RoadVitals

1997 INFINITI I30

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Feb 11, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Jun 24, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
5
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 20 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 INFINITI I30, most frequently naming the electrical, brakes and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 84 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical626.1%
  • Brakes521.7%
  • Engine313.0%
  • Fuel system28.7%
  • Driver assistance28.7%
  • Tires & wheels14.3%
  • Other / unspecified14.3%
  • Powertrain (other)14.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Jun 24, 2002
161,000 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, ONE OF THE DIODES USED IN THE ALTERNATOR MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHEN BUILT. THIS CAN EVENTUALLY RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE DIODE AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH COULD MELT THE PLASTIC HOUSING.
The risk: IF THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS EMITTED BY THE MELTING PLASTIC DOES NOT DISPERSE DUE TO AIR FLOW THROUGH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT COULD IGNITE AND IN TURN IGNITE THE FAN GUIDE IN THE ALTERNATOR.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 29, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Feb 11, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI I30. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE FUEL FILLER NECK BECAME CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL SPILLED OUT AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKET AND THE FUEL FILLER NECK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10825694
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2011

THE CAR STALLED, NEEDED TOWING TO FIRESTONE IN ELGIN. THEY SAY IT'S ALTERNATOR. THIS WILL BE THIRD CHANGE OF THE ALTERNATOR FOR THIS VEHICLE IN 4 YEARS PERIOD. BATTERY HAS BEEN CHANGED ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, WHEN THE CAR STALLED PREVIOUSLY. YESTERDAY I CALLED INFINITI, GOT A BIT OF A RUN AROUND BY THEM TELLING ME TO CALL NISSAN, WHO TOLD ME TO CALL INFINITI. INFINITI TOLD ME MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN HELP ME WITH. *KB

NHTSA ID
10429575
Incident
Oct 10, 2011
Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI I30. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AFTER DRIVING ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FUMES BEGAN TO COME FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

NHTSA ID
10425215
Incident
Sep 13, 2011
Mileage
96,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Aug 3, 2008

I HAVE A 1997 INFINITI I30 THAT WAS PURCHASED OCT 2006 WITH APPRX 94,000 NOW HAS 105,000. CAR HAS BEEN A LEMON FROM MONTH 2 ON, I HAVE SPENT OVER $2000 IN REPAIRS. I HAVE EVEN TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL INFINITI DEALERSHIP AND THEM NOR ANYONE ELSE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED 2 STARTERS, ALTERNATOR, IGNITION SWITCH, 2 IGNITION COILS, CAM SHAFT ANGLE SENSOR, CRANK SHAFT ANGLE SENSOR, 3 SETS OF SPARK PLUGS,VALVE COVER GASKETS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTERS, MAJOR FRONT AND BACK WHEEL COMPUTERIZED ALIGNMENT, TRANSMISSION FILTER AND OIL. CAR SPITS AND SPUTTERS ACTING LIKE ITS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. IT DIES WHEN AT A LIGHT, IN GEAR, REVERSE, TAKES A TURN....PRETTY MUCH ALL THE TIME, INFINITI DEALER SAYS ONLY THING WRONG IS A SHUTTER SENSOR WHICH WAS TOLD THAT WOULD NOT AFFECT THE DRIVING. I AM CURRENTLY AT A LOSS FOR WHAT I SHOULD DO TO HAVE MY CAR REPLACED, I AM A SENIOR CITIZEN AND ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND HAVE A VERY LIMITED INCOME BUT NEED MY CAR FIXED. I AM SEEKING ANY KIND OF HELP FOR FIXING MY CAR. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10236780
Incident
Feb 27, 2007
Airbags
Filed Dec 20, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI I30. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE WET AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS OF DECEMBER 20, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER BODY. UPDATED 01/24/08. *LJ UPDATED

