Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Nissan Quest, and it carries no 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 13% |
| Tires | 5 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 11% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7% |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 2% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
ON MAYAUGUST 6TH 2021ON MAY 6TH 2021 I PURCHASED A 2002 NISSAN QUEST VAN FRON PICK-N-PULL AUTO LOCATE AT 2015 EAST SUMMER STREET IN HAMMOND IN 46320 I NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT THIS VAN HAD. 1.ENGINE DROPP
NHTSA complaint: Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE TEMPERATURE ROSE. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND COOLANT WAS ADDED TO THE ENGINE AND THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO
NHTSA complaint: Engine
DESCRIPTION: THE INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR IN MY 2002 NISSAN QUEST IS AN ELECTRO CHROMIC SELF-DIMMING MIRROR THAT HAS NO MANUAL BACKUP. THE MIRROR CONTAINS A FLUID WHICH HAS RECENTLY ACCUMULATED ON THE BOTTOM 3/4 OF THE MI
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
REAR DOOR HANDLES ON 2002 NISSAN QUEST BREAK OFF, LEAVING NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR TO THE PASSENGERS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 88.000 MILES ON IT THIS CAR IT SHOULD BE JUST GETTING BROKEN IN JUST GOT DONE PAYING THIS CAR OFF IT COST ME AROUND 18,000 DOLLARS IN 2004 PAID IT OFF IN JUNE 2009 THINKING I COULD GET BACK O
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WIDETRACK SR BL TIRE P22565/16 NISSAN QUEST MINIVAN. RIGHT REAR TIRE BLOWOUT MARCH 09, THEN, LEFT REAR TIRE BLOWOUT APRIL 20, 09. TIRES PURCHASED FEB.2005 AT TED WEINS LAS VEGAS. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Tires
NISSAN ALTIMA - CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON NOVEMBER 2006. NISSAN DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER SENSOR COULD BE BAD AND NOT NECESSARILY THE PART. THEY SHUT THE LIGHT OFF AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE LIG
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE EXTERIOR HEADLIGHTS WOULD SPORADICALLY FAIL, WHICH REDUCES VISIBILITY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY REPLACED THE HE
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
| Reliability raw | 85 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | 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 46 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 6 of them (13%). No recalls are on record for it.
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 2002 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.