RoadVitals

1998 INFINITI QX4

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.
29
Latest Aug 9, 2019
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 Apr 20, 2011
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.
1
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.
6
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 29 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1998 INFINITI QX4, most frequently naming the suspension, steering and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 83 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

  • Suspension1022.7%
  • Steering613.6%
  • Driver assistance613.6%
  • Fuel system511.4%
  • Body & structure511.4%
  • Brakes36.8%
  • Tires & wheels24.5%
  • Engine24.5%

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
11V244000

STEERING:COLUMN; SUSPENSION:FRONT

Apr 20, 2011
195,991 units potentially affected
The defect: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
The risk: THE STRUT HOUSING MAY CRACK AND PULL AWAY FROM THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY LEAD TO GRINDING NOISES, INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND POSSIBLY THE STEERING COLUMN TO BREAK, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
The remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
07V435000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

Sep 18, 2007
372,250 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.
The risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN SURFACE RUST BUT NOT PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. HOWEVER, IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, IF A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAKES CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL, CORROSION MAY OCCUR TO A DEGREE WHICH RESULTS IN PERFORATION OF THE TUBE. IN THIS CASE FUEL LEAKAGE MAY OCCUR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE11004ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Frame/Body Structure Corrosion

Opened Jan 28, 2011
Closed Jun 30, 2011

In their Defect Information Report (DIR) of April 20, 2011, Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) notified NHTSA that it would conduct a safety recall of certain 1996-2004 Nissan Pathfinder and 1997-2003 Infinity QX4 vehicles to repair corrosion damage to the driver's side front strut tower.The vehicles included in the recall are those that were originally sold, or are currently registered in salt belt states including Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.The DIR states in part, ...the strut housing may crack and pull away from the inner hood ledge assembly.This could lead to the strut housing panel separating and contacting the steering column lower shaft.Contact with the steering column lower shaft can cause steering difficulties and may require an increase in steering effort by the driver.If the steering column lower shaft completely fractured it would result in a total loss of steering control.In some cases, the strut housing panel can contact or affect adjacent brake system components.Complainants reported experiencing either steering or brake system issues, and in some cases, both.Nissan dealer's will inspect the strut housing and, based on the level of corrosion found, make an assessment as to how to remedy the vehicle (see defect information report for additional details). Brake system components adjacent to, and in the area of, the strut tower (i.e., brake master cylinder, left front brake line, ABS wire harness, etc.) will also be inspected.

STEERING:COLUMNLed to recall 11V244000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 29
Suspension
Filed Aug 9, 2019
Crash reported

WHEN YOU LET OFF THE GAS PEDDLE THE REAREND STARTS A VIOLENTLY SHAKEING BACK AND FORTH AND WILL CAUSE YOU TO DRIVE OVER SOMETHING OR SOMEONE DUE TO DEFECTIVE BUSHINGS!!!HOW CAN THEY SELL US CRAP THAT CAN COST THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE AND NOT HONOR A RECALL ON REAR BUSHINGS...I NEARLY SHUT DOWN THE INTERSTATE ON MY LAST DRIVE......

NHTSA ID
11242762
Incident
Jul 8, 2019
Mileage
230,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 7, 2018

I BROUGHT MY TRUCK IN FOR A RECALL WITH STRUT TOWER AND CHASSY,THEY PATCHED TBE CHASSY UP,WHEN I WENT TO PICK IT UP I DIDN'T GET 5 MINUTES UP THE ROAD AND IT WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT HARD AND SHAKING AST 40TO 50MPH,IT'S A DRIVING HAZARD,I BROUGHT IT RIGHT BACK THEY DID AN ALIGNMENT ON IT,CALLED ME AND SAID IT'S STILL DOING IT AND THERE'S NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO,SO NOW I'M OUT OF A VEHICLE THEY TOLD CONSUMER AFFAIRS THAT I CALLED THAT IT COULD OF BEEN A,PRE EXISTING PROBLEM SO NOW CONSUMER AFFAIRS WON'T HELP ME SO WHAT DO I DO NOW IT'S MY ONLY VEHICLE AND THE DEALERSHIP WANTS ME TO JUST DRIVE OFF THEIR LOT WITH A HAZARDOUS VEHICLE,IT WAS FINE UNTIL THEY PATCHED THAT CHASSY UP THEIR WERE NO PRE-EXISTING PROBLEMS SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW,PLEASE HELP?THE DEALERSHIP IS RAY CATINA INFINITI IN EDISON,NEW JERSEY,THE ONLY THING THEY HELPED ME WITH IS GETTING ME A LOANER CAR AND THEM PAYING FOR IT BUT NOW I HAVE TO BRING IT BACK,I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT RIGHTS I HAVE OR

NHTSA ID
11128014
Incident
Jul 31, 2018
Mileage
216,955 mi
Body & structureSteering
Filed May 4, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND THAT THE STEERING COLUMN AND SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,757.

