AI Damage1997 Infiniti J30: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Infiniti J30 filed 11 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and vehicle speed control. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 11
- involving a crash
- 5
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 27% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 4 Child seat 9% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Latches, locks, linkages 9% of all complaints
- 7 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 9% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (27% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 3 complaints (27% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Child seat: 1 complaints (9% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (9% 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 11 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Child seat | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving 65 mph the vehicle was involved in a head on collision and none of the six air bags deployed upon impact. The passenger sustained bruising and lower back pain. Please provide additional information.
While driving vehicle lunged forward, crashing into a building and causing serious damage. No prior problems regarding this compliant. Please provide further information.
While driving into the driveway, vehicle suddenly accelerated, ran into garage; pushed mercedes (inside garage) about 28 inches against the wall. Took to dealer, did not find a problem.
While driving into driveway, vehicle suddenly accelerated, driver lost control, ran into garage.
Steering wheel began jerking left and right and vehicle spun out of control.
The rear passenger door stopped working , a month later the rear drivers door stopped working, 2 weeks later the drivers door stopped working on my 1997 infiniti j30 (which I purchased new, only 107,000 miles on it).now the only door that works is the front passenger door. There are no blown fuses.
The plastic harness retainer latch for the child safety seat broke off while the child was in the seat. Manufacturer was informed of the problem and wanted to remedy the problem, but the consumer did not trust this particular seat anymore.
It was raining, I had turned on my turn signal and I was turning on my wipers, as I turned my my windsheild wiper the knob caught inside my steering wheel locking me from turning. I had oncoming traffic coming at me so I yanked real hard and broke the wiper knob.I do not know how that could have happened.
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 10,520 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the J30 has 8 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 11, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Infiniti J30?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, vehicle speed control, air bags. Total complaints: 11. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: jerking, harsh shifts (9%), steering or power steering problems (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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.