RoadVitals

1999 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.
43
Latest Mar 1, 2022
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 43 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1999 INFINITI QX4, most frequently naming the suspension, steering and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 87 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

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 43
Powertrain (other)SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 1, 2022

Accelerating grinding sound in back chassis. Steering is harder than usual. Im not getting the power to accelerate properly all the time. Eventually the problem with salt cause im in Indiana too much salt on roads and i dont think things are sealed completely from manufacturers.

NHTSA ID
11454724
Incident
Aug 13, 2015
SteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 1, 2022

Unknown. Steering is rough. Sounds

NHTSA ID
11454607
Incident
Mar 1, 2022
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 23, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 INFINITI QX4. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V244000 (STEERING, SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT STRUT HOUSING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED INFINITY CONTACTED AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO OPEN CASE FOR HIS VEHICLE FOR MY VEHICLEAS THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED IN 2008. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND THEY REPAIRED IT COMPLETELY WITH A BRACKET AND FIBERGLASS REPAIR KIT.*JB

NHTSA ID
11246053
Incident
Jun 7, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Fuel systemSteering
Filed Jul 31, 2018

JUST BOUGHT THE CAR USED 5 MONTHS AGO AND IT'S NOT WORKING DUE TO STRUT HOUSING AND FUEL FILLER TUBE RECALLS. I'M DISABLED AND HOMELESS CURRENTLY AND WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11114972
Incident
Jul 29, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 5, 2017

ODOMETER NOT OPERATING - NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL

NHTSA ID
10940016
Incident
Mar 4, 2016
Mileage
214,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 27, 2014

WHILE ON VACATION WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE AND TRAVELING DOWN THE TURNPIKE AT 75MPH I STARTED DOWN A INCLINE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND WHEN THE MOTOR STARTED COASTING OR NOT UNDER LOAD THE REAR END STARTED TO SHAKE SIDE TO SIDE SO BAD THAT I HAD TO GET ON THE BRAKES AND SLOW DOWN TO 35 MPH AND THEN IT STARTED TO DO IT A THIS SPEED ALSO (ANYTIME NOT UNDER LOAD FROM GAS PETAL IT STARTS TO WOBBLE. FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE REAR TRACK ARM BUSHINGS WHERE INSTALLED TO MAKE THEM FAIL BY NISSAN,. THE BUSHING ARUNDER SHEAR LOAD AS WELL AS TENSION LOAD. NOT A GOOD SET UP. COST TO FIX $1000.00 ($245.00 IN PARTS AND $705.00 IN LABOR TO REMOVE AND REPLACE. NISSAN HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE OR EVEN HELP WITH THE COST OF THIS DEADLY PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10575244
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Mileage
190,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 31, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 INFINITI QX4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DOORS FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10562406
Incident
Aug 14, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 10, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON NOV. 4TH, 2013, I WAS DRIVING MY CHILD TO SCHOOL. I BEGAN TO TURN LEFT & THE CAR SUDDENLY JERKED US TO THE LEFT & THEN WENT OUT OF CONTROL. AS WE WERE JERKED TO THE LEFT, I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL JERK AND THEN IT STARTED SPINNING LIKE A TOP. THERE WAS NO WAY TO CONTROL THE STEERING. WE SLAMMED INTO AN EMBANKMENT AND MY 7 YR OLD DAUGHTER HIT HER HEAD. ONCE WE GOT HOME, I CONTACTED A MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL SO I CONTACTED NISSAN. THEY SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON "SOME" OF THE 1999 NISSAN INFINITIS, BUT HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING IF MINE WAS ONE OF THEM. I CONTACTED THE MECHANIC WHO SAID TO GIVE NISSAN MY VIN AND THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE ME MORE INFO. CALLED NISSAN BACK AND THEY WERE EXTREMELY RUDE AND SAID THEY HAD ALREADY DISCUSSED THIS WITH ME THE PREVIOUS DAY. I TOLD THEM THAT A MECHANIC HAD TOLD ME TO CALL BACK & GIVE THEM MY VIN, SO I DID. SHE STILL WOULD NOT HELP. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER AND SHE SAID THAT I WAS NOT A "CASE" SO I WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO ONE & SHE WOULD NOT GIVE ME A NAME. I STATED THAT WE WERE IN ACCIDENT, & JUST BECAUSE WE LIVED THROUGH IT, DID NOT MEAN THAT WE DID NOT DESERVE ANSWERS. ONCE SHE HEARD THAT THERE WAS ACCIDENT, SHE SAID THAT THEY HANDLE THAT DIFFERENTLY & HAVE TO ASSIGN A CASE NUMBER TO IT THEN. THEY TOOK MY INFO AND THE PROCESS BEGAN. I DID NOT RECEIVE A RENTAL FROM THEM UNTIL THE END OF NOV, SEVERAL WEEKS AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I HAD PICTURES OF MY OWN, & THE STEERING COLUMN IS BROKE IN HALF, WHICH I PROVIDED THEM AS WELL. A CLEAN BREAK ALL THE WAY THROUGH. ON DEC 4TH I RECEIVED AN OFFER LETTER TELLING ME THAT I HAD 7 DAYS TO ACCEPT, OR THEY WOULD TAKE MY RENTAL AND I WOULD HAVE TO CLAIM MY CAR, WHICH HAD BEEN DEEMED UN-DRIVABLE AND UN-INSURABLE. BASICALLY TAKE THIS RIDICULOUS OFFER, WHICH WAS LOW, OR YOU GET NOTHING & HAVE TO PAY FOR YOUR RENTAL, HAVE NO CAR AND AN INJURED DAUGHTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10559350
Incident
Nov 4, 2013
Mileage
136,869 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.

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
1999Viewing432154.8
1998292157.2
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.