RoadVitals

1998 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.
49
Latest Oct 30, 2017
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.
2
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.
10
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 49 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 INFINITI I30, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 81 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

  • Airbags2035.1%
  • Electrical1017.5%
  • Brakes610.5%
  • Body & structure47.0%
  • Interior & seats35.3%
  • Engine35.3%
  • Visibility23.5%
  • Powertrain (other)23.5%

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

2 campaigns 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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

May 20, 1999
17,000 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 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.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Airbags
Filed Oct 30, 2017
Crash reported

AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING, DEALERSHIP INDICATED "A VERY COMMON PROBLEM" FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE INFINIITI . WELL A COMMON PROBLEM TO ME SEEMS LIKE IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT WOULD OVER $1000 DOES THIS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH TAKATA INFLATORS THAT HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON MILLIONS OF CARS BUT JUST SKIPPED THIS YEAR AND MAKE? I WAS TOLD AIRBAG WILL STILL DEPLOY, WELL I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END ACCIDENT, AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY! THIS IS A REAL CONCERN, THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, AND RECALL IMPLEMENTED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES AS A RESULT!

NHTSA ID
11041453
Incident
Mar 2, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 19, 2017

WHILE DRIVING HOME COULD HEAR A CLICKING NOISE IN THE WIRING CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND EVENTUALLY DIED IN THE ROAD, JUMP STARTED IT TO GET TO A SHOP WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR, BOUGHT NEW ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE CAR SHORTED OUT AGAIN LOST POWER AND ONCE AGAIN DIED ON THE ROAD, JUMP STARTED CAR TO GET HOME. CAR WILL NOT HOLD POWER KEEPS SHORTING OUT IN THE WIRES, ALTERNATOR IS STILL GOOD AS WELL AS BATTERY. YOU CAN HEAR THE WIRING WHEN IT SHORTS OUT AS IT CLICKS. WHEN I JUMP START THE CAR IT WILL ONLY STAY CHARGED FOR A FEW MINUTES BEFORE DYING OUT AGAIN. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR NOW AS IT WILL NOT STAY CHARGED, SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS DRAINING THE BATTERY. WHEN THE WIRING STARTS TO CLICK RADIO GOES OFF AND CLOCK DIMS BEFORE SHUTTING OFF AS WELL.

NHTSA ID
10995902
Incident
Jun 16, 2017
Mileage
200,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 23, 2016
Crash reported1 injury reported

TAKATA RECALL THE CAR HAS MANUFACTURE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIX FOR NO XCOST

NHTSA ID
10837650
Incident
Nov 15, 2015
Mileage
1 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Feb 19, 2016

TAKATA RECALL THE CAR TURNS OFF BY IT SELF

NHTSA ID
10837080
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2015

I PURCHASED THIS CAR, AS THE SECOND OWNER, IN 2001, AND EVERYTHING APPEARED FINE. WITHIN 6 MONTHS, MY AIR BAG LIGHT HAD COME ON. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT/INCIDENT INVOLVED - I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY AND THE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE ASKED A FEW MECHANICS ABOUT IT, BUT THEY ALL SAID THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW IF IT IS TRULY DEFECTIVE IS TO HAVE IT DEPLOY, AND THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING UNLESS I ACTUALLY HIT SOMETHING. IT HAD 81K MILES WHEN I PURCHASED IT IN 2001, AND NOW HAS ABOUT 153K. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT IF I DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT IS SAFE. WE DID HAVE ONE VERY MINOR COLLISION ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO, (ANOTHER DRIVER HIT US DRIVING VERY SLOWLY) AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL WAS DENTED, BUT IT DID NOT DEPLOY THE AIRBAG. WITH SO MUCH PRESS ABOUT THE AIRBAGS, I THOUGHT I SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF MY MODEL HAS BEEN RECALLED YET. JUST BECAUSE MY CAR IS OLD DOES NOT MEAN IT HAS NOT BEEN ISSUE FOR OVER 10 YEARS. IT IS A SCARY WAY TO DRIVE AROUND. I TRIED TO CHECK TO SEE IF WAS A RECALL BUT THE WEBSITE IS DOWN, SO I DON'T KNOW. I CHECKED "NOT FOUND".

NHTSA ID
10717380
Incident
Sep 12, 2001
Mileage
81,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI I30. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, SMOKE AND FIRE BEGAN TO RISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ALTERNATOR SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V129000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR). THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 145,000. UPDATED 01/25//12 *BF

NHTSA ID
10441463
Incident
Dec 27, 2011
Mileage
145,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 16, 2011

INFINITI I30 AIR BAG RED LIGHT ON DASH BLINKING INDICATING FAULTY AIR BAGS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS ARE FUNCTIONAL OR IF IT IS JUST THE LIGHT. INFINITI WANTS > $600 TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG WHICH ONLY SEEMS TO LAST A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. MANY OWNERS HAVE INDICATED THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB: HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/INFINITI/I30/R71712/COMMENTS/ HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/AIR-BAG-SIGN-BLINKING-ON-1998-INFINITI-I30-T285511.HTML HTTP://X.INFINITIHELP.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP/AIR-BAG-LIGHT-FLASH-1250.HTML?S=E57EE447DB4834484BF21B4FA7BD8AA0&P=4558

NHTSA ID
10383795
Incident
Feb 16, 2011
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 4, 2011

IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2009, I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH INFINITI AND NHTSA REGARDING A STRUCTURAL DEFECT TO THE FRAME OF MY 1998 INFINITI I30T. BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN, THE FRAME ROTTED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED UNDER THE ENGINE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. MECHANICS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE ENGINE AND/OR TRANSMISSION COULD FALL OUT CAUSING THE OPERATOR TO LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES AND/OR DEATH. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE NISSAN MAXIMAS AROUND THE SAME YEAR ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE BECAUSE THEY UTILIZED THE SAME FRAME. I CANNOT BELIEVE INFINITY, NISSAN AND/OR NHTSA HAVE NOT INITIATED RECALLS ON THESE VEHICLES GIVEN THE RECENT RECALLS AND SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OF VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR ISSUES THAT HAVE RESULTED IN DEATHS (I.E. FORD WINDSTAR VANS AND HONDA PASSPORTS). WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO ISSUE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES TO PROTECT THE OPERATORS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10374048
Incident
Jun 22, 2009
Mileage
110,459 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.

ITB19-008

EQUIPMENT

EXTERIOR CLEANING INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION When cleaning the exterior of an Infiniti vehicle, damage may occur when using a cleaner with too high of an alkaline concentration. - Always refer to the Appearance and care section of the related owner?s manual. - Not all cleaners are created equal. - Many cleaners come in concentrated form. - Alkaline cleaners (cleaners with a high pH value) can cause spots on paint and trim when not used as directed. - Some commercial car washes use cleaners with a high pH value. - When using cleaners that meet the conditions defined in the Appearance and care section, be sure to carefully follow the cleaner?s directions. - When finished cleaning/washing, rinse thoroughly with clean water. IMPORTANT: Damage to paint, glass, bright metal, or any other exterior surface caused by using improper cleaning products is not covered under warranty. Always refer to the Paint Incident Identification Manual (PIIM) and Assurance Products Reference Manual (APRM). Follow the guidelines in the PIIM and APRM for non-warrantable exterior body, glass, or painted surface quality issues. To access the PIIM and APRM, login to nnanet.com: - For the PIIM, select: MY LINKS > Warranty > Paint Incident Identification Manual - For the APRM, select: MY DOCUMENTS > Warranty > APRM See further information in this bulletin.

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
1998Viewing492053.8
1997201049.4
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.