Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Quest, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 16% |
| Air bags | 6 | 12% |
| Structure | 4 | 8% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Tires | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I bought my van in March of this year (2026) and the fuel gauge will either show that the tank is almost empty (gas light on) or full. Sometimes it will show an accurate gas reading and other times it shows the gas tank
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Quest. The contact stated that the vehicle ran out of gasoline with the fuel gauge indicating that there was a quarter tank to a half tank of gasoline inside the fuel tank. The vehicle was
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
I was parking and barely moving with my foot in the brake when the vehicle suddenly reved up loudly. I had to depress the brake heavily to keep it from moving forward and put it in neutral. The vehicle continued to rev h
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I backed out of driveway towards the south to head north on public way. Vehicle immediately started accelerating backwards (south) without assistance, quickly getting out of control. No amount of pressure on my part wou
NHTSA complaint: Steering
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while having routine maintenance by an independent mechanic, she was informed that the frame was rotten and had several holes. Additionally, the control arms were
NHTSA complaint: Structure
THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWS AN INCORRECT READING. THE INDICATOR SHOWS THAT IT IS EMPTY EVEN WHEN I REFUEL IT WITH FULL TANK. THE CAR STOPS ON THE ROAD AS THE FUEL SHOWS AN INCORRECT READING WHICH POSES A DANGEROUS THREAT. I HAV
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN QUEST. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT SECTION OF THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL FILLER TUBE WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE REF
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHEN I PRESS THE BRAKES THE CAR ACCELERATES. I HAVE HAD A DATA RECORDER ATTACHED WHEN THIS HAPPENED, BUT THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT DIDN'T RECORD ANYTHING.-- THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY---, WHILE IN SLOW TRAFFIC AS I PUMP T
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 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.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE TH
Risk: THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL AND NOTICEABLE LOOSENESS IN THE PEDAL AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FORCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PIVOT PIN HAD BEEN FORMED PROPERLY AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CON
NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,126 MY 2008 QUEST, TITAN AND ARMADA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL ADJUSTMENT FRONT SEATS. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 207, "SEATING SYSTEMS." THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFI
Risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN THE MANUAL SEAT PAWL NOT FULLY ENGAGING INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT TRACK ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS AND REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISS
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944
| Reliability raw | 75 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 75 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 87 | excellent |
| Performance | 57 | average |
| Efficiency | 34 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 8 of them (16%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 75/100 (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 75/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 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 70/100. 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.