Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 7 | 9% |
| Engine | 6 | 7% |
| Power train | 6 | 7% |
| Structure | 5 | 6% |
| Air bags | 4 | 5% |
| Power train | 4 | 5% |
| Tires | 4 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 3 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact drove over a pothole and the air bags were inadvertently deployed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; how
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
TIMING CHAIN ISSUES . HAD IT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME AND IT SEEMS IT'S STILL HAS PROBLEMS. LAST REPAIR WAS DUE TO BROKEN GUIDE AND AND BROKEN TENSIONERS. AM WORRIED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
SITTING IN A DRIVE THROUGH BREAK ON IN DRIVE CAR REVS UP TO ABOUT 70MPHS. I PUT IN PARK AS ITS MOVONG FORWARD TO NEARLY MISS A CAR INFRONT OF ME AND I TURN THE CAR OFF. NOW BREAK COMPRESS TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
FUEL GUAGE DOESN'T SHOW AMOUNT OF GAS IN TANK. I PUT GAS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE EVEN THOUGH AT TIMES IT DOESN'T NEEDS MUCH. THE ODOMETER FUNCTION ON AND ONE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT MILEAGE ON VEHICLE. . ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON EVEN W
NHTSA complaint: Electronic stability control (esc)
TIMINIG CHAIN IS VERY LOUD AND NEEDS TO REPLACED AT ONLY 141K
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
I WAS DRIVING TO THE DOCTOR WHEN MY VAN LOST ALL POWER IN A LINE OF TRAFFIC ALL MODE GOT HIT BY A TRUCK IN THE REAR END. DO NOT WHAT HAPPENED JUST KNOW IT IS DOWN .CAR HAS NO POWER WILL NOT PULL OUT OR DRIVEWAY
NHTSA complaint: Power train
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR A FEW WEEKS AND THEN WENT OFF, THEN ON AGAIN. THE CODE READ THAT THE AIR BAGS WAS NOT FUNCTIONING AND THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG WAS SHORTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NOISE, VIBRATION AND SOUNDS INDICATING IMMINENT FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE VALVETRAIN COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE'S 3.5L V6 ENGINE. PROBLEM IS KNOWN TO NISSAN; ADDRESSED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN IN 2004. COMPANY FAILED TO REMEDY
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 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.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH A FOLDING THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, WHEN THE THIRD ROW SEAT IS RAISED FROM ITS STOWED POSITION, IT ENGAGES STRIKER BRACKETS, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION. THE FOLD-AWAY STRIKER LOOP IS WELDED TO A MOUNTING BRACKET. THE STRIKER MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS MOUN
Risk: IF THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER WELD FAILS, THE STRIKER COULD SEPARATE FROM THE MOUNTING BRACKET. STRIKER SEPARATION COULD AFFECT THE RISK OF INJURY IN CERTAIN TYPES OF CRASHES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THERE IS A SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM THAT CONTAINS EXPOSED MOVING COMPONENTS LOCATED AT THE REAR INSIDE EDGE OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT.
Risk: WHEN THE OPERATOR ATTEMPTS SEAT ADJUSTMENT, A FINGER MAY BE PINCHED IN THE MOVING SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM WHICH COULD CAUSE AN INJURY.
Fix: ON EARLIER MODEL VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH JUNE 28, 2004, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE INBOARD SECOND ROW SEAT ADJUSTMENT HANDLE, RIVET A PLASTIC REINFORCEMENT TO BACKSIDE OF THE EXISTING SEAT BACK COVER CAR
| Reliability raw | 71 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 73 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 87 | excellent |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 7 of them (9%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 71/100 (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 73/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. 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.