Makes›Nissan›Quest›2008

2008 Nissan Quest

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2008 models.

Nissan Quest
Pictured: 2015 Nissan Quest SV, front left, 08-25-2023. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Minivan - 2WD
Body styles
4dr FWD 3.5s/3.5sl, 4dr FWD 3.5sle
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 24 hwy
Length
204.3 in
Curb weight
4,310–4,489 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 9 similar 2008 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2008 Nissan Quest is a minivan offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 204 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 124-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,310 lb (4dr FWD 3.5s/3.5sl).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 19 MPG combined (16 city / 24 highway), 1% worse than the 2008 minivan average of 19.2 MPG, for an estimated $4,350 a year in fuel.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the fuel/propulsion system.

What changed for 2008

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2007 Quest — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2007; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2007 Quest →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr FWD 3.5s/3.5sl204.3 in77.2 in69.3 in124 in66.9 / 66.9 in4,310 lb58/42
4dr FWD 3.5sle204.3 in77.2 in69.3 in124 in66.9 / 66.9 in4,489 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Quest3.5L 6-cylAutomatic 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive16 / 24 / 19-1%$4,350468
Spend $9,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.2 MPG2008 Minivan - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2008 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2008 Nissan Quest under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2008 minivans

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2008 Nissan Quest (this car)19 MPGNot rated2
2008 Toyota Sienna19 MPGNot rated7
2008 Kia Sedona18 MPGNot rated5
2008 Honda Odyssey20 MPGNot rated4
2008 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan19 MPGNot rated2
2008 Hyundai Entourage18 MPGNot rated4
2008 Chevrolet Uplander19 MPGNot rated1

Recalls (2)

Air Bags › Frontal · Feb 10, 2023

NHTSA campaign 23V067000 · 404,690 vehicles

Problem
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix
Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Mar 2, 2010

NHTSA campaign 10V072000 · 179,383 vehicles

Problem
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008-2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND INFINITI QX56, AND MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 NISSAN QUEST VEHICLES. THE BRAKE PEDAL PIVOT PIN END WAS NOT SPIN-FORMED TO SPECIFICATION DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. THE PIVOT PIN COULD SLIDE AND CAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PARTIALLY DISENGAGE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET.
Risk
THE DRIVER WILL EXPERIENCE UNUSUAL AND NOTICEABLE LOOSENESS IN THE PEDAL AND A REDUCTION IN BRAKING FORCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THE PIVOT PIN HAD BEEN FORMED PROPERLY AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2008 Nissan Quest is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

31Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
2Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
100,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Service Brakes8
Electrical System6
Steering4
Air Bags4
Unknown Or Other4
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3
Structure › Body2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/06: 115/10: 215/11: 116/04: 116/06: 216/09: 116/10: 117/10: 117/11: 218/04: 218/10: 119/02: 219/04: 119/05: 119/07: 119/09: 119/10: 120/01: 121/06: 121/10: 123/07: 123/10: 125/11: 126/05: 115/0616/0416/1018/0419/0419/0921/0623/10max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2008 Nissan Quest buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Fuel/Propulsion System — 10 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  3. Service Brakes — 8 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Electrical System — 6 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 100,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Quest. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Quest years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2017 Quest22–Not rated06
2016 Quest22200.8 inNot rated013
2015 Quest22200.8 inNot rated012
2014 Quest21200.8 inNot rated018
2013 Quest21200.8 inNot rated016
2012 Quest21200.8 inNot rated171
2011 Quest21200.8 inNot rated131
2009 Quest19204.3 inNot rated216
2007 Quest19204.3 inNot rated0115
2006 Quest19204.3 inNot rated017
2005 Quest19204.3 inNot rated022

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →