1995 Nissan Quest engine problems

Filed Dec 6, 2007 · Engine · 75,300 miles · PA

We have a 1995 nissan quest at 75,000 mileages that is well maintained and runs very smoothly. We dropped off the car to apple nissan in york pa on 11/26 for a preventive maintenance (change of timing belt, water pump, thermostat, all driving belts) of its engine. After we paid $848 and drove it home, I found the coolant in the reservoir was totally empty so I added coolant on the following two days to maintain it at a proper level. On the third day (11/28) when I drove the car to work, its crankshaft broke and the whole engine was destroyed. The total driving distance is less than 50 miles after the service. The nissan dealer blamed nissan inc. Had designed the crankshaft too small so the shaft is easy to break and could be broken anytime like a tv and mine was not the only one, while nissan USA said the warranty was expired so it could not do anything about it. None of them would take any responsibility, whether the broken shaft was due to improper service or improper design by nissan. As a result, we became a victim who had to decide either paying additional $4,670+tax for the repair or letting the car ($4500 value before the service) towed to a junk yard. Assuming a design fatigue life of a crankshaft is 150,000 mile, the probability of the event occurs at 75,000 miles within 50 miles driving is less than 0.1%. Without the service, we might still drive the car smoothly. On the nissan USA side, they were aware that the crankshaft was too small so they increased the diameter in 1996 models. Why didn't they warn the first owners so that I could have a choice to either trade in the car or let the car naturally die without spending additional money for new tires (3 weeks ago) and the engine service? The other faulty crankshaft cases can be found at http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ee93b52/1938 http://www1.epinions.com/auto-review-ccc-ad8a28c-396533d0-prod2.

Filed Jul 18, 2007 · Engine · 161,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 nissan quest. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The failed crankshaft damaged the motor. The 23 mm crankshaft was replaced with a 25 mm crankshaft. The motor was replaced at a cost of $3,400. The current mileage is 200,014 and failure mileage was 161,000. The consumer stated have a small claim hearing to attend in september and hope that the manufacturer to see should be responsible for repairs. The consumer provided numbers emails from the website pertaining to defect and court documents pertaining to this case. The consumer stated is just asking for half of the repairs for the vehicle, however the manufacturer will only pay $1,000 due to the fact of the mileage on the vehicle. Updated 08/07/07

Filed Oct 27, 2005 · Engine · 135,000 miles · IA

Dt: the contact stated the nose of the crank shaft broke off the engine with out warning. This occurred while driving. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by pressing the brakes and putting vehicle in park. Because this happened less than a block from home the vehicle was pushed home. Upon inspection of the vehicle the contact's father discovered the crank shaft nose broke. No parts have been replaced or repaired at this time.

Filed Jul 19, 2005 · Engine · 80,862 miles · AK

Shortly after purchasing vehilce gas smell was present, each time vehicle was taken in for complaint dealership was unable to denote gas smell. This vehicle was purchased may 1998. The recalled on the vehicle was in 1996. I am the second purchaser and was never notified of the recall. The vehicle started losing power and I was told that the timing chain was going out on the vehicle and it would be expense to repair. I was advise to replace when it when completely out. On november 2004 while driving alone the vehicle went completely out and had to tow to a garage. I was told that the crank shaft of the vehicle has dissentrated . I was told that nissan should repair it because it was a lifetime part and a factory recall on the vehicle in 1996. The nissan dealership was notified a advised me to bring the vehicle in and they would make the necessary repairs. They repaired the vent hose that had been iinstalled incorrectly and refused to repair the crank shaft problem. The estimate from nissian was $4000.00. I still owe $10,00.00 on this vehile.

Filed Jul 17, 2005 · Engine · 82,100 miles · CA

I have a nissan 1995 quest. While I was driving to lake tahoe, ca, all of a sudden, the engine lost power, and I could not control the steeling wheel and break. The car almost fell off the cliff. I sent my van to an auto pepair shop right after I arrived in south lake tahoe, but the technician could not find anything wrong with my van, and I drove the van back without any problems. I heard my friend mentioned about this problem several years ago, but when I call nissan, they denied any compliants like this. Please investigate and get back to me. Thanks.

Filed Aug 11, 2004 · Engine · 43,000 miles · FL

Driving on interstate highway for approximately 2 hours at 70 MPH, without warning, engine quit entirely. Had to weave in traffic to avoid other vehicles and coast to the median. After resting 15 minutes, engine would restart. Traveled and additional 1-1/2 hours and same thing happened. After restart, traveled for an additional hour without incident. Took vehicle to mechanic the next day and could not find a problem. This is a dangerous situation to have the vehicle quit at high speeds on the highway. From reviewing other complaints on you web site, it is apparent that this is a common occurrence and the manufacturer needs to address this danger to the owners.

Filed Feb 11, 2004 · Engine · CA

While driving engine check light appeared on the dashboard and remained on until vehicle was turned off. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced a sensor. Two days later engine check light reappeared.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · 115,000 miles · TX

Will start, run 5 minutes then die. The wiring to the radiator fan fuse box is burnt. Took it to nissan dealer who replaced the burnt wires, cost $75. They said the engine wiring needed replaced. I called a dealer near home and they said it would cost $3000 to fix this. This is half of what the car is worth. We have replaced the fuel filter, fuel pump, and ignition coil.

Filed Nov 20, 2003 · Engine · WA

I've had a 1995 nissan quest since april 2002. Last winter ('02/'03) and now this winter, when I turn on the heater and/or defrost, the gas smell inside the van has been completely intolerable. I have to drive in cold weather with the windows down to keep me and my family from passing out from the gas smell. When the weather is warm there is no problem, but as soon as it gets cold, we drive with the windows down. Unacceptable!!!

Filed Aug 21, 2003 · Engine · 99,987 miles · MO

Purchased the quest in june of 2000. Second owner of the vehicle. It even had all of the service records (oil changes etc.) listed in the book that came with it from the original owners. While on a trip to texas, the engine died while driving down an interstate. The check engine light came on, then the van just died. We coasted to the side of the highway. It was extremely hot outside (around 95 degrees). We had only had the vehicle for around 2 months. After waiting for about 30 minutes, tried to restart and it did restart. Went to a mechanic to see if they could look it over, they did and found nothing wrong with the car. It started just fine for them and they even test drove it for us. Continued with our trip and got home safely. That was the first time of many times that the exact same problem occured. After the second time, we took the car to the local dealership and they replaced a hose and said it was the problem (a hole in the bp silicon hose was the problem...mechanic stated that it was a widespread problem with this year of quest). Occured 3 other times usually when extremely hot outside. The vehicle eventually restarts, and one person can not keep replacing this hose were my thoughts. Now, the vehicle is parked at our house, with a ruined engine. We are not sure 'what caused this to happen' is what we were told by our local nissan dealership, and that it will cost more to have the engine replaced then the vehicle is worth. Not to mention, we still owe around $5000 on it. After all of the same complaints that I have read on here, why is nothing being done about these problems? The engine stalling in the middle of driving a vehicle is not normal and dangerous. How many times does this have to be said? I am not angry, I just wish something could be done to help all of us who have gone through this.