1996 INFINITI I30 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 INFINITI I30, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Driver assistance517.9%
- Tires & wheels414.3%
- Airbags310.7%
- Engine310.7%
- Visibility310.7%
- Suspension27.1%
- Seat belts27.1%
- Electrical27.1%
- Transmission13.6%
- Body & structure13.6%
- Fuel system13.6%
- Brakes13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 INFINITI I30. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, IT FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD DEPRESS THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON TO DEACTIVATE THE FEATURE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH UNLESS HE TURNED AND HELD THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED CARDINALE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1661 DEL MONTE BLVD, SEASIDE, CA 93955, (831) 322-4115) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,141.
WHEN MAKING A SUDDEN STOP VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY JUMPS FORWARD. CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. DEALER HAD BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
DUNLOP TIRE FAILED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE BEFORE BLOWOUT. DEALER ADVISED THAT TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD HAVE BLOWN OUT IF DRIVEN FURTHER.*AK
PASSENGER SIDE SPARE TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE ROAD. YH
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR DAY, NO WET ROAD, ETC., ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2004, MY 1996 INFINITI I30 MYSTERIOUSLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL, WENT INTO A SLIDE, CROSSED A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, WENT DOWN AN ENBANKMENT, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED TOP-FIRST INTO A TREE; DRIVING THE ROOF INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE AIRBAGS NEVER DID EMPOLY. THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER DID NOT ISSUE A CITATION SINCE HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE CAR GOING OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS CHECKED FOR SOBRIETY, ETC. AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I WAS NOT IMPAIRED. ALL TIRES WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, THERE WAS NOT A TIRE BLOWOUT. THE FRONT WAS ALIGNED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. THE TIRES WERE RECENTLY ROTATED AND BALANCED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THAT TIME BECAUSE THE TIRE HAD A SLIGHT INDENTATION DUE TO POSSIBLY HITTING A SIDE WALK CURVE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION . UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BELIEVE I'M THE 4TH OWNER OF THIS HERE VEHICLE THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT RIPPED, I HAVE A OIL LEAK AND THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING AND THE SEATS ARE SUN DAMAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TOLD ME THAT HE HAD MANY TRANSMISSION MECHANICS LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY HAD TOLD HIM THAT MANY THINGS CAN BE WRONG WITH IT BUT THE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK
WHILE DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED VEHICLE STALLED AND DIED. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SUN ROOF CRACKED INTO HUNDREDS OF TINY BLEMISHES THE BLEW OUT OF THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BELIEVE I'M THE 4TH OWNER OF THIS HERE VEHICLE THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT RIPPED, I HAVE A OIL LEAK AND THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING AND THE SEATS ARE SUN DAMAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TOLD ME THAT HE HAD MANY TRANSMISSION MECHANICS LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY HAD TOLD HIM THAT MANY THINGS CAN BE WRONG WITH IT BUT THE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK
TOYO TIRE FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BELIEVE I'M THE 4TH OWNER OF THIS HERE VEHICLE THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT RIPPED, I HAVE A OIL LEAK AND THE TRANSMISSION KEEPS SLIPPING AND THE SEATS ARE SUN DAMAGED THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD TOLD ME THAT HE HAD MANY TRANSMISSION MECHANICS LOOK AT THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY HAD TOLD HIM THAT MANY THINGS CAN BE WRONG WITH IT BUT THE DON'T KNOW WHAT EXACTLY AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED TWICE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 INFINITI I30. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, IT FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD DEPRESS THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON TO DEACTIVATE THE FEATURE. CURRENTLY, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH UNLESS HE TURNED AND HELD THE STEERING WHEEL BEFORE TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT CALLED CARDINALE NISSAN (LOCATED AT 1661 DEL MONTE BLVD, SEASIDE, CA 93955, (831) 322-4115) AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,141.
STEREO SYSTEM FAILED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SWITCH UP FROM THE FIRST GEAR. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS MY SECOND INFINITI I30 WHICH IS THE EXACT SAME VEHICLE AS THE NISSAN MAXIMA. I CURRENTLY OWN A 1996 AND HAVE OWNED A 1997 PRIOR AND BOTH HAD RUST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOWER RADIATOR CORE SUPPORT. OVER THE WEEKEND I LOOKED AT A 2000 INFINITI I30 FOR A FAMILY MEMBER CONSIDERING PURCHASE AND NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER 3 DIFFERENT CARS ALL OF DIFFERENT MODEL YEARS I DID EXTENSIVE RESEARCH AND HAVE DISCOVERED ALL OVER THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM EFFECTING EVERY NISSAN MAXIMA AND INFINITI I30 FROM THE YEARS 1995-2000 REGARDLESS OF CLIMATE OR REGION. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN BROUGHT FORTH IN MORE OF A "VENTING" FORMAT AND MANY PEOPLE DID NOT THINK TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY. THIS LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT HAS A LOWER ENGINE MOUNT BRACE THAT SCREWS IN, AND ONCE IT RUSTS COMPLETELY, WILL ALLOW THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE TO POTENTIALLY DROP OUT FROM BENEATH AND CAUSE A MAJOR AUTOMOTIVE COLLISION OR EVEN FATALITY. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED $1200 TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER I DO NOT THINK I AM RESPONSIBLE OR SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST!!!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
CAR CONTINUALLY STALLS. ALTHOUGH IT DOES START RIGHT UP AGAIN, THE STALLING IS PERSISTENT. ESPECIALLY IN HOTTER WEATHER AT IDLE OR LOW SPEEDS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .