2004 Nissan Quest: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Jun 25, 2015 · 140,468 miles · IL

When we went to replace the lower control arm on the passenger side of the vehicle a softball size hole in the subframe caused by rust was discovered. As a result of the car being up on jacks, the subframe snapped in half. After researching this problem, we have discovered that this is a common occurrence, in nissan quests and is caused in part because of poor drain location for the air conditioner. It is our understanding that nissan is aware of this problem and has addressed it with warranties in other models, but not the quest. Which, I now must fork out at a minimum of $2,000 to replace.

Filed Apr 27, 2015 · Acceleration, Steering · 120,000 miles · IL

Had the vehicle since 2004 as the original owner. Vehicle has not been in an accident. Heard a loud clunk when driving after removing foot from brake and after going over bumps. Turned out the metal subframe of the vehicle has completely rusted out and separated from the frame of the vehicle. The steering crossarms and ball joint are loose because of this. It's a $4000 repair and car has only 120k miles. Had to get new car. Dealer said it's not safe to even drive and not worth fixing.

Filed Apr 7, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 114,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan quest. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal scraping noise heard from the front end of the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the air bag warning light would illuminate intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was diagnosed that the driver's side caliper, brakes, rotors, front brake, front driver's side wheel bearing, passenger's side lower control arm, and the frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 114,000. Updated 06/15/16

Filed Jan 10, 2013 · Engine · 84,000 miles · FL

Heard a ticking noise when starting up my car but subsided after it warmed up gradually over the month it got very loud. Brought it to nissan dealer in pompano beach and they said it was timing chain needs replacement for a cost of 2,300 dollars! I researched this and see that it is a frequently voiced complaint and is happening very prematurely 50 -90 thousand miles.. Ridiculous expensive and dangerous, also ! Need replacement of control arms at a cost of 800 dollars! I also see that this is a common complaint with nissans....I am generally the only one in the van we are a family o three with three vehicles ,it was garaged kept never use it to haul anything more than a suitcase once in awhile what is my recourse, what can I do to get some assistance so I can repair it before my self or passenger gets killed on the highway when the chain breaks?...

Filed Sep 7, 2010 · Airbags, Suspension · 85,000 miles · CA

We bought our quest used from a honda dealership in december 2008. We were told it was in very good condition. The electric doors do not always open or close when we want them to... They seem to have a mind of their own. The passenger airbags turn themselves on and off. After only driving it for a few months, the front end started popping when we would turn a corner. We checked the lower ball joints, being as this is a typical characteristic. There was no problem with them. We continued to drive it. About 3 months ago, the van started shaking real bad when we would brake, and the front tires started lifting tread. We took the van to a mechanic to check the alignment and source of shaking. He told us the alignment was fine... No adjustments were needed. He said the popping was the ball joints. We bought two new ball joints, and upon removing the control arm and ball joint assembly, we realized the problem was in the rear bushing of the front control arm, not the ball joint. The rubber is rotted out. You can not see this problem until you remove the whole arm. I was told I had to hit a curb really hard to break these, but have not hit any curbs hard ever in this van. I feel the dealer should have to fix this, since I have noticed this is an extrememly reoccuring problem with this year/make/model. Upon replacing the tires, the new ones treads are lifting. They were replaced 6 weeks ago.

Filed Sep 2, 2010 · Brakes, Steering · 95,000 miles · IL

Bad vibration when braking, changed rotors and pads on front brakes seem to make the problem less but after a period of time a clunking noise 5000 miles was starting to be heard. Control arm ball joint on right side had excessive play and was replaced, but that did not get ride of the shudder in the braking situation. Told it was warped brakes, replaced break rotors and pads 1000 miles . Still no difference in the shudder is still there rotated the tires no difference in the shudder. I had new tires in the car when the right front wheel fell off. No stud-lugs could be found and major damage to front fender and bumper. Our au pair driver reported a noise coming from somewhere but visual inspection did not indicate where the problem was. Continued to drive when the noise became louder pull off interstate to shoulder at about 15 MPH tile fell off. Body and mechanical work will be done. To correct the problem.

Filed Aug 17, 2010 · Suspension · 85,000 miles · CA

At only 85,000 miles both front control arms needed to be replaced. Cause of failure - the front struts had worn out, once they wore out they placed additional stress on the control arms which failed. Total bill just $1,783.00. The dealership did not see this when they replaced the brakes approx 3 weeks prior. We noticed it, because the front end started making a crunching noise when the brakes were applied, and I thought it had to do with the brakes that were just replaced.