2012 Nissan Quest — Full Specifications
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Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2012 Nissan Quest is a van/minivan powered by a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 25 mpg (UK) / 21 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Nissan Quest workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Compared with the 2011 Nissan Quest: Fuel economy is essentially unchanged at around 25 mpg (UK) combined. The engine line-up listed by EPA is unchanged.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 3.5L 6-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Van/Minivan |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 25 combined / 23 urban / 29 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 21 combined / 19 city / 24 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 263 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,200 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 1 configuration for the 2012 Nissan Quest, all with the 3.5L 6-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 21 (19/24) | 263 | $3,200 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
Owner Essentials for the 2012 Nissan Quest
Running Costs: 2012 Nissan Quest
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2012 Nissan Quest at 25 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,455 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Planning a road trip? Grab a road trip packing list. Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2012 Nissan Quest Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2012 Nissan Quest (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Electrical system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Electrical system — campaign 12V076000, reported 29 February 2012. Risk: VEHICLE STALLING COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Quest. The most-reported areas are Power train (28), Electrical system (18), Fuel/propulsion system (16). Complaints include 5 reported crashes, 2 reported fires, 3 reported injuries. That is well above the median of 18 complaints across the 7 Nissan Quest model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2012 Nissan Quest
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Transmission & drivetrain (28 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
- Electrical system (1 recall campaign · 18 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Fuel system (16 owner complaints) — Ask whether any fuel-pump or fuel-system recalls were completed, and watch for hard starting or stalling.
- Engine (13 owner complaints) — Listen for unusual noise on a cold start, check for warning lights and ask for the service records.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
How does the Nissan Quest compare to similar van/minivans? Van/Minivans in our database average around 24 mpg (UK) combined — this model sits close to that average, within 1 mpg. Its 263 g/km CO₂ figure is 29 g/km lower than the 292 g/km average for van/minivans on this site. This comparison is based on 157 van/minivans in our dataset.
Nissan models in our database average about 29 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2012 Nissan Quest's 25 mpg is 4 mpg below that make average. Its 263 g/km CO₂ figure is 23 g/km higher than the 240 g/km Nissan average.
Of the 7 Nissan Quest model years we cover, the 2012 ranks 4th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (25 mpg UK combined, against a high of 26 mpg). See every Nissan Quest year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2012 Nissan Quest
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2012 Nissan Quest have?
It's fitted with a 3.5L 6-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a automatic (variable gear ratios) transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Nissan Quest?
The most efficient configuration returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, or 21 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2012 Nissan Quest cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $3,200 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2012 Nissan Quest have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall campaign that include the 2012 Nissan Quest (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Electrical system (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Quest?
Among the 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Power train (28 complaints), Electrical system (18 complaints), Fuel/propulsion system (16 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
Is the Nissan Quest's fuel economy good for a van/minivan?
Yes — it returns around 25 mpg (UK) combined, against a same-body-style average of roughly 24 mpg among the van/minivans we track.