AI Damage1997 Infiniti QX4: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Infiniti QX4 filed 45 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 45
- involving a crash
- 7
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 44% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 24% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 9% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 5 Tires 7% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 4% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Suspension: 20 complaints (44% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 11 complaints (24% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Structure: 3 complaints (7% of all).
- Tires: 3 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 45 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 20 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 2 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 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.
Police trooper indicated that 99 out of 100 driver in single vehicle accident would have received a ticket for wreckless driving. Car has been determined to be a total loss. It is currently in impound at a front royal lot.
The engine shut off, there was no power for anything! No steering, no brakes, no possible way to stop the vehicle from crashing. The vehicle was propelled across the hwy from the right shoulder and as if the drivers corner was pinned to the road, it turned just enough to face the concrete median, which it hit head-on…
Driver's side seatbelt didn't hold in a collision. The vehicle rolled over twice. The first time it rolled the seat belt held in place, then released. The driver was ejected and suffered several lacerations, a shattered left humerous and torn ligaments.
Driver's side seatbelt didn't hold in a side collision. Please provide any further information.
Vehicle slid on black ice down a very steep road, lost control, and went up a mountain wall, flipped over, and hit a tlelphone pole. Car hit dead center, and the airbags did not deploy.
Consumer was rear ended while traveling less than 20 mph. Upon impact both driver's side and passenger's side seats broke in the reclining position. Consumer has yet to contact the dealer.
There was a problem that I brought to the attention of my dealer. The 4-wd light continued to blink once I had traveled 20+ miles. This was never rectified. On the date of incident I was driving on a straight grooved highway and the right rear wheel axle broke, and the wheel came off, causing me to veer into the…
The contact stated while driving at 35 MPH and other various speeds over bumps in the roadway, the vehicle was shaking abnormally with the steering wheel becoming difficult to turn to the left or to the right.
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 5,632 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 15% most complained about).
On average one model year of the QX4 has 31 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 45, above average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Infiniti QX4?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, steering, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 45. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (18%), rust, corrosion (16%), knocking, grinding or other noise (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Infiniti QX4?
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 QX4 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 2026-11-06.