[LWild]

I have a 1996 Quest van and have chronic problems with the A/C. I live in Phoenix, AZ and it seems the Quest A/C compressor is designed to shut down when it gets too hot. In practice, that means when the outside temperature gets over 105 or so that the compressor shuts off whenever you stop at a light. I comes back on once you start driving again, but when driving in the city, this isn't enough to keep the vehicle cool. It's not a whole lot better than driving with the windows open. The dealer replaced the compressor 3 times under warranty before telling us they had received a notice on the problem and installed an additional part. After they did this, it didn't shut off at lights anymore, but it didn't cool as well the rest of the time either. That compressor lasted about year with the modification and then went out. By this time it was out of warranty and we replaced the compressor at our own expense - and didn't put the extra part on (whatever it was). We're about 6 months out from this repair.

We also had a bolt break off and fall down into the engine at about 102,000 miles (we had the 100,000 mile service plan). Our options were, take the bolt out, hope for the best and sell to some unsuspecting person ($500) do a larger repair ($3,000 - I don't remember the details) or put a remanufactured engine in ($4,000). We went with the remanufactured engine because it came with a 3 year warranty and the other fixes only came with 30-90 day warranties.

Now (130,00 miles) we are having transmission problems and have been quoted $2,700 to fix those.

We have been meticulous with maintenance and care of this van and it's never been in an accident. One of our neighbors had a 1993 Quest and has had some of the same problems, so at least the A/C and the bolt issue appear to be design flaws. Knowing what I know now, I would have gotten rid of this van as soon as the warranty expired.