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2004 Nissan Quest

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Quest.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Nissan Quest is a full‑size van built on the second‑generation Quest platform and powered by a standard engine that requires 4.2 qt of 5W‑30 API oil, mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission; its EPA ratings of 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined reflect the vehicle’s focus on family‑oriented efficiency rather than sport performance. While the van’s spacious interior and sliding‑door architecture were well received, the model year also recorded the highest number of owner complaints in the Quest’s 1991‑2017 run, with 445 reports—most centered on structural issues—and four factory recalls issued for that generation. Consequently, the 2004 Quest sits at a reliability inflection point, marking the peak of reported problems in an otherwise gradually improving record, a factor researchers must weigh when evaluating long‑term durability.

Model year2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2009 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory battery is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP225-65R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	1520865F0E
Engine air filter	165460Z000
Spark plug	224015M016 alt 224015M015
Battery	244109B900 discontinued
Front wiper blades	28890ZF01A alt 288905Z000
Serpentine belt	119508J100 alt 11920CK000
Thermostat	13050ZA000 alt 212008J10B
Cabin air filter	272775Z00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	204.3 in
Overall width	77.2 in
Overall height	69.3 in
Wheelbase	124 in
Curb weight	3999 lb
Track (front / rear)	66.9 / 66.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 24 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Quest of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.9–8.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.90 sec — 2004 3.5 SE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2004	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	7.90 sec	16.20 sec	240 hp	FWD
2004	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	8.20 sec	16.50 sec	240 hp	FWD
2004	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	8.70 sec	16.45 sec	240 hp	FWD
2004	3.5 SE 3.5L V6	8.90 sec	16.90 sec	240 hp	FWD
2007	3.5 SL 3.5L V6	8.80 sec	16.90 sec	240 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	Nissan Matic-K
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.7
Automatic Transmission Fluid	Nissan Matic-D
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	9.4
Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts	65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	21-24 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	5.0-6.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub	92 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Spark Plug Gap	0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	18.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing	15 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance	5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPM	Idle rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.87-2.09 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	7.44 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test	23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	176-183 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression	142-185 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	14 psi @ Idle, 43 psi @ 2000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	20 ft-lbs / 32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	115 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.0016 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.1 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.1 in / 0.63 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.02 in / 0.551 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

14-15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90-95

14–15 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

29-36 ft. lbs., step 2: 60

29–36 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	72 ft. lbs.	72 ft. lbs
2	Loosen all bolts.
3	26-32 ft. lbs.	26–32 ft. lbs
4	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees
5	90-95 degrees.	90–95 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4-7 ft. lbs., step 2: 20-23 ft. lbs., step 3: 20-23

4–7 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

24-28 ft. lbs., Step 2: 95

24–28 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 mi	Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering System (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Nissan Quest marks the start of the third generation and stands as the most complaint-heavy year in the entire federal record, with 445 complaints—more than double any prior year—and 4 investigations, the highest for any model year. This spike contrasts sharply with the declining trend seen at the end of the second generation (2002 had just 46 complaints and zero investigations) and is followed by a significant drop to 82 complaints in 2005, indicating that 2004 suffered from acute launch-year problems. The top complaint areas—Structure, Power Train, and Latches/Locks/Linkages, each with 42 reports—along with 7 crash and 10 fire complaints, point to widespread quality and safety concerns not present in surrounding years. While later third-generation years show improvement, the 2004 Quest’s outlier status in complaints and investigations makes it a notably risky used purchase; a 2005 or 2006 model would be a far safer choice.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

115

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

445

Owner complaints

7 involved a crash · 10 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01 ’02’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 445 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure42

Power Train42

Latches/Locks/Linkages42

Electrical System36

Air Bags29

Engine & Engine Cooling27

Service Brakes, Hydraulic27

Tires15

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05V480000Seats:Mid/Rear AssemblyReported 17/10/2005

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH A FOLDING THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, WHEN THE THIRD ROW SEAT IS RAISED FROM ITS STOWED POSITION, IT ENGAGES STRIKER BRACKETS, ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT CUSHION. THE FOLD-AWAY STRIKER LOOP… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

04V186000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:LatchReported 16/04/2004

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER SLIDING DOOR(S), AT AN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE BELOW APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE ACTUATOR FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR(S) MAY EXPERIENCE BINDING DUE TO AN… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACTUATOR FOR THE POWER SLIDING DOOR(S). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 115 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB23-080D	2024-09-04	Air Bags	VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2004-2012 ARMADA, TITAN, AND 2004-2009 QUEST; DRIVER AIR…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Quest. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 24F battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 1520865F0E Engine air filter 165460Z000 Spark plug 224015M016 Battery 244109B900

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Quest take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Quest have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Quest get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.