NissanQuest2001Overview/nissan/quest/2001/base/

2001 Nissan Quest

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 Quest.

Body VANTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2001 Nissan Quest is a minivan equipped with a 4-speed automatic transmission and EPA-rated fuel economy of 15/21/17 mpg, requiring 4 quarts of 5W-30 API oil for service. For the 2001 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recorded 51 total owner complaints—structure-related issues emerged as the most frequently cited problem area, alongside one recall. Compared to the Quest's complaint history spanning 1991 to 2017, which ranged from a low of just 1 complaint in 1991 to a peak of 445 in 2004, the 2001 model's tally places it well below the model's average and closer to its more reliable years.

Model year201720162015201420132012201120092001

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 450 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory battery and cabin air filter are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 35 · 450 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165460B0S0VW
Fuel filter164000W005 alt 172757B001
Spark plug224011P115 alt 224011P116
Battery244106B000 discontinued · alt 244106B600
Front wiper blades288906B700
Serpentine belt119207B005 alt 119500B005
Thermostat21200V720A
Cabin air filter272987B000 discontinued

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.5 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height64.2 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3935 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)58/42

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular 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.

11.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.50 sec — 2001 SE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001SE 3.3L V611.50 sec18.50 sec170 hpFWD
1999GXE 3.3L V611.20 sec18.10 sec170 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 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

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts141-156 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts62-68 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts21-25 ft-lbs
Main Bearings67-74 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub174-231 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub178 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance1.0 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,000 approx. ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque18.0 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing15 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant CapacityFront A/C, 2.00; dual A/C, 3.376. lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil CapacityFront A/C, 7.00; dual A/C, 11.00. oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance450 cca
Optional BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature180 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance10-14 ohms
Engine Compression173-128 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure8.5 psi @ Idle, 60-65 psi @ 2000

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket18-25 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6510–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
243 ft. lbs.43 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
47 ft. lbs.7 ft. lbs
522 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
660-65 degrees.60–65 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9 ft. lbs., step 2: 6.5 ft. lbs., step 3: 5.8-72.9 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 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEmission Control System (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (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 2001 Quest sits in a distinct low-activity trough within the first generation's federal record: its 51 complaints and single recall mark a sharp improvement over the 1999–2000 spike (126 and 105 complaints, four and two recalls respectively) and align closely with the 1998 and 2002 lows (51 and 46 complaints). Complaint categories are evenly dispersed — Structure, Seat Belts, Service Brakes Hydraulic, and Tires each register only four reports — and the data does not specify root causes for any of them. Crash-involved complaints total 10 and fire complaints 4, figures that are notable but not outliers compared to surrounding years. Technical service bulletins remain elevated at 58, suggesting ongoing dealer-level attention despite the quiet federal profile. The 2004 model-year break then introduces a new generation with a dramatic surge to 445 complaints and four investigations, confirming 2001 as a late-generation sweet spot. For a buyer prioritizing documented federal trouble rates, the 2001 Quest represents one of the cleanest years of its platform.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
58
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
51
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 51 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Structure4
Seat Belts4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Tires4
Visibility4
Electrical System3
Electrical System,Equipment2
Equipment2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

00V338002Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 27/10/2000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE PLASTIC TRIM COVER AROUND THE BASE OF THE FRONT SEAT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE TRAPPED BETWEEN THE SHOULDER OF THE RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE BOLT AND THE SEAT PEDESTAL… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY ATTACHMENT. SOME BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 58 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I2024-04-29Visibility/WiperREMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB09-081K2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 Quest take?

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

Does the 2001 Quest have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Quest get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.