Model year guide

1997 Nissan Quest

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1997 Nissan Quest is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1997 Nissan Quest at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints102
Combined18 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1997 Nissan Quest recalls 2

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #00V419001 · 15/12/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE FUEL TANK VENT HOSE ALLOWS AIR TO VENT FROM THE FUEL TANK DURING REFUELING. CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE VENT HOSE. IF (1) THE FUEL TANK IS OVERFILLED, NOT ALLOWING EXCESS FUEL IN THE VENT HOSE TO FLOW BACK INTO THE TANK, (2) THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ONLY A SHORT DISTANCE AFTER REFUELING AND, (3) THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY SIGNIFICANT HEATING OF THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL IN THE TANK CAN EXPA…

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VENT HOSE.

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery NHTSA Campaign #97V184002 · 28/10/1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMOTIVE BATTERIES SUPPLIED BY GNB TECHNOLOGIES. THESE BATTERIES HAVE A DEFECTIVE NEGATIVE POST THAT CAN CAUSE ACID LEAKAGE AND RELATED CORROSION DAMAGE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE BATTERIES. UNTIL A NEW BATTERY IS OBTAINED, OWNERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO "JUMP START" THESE BATTERIES.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1997 Nissan Quest common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

1997 Nissan Quest safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1997 Nissan Quest. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1997 Nissan Quest MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway22 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,700
EPA size classSpecial Purpose Vehicles
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1997 Nissan Quest costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,500
Fuel only$18,500
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
189.8 in
Width
73.6 in
Height
67.7 in
Wheelbase
112.2 in
Curb weight
3,865 lb
Front track
63.4 in
Rear track
63.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1997 Nissan Quest. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 2

FUEL TANK VENT HOSE LEAKAGE Closed

PERIODIC EXPOSURE TO LIQUID GASOLINE MAY RESULT IN EXTRACTION OF ANTIDEGRADANTS FROM THE SUBJECT FUEL TANK VENT HOSE. HOSES WHICH HAVE SUFFERED LOSS OF ANTIDEGRADANT CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN AREAS OF HIGH STRAIN. FUEL MAY SPRAY OR DRIP FROM CRACKED VENT HOSES FOLLOWING TANK FILL. STARTING AT JOB#1 1998 MY (CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS VEHICLES) AND JOB#1 1999 MY (FEDERAL EMISSIONS VEHICLES), THE SUBJECT VENT HOSE COMPOSITION CH…

NHTSA #EA00015 · Vehicle Speed Control · opened May 2000 · closed Jan 2001

UNEXPECTED OPENING ON SLIDING DOOR Closed

NHTSA #SQ00008 · Structure · opened May 2000 · closed Apr 2002

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 67

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 67.

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB08-097L · Steering · Sep 2023

12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while performing 12V battery testing. These recommendations are expected to promote uni…

Bulletin NTB23-049 · Electrical System · Jun 2023

SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. To avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly sp…

Bulletin NTB23-053 · Electrical System · Jun 2023

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB13-107F · Electrical System · Apr 2023

INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB16-003C · Electrical System · Apr 2023

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB09-081J · Visibility, Structure · Feb 2023

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB13-028H · Visibility, Structure · Feb 2023

WHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB10-126C · Wheels · Feb 2023

DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB08-097K · Steering · Feb 2023

STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Bulletin NTB99-001F · Suspension · Dec 2021

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the QUEST FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 1

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1997 Nissan Quest. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Fuel System

On certain vehicles, cracks could develop in the fuel tank vent hose. If (1) the fuel tank is overfilled, not allowing excess fuel in the vent hose to flow back into the tank, (2) the vehicle is driven only a short distance after refueling and, (3) there is subsequently significant heating of the fuel tank, the fuel in the tank can expand into the vent hose and leak fuel. Fuel…

Transport Canada #2001011 · Jan 2001

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Nissan Quest

The Nissan Quest is a minivan that was marketed by Nissan from the 1993 to 2017 model years. The successor for the Japanese-designed Nissan Van and Nissan Axxess, the Quest was the first Japanese-brand minivan developed specifically for the North American market. In a joint venture with Ford Motor Company, the Quest was manufactured alongside the Mercury Villager

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1997 Nissan Quest vehicles on record

Other Nissan Quest model years

1997 Nissan Quest — frequently asked questions

Does the 1997 Nissan Quest have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1997 Nissan Quest. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Nissan Quest?

Across all 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, electrical system, fuel system.

What is the 1997 Nissan Quest safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1997 Nissan Quest crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1997 Nissan Quest get?

The 1997 Nissan Quest has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 22 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.