Nissan Quest

January 2001

Dear Consumer:

Thank you for contacting the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) about your
Nissan Quest which is the twin of the Mercury Villager. Engineered by
Nissan and built by Ford in Avon Lakes, Ohio since its introduction in
1992, the Villager and Quest are among the more reliable minivans sold.

The most trouble prone areas in the Villager and Quest have been the
body and hardware which generate a host of squeaks, rattles, whistles
and clunks. Sliding doors, power locks and windows are subject to sticking
and other glitches. Of greater concern is the fuel system which has been
subject to three recalls by Ford and two by Nissan. Both manufacturers
had two recalls each for tail lights that did not function properly. However,
the largest recall was for power windows that work with the ignition key
in the off position, not a good thing for a family minivan that carries
children. Rather than repairing the vehicle so this could not happen,
Nissan and Ford sent out warning labels to owners that the power windows
could operate for 15 minutes after the ignition is turned off.

You’ll find more information on these and other Villager and Quest problems
below and what you can do about them plus
a complaint box. Your information will
help us build a strong case as we fight for action on any new or unresolved
problems in the Quest and its twin, the Villager.

We need you to support the Center for Auto Safety in our fight for consumer
rights and against poorly designed and unsafe cars. Your contribution
is tax-deductible which
entitles you to our quarterly newsletter, Lemon Times. Please submit
the membership form along with your contribution
and complaint. If you contribute $35 or more, we will send you the current edition of The Ultimate Car Book, by Jack Gillis.

Sincerely,

Clarence M. Ditlow
Executive Director

MERCURY Villager NISSAN Quest FACT SHEET
Technical Service Bulletins (TSB’s) listed in brackets below
are Ford; Nissan issues similar bulletins.

Body/Doors/Windows:
Sliding door squeak/rattle, hard close, 1993-96 Villager (96-7-17); Body
side windows don’t stay closed, 1993-96 Villager (96-3-16); Liftgate P/lock
actuator inoperative or noisy, 1994-97 Villager (97-19-14); Rough texture
&/or orange/rust dots, 1994-99 Villager (95-6-1); Front door windows
bind, 1994-97 Villager (97-12-6); Fog/film on W/S, 1994-97 Villager (96-22-1);
P/door lock self-activates, 1996-98, 1999-00 Villager (98-23-6, 99-24-5);
Wind whistling from front at 35mph or higher, 1995-96 Villager (96-23-14).

Brakes/Suspension:
Rear suspension noise over bumps 1993-97 Villager (96-23-17,
97-17-19); Noise from vehicle rear 1993-96 Villager (97-1-11); Squeal
or grind during light application, groan during release, 1994-97 Villager
(98-5A-49).

Electrical:
Poor acceleration, lack of idle response, 1993-95 Villager (95-10-10);
Inoperative heated backlite, 1993-94 Villager (93-26-1); .

Engine/Driveability:
Extended crank, no start, stalling 1993-96 Villager with 3.0L
(96-25-22); Coolant leak below camshaft 1993-95 Villager with 3.0L (96-10-16);
Stall while shifting out of Park, 1996-97 Villager (98-13-16); Knock in
lower engine area after cold start, 1995-96 Villager (96-20-17)

Transmission:
Overdrive gear whine, 1993-94 Villager (95-13-6); Inadvertent disabling
of brake shift interlock, 1995-99 Villager (99-13-9); Whine from transaxle
on light acceleration, 1994-98 Villager (98-17-8); Difficulty moving shift
lever from Park, 1996-97 Villager (97-7-14)

Other:
Rear view mirrow detaches 1993-95 Villager (94-17-2); A/C compressor failure
1994-96 Villager (97-10-5); Ventilation blower motor chirp or squeak 1993-97
Villager (97-6-10); Rear bench seat squeak or rattle 1993-96 Villager
(96-14-12); Rear wiper motor fails 1993-95 Villager (95-5-20); Fuel odor
in passenger compartment, 1994-98 Villager (97-26-16); Fuel pump buzz
or whine in radio, 1993-99 Villager (96-3-7, 98-7-3, 99-12-9);Low or no
A/C in high temperatures, 1994-97 Villager (98-20-16); A/C musty or mildew
odors, 1994-99 Villager (99-19-5, 97-14-19); Airbag warning light flashes,
1996-97 Villager (96-7-25, 97-7-11); Loose catalyst or muffler shield,
1997-99 Villager (98-20-10); Special TSB on noise, vibration, harshness,
1995-99 Villager (99-11-1); Seat belt guide broken on right side of 3rd
row seat, 1996-97 Villager (97-1-9).

MAJOR RECALLS
(Copies may be obtained from NHTSA’s Technical Reference
at 202-366-2768.)

Brakes:
Partial brake failure due to master cylinder damage, 3,500 1993 Villager,
500 1993 Quest (92V-132.002, 92V-132.001).

Electrical:
P/window works with key in off, 57,400 1996 Villager, 46,500 1996 Quest
(98V-012.001, 98V-012.001); Rear tail lamp will not illuminate, 36,000
1995 Villager, 25,000 1995 Quest (96V-253.001, 96V-253.002).

Fires:
Filler hose leaks 10,800 1993 Villager, 4,900 1993 Quest (92V-172.001,
92V-172.002); Debris in cowl air intake ignites 48,053 1993 Villager,
27,000 1993 Quest (95V-222.001, 95V-222.002); Fuel connector hoses crack
1,300 1997 Villager (96V-203); Fuel tank separation, 3,800 1999 Villager,
1,600 1999 Quest (99V-205.001, 99V-205.002).

Seats/Seatbelts:
B-pillar automatic belt track insecurely fastened, 3,500 1993 Villager,
1,500 1993 Quest (92V-133.002, 92V-133.001); Seat latch engages improperly
6,600 1995 Villager, 2,000 1995 Quest (96V-089.001, 96V-0089.002); Captain’s
chair lacks adequate lubrication, 2,100 1999 Villager, 1,600 1999 Quest
(99V-056.001, 99V-056.002).

Other:
W/S mislabeled, 17 1994 Villager (94V-142); Batteries have defective negative
post, 6,000 1997-98 Villager, 66 1997 Quest (97V-184.001, 97V-184.002);
Tail light socket will not retain bulb, 42,000 1999 Villager, 30,000+
1999 Quest (99V-347.001, 99V-347.002).