1998 Infiniti I30: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 49 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (36% of complaints); the 1997 and 1999 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2002
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. I was told by dealership that it would over $1000 does this have anything to do with takata inflators that have been recalls on millions of cars but just skipped this year and make? I was told airbag will still deploy, well I was involved in a front end accident, air bag did not deploy! This is a real concern, this needs to be investigated, and recall implemented before someone dies as a result!”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 infiniti i30. 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. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 99v129000 (electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator). The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 145,000. Updated 01/25//12 *bf”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2011
“Infiniti i30 air bag red light on dash blinking indicating faulty air bags. This is a dangerous situation because you don't know if the air bags are functional or if it is just the light. Infiniti wants > $600 to replace the airbag which only seems to last a short period of time. Many owners have indicated this problem on the web: http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/infiniti/i30/r71712/comments/ http://forums.nicoclub.com/air-bag-sign-blinking-on-1998-infiniti-i30-t285511.html http://x.infinitihelp.com/forum/showthread.php/air-bag-light-flash-1250.html?s=e57ee447db4834484bf21b4fa7bd8aa0&p=4558”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2011
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“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 infinity i30. While driving 35 mph he smelled rubber burning and the following day he had difficulty starting the vehicle. He drove the vehicle to a local garage. The mechanic stated that the alternator caused the burning smell. The dealer and manufacturer confirmed that his VIN was not a part of recall 02v171000 electrical system alternator/ generator/ regulator. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage were 108,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 1998 infiniti i30. The contact stated that the air bag warning light continued to illuminate on the instrument panel. The dealer stated that the passenger side air bag needed to be replaced at the cost of over $1,000. There were no recalls for the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were less than 64, 726. Updated 07/14/09 *bf updated 07/15/09.*jb”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2009
“Check out this site. This appears to be a common problem with i30 http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_71712.html airbag warning light flashes. This would indicate that the airbag is malfunctioning or the system light, but in either case we know not which. This appears to be an ongoing situation which infiniti will not address. Please investigate. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2007
“Air bag light flashes, this problem occurs with many 1998 infiniti i30's after searching the internet. Nissan will not take responsibility for correcting the problem. Light suggests that the airbag is faulty however nissan says this is not the case. Faulty or not the flashing light suggests safety issue and this is a recurring problem that nissan has tapped the consumer for at anywhere from 500-1000 per occurrence. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2007
“Air bag light came on at 33,000. Diagnosis: a bad sensor for driver's side bag. Extended warranty does not cover. They wanted $700 to fix it. Turns out there is a reset method that will turn off the light if it is not defective, and only needs to be reset. The dealer did not try this, or offer to do so. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2007
“Tl* - the contact called regarding a 1998 infinite i30. The contact stated that the vehicle made a lot of noise due to the timing chain. The contact took the vehicle to the repair shop and she was told the timing chain needed to be replaced. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2007
“Air bag light flashes repeatedly. Car has just turned over 40000 miles. Dealership (crest) in plano charges $130 just to look at the car and diagnose. New sensor plus installation costs $500. Not worth the cost on a 1998 vehicle. Complained that this should be a safety/nissan issue. Complaints were ignored.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact I30 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Infiniti I30 reliable?
NHTSA has 49 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Infiniti I30. The most complained-about area is air bags (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Infiniti I30 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,000 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Infiniti I30 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:alternator/generator/regulator. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.