2004 Quest Problems

[garywcox]

If you are like me and frustrated by brake problems on your 2004 Nissan Quest, as well as other issues it might do some good to file a complaint.

Federal Trade Commission regarding issues of unfair business practices etc... I filed one on on Quest Tires and the self created mononoply that they have on tires... http://www.ftc.gov/ftc/consumer.htm

Better Business Bureau Auto Line - It has worked for me to get reimbursed for brake repaires. http://www.dr.bbb.org/autoline/

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration - investigations into vehicle defects - http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/

... Gary

[ted]

I have no problems - as long as I keep spending money. Averaging $1000 a year for what Nissan Service calls "normal" break maintenance. Which means complete and rear brakes every 15,000 miles.

[sushi96720]

I have an appointment to take my Quest in for vibration on the steering when braking. At merely 4000 miles, the dealer had to replace the front rotor due to warpage. I assume same this time but may not cover under warranty.
I am not really looking forward to the confrontation with the dealer as I assume the rotors for 2004 to be a substantard part therefore the same problem will return after 4-5K miles. I read in another forum that Nissan is aware that the rotors for the 2004 Quest was too thin therefore, came up with a thicker rotor for the 2005+ models. They should voluntarily recall and replace the rotors.
I did file a complaint with the NHTSA when I encountered the problem with the rotors at 4K miles.

[Loretta7]

I have a 2004 Nissan Quest and I just had the second set of rotars put on. I just joined this site today and was not aware ther is a problem with the rotars.. Thanks

[jchiar]

Yes, my 04 quest has 28k miles and ive replace the pads once already.

[grndsm]

My original brakes started shimmying right around 45k miles. We bared with it until around 52k miles, when I finally replaced them. Mind you, I didn’t do it because of shimmying, that in itself, is not dangerous, I did it because the pads were 85-90% worn.

Another interesting point is that my BRAKE light was on, despite the fact that fluid level was ample. I wonder if ABS computer was able to diagnose poorly performing brakes?

It took me a while to find replacement rotors, but Autopart International had them for around $50 each. Then, I got some “cheapo” $35 pads and that was it!

I was used seeing rear brakes lasting even longer than the fronts, so I didn’t do the rear brakes as the same time. However a week later, when I had new tires installed, I noticed rear pads were even more worn than the fronts!

Since rear rotors were still in a good shape, I didn’t replace them. Instead, I installed another set of pads. So for around $170 (+ my own labor), I ended up with what I consider pretty good brakes! It has been around 7k miles since then and the brakes still feel great!

[Loretta7]

Thanks for the reply... My husband has taken my car in this morning to have the recently brakes checked. since the front brakes were replaced it seems that I do not have the same stopping power as before. Hopefully this can be an easy fix maybe just some slight adjustment. Other than the brakes I have really enjoyed my Quest. I havae had no other problems with it and am considering getting a 2008.

[m98cox]

I've got around 56,000 on my Quest SE and just replaced the rear pads for the first time this summer. Still on original front pads.

[greasemonkey]

I have to change the front brakes every 6K miles. Changed the rotors twice in the front and once in the back. The van has 104K miles, but with a boat load of problems. I would never recommend this piece of $#!+ to anyone.

[thumper300zx]

At about 20,000 miles, I figured my tires were out of balance -- at 30,000 miles, they were replaced, and I figured my problems would be solved. Nope, still a vibration and worsened with braking. So, I checked my pads all the way around. They had more than 1/2 their life left. So, I just tried to ignore the issue. At 50,000 miles, it was just getting worse and worse with time. Braking was becoming a real annoyance, vibration getting worse and worse with time...

At 60,000, I checked all the pads again. Believe it or not, the fronts were still plenty good -- the right rear had some slanted wear, but was not dead, either -- since I had them off, and bought pads to replace them, I went ahead and replaced them.

NO FIX -- same shimmy, exactly the same. So, a few thousand miles later, I replaced the rear rotors (having seen the odd wear) -- no fix. Replaced the fronts -- problem solved!!! But, I assume it will come back in the next 15,000 miles or so. I used NAPA ULTRA PREMIUM replacements. Not sure if they will exceed what the Nissan's provided.

I understand rotors can get hot/cold spots and have glazing in small sections when braking is inconsistent. I could be the cause of vibration -- even if the rotors look o.k. or you have turned them, the low and high friction points can cause a shimmy. It may also be inconsistent because tire rotation will be off here and there.

I love Nissans in general -- but I have really been frustrated with my Nissan Quest. I love the car all together, but I feel like I wasted good money buying the SE model, new, for around $38,000. INCESANT RATTLES, poor AM reception (there was a recall, but it didn't fix it), brakes, and my odometer/temp/gas gauge display has gone crazy (intermittent, though persistent display reading issues that apparently can only be fixed buying a new cluster, paying for a setting of the milage + normal labor). The car has TONS OF RATTLES. I also just found out for a rear wiper, you have to buy a supercede part that includes the arm and blade, at a cost of over $50 !!!! $50 for a wiper blade !!! And the last time I bought one, it was missing spots on the window right out of the packaging !!!

I've also already had bad pulleys, broken tabs on splash guards (horrible design), and a TICK TICK TICK from the front wheels which I found out was caused by, get this, a COTTER PIN in the front axles that shifts up and down as you drive...(fixed that using some silicone to hold the cotter pins still). I hear plenty of RATTLES when I drive. I have also had one of the large TORX bolts in the rear seat come loose (the seat fell off the mount while I was converting it). I had a nightmare with the "tow package" option when I first bought the car. And have I mentioned -- THE RATTLES !!!

I have had only few completely enjoyable driving experiences in this car...I'm an anal car owner, but I've never hated driving my 300zx (three of them), my 240z, my 91 Maxima, or my 94 Quest (all cars I have owned) over the years. Getting in this 2004 Quest is sometimes an emotional battle for me.

[greasemonkey]

Now that winter is here, the piece of $#!t has no heat. If the car is running on the highway at over 2000 RPM, I can get some heat. At an idle or city driving I freeze and it's not safe driving with one of those snuggle blankets you see on TV. Any ideas?

[mpe235]

Originally Posted by greasemonkey

Now that winter is here, the piece of $#!t has no heat. If the car is running on the highway at over 2000 RPM, I can get some heat. At an idle or city driving I freeze and it's not safe driving with one of those snuggle blankets you see on TV. Any ideas?

Check for coolant leaks. If you find any, make necessary repairs and then fill coolant and bleed out air pockets from the system.