1997 Infiniti I30 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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.
What could happen: 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 fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 I30.
- Book a repair at any authorized Infiniti dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V171000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-647-7261.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1997 Infiniti I30 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Electrical system (6), Brakes (5), Hydraulic (5), Engine (3), Unknown Or Other (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
02/11/2016 · Fuel system
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. T…
10/12/2011 · Electrical system
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 INFINIT…
09/13/2011 · Engine · fire
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 COMPLA…
08/03/2008 · Engine
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,…
12/20/2007 · Airbags · crash
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…
08/16/2007 · Suspension
I HAVE A 1997 INFINITY QX-4 AND WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR THE CAR WOBBLE TO THE STATE WHERE I FEEL LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO FLIP OVER. I CHANGED THE SHOCKS, STRUTS, SUSPENSION LINKS, BALANCED THE TIRE, ALIGNMENT, ETC AND CAN'T GET RID OF THE WOBBLE. I NOTICED THERE ARE A LOT OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS IN WEBSITES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB
05/23/2007 · Wheels / tires · crash
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
08/21/2005 · Electrical system
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 TH…