DEALER WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. *KB
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUMES FROM THE GASOLINE SYSTEM WERE ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND BECOMING OVERWHELMING. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
MY 1996 NISSAN QUEST HAS FUEL VENT PROBLEMS PARTICULARLY AFTER REFUEL. I SMELL FUEL INSIDE THE CAR AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISK OF FIRE AND/OR EXPLOSION. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE IDENTICAL TO THE PROBLEM DESCRI
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH POWER WINDOWS THAT CAN BE CLOSED AFTER THE IGNITION KEY IS TURNED TO THE "OFF" POSITION AND THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 118, "POWER-OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS."
Risk: THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR UNSUPERVISED CHILDREN TO OPERATE THE POWER WINDOWS, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO THE CHILD.
Fix: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LABEL REMINDING OWNERS NOT TO LEAVE CHILDREN UNATTENDED BECAUSE THE POWER WINDOWS CAN OPERATE FOR 15 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IGNITION HAS BEEN TURNED OFF UNLESS THE DR
| 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 146 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and latches/locks/linkages is the most reported area with 26 of them (18%). There are 2 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 1996 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.