Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Nissan Quest, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 31 | 25% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 6% |
| Visibility | 7 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 3% |
| Tires | 4 | 3% |
| Seats | 4 | 3% |
| Air bags | 3 | 2% |
| Power train | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
THE DOOR LATCH TO THE BACK SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR CAME OFF AND NOW THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. THIS HAPPENED WHILE CAR WAS STOPPED. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
1999 NISSAN QUEST STARTED RUSTING SEVERELY AFTER ONLY 30,000 MILES AND 4 YEARS OF USE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NISSAN QUEST 1999. CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GAIN SPEED AND GET OUT OF CONTROL. STOPPING THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NISSAN QUEST 1999 STARTED HAVING SEVERE ENGINE PROBLEMS AS 50,000 MILES AND JUST 5 YEARS OF USE. THE VEHICLE IS SIMILAR TO FORD WINDSTAR AND MERCURY VILLAGES AND WAS MANUFACTURED IN ONE OF THEIR PLANTS. FORD HAS ISSUED M
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
NISSAN QUEST 1999. GAS PEDAL IS BLOCKING AND REQUIRES REVERE STRENGTH TO BE PUSHED. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DAY. ONCE THE PEDAL IS PUSHED HARD THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY THRUSTS, CAUSING POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE EN
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 NISSAN QUEST. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO A THE PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE EXCESSIVELY UNTIL SHE SHIFTED IT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOW
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
PASSENGER IN 1999 NISSAN QUEST VAN. AT 40MPH, A CAR CUT US OFF RESULTING IN HEAD ON COLLISION. AIRBAGS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1999 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 AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. THE TAIL LIGHT SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MOLDED, RESULTING IN THE LOCKING TAB HAVING INSUFFICIENT FORCE TO RETAIN THE BULB.
Risk: IF THE BULB FALLS OUT OF THE SOCKET, THE BRAKE OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION CANNOT OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAP (TWO STRAPS PER VEHICLE) CAN BREAK AT THE SPOT WELDS CAUSING AN UNDERBODY RATTLE.
Risk: THERE IS ALSO A POTENTIAL FOR FUEL TANK SEPARATION OR FUEL LEAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK RETENTION STRAPS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. ONE OR MORE OF THE FIVE BOLTS THAT MOUNT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR TO THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY TIGHTENED.
Risk: THERE COULD BE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING, WHICH MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY NOISE OR VIBRATION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES AND, IF THE BOLTS ARE MISSING, WILL REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR MOUNTING BOLTS. ALL BOLTS WILL BE TIGHTENED TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH E-Z ENTRY SEATS. THE AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE A SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN CHAIR THAT HAS INADEQUATE LUBRICATION OF THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH SYSTEM. IN SOME CASES, THE ACTUATOR SPRING IN THE LATCH COULD DEFORM AFTER REPEATED USE, CAUSING
Risk: AN UNLATCHED SEAT TRACK COULD RESULT IN AN INCREASED RISK OF INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT TRACK FOR THE SECOND ROW RIGHT HAND SIDE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR, WHICH INCLUDES THE EASY ENTRY AND EXIT LATCH MECHANISM.
| Reliability raw | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 87 | excellent |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 126 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 31 of them (25%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) 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 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 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.