Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 14 | 14% |
| Air bags | 10 | 10% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 8% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 7% |
| Suspension | 7 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 6% |
| Visibility | 6 | 6% |
| Tires | 4 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR IN TRAFFIC, RPM GO HIGH THEN TRANSMISSION ENGAGES.THIS COULD CAUSE AACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHEN BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES BY THE AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
DOOR LOCKS AND UNLOCKS BY ITSELF AT RANDOM. NOT ALL DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK WHEN THE DOOR LOCK BUTTON IS PRESSED. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN QUEST CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE FAILURE. TWO DA
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
GASOLINE LEAKING FROM VEHICLE AT FILLER PILE WHEN TANK WAS > 75% FULL. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT SMELLS GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. WHEN THE HEAT IS ACTIVATED, THE ODOR INTENSIFIES. THERE IS NO VISIBLE LEAK. THE DEALER ST
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER SE REAR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE A RECALL ISSUED AS THIS WAS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. NEAR FATAL SCARE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY RECENTLY @ HIGH RATE OF SPEED 65 MPH WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SWAY
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL*- IN MAY 2004 THE CONTACT RECEIVED A 1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER AS A GIFT, IT HAD AN ODOMETER READING OF 90000 AT THE TIME. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 TO 70 MPH SOON AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 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: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD LEAD TO AN ENGINE FIRE OR BATTERY EXPLOSION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | 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 102 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 14 of them (14%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 85/100 (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 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1997 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 73/100. 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.