NHTSA ID
10863087
Incident
Apr 29, 2016
Mileage
173,757 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 1, 2014

THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED SO THAT NOW THE WHEEL WELL IS STARTING TO REST ON THE DRIVESHAFT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10629909
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Airbags
Filed Nov 21, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON NOV.9 I WAS DRIVING HOME ON PATTERSONMILL RD. IN BARNWELL SC. A BUCK DEER HIT MY 1998 INFINITI QX4 I WENT OFF ROAD N HIT A TREE CUTTING IN HALF I WAS ABLE TO KICK OUT WINDSHIELD CRAWD OUT WENT TO NEIGHBORS HOME SHE CALLED FOR HELP MOREL TO STORY I HAVE A CRACK IN SKULL UNDER EYE CONTUSION AND CONCUSSION WITH CHRONIC PAIN UP DOWN MY SPINE I HAVE SURGERY ON MY ORBITAL FLOOR ON MONDAY PLEASE HELP ME CALL PLENTY LAWYERS BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO HALIDE MY CASE MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY BUT PASSENGER SIDE DID I GOT HURT AND IS IN CHRONIC PAIN I WANT COMPENSATION FOR MY STRESS,INJURIES,PAIN N FUTURE PAIN AND SUFFERING FOR AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10553142
Incident
Nov 9, 2013
Mileage
4,200 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 6, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 9/4/13 *CN

NHTSA ID
10533854
Incident
Aug 5, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 25, 2012

I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR TODAY AND IT WAS DRIVING FINE AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT UNTIL I ACCELERATED OVER 40MPH THE REAR BACK WAS SWERVING LEFT TO RIGHT AFTER I RELEASE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. ALMOST HAD 4 CRASHES. SOMETHING IN THE REAR IS MAKING THE CAR SWERVE LIKE ITS LOSING TRACTION BUT ONLY WHEN IT'S RELEASED OFF THE GAS PEDAL. IT WAS THE BIGGEST FATAL PART OF EXPERIENCE WITHIN DRIVING OF MY LIFE. ALL I KNOW IS THAT IT IS PRETTY RUSTED ON THE STRUT AREAS SINCE I CHECKED IF SOMETHING WAS BROKEN UNDER THE CAR. LOW SPEEDS AROUND 30MPH THE CAR DRIVES FINE BUT HIGHER SPEED ITS LIKE, I HAVE TO KEEP ACCELERATING TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM SWERVING IN THE REAR. MY LIFE WAS ENDANGERED FOR 40 MINUTES OF MY LIFE ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE CONTACT ME, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION I NEED TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10472477
Incident
Aug 25, 2012
Mileage
225,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Oct 14, 2011

1998 INFINITI QX4. CONSUMER WRITES IN DISCONTENT CONCERNING RECALL REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER NEVER INFORMED HER IT WOULD TAKE AN EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME TO FIX THE STRUT TOWER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER HAD HER VEHICLE FOR THREE WEEKS. FINALLY, THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE CORROSION ON THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING WAS SO SIGNIFICANT, THAT IT NOT ONLY NEEDED SEALANT AND RESIN PATCHES AND ADDITIONAL WORK, BUT THE REPAIRS COULD NOT BE GUARANTEED BY THE MECHANICS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10429872
Incident
Oct 1, 2011

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.

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.

ITB18-037

EQUIPMENT; STRUCTURE

PLASTIC INTERIOR TRIM PROTECTIVE COVERING REMOVAL SERVICE INFORMATION Vehicles are delivered with plastic interior trim protective covering on the front and rear seats, front and rear door panel finishers, steering wheel, and sun visors (see examples on page 2). When removing the protective covering, care must be used to avoid scuffs, scrapes, cuts, and other abrasive contact to interior trim components. DO NOT use sharp objects like razor blades, box cutters, knives, etc. when removing the plastic interior trim protective covering. IMPORTANT: All soft trim described in this bulletin is on automatic return to NNA. Any trim found damaged in the way described in this bulletin will be charged back to the dealer.

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 QX4 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2009000—
2008000—
2007000—
2006100—
2005000—
2004100—
2003204255.3
2002376268.2
2001734154.6
2000283151.2
1999432154.8
1998Viewing292157.2
1997452157.0

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.