AI Damage1993 Infiniti J30: common problems
Owners of the 1993 Infiniti J30 filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about air bags and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 24
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Air bags 29% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Engine and cooling 8% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 8% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 4% of all complaints
- 8 Latches, locks, linkages 4% of all complaints
- Air bags: 7 complaints (29% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (8% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 2 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
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 24 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 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
No deployment of air bags in collision, causing injury. Air bags designed to not work if vehicles bumper is below other vehicle.
While car was parked and turned off, an electrical fire started in the steering column/ wiring area. The column is burned and melted onto the seat and floor, the interior is fire damaged. Fire and police saw no cause and assume a short or defect was cause.
While the vehicle was a in park and without prior warning both air bags deployed. Consumer's son was sitting in the vehicle approx. 5 min. With the engine running. Both driver and passenger air bags deployed. The windshield broke when the dash door hitting it when the passenger air bag deployed.
When applying the brake a snapping sound was heard and the vehicle experienced sudden loss of braking with the pedal extended to the floor, the dealer found that the brake booster mounting bolts sheard off causing the sudden loss. Nlm
Driver's side restraint does not retract outward, leaving driver unrestrained. Dealer is inspecting and will repair vehicle.
While the consumer was applying the brake and putting the vehicle into reverse she heard a loud crunching noise and noticed that the brake pedal went to the floor, an inspection revealed that one of the bolts (part of the booster housing) sheared off and the other bolt was bent, the dealer had to replace the master…
Speedodometer does not read correct speed when driving. Dealer has been contacted.
Transmission failed at speed of 60-65 mph. After being serviced, kicked into 3rd gear, then would not shift into 2nd, 1st gear or reverse.
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 7,585 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the J30 has 8 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 24, above average.
What to check before buying
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1993 Infiniti J30?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: air bags, powertrain, service brakes. Total complaints: 24. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (8%), jerking, harsh shifts (8%), smoke, burning smell, fire (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1993 Infiniti J30?
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 1993 Infiniti J30 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 1993 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.