1997 INFINITI QX4 Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 1997 Infiniti QX4. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V244000 (Steering, Suspension). The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH and other various speeds over bumps in the roadway, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn to the left or to the right. Additionally, the contact heard abnormal metal on metal grinding sounds particularly while turning the vehicle to the left or the right. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was advised that the vehicle had failed a safety inspection and he would be contacted by a third party to buy back the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11520613

Incident

Mar 12, 2023

Mileage

154,000 mi

the rear end started to sway and shake ... made the car uncrontrlable, I reacted instantly and took my foot off the gas peddle and gripped the steering firmly like driving on snow...it came back under control as I was braking softly ....what a scary incident ...

NHTSA ID

11428638

Incident

Jul 20, 2021

I HAD MY CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY DETAILING IT. I'VE ALWAYS TOOK EXCEPTIONAL CARE OF MY VEHICLES AND ONE THING I'VE ALWAYS DONE WAS MADE SURE THE UNDERCOATING WAS TOP-NOTCH. AS I PROCEEDED TO UNDERCOAT THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT FENDER WELLS ON MY 97 QX4 I NOTICED SOME RUST FORMING BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER. SOME OF IT WAS FLAKY AND SOME OF IT WAS RAISED RUST. I TOOK MY SCRAPER AND LO AND BEHOLD FOUND A HOLE BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER. I CONTINUED TO SCRAPE AND CLEAN THE HOLE AND THE AREA ACCORDING TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN FROM INFINITY AND I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT VEHICLE SAFETY AND THE RUST BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER ON DRIVERS SIDE.I HAVE YET TO CHECK MY PASSENGER SIDE SINCE THE DRIVER SIDE HAS ISSUES I WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND NOTIFY YOU GUYS. I KNOW THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STRUT TOWER ON NISSAN PATHFINDERS AND INFINITI QX4S 96 THROUGH 2004. I HAVE A 96 PATHFINDER ALSO THAT JUST LAST WEEK I TALKED TO A REPRESENTATIVE FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND IT STILL HAS A OPEN RECALL CONCERNING THE STRUT TOWER. I LIVE IN TENNESSEE AND BY THE RECALL TENNESSEE IS NOT LISTED AS ONE OF THE SALT STATES BUT YET THAT IS WHERE MY PATHFINDER IS REGISTERED AND IT HAS A RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED ON THE STRUT TOWER SO I'M WONDERING IF MY QX4 WHICH IS A 97 MODEL HAS HAD A RECALL PERFORMED ON IT OR IF THE RECALL EVEN CONCERNS MY QX4 IT CLEARLY HAS RUST BEHIND THE STRUT TOWER ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND REGISTERED IN TENNESSEE. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE I HAD MY SEAT BELTS REPLACED IN MY QX4 6 MONTHS AGO AND WHEN I HAD IT IN THERE I SAID SOMETHING ABOUT CHECKING MY STRUT TOWERS BUT ON MY TICKET THEY GAVE ME IT DOESN'T LIST ANYTHING ABOUT THEM CHECKING THE STRUT TOWERS CAMPAIGN # R1109 NHTSA # 11V-244 APPLIED VEHICLES 97-03 QX4 (JR50) I NEED TO KNOW WHAT MY NEXT ACTION SHOULD BE AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS RECALL HAS BEEN PERFORMED PLEASE HELP GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH

NHTSA ID

11233265

Incident

Jul 19, 2019

Mileage

254,432 mi

CAR SUSPENSION SHIMMIES, SHAKES AND WHOLE CAR ROLLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID

11121531

Incident

Aug 21, 2018

Mileage

86,000 mi

ALL 1997 THRU 2003 FRAME SUSPENSION, SUSPENSION BODY PANELS WERE IMPROPERLY UNDERCOATED TO PREVENT RUSTING. WARNING WAS ISSUED IN 2011, AS THIRD OWNER OF VEHICLE, I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. CAUSING IMMINENT BODY HARM AND POSSIBLY DEATH. INFINITY WAS TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOW THRU, AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR MY $20,000 LOSS, NOT TO MENTION RISK TO MY LIFE. THANKS A LOT YOU MONEY MONGERS! YOU SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FAILURE OF NOTIFICATION.