NHTSA ID
10212444
Incident
Dec 12, 2007
Mileage
218,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed May 23, 2007
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON FEBURARY 20,2007 MY MOM'S LEFTT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT, CAUSING VEHICLE TO RAM THE GUARD RAIL AND THE REAR TIRE TO BLOW OUT, PUSHING THE CAR UP AN EMBANKMENT. SHE WAS TAKEN TO MILITARY HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT.*AK

NHTSA ID
10191592
Incident
Feb 20, 2007
Electrical
Filed Aug 21, 2005

MY 1997 INFINITI I-30 WAS HAVING A HARD TIME STARTING AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR DIED ONE WEEKEND AND WOULD NOT START. I SPENT SOME TIME ON IT AND GOT THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE IT DOWN TO O'NEIL AUTO PARTS AND THEY PUT THEIR STARTING SYSTEM ANALYSIS MACHINE ON THE STARTING SYSTEM...THEIR RESULTS WERE THAT THE CAR BATTERY WAS OK AND THE CAR STARTER WAS OK BUT THE CAR ALTERNATOR WAS PUTTING OUT 34 AMPS. INSTEAD OF THE PRESCRIBED 129 AMPS. I HAD CALLED INFINITI MOTOR CORP. EARLIER AND INFINITI STATED TO ME THAT MY CAR INFINITI I-30 VIN #[XXX] MANUFACTURED IN 3/97 WAS NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT ALTERNATOR RECALL. ALTHOUGH I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET IN NISSANNEWS.COM THAT THE MECHANICALLY EQUIVALENT NISSAN MAXIMA BULIT DURING THE PERIOD OF 3/97 IS COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. WHICH I FIND ODD BECAUSE BOTH OF THESE MODELS WERE LIKELY BUILT ON THE SAME PRODUCTION LINE. ALSO, ON THE VEHICLES WHICH ARE BEING HANDLED UNDER THE ALTERNATOR RECALL NISSAN CORP. IS BEING DIFFICULT AND REQUIRING I TAKE MY CAR 90 MILES AWAY TO ATLANTA TO THE CLOSEST OFFICIAL INFINITI DEALER (MAKING IT CLEARLY DIFFICULT AND INCONVENIENT FOR ME BECAUSE PAUL WALSH NISSAN IN MY HOME TOWN IS EQUIPPED TO EASILY RESOLVE MY AUTO ALTERNATOR SITUATION. NISSAN AND OR INFINITI HAVE DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE OLD PART IS STILL AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT. MAYBE YOU CAN ENCOURAGE NISSAN TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION FOR ME. [XXX] UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10133650
Incident
Aug 10, 2005
Mileage
89,197 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 13, 2004

REAR BRAKE HUM AT LOW SPEED, MAINLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM FULL STOP. BOTH REAR ROTORS REPLACED AND PADS REPLACED, STILL OCCURS. OCCASIONAL GRINDING FROM DRIVER'S REAR BRAKE - MECHANIC CANNOT SOLVE PROBLEM DESPITE FREQUENT BRAKE PART REPLACEMENTS. DEALER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM EITHER. *LA

NHTSA ID
10080917
Incident
Mar 10, 2003
Mileage
105,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

ITB13-007H

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

ITB09-039J

STRUCTURE; VISIBILITY

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

ITB10-067C

WHEELS

WHEEL BEARING COLLISION DAMAGE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

ITB16-006A

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

INFINITI; FRONT SONAR PARKING SENSOR SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

ITB98-033a

STEERING

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN I30 P/S RETURN HOSE LEAKS Service Campaign ID # P8145 is no longer active.  Repair orders opened after this bulletin’s published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # P8145.  Discard all previous versions of ITB98-033.

ITB98-023d

POWER TRAIN

VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN F04 AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SOLENOID VALVE ASSEMBLY Service Campaign ID # P8122 is no longer active.  Repair orders opened after this bulletin’s published date are no longer eligible for reimbursement under Campaign ID # P8122.  Discard all previous versions of ITB98-023.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

INFINITI I30 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004121
2003221
2002231
2001753156.2
2000500038.2
1999260041.1
1998492053.8
1997Viewing201049.4
1996240038.8
1995000

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.