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 2001 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 4 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 4 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 8% |
| Tires | 4 | 8% |
| Visibility | 4 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4% |
| Air bags | 2 | 4% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF MY VAN IS RUSTING OUT I WENT AND HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME AND THE WHOLE VEHICLE WILL JUST DROP.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
THE MAIN ENGINE SUPPORT FRAME MEMBER TO WHICH THE BOTTOM-FORWARD MOTOR MOUNT IS ATTACHED RUSTED COMPLETELY FREE WHERE IT ATTACHES AT THE AREA UNDER THE RADIATOR. THIS CAUSED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO DROP. THE VEHICLE IS NO L
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN QUEST GL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM THE INTERIOR, THE FRONT PASSENGER INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE CAUSED LACERATIONS TO THE CONTACT'S
NHTSA complaint: Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR WHEN THE DOOR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WA
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT COME FREE. I HAD TO JIGGLE OUT OF THE SEAT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THE PART WAS GOING TO COST ME $39 TO REPLACE NOT INCLUDING LABOR. I
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
THE REAR MOST PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BRACKET GETS IN THE WAY OF THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR, EFFECTIVELY LOCKING IT CLOSED. THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AND SOMEONE ON THE OUTSIDE NEEDS TO USE A SHIM TO P
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF A RUSTY, CORRODED BRAKE LINE WHICH REDUCED BRAKING ABILITY. I HAD RUSTY PORTION OF THE BRAKE LINE REPLACED AT A SERVICE STATION. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN QUEST. THE VEHICLE HAS TBC CLASSIC RADIO SR TIRES, SIZE 215-65R16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2001 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: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE PLASTIC TRIM COVER AROUND THE BASE OF THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TRAPPED BETWEEN THE SHOULDER OF THE RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE BOLT AND THE SEAT PEDESTAL. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY ALLOW THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BOLT TO LOOSEN.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE OCCUPANT SEATED IN THAT LOCATION MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT. SOME BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.
| Reliability raw | 82 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 87 | excellent |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and structure is the most reported area with 4 of them (8%). There is 1 recall 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 2001 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.