NHTSA ID

10825232

Incident

Nov 2, 2015

Mileage

105,460 mi

MASSIVE RUST OF FRAME AND UNIT BODY SUSPENSION COMPONENTS CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING, BRAKING AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAUSE IS NO RUST UNDER COATING, POOR DESIGN, POOR WELDS, PRONE TO TEAR LOOSE FROM FIREWALL AND FRAME CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AND POSSIBLY MY OWN DEATH. THEN THEIR REFUSAL TO COMPENSATE IN ANY WAY FOR THEIR DESIGN ERRORS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THERE WAS A SUDDEN DROP OF MY VEHICLE HEIGHT AT THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL ALMOST CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. A WARNING LETTER AVAILABLE IN 2011 WAS NEVER SENT TO ME, POSSIBLY MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO REPAIR. UPDATED 03/10/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10788749

Incident

Oct 28, 2015

Mileage

105,000 mi

I OWN A 1997 INFINITI QX4. WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH OR MORE, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO WOBBLE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY, SEEMINGLY FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MECHANICS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE REAR SHOCKS AND PASSENGER SIDE BUSHINGS AND TRAIL STABILIZER BAR AND FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE THE WOBBLE, SHAKE, FISHTAIL AND EARTHQUAKE. " I BOUGHT THIS 1997 INFINITI QX4 FROM CARS UNLIMITED HERE IN HOUSTON, TX. THE OWNER IS[XXX]AND I BOUGHT 'AS IS'. ALTHOUGH DEALER OWNER WAS NON-INTEGRAL, LIED AND TOLD ME VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND SAFE, HE IS NOT LIABLE UNDER RULE BY THE AS IS. THIS VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO OVER 6 MECHANICS BY NOW. ALL TELL ME VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I TRIED MAKING IT SAFER SINCE I AM STUCK WITH IT BY CHANGING THE SHOCKS AND THE TRAILER STABILIZER BAR AFTER I LEARNED IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE BAR WAS BENT. THAT BY NO MEANS FIXED THE EARTHQUAKE SWAYING AND THE AWFUL REAR END FISH-TAILING ALL OVER THE ROAD. CAN'T DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN. CAN'T GET CAUGHT IN THE RAIN, IT SLIDES INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S LANES. COPS LOOK AT ME CRAZY AS IF I'M DRUNK. I DRIVE 40 MILES OR LESS TO KEEP FROM GETTING PULLED OVER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHO HANDLED THE PREVIOUS DRIVERS' CLAIM SHOULD HAVE SALVAGED IT. IT LOOKS SUPER PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE. WILL FOOL A LOT OF WOMEN INTO BUYING IT. NOT SAFE! *JS

NHTSA ID

10585713

Incident

Apr 14, 2014

I BOUGHT A 1997 INFINITI FROM CARS UNLIMITED; OWNER[XXX] I BOUGHT 'AS IS'. ALTHOUGH DEALER OWNER WAS NON-INTEGRAL, LIED AND TOLD ME VEHICLE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION AND SAFE, HE IS NOT LIABLE UNDER RULE BY THE AS IS. VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO OVER 6 MECHANICS BY NOW. ALL TELL ME VEHICLE IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE. I TRIED MAKING IT SAFER SINCE I AM STUCK WITH IT BY CHANGING THE SHOCKS AND THE TRAILER STABILIZER BAR AFTER I LEARNED IT HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE PASSENGER SIDE BAR WAS BENT. THAT BY NO MEANS FIXED THE EARTHQUAKE SWAYING AND THE AWFUL REAR END FISH-TAILING ALL OVER THE ROAD. CAN'T DRIVE IT IN THE RAIN. CAN'T GET CAUGHT IN THE RAIN, IT SLIDES INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S LANES. COPS LOOK AT ME CRAZY AS IF I'M DRUNK. I DRIVE 40 MILES OR LESS TO KEEP FROM GETTING PULLED OVER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WHO HANDLED THE PREVIOUS DRIVERS' CLAIM SHOULD HAVE SALVAGED IT. IT LOOKS SUPER PRETTY ON THE OUTSIDE. WILL FOOL A LOT OF WOMEN INTO BUYING IT. NOT SAFE! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

NHTSA ID

10585567

Incident

Apr 14, 2014

Mileage

240 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT HOUSING WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT MADE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE AND LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V244000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT HAD MADE ADEQUATE REPAIRS TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT HOUSING, PER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT MOST RECENTLY, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE STRUT TOWER HAD ALSO BECOME DEFECTIVE, CAUSING THE STRUT HOUSING TO BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER PREVIOUSLY ADDED A PROTECTIVE COATING TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE STRUT HOUSING WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR INSPECTION UNDER THE RECALL BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

NHTSA ID

10475321

Incident

Jul 18, 2012

1997 QX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING MALFUNCTIONING PARTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALLED PART CAUSED OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS TO OTHER COMPONENTS ON THE VEHICLE. IT CAUSED THE TIRES TO PREMATURELY WEAR OUT, DUE TO THE SHOCK ABSORBERS BEING OVER-WORKED, AND IT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AS WELL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PERFORM A THOROUGH JOB IN FIXING THE PROBLEM, AS THE VEHICLE IS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE. RECALL # 11V244000. *JB

NHTSA ID

10474882

Incident

Sep 1, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI QX4. WHILE TRAVELING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE FRONT BUSHINGS, FRONT AXLES, TIE RODS, AND FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID

10454348

Incident

Apr 22, 2010

Mileage

110,000 mi

AT 6:45 A.M CAR TRAVELING DOWN FREEZELAND ROAD, LINDEN, VA AT ABOUT 30MPH. WEATHER CONDITIONS: CLEAR, DRY. ROAD CONDITIONS: NO DEFECTS, OIL OR OTHER TRACTION FAULTS THAT WOULD CAUSE ACCIDENT. QX4 AS DESCRIBED BY WITNESS TO POLICE LOOKED AT THOUGH REAR OF VEHICLE BODY WAS ACTING INDEPENDENT OF BODY FRAME. AT THIS POINT DRIVER COULD NOT RECOVER, HAD NO TIME TO BRAKE, STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND. QX4 WOULD NOT RESPOND AND CONTINUED STRAIGHT UP AN EMBANKMENT, HIT LARGE BOLDER AND FLIPPED ONTO PASSENGER SIDE. DRIVER WAS PULLED FROM VEHICLE BY RETIRED EMT. DRIVER SUSTAINED RIGHT KNEE INJURIES INCLUDING FRACTURE TO LOWER LEG DIRECTLY BELOW KNEE, LIGAMENT DAMAGE STILL BEING EVALUATED. DRIVER WAS NOT GIVEN CITATION BY VIRGINIA STATE POLICE, DUE TO DRIVER AND WITNESS STATEMENTS. STATE POLICE INDICATED THAT IT APPEARED TO BE A MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE. POLICE TROOPER INDICATED THAT 99 OUT OF 100 DRIVER IN SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE RECEIVED A TICKET FOR WRECKLESS DRIVING. CAR HAS BEEN DETERMINED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. IT IS CURRENTLY IN IMPOUND AT A FRONT ROYAL LOT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10447928

