AI Damage1998 Infiniti I30: common problems
Owners of the 1998 Infiniti I30 filed 49 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 49
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 41% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 4% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 4% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 20 complaints (41% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (20% of all).
- Service brakes: 6 complaints (12% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 4 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 49 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 20 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Takata recall the car has manufacture things that need to be fix for no xcost
The srs light flashed on then off while driving, driver took vehicle to dealer. The driver noticed on another occasion that problem repeatedly happened. The mechanic determined that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced.
We experienced a problem when the brakes were applied, it seemed as though the abs system kicked in, but did not properly slow the vehicle. We took the vehicle in for inspection. The dealership replaced the brake pads. The same failure occurs twice more over the next month. So we took the car back to the dealership.
I have been in two car accidents with my I 30 in both of the accidents. Dt
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…
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.
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…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 5,395 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the I30 has 28 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 49, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Infiniti I30?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 49. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (31%), smoke, burning smell, fire (14%), warning lights, check engine (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1998 Infiniti I30?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1998 Infiniti I30 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1998 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.