Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Nissan Quest, and it carries 1 recall. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 8 | 16% |
| Air bags | 5 | 10% |
| Structure | 5 | 10% |
| Equipment | 5 | 10% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 6% |
| Power train | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
WHEN I AM DRIVING I AM SMELLING GAS INSIDE MY VEHICLE DURING MY HEATER ON AND OUTSIDE, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPEN! *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE FUEL PUMP MAKES A WHINING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE IS RUNNING FROM (MID-CAR) / (ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE IT'S IN THE SPEAKERS) AND YOU CAN SMELL GAS BAD - ESPECIALLY AFTER A FILL UP. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SOON AS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTI
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH DOORS AUTOMATICALLY LOCKING SINCE EARLY IN THE VEHICLE'S LIFE. ATTEMPTED TO TAKE IT IN PRIOR TO WARRANTY EXPIRATION BUT DEALER COULD NEVER REPLICATE PROBLEM, AND THUS WENT UNFIXED. NOW THE PROBL
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 70 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE ACCELERATION AND DEACTIVATED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPLYING FIRM BR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BREAKS / SNAPS WHILE CAR HAD BEEN RESTING FOR 30 HOURS, PUNCTURES TIRE. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF TROUBLE ORFAILURE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE VEHICLE WAS MOVING, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
FROM THE BEGINNING OUR NISSAN VAN (1998) HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS LOCKING AFTER THE ENGINE IS OFF AND THE DOOR IS OPENED. TODAY, I WAS ALMOST UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VAN TODAY, AS THE DOOR KEEP LOCKING EVERY TIM
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1998 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.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| 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 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 8 of them (16%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 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 74/100. 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.