The Lemon Index
20063rd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: body structure
Better years to buy
36 owner complaints, first 3 years 19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Mazda MPV2005 Chevrolet Astro2005 Chevrolet Uplander 199
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2005 Nissan Quest
- Timing chain10 complaintsmostly at 78,000–121,000 miles (126,000–195,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 82 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Nissan Quest (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 32,000 miles (8,000–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 36 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 05V480000 (seats) and 05V474000 (seats) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Do the seats adjust, heat and lock in place properly?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Nissan sent dealers 85 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Water leak in cargo area”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 36 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 32K miles (8K to 51K km) on the car (22 of all 36 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Consumer complaint regarding Nissan Quest recall for seat mechanism.
2005 Nissan Quest owner · NHTSA complaint 10144240
More owner reports
The consumer's complained that her children's fingers can become stuck in the door and that the third row seat can disengage.
NHTSA complaint 10143218
Dt*: the contact stated the rear sliding door was difficult to open. The contact managed to open the door by using extreme force. Although the problem persisted, the vehicle was not seen by a dealer.
NHTSA complaint 10150982
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 85 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Water leak in cargo area
- Water leaking from skyview roof
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Seats · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH A FOLDING THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, WHEN THE THIRD ROW SEAT IS RAISED FROM ITS STOWED POSITION, IT ENGAGES STRIKER BRACKETS, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION.
- Seats · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THERE IS A SEAT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM THAT CONTAINS EXPOSED MOVING COMPONENTS LOCATED AT THE REAR INSIDE EDGE OF THE SECOND ROW SEAT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedSide air bag non-deployment2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
Every Nissan Quest year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-quest/?y=2005" title="Nissan Quest reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-quest/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Nissan Quest reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Nissan Quest reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 129; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Quest year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2007.
What are the most common 2005 Nissan Quest problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (25%), seats (17%) and visibility (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Quest have?
2 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Nissan Quest get?
19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Quest problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 32,000 miles (8,000–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 22 complaints, of all 36 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Nissan Quest have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2005 Nissan Quest cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Nissan Quest have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Quest year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2007 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about average).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works