Used 2012 Nissan Quest SV 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl CVT) Consumer Reviews
Used Quest for sale
Smooth Ride
rlhinmi, Portage, MI, 07/08/2012
Nissan Quest SV 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
34 of 35 people found this review helpful
After comparing with Toyota, Honda, Chrysler, Hyundai, and Mazda5 we decided that the Nissan Quest was the best minivan for our family. After 2500 miles we continue to be very satisfied with our selection. The 3.5L V6/CVT combination is very smooth. Although the exterior design is an acquired taste, we like it better than the Honda design. Toyota seemed to cut costs on interior materials--too much hard plastic. Chrysler and Hyundai build quality still seems lacking. We decided that the Mazda5 was too small for our desired use. So far the Nissan has been a very capable family hauler. MPG average has been 22.5 with mixed driving. We managed 24mpg on a recent road trip.
Tranny troubles
SadVanMan, Portage, MI, 07/08/2017
updated 07/23/2018
Nissan Quest SV 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
39 of 41 people found this review helpful
We enjoyed our Quest for the first five years. The van had a smooth ride. I liked the interior layout with the folding seats and no need to remove large middle-row seats. We could haul large objects without having to remove clunky middle row seats, and we thought we were getting a better quality van than a Chrysler product. With the back two rows of seats folded flat, we had a bedding area for long trips to Florida. The hidden trunk in the back provided nice storage. We were making some nice memories with our van. In the first year or two we started to worry a little when our van would stall on downhill angles with 1/4 tank of gas or less. A technical service bulletin software update fixed that problem with no cost. Routine maintenance generally kept our van rolling along. Second set of tires at just over 40,000miles and that set lasted nearly 60,000 miles. Brakes replaced at about 88,000 miles. Only unexpected repair had been a rear A/C line at 80,000 miles. Well, things began going bad in the last few months. The van began lurching or having RPM surges while driving at speed--especially with cruise set while going up a small grade or hill. Was that the transmission slipping? The problem happened rarely enough that our local Nissan dealer could not replicate it during a test drive. Then after the 105,000 mile service the transmission problems worsened. On a long trip we had lots of cruising on the freeway. The tachometer would bounce while maintaining speed. If we encountered a hill the RPMs might bounce from 2000 up to 2400 with no gain in speed. The bounce lasted a second or two and it occurred on minor inclines. Local driving too and from work seemed fine, but then a short trip to family was the last straw. A couple times on this trip shifting from reverse to drive produced a clunking sound with marginal acceleration. (That can't be good.) We had two or three episodes in which the van took a long time to move from a stop on an uphill grade. (That experience seemed marginally dangerous.) Then the check engine light confirmed our fears. We nursed it back to our dealer. The tranny was dead. We are now two weeks into waiting for a replacement. Five years with the van was fine, but then we learned the error of our ways in purchasing the Nissan Quest with the CVT. Our dealer is still waiting for a replacement transmission while we kick ourselves for not purchasing the Honda, Toyota, or even the Chrysler. While it may not help our efforts to unload this thing in a year or so, buyers should beware of Nissan CVTs...especially in the Quest. A quick contact with corporate produced the expected apology for inconvenience with no real help. Five years old and just over 100,000 miles and the transmission pukes? Please learn from our experience. Update in 2018: So we had the dealer replace the transmission at 107,800 miles and hoped for the best. After another 5,000 miles or so, my wife began to worry about being stranded if the new transmission puked. I thought that we could just drive it into the ground. After laying out over $3,000 for a replacement transmission, I was not eager to get rid of the vehicle. My opinion began to change when I noticed hesitation shifting from reverse to drive. Initially I thought it was just paranoia because of the first transmission failing. The issue happened a few times, with a hesitation and a lurch. Okay, I am not the guy to leave my wife driving a marginally reliable vehicle (or maybe it gave me an excuse to shop for a replacement). We decided to replace the van, and we sold it with a little over 116,000 miles on it...about 5 months after replacing the transmission. (Sigh) Not a great experience, and I wish that we had purchased a Toyota back in 2012. Live and learn. Nissan, you lost me with this one.
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Incredible Machine
majordude, Ann Arbor, MI, 08/24/2012
Nissan Quest SV 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
This is a spectacular van. Its pretty wide but handles well. We were looking for a new family car and compared honda, toyota, crossovers, and vans as well as the Town and Country. You have to step in one of these machines decked out in leather. We got the SV with leather package. Wow, best 32k you can spend on market. So luxurious.
THE NEW BEST IN ITS CLASS
rxgirl1210, Davison, MI, 01/29/2012
Nissan Quest SV 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
18 of 20 people found this review helpful
Two days ago, I traded in my 2011 Toyota Sienna LE for a 2012 Nissan Quest SV. I was a long time Toyota girl and always loved my vehicles immensely, but then Toyota decided to cut back way too much on quality and reliability that my recent van had to go!!! (see my review under 2011 Sienna). I never owned a Nissan before, but I was "wowed" at their vehicles. The newly designed Quest is a gem. It offers all the bells and whistles and more. They truly thought of everything. It is plush and soft to the touch on inside with easy accessibility to dash. Gorgeous on outside also. Take a look folks, you'll be stepping into the new king of minivans. It will be tops!!!
Enjoyed until
DChief, Fort Defiance, AZ, 07/07/2016
updated 01/12/2021
Nissan Quest SV 4dr Minivan (3.5L 6cyl CVT)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
We enjoyed overall. But, we were hit 2 weeks after buying and in shop for months. then got regular maintenance. Went though 5 set of tires, most we ever bought for a vehicle. Now at 152,000, the transmission can not be repaired. Have to replace, it'll cost me 3,3000 and AC is not as cool as it used to be. Nissan service has no interest in helping me only stated I need to replace the transmission when I went in for I fluid service. Value is so upside down that trading in is an option. Not happy. Update: We bought a new transmission. Discovered that with CVTs, fluid service is necessary often. Got rid of van although it had an upside down, practically paid someone to take it. The plus of the van is the room it provided. I think the van is too big to carry itself when all the seats are filled. Relieved....TRADED IT IN and dust off my hands and relieved. Whew, one less worry.
- Safety
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability