1997 Infiniti QX4: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 45 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (30% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“the rear end started to sway and shake ... made the car uncrontrlable, I reacted instantly and took my foot off the gas peddle and gripped the steering firmly like driving on snow...it came back under control as I was braking softly ....what a scary incident ...”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2021
“All 1997 thru 2003 frame suspension, suspension body panels were improperly undercoated to prevent rusting. Warning was issued in 2011, as third owner of vehicle, I was never notified. Causing imminent body harm and possibly death. Infinity was totally responsible for follow thru, and should be held responsible for my $20,000 loss, not to mention risk to my life. Thanks a lot you money mongers! You should be held responsible for failure of notification.”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2015
“Massive rust of frame and unit body suspension components causing a sudden loss of steering, braking and control of vehicle without warning. The cause is no rust under coating, poor design, poor welds, prone to tear loose from firewall and frame causing catastrophic failure and possibly my own death. Then their refusal to compensate in any way for their design errors is unacceptable. There was a sudden drop of my vehicle height at the drivers side wheel almost causing loss of control. A warning letter available in 2011 was never sent to me, possibly making it possible to repair. Updated 03/10/16.*jb”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4 equipped with michelin ltx m/s tires, size: pt245/70 r16 (na). While adding air to the front passenger side tire, the contact noticed tread separation. The contact mentioned all four tires experienced tread separation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was informed that all four tires needed to be replaced due to tread separation. The independent mechanic only replaced the rear passenger side tire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The tire and vehicle failure mileage was 180,000.”Owner report · Tires · Apr 2015
“1997 qx4. Consumer writes in regards to recall notice concerning malfunctioning parts *tgw the consumer stated the recalled part caused other mechanical problems to other components on the vehicle. It caused the tires to prematurely wear out, due to the shock absorbers being over-worked, and it caused problems with the steering as well. The consumer stated the dealership did not perform a thorough job in fixing the problem, as the vehicle is still unsafe to drive. Recall # 11v244000. *jb”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11v244000 (suspension:front). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that in addition to the failure being addressed in the recall, the front portion of the frame was also suffering from rust and corrosion. The contact was informed that the additional failures were not included in the recall. The vehicle was being repaired under the recall, but the additional failures were not being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4. The contact stated that the rear bushings from the upper control arm deteriorated, causing the vehicle to roll abnormally when accelerating or decelerating. The vehicle was taken in for routine maintenance when the contact was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 200,015.”Owner report · Suspension · Sep 2011
“Tl*the contact owns a 1997 infiniti qx4. The contact was traveling 25 mph and began to have trouble controlling the steering wheel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was corrosion in the steering column and she needed a new vehicle. The contact stated that they had the struts and suspension replaced a year earlier because of corrosion and was told that the vehicle was in good shape. The contact stated that this was a safety issue, because of the corrosion. The failure mileage was 172,000 and the current mileage was 174,000. Updated 05/20/11*lj updated 1/5/12 *cn”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2010
“The front driver side strut tower rusted out on my 1997 infiniti qx4. Part of the strut tower sheared, creating an obstruction that interfered with vehicle steering. I was notified of this problem by my mechanic after I asked him to inspect the shocks and struts to see if they needed to be replaced. My mechanic advised me to park the car until it could be repaired since it was not safe to drive. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2010
“While on interstate 10, the qx4 shakes uncontrollably while driving at higher speeds and the steering wheel does not turn in portion to the rotation of turning the wheel. Changed the struts in the front and the back and shocks without any progress.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2010
When filing, owners marked a crash in 7 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA , WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, DURING THE COATING PROCESS OF THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY, AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF COATING MAY HAVE BEEN APPLIED AT THE LOWER MOUNTING BRACKET. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN OPENING IN THE COATING WHICH CAN ALLOW WATER TO ENTER AND MAKE CONTACT WITH THE BARE METAL OF THE TUBE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL FILLER TUBE ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ONE WITH AN IMPROVED COATING PROCESS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 26, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1996-2004 PATHFINDER AND MODEL YEAR 1997-2003 INFINITI QX4 VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WASHINGTON D.C., WEST VIRGINIA AND WISCONSIN. IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY IN WHICH HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT ARE USED, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT MAY ENTER AN ASSEMBLY LOCATION HOLE IN THE UPPER STRUT HOUSING, CAUSING WATER TO COLLECT AT THE MATING SURFACE OF THE STRUT HOUSING PANEL AND THE INNER HOOD LEDGE ASSEMBLY. OVER TIME, THIS SNOW/WATER AND SALT INTRUSION MAY RESULT IN CORROSION OF THE STRUT TOWER HOUSING IN SOME SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL INSPECT THE STRUT HOUSING AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM NOTIFICATION LETTER WAS SENT OUT IN MAY 2011. THE SECOND NOTICE WAS MAILED ON JULY 25, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact QX4 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 1997 Infiniti QX4 reliable?
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 1997 Infiniti QX4. The most complained-about area is suspension (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Infiniti QX4 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 135,000 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Infiniti QX4 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap. 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.