Research · Minivan - 2WD

2008 Nissan QuestRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 50 owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Quest. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (11) and electrical system (8). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
19mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2023
Owner complaints
50
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Feb 10, 2023NHTSA 23V067000

Service brakes

Free remedy

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 THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PARTIALLY DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Mar 2, 2010NHTSA 10V072000

Seats

Free remedy

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 SPECIFICATION.

SeatsReported Apr 24, 2008NHTSA 08V187000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

50 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2008 – May 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system11
  2. Electrical system8
  3. Service brakes8
  4. Air bags8
  5. Structure6
  6. Steering4
  7. Engine and engine cooling3
  8. Engine3
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Quest model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996140
199797
199841
1999118
2000103
200151
200244
2004445
200582
200674
2007228
200850
200922
201166
201293
201318
201418
201512
201613
20176
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

11 reports1 crash
“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 is full. I am going to a dealership in the morning to see about getting it fixed under the recall or getting quoted to have it fixed. This is the only vehicle I own and I have to travel with my kids so I cannot ride around with a fuel can inside due to the fumes. I worry about running out of gas with my children in the car.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11739588

Electrical system

8 reports
“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 hard until I turned off the engine.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11535382

Service brakes

8 reports1 crash1 fire
“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 would make the brakes work and there was no control of the steering. The vehicle was no longer under my control and crashed backwards into a large tree which held it from crashing farther, and a small tree on the side which held it from rolling down into a brook. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request and I would prefer that it be inspected. No vehicles or pedestrians were in the street when the vehicle lost all control without human assistance. The passenger is front passenger seat was taken to ER and has since been seeing a doctor. The problem has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or other service center. The police were at scene of accident right after it occurred. No lights, messages, or other symptoms gave any warning before the vehicle started racing and immediately went out of control with no control over speed, brakes or steering The consumer provided photos and police report.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2021Steering, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemCrash reportedODI 11435773
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Quest
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050468
  • Quest
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Nissan Quest as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 2670
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Quest questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Quest have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Nissan Quest problems?

Owners filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (11), electrical system (8), service brakes (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Nissan Quest get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Nissan Quest at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026