Incident

Feb 8, 2012

Mileage

120,000 mi

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON JANUARY 24TH 2010, WHILE TRAVELING N. ON STATE HWY 87 GOING TOWARDS PAYSON, AZ ALTHOUGH THERE HAD BEEN A LOT OF SNOW IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS THE ROADS WERE CLEAR AND APPEARED DRY. THE INCIDENT BEGAN WHEN I APPARENTLY ENCOUNTERED A PATCH OF BLACK ICE AS I BEGAN ACROSS A BRIDGE. I FELT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE QUICKLY SLIDE LEFT. BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE IN HANDLING THIS VEHICLE AND HOW WELL THIS VEHICLE HANDLES, I WAS EXTREMELY CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY TO RECOVER FROM THE SLIDING WITHOUT INCIDENT. (I WAS THE 2ND OWNER & HAD IT 10YRS) I HAD COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE 1ST AND 2ND CORRECTIONS, HOWEVER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 3RD & WHAT WOULD'VE BEEN THE LAST CORRECTION I FELT SOMETHING BREAK IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL AREA. (IMAGINE BEING UP ON ALL FOURS AND YOUR LEFT ARM COLLAPSES OUT FROM UNDER YOU) AT THAT MOMENT I NO LONGER HAD CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE WHATEVER HAPPENED CAUSED THE FAIL SAFES IN THE VEHICLE TO INSTANTLY SHUT EVERYTHING OFF! THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, THERE WAS NO POWER FOR ANYTHING! NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO POSSIBLE WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS PROPELLED ACROSS THE HWY FROM THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND AS IF THE DRIVERS CORNER WAS PINNED TO THE ROAD, IT TURNED JUST ENOUGH TO FACE THE CONCRETE MEDIAN, WHICH IT HIT HEAD-ON AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. THE FORCE OF THE ENGINE PUSHING THROUGH THE FIRE WALL, SNAPPED MY RIGHT FEMUR. I WAS AIR LIFTED FROM THE SCENE WITH LIFE THREATENING INJURIES & TAKEN TO THE VALLEY. MY HUSBAND WHO WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS TRANSPORTED TO PAYSON VIA AMBULANCE. ON THE MORNING OF THE 26TH HE SUDDENLY HAD TO BE AIR LIFTED TO THE VALLEY, WHERE HE DIED JUST A FEW HOURS LATER FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS 1 1/2YRS LATER BEFORE I FOUND OUT IT WAS THE DRIVER'S SIDE STRUT THAT BROKE & CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH.

NHTSA ID

10444248

Incident

Jan 24, 2010

Mileage

263,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BUSHINGS FROM THE UPPER CONTROL ARM DETERIORATED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL ABNORMALLY WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,015.

NHTSA ID

10425016

Incident

Sep 9, 2011

Mileage

200,015 mi

WHILE ON INTERSTATE 10, THE QX4 SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT TURN IN PORTION TO THE ROTATION OF TURNING THE WHEEL. CHANGED THE STRUTS IN THE FRONT AND THE BACK AND SHOCKS WITHOUT ANY PROGRESS.

NHTSA ID

10393230

Incident

Jul 19, 2010

Mileage

245,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FRONT LEFT SHOCK TOWER HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED DUE TO CORROSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000. UPDATED 04/15/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11

NHTSA ID

10379934

Incident

Feb 2, 2009

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE STRUT TOWER RUSTED OUT ON MY 1997 INFINITI QX4. PART OF THE STRUT TOWER SHEARED, CREATING AN OBSTRUCTION THAT INTERFERED WITH VEHICLE STEERING. I WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM BY MY MECHANIC AFTER I ASKED HIM TO INSPECT THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS TO SEE IF THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME TO PARK THE CAR UNTIL IT COULD BE REPAIRED SINCE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10379931

Incident

Aug 15, 2010

Mileage

135,000 mi

SIDE TO SIDE VEHICLE SHAKE. AT SPEEDS OVER 40 MPH ANY BUMP WILL SEND THE CAR INTO A VIOLENT SHAKE THAT CAN ONLY BE STOPPED BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. I REPLACED STRUTS, BALANCED TIRES AND HAD WHEEL ALIGNMENT, YET THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10334939

Incident

Jun 7, 2010

Mileage

150,000 mi

MY 1997 INFINITI QX4 STARTED TO HAVE A SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLE. IT GOT WORSE OVER TIME. NOW I CAN BARELY DRIVE ON THE FREEWAY. AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 50-65 IT WOBBLES TO THE POINT THAT IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. I BOUGHT AN INFINITI FOR THE SAFETY AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT ANYMORE. I HAVE REPLACED SHOCKS, TIRES, HAVE DONE TIRE BALANCING, WHEEL ALIGNMENT. NONE HAVE DONE ANYTHING TO REMOTELY FIX THE PROBLEM. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR THE PATHFINDER AND QX4. *TR

NHTSA ID

10209109

Incident

Feb 1, 2006

VEHICLES COMING FROM THE MANUFACTURER ARE BEING PUT OUT WITH DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS WHICH CAUSES VEHICLES TO LEAN TO THE LEFT. DEALER WAS NOTIFED, AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE COIL SPRINGS. ALSO CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SAME VEHICLE FROM 1997-1999 WERE AFFECTED WITH DEFECTIVE PARTS. *AK

NHTSA ID

831092

Incident

Nov 6, 1998