I purchased the van and noticed that at times it would suddenly de-accelerate and drop from whatever speed im doing and refuse to speed up even if I press the gas peddle to the floor. Id come up to a stop sign and stop, then at times it wouldnt accelerate, even with the peddle to the floor, it would barely move forward. I brought it back to the person I purchased it from tried to describe what happened, they had someone check the transmission and said it was fine. Its continued to do this, and has almost caused crashes because it does it periodically and without warning on inclines, at red lights, if I driven a long distance (i.e. 1hr or so) etc, and when stopped. Its done this especially when it comes to hills, its terrifying but I have no other vehicles and now only drive it locally, avoid hills, and only if I absolutely have to. This is my first Nissan and wasn't aware of issues like this as I typically buy Buick's, so I researched Nissan issues and recalls and recently saw a recall from October 2025 related to the fuel pump injector system reset that describes what ive experienced exactly, but when I took it to the Nissan dealership in Saratoga NY, they said its not a recall, just a warning for my model and year, and they would need to charge me to inspect it, and didnt advise if it was repairable. Anyone else who has this model Nissan I would want warned immediately, and I mean immediately. Its scary seeing other vehicles coming up behind me and I dont know if my van will accelerate or not, I took out a loan to buy this vehicle and am still paying it off. I cant buy another right now. The actual recall for what appears to be the same issue came out for 2013 and newer Nissans but again, should include this model for year 2012. Those of us with this vehicle should be included in the recall so we can drive safely as well. Please make this update to the recall asap. Thank you for your time and consideration to review this
The worst 2012 Nissan Quest problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission28
- Fuel system20
- Electrical18
- Engine15
- Body9
- Acceleration8
- Brakes6
- Tires5
- Airbags4
- Wheels4
- Lights2
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Nissan Quest
Stalling 19CVT failure 16Check engine light 7Transmission failure 7Jerking 6
Trouble codes owners of the 2012 Nissan Quest mention
P0500 2P0746 2P0868 2P1778 2
Recalls 1
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 nissan quest vehicles, manufactured from july 29, 2010, through february 21, 2012. Due to software programming, while driving at slow speeds or idling on a decline with ¼ tank fuel or less, there may be an insufficient supply of fuel to the engine. As a result, the engine may stall.
- Risk
- Vehicle stalling could increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the fuel pump control module, free of charge. The safety recall began on april 2, 2012. Owners may contact nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 12V076000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2012 Nissan Quest
Defect investigations
Gwinnett Place Nissan / Quest Recall
the federal safety agency opened Audit Query (AQ) 12-003 to determine whether Gwinnett Place Nissan of Duluth, Georgia complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 (Safety Act) and its implementing regulations. The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a manufacturer notify its dealers of defects related to motor vehicle safety and noncompliances with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and, in turn, that a dealer not sell a new vehicle subject to a recall unless the recall remedy has been performed. 49 U.S.C. ? 30120(i). the federal safety agency issued an information request (IR) to Gwinnett Place Nissan on October 31, 2012. Gwinnett Place Nissan responded to this request on November 19, 2012. the federal safety agency then issued an IR to Nissan North America, Inc. on March 11, 2013. Nissan North America, Inc. responded to this request on April 5, 2013.the federal safety agency's investigation indicated that Gwinnett Place Nissan sold and delivered 28 recalled vehicles that did not have the recall remedy completed at the time the vehicles were delivered to the customers. Gwinnett Place Nissan did not contest this finding. the federal safety agency therefore concluded that Gwinnett Place Nissan was liable for civil penalties for violations of the Safety Act, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. ? 30165. Under a Settlement Agreement dated November 24, 2014, Gwinnett Place Nissan paid compromised civil penalties in the amount of $110,000.This AQ is closed.
AQ12003
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Nissan Quest 121
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Wiring harness repair information
- Certification label and VIN plate replacement service information
- DTC B00A0-00 stored
- CAN communication codes – diagnostic tips and guidelines
- CAN communication – network diagnostic flow chart
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Window glass warranty information
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (drift) and/or steering wheel off-center
2012 Nissan Quest fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6‑cyl | FWD | 19 | 24 | 21 |
What 2012 Nissan Quest owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My van is not accelerating properly, it seems to idle out and does not go over 20 mph it idles on acceleration decline. i could not get out of way fast enough if traffic was busy.
The CVT transmission on this vehicle has failed. The vehicle is jerking and and stalls while driving. If I'm at a light stopped and the light changes to go, the vehicle won't move unless I put my foot all the way down on the accelerator then it Jenks and starts to move. I took it to Sheridan Nissan in Delaware, and they told me this has been the issue with the CVT transmission and I need to just get rid of the van. To get a new one put in is over $7000 with just a 12 Mos12,000 miles warranty and they say it may go out again. I was told by another dealership that Nissan new about this problem, but won't fix it. I've noticed that they have replaced CVT transmissions in other Nissan vehicles and other years, but seem to skip the 2012 Nissan Quest. The engine light came on after it started jerking and I had it towed to Nissan and then they told me that the transmission is slipping. They told me I could drive it home, but to "get rid of it because it doesn't have much life left." Please make Nissan recall these transmissions like they did others. If they are all CVT transmissions, why are some being fixed and others being ignored? Please help.
Have fixed myself Ac compressor kit about 97,051miles on [XXX], maf sensor, two vvt solenoids having driven it 20,000 miles in five years trying to rid light. Nov 2019 purchased at 94,719 miles. Roberts nissan of manchester, tn checked and serviced on [XXX] at 95,186 milles in excellent condition. Light will not stay off for power train system, cam timing bank, timing chains, vct camshaft timing vct, power supply circuit. Nissan did replace recall ABS actuator. Had checked Cookeville Nissan [XXX] light on and they turned off saying it checked ok after a cold start for $230. It is loud now at 114,998 miles! This auto must have defective parts since Gateway has serviced it regularly. I am concerned about driving. Talked to consumer affairs of Nissan and was told it was over 65,000 miles and not valid. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owed a 2012 Nissan Quest. The contact stated while shifting the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle launched forward at high speed without any warning. The contact pressed on the brake pedal, but it failed to stop the vehicle, causing the contact to loss control and drive into a ditch and crashing a tree causing the vehicle came to a complete stop. The air bags did not deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the left leg and foot and head and seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totally loss from the insurance company. The manufacturer was contact and stated that there was no recall for the failure and did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000.
CVT Transmission failed and had to replace with new CVT Transmission while returning from a trip on June 7 2023. It failed in middle of the trip. Aamco Boardman, OH helped replace it with brand new transmission and it cost $7525. Last year also Compressor failed and had to replace it with brand new compressor at the local garage here in Shippensburg. Mileage is only 110000 miles. Very disappointed and dissatisfied with 2012 Nissan Quest.
I was on a busy freeway only 10 miles from my city and my van with no warning started to slow down and I tried pushing gas to make it go faster to the speed limit because there were semi trucks lined behind and beside me and it wouldn’t accelerate at all. It just continued to slow down at a fast rate and I was trying to get to the side of the freeway as fast as possible and the steering wheel got hard to turn to the side. It was a struggle and I had my husband, and all 5 of my daughters with me. We were all scared out of our minds. Vehicles were passing so close to us and so fast. The vehicle came to a complete stop on the side of the freeway and the engine was still running and I tried to push gas but it just revved up and didn’t move at all. My family and I were stranded for hours waiting for help to come. We could have been hit by so many vehicles. I turned off the van and restarted a few minutes later to try to get it to go but it wouldn’t budge. Just made whining sounds.
Vehicle lost power multiple times while being driven. The alternator has been replaced three times last being 12/21. Battery has also been replaced. Vehicle has been to 2 mechanics. Potentially thought A/C compressor was causing problem. Replaced by mechanic number 2 May 2022. Vehicle runs until headlights are engaged, a/c or radio etc. Vehicle was driven 10 miles without radio, a/c or lights. Power drained within 2 miles of turning headlights on and cut out in traffic. Sputters and able to pull over without causing accident barely. Left stranded multiple times. Once on a major highway with traffic, stranded on side of road. Spouse rescued while waiting for tow truck. Multiple tows with major motor club. Catalytic Converter light is active and was checked by TJ's in Loganville, GA, it did not need to be replaced at this time. Affordable Auto Services, Mulberry Road Winder GA and B&B Auto Services, Dacula GA (3 alternators and 2 batteries).
Instumrnt panel goes blank, often stays off. Sometimes have to pull over to turn off vehicle and turn back in. Rarely works when this is done.
The dashboard on my 2012 Nissan Quest S is splitting at the edges leaving a gap between 1/16-1/32 wide. The area around the passenger air bag is now outlined and I am concerned it my effect the air bag. This started about a year ago and is getting worse.
Compare the 2012 Nissan Quest
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Questions about the 2012 Nissan Quest
Is the 2012 Nissan Quest reliable?
Owners have filed 93 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Quest, 2.2 times a typical Quest model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2012 Nissan Quest year score?
The 2012 Nissan Quest scores 46 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Quest: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Nissan Quest?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 28 complaints, typically around 82,000 miles. Next is fuel system (20).
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Quest have?
1 recall, covering electrical system.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Quest get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Nissan Quest range from 21 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.5L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 19 city and 24 highway.
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