2004 NISSAN QUEST

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Shuddering or hesitation during 2-3 or 3-4 shifts, Slipping under acceleration, especially when warm, Whining or grinding noises from transmission, Complete loss of forward gears, stuck in limp mode

Fix: The RE5R05A is known for valve body failures, torque converter shudder, and complete internal destruction. Rebuilds rarely last—most shops recommend replacement with remanufactured unit. 8-12 labor hours for R&R, plus fluid and cooler flush. The cooler itself often fails first, sending debris through the system.

Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500

Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Burning 1+ quart of oil every 1,000 miles with no external leaks, White or blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Engine knock or rattling, especially cold starts, Check engine light with misfire codes (P0300-P0306), Sudden catastrophic failure—spun bearings, scored cylinders

Fix: The VQ35DE in this generation suffers from defective piston ring design and cylinder bore glazing that causes runaway oil consumption. Eventually leads to oil starvation, pre-ignition, and complete engine destruction. Requires full engine rebuild (pistons, rings, bore honing, bearings) or short block replacement. 18-24 labor hours. Many owners discover this only after total engine seizure.

Estimated cost: $4,500-7,000

Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Milky or pink transmission fluid (coolant mixing), Transmission overheating, erratic shifting, Coolant loss with no visible external leaks, Transmission failure shortly after coolant contamination

Fix: The internal transmission cooler inside the radiator fails, allowing coolant and ATF to mix—this destroys the transmission within days if not caught immediately. Requires radiator replacement, complete transmission fluid system flush (including torque converter and all lines), new cooler lines, and often transmission rebuild if contamination occurred. 6-10 hours if caught early, more if transmission damaged. Install external cooler as preventive measure.

Estimated cost: $1,200-4,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Door opens or closes partially then stops, Grinding, clicking, or whining noises during operation, Door won't latch, stays partially open, Complete failure to respond to switches or key fob

Fix: Cable guides break, motors wear out, and rollers seize in the track. The latch mechanisms also fail frequently (recall issued but doesn't cover all failure modes). Motor replacement is 2-3 hours per door, cable/roller repair adds 1-2 hours. Often both doors fail within similar timeframes.

Estimated cost: $600-1,400

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Rough idle, especially when cold, Hesitation or stumbling on acceleration, Check engine light with lean codes (P0171, P0174), Hissing sound from engine bay

Fix: Upper and lower intake gaskets deteriorate, causing vacuum leaks. Requires manifold removal and gasket replacement—straightforward but labor-intensive on the VQ35DE due to tight engine bay. 4-6 labor hours. Use OEM or high-quality aftermarket gaskets; cheap ones fail quickly.

Estimated cost: $600-1,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive engine movement visible when shifting into gear, Vibration at idle in Drive, Steering wheel shakes during hard acceleration

Fix: Hydraulic mounts deteriorate and collapse. Front engine mount is the typical culprit, followed by transmission mount. Each mount is 1.5-2 hours labor. Replace front and transmission mounts together to avoid comeback. OEM mounts last longer than aftermarket.

Estimated cost: $